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Compressor valve plate with spiral grooveRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Expansible Chamber Type, Having Pumping Chamber Pressure Responsive Distributor, Distributor Positioned Opposite Pumping Member End Face, Inlet And Discharge DistributorsCompressor valve plate with spiral groove description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070081910, Compressor valve plate with spiral groove. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The subject invention generally pertains to reciprocating compressors and more specifically to valves and valve plates of such compressors. [0003] 2. Description of Related Art [0004] To prevent backflow through a suction or discharge opening of a valve plate, compressors often use ring-type valves (similar in shape to washers) that can seal against the valve plate to cover the opening. In reciprocating compressors, the valves function as suction and discharge check valves that enable a reciprocating piston to compress the gas within a cylinder. The valves also determine which direction the gas flows through the compressor. [0005] The sealing surface of the valve plate against which the valve seals is known as a valve seat. Typically, the surface finish of both the valve and the valve seat are ground as smooth as possible to ensure a positive seal between the two. Although a smooth finish may provide a tight seal, such a surface finish can create several problems. One, adhesion of a fluid such as refrigerant or oil trapped between the valve and the valve seat can cause the valve to stick and delay its opening, which can reduce the operating efficiency of the compressor. Two, the resulting delayed opening can make a compressor noisy. Also, a smoothly ground surface can be costly to produce. [0006] Some compressors have something other than a smooth finish between the valve and the valve seat. The compressor disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,718,350, for instance, has a series of concentric ridges on either the valve or its seat, thereby providing the valve with multiple seats for better sealing. Since the ridges are concentric, however, fluid can still be trapped within the concentric grooves that lie between the ridges. So even though such a design may provide better sealing, the design does not address the problem of liquid adhesion occurring between the valve and the valve seat. [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,582 discloses a compressor whose valve seats have a roughened surface to quiet the operation of the valve. It is not clear, however, how the surface is roughened. If the surface is created by a distribution of pits, the pits may provide pockets that trap fluid in a manner similar to that of the grooves disclosed in the '350 patent just described. If the surface, however, is roughened by a series of protrusions, fluid passageways winding around the protrusions may provide relatively short leakage paths across the valve. Although a compressor designed according to the '582 patent may be quieter, such a compressor is not necessarily more efficient. [0008] Consequently, a need exists for a compressor valve arrangement that is quieter, more efficient and less expensive than current valve arrangements. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a reciprocating compressor with a valve plate that includes a valve seat with a spiral groove to reduce the noise, reduce the manufacturing cost, and/or increase the efficiency of the compressor. [0010] Another object of some embodiments is to provide a valve plate with a spiral groove so that when the valve is closed, the groove provides a minute fluid communication passageway between a cylinder and another chamber of the compressor. [0011] Another object of some embodiments is to create a valve seat with a spiral groove that provides the valve seat with a surface finish of between 10 and 250 microinches. [0012] Another object of some embodiments is to create a valve plate with an annular valve opening that is generally centered relative to a machined spiral groove in the valve seat. [0013] Another object of some embodiments is to incorporate both a suction valve seat and a discharge valve seat in a common valve plate, wherein both seats include a spiral groove. [0014] One or more of these and/or other objects of the invention are provided by a compressor that includes a valve plate, wherein the valve plate has at least one valve seat with a spiral groove. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a compressor shown connected to a schematically illustrated refrigerant system. [0016] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG. 1. [0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG. 2. [0018] FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 but with the suction valve and piston omitted. [0019] FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0020] A refrigerant system 10, shown in FIG. 1, includes a compressor 12 for compressing refrigerant gas and for forcing the refrigerant sequentially through a discharge outlet 14 of compressor 12, through a condenser 16 that releases heat for condensing the refrigerant, through an expansion device 18 (e.g., expansion valve, capillary tube, orifice, etc.) for cooling the refrigerant by expansion, and through an evaporator 20 for absorbing heat from an outside source or heat load. From evaporator 20, the refrigerant returns to compressor 12 via a suction inlet 22 to repeat the cycle. Continue reading about Compressor valve plate with spiral groove... 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