Translo-rotating actuated rotary valves for reciprocating compressors and related methods

A reciprocating compressor for the oil and gas industry, the reciprocating compressor comprising:

• a compression chamber;
• and
• at least one rotary valve comprising:
• a stator comprising a stator opening;
• a rotor comprising a rotor opening;
• and
• an actuation mechanism configured to receive a rotation motion and to actuate the rotor to perform first an axial translation moving away from the stator and then a rotation, the actuation mechanism comprising:
• an outer shaft configured to receive the rotation motion;
• and
• an inner shaft inside the outer shaft and configured to rotate the rotor,
• wherein the outer shaft is further configured to rotate a predetermined angular displacement while pushing the rotor away from the stator before engaging the inner shaft to rotate together with the rotor, wherein the engagement between the inner shaft and the outer shaft is between a protrusion and a notch.

A method of retrofitting a reciprocating compressor initially having automatic valves, the method comprising:

• removing an automatic valve;
• mounting a rotary valve in a location from which the automatic valve has been removed;
• and
• mounting an actuation mechanism connected to a rotor of the rotary valve, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to receive a rotation motion to actuate the rotor to perform first an axial translation moving away from a stator of the rotary valve and then a rotation, the actuation mechanism comprising:
• an outer shaft configured to receive the rotation motion, and
• an inner shaft inside the outer shaft and configured to rotate the rotor,
• wherein the outer shaft is configured to rotate for a predetermined angular displacement while pushing the rotor away from the stator before engaging the inner shaft to rotate together with the rotor, wherein the engagement between the inner shaft and the outer shaft is between a protrusion and a notch.