Low head to stem ratio poppet valve

A valve for regulating the flow of a fluid, comprising:

• an inlet channel configured to accept the fluid into the valve, the inlet channel terminating in a hole with a seating surface disposed around a perimeter of the hole;
• a valve member comprising:
• a cylindrical valve stem with a first end and terminating in a second end axially opposing the first end along a longitudinal axis;
• an outside surface of the cylindrical valve stem defining a stem diameter;
• a valve head disposed at the first end of the cylindrical valve stem, the valve head having a maximum diameter defining a guard area of the valve head, the maximum diameter of the valve head greater than the stem diameter;
• a circular face formed on the valve head opposite the cylindrical valve stem, the circular face having a perimeter and a face diameter;
• a sealing surface disposed around the perimeter of the circular face, the sealing surface including a rounded transition ring disposed between the perimeter of the circular face and the maximum diameter of the valve head;
• a socket having a socket diameter and extending from the second end of the cylindrical valve stem, the socket defining an opening at the second end with a socket perimeter configured to receive a spring therein, and the socket diameter tapering from the socket perimeter to a spring landing of the cylindrical valve stem configured to seat the spring;
• and
• a bevel from the socket perimeter to the outside surface of the cylindrical valve stem;
• a guide pocket with a bottom surface, the guide pocket holding the cylindrical valve stem and allowing movement along the longitudinal axis of the valve member;
• a spring disposed in the socket of the valve member and resting against the bottom surface of the guide pocket, the spring exerting a force against the spring landing of the valve member pushing the sealing surface of the valve member toward the seating surface of the inlet channel;
• and
• an outlet channel in fluid communication with the inlet channel when the spring is compressed and the valve member recedes into the guide pocket.

A compressor comprising:

• a crankshaft driving a piston, the piston translating within a compression cylinder;
• and
• a valve configured to restrict fluid flow out of the compression cylinder, the valve comprising:
• an inlet channel configured to receive a fluid exiting the compression cylinder, the inlet channel terminating in a hole with a seating surface disposed around a perimeter of the hole;
• a valve member comprising:
• a cylindrical valve stem with a first end and terminating in a second end axially opposing the first end along a longitudinal axis;
• an outside surface of the cylindrical valve stem defining a stem diameter;
• a valve head disposed at the first end of the cylindrical valve stem, the valve head having a maximum diameter defining a guard area of the valve head, the maximum diameter of the valve head greater than the stem diameter;
• a circular face formed on the valve head opposite the cylindrical valve stem, the circular face having a perimeter and a face diameter;
• a sealing surface disposed around the perimeter of the circular face, the sealing surface comprising a rounded transition ring disposed between the perimeter of the circular face and the maximum diameter of the valve head;
• a socket having a socket diameter and extending from the second end of the cylindrical valve stem, the socket defining an opening at the second end with a socket perimeter configured to receive a spring therein, and the socket diameter tapering from the socket perimeter to a spring landing of the cylindrical valve stem configured to seat the spring;
• and
• a bevel from the socket perimeter to the outside surface of the cylindrical valve stem;
• a guide pocket with a bottom surface, the guide pocket holding the cylindrical valve stem and allowing movement along the longitudinal axis of the valve member;
• a spring disposed in the socket of the valve member and resting against the bottom surface of the guide pocket, the spring exerting a force against the spring landing of the valve member to keep the sealing surface of the valve member in contact with the seating surface of the inlet channel;
• and
• an outlet channel in fluid communication with the inlet channel when the spring is compressed and the valve member recedes into the guide pocket.