An air supply device comprises a pump and a flow path switching unit. The pump is configured to supply air. The flow path switching unit includes a pedestal part forming a flow path from the pump to at least one object, a rotating part rotatably provided with respect to the pedestal part to switch the flow path, and a sheet member disposed between the pedestal part and the rotating part. The sheet member has a first layer and a second layer that are stacked in a direction directing from the rotating part to the pedestal part. The first layer has a smaller elastic modulus than the second layer. The second layer has a smaller friction coefficient than the first layer.

An air supply device comprises a pump and a flow path switching unit. The pump is configured to supply air. The flow path switching unit includes a pedestal part forming a flow path from the pump to at least one object, a rotating part rotatably provided with respect to the pedestal part to switch the flow path, and a sheet member disposed between the pedestal part and the rotating part. The sheet member has a first layer and a second layer that are stacked in a direction directing from the rotating part to the pedestal part. The first layer has a smaller elastic modulus than the second layer. The second layer has a smaller friction coefficient than the first layer.

Valves used for reciprocating gas compression and expansion and methods for operating them are provided. In some embodiments, these systems and methods can be used to recover energy in heat pumps, compressed gas systems, and pumped heat energy storage systems. In other embodiments, they may be used for gas compression or both gas compression and expansion.

A fluid pump inlet stabilizer dampener includes a deformable diaphragm separating an enclosure into a gas chamber and a liquid chamber; and a piston coupled to the deformable diaphragm and being movable with respect to a valve housing, wherein the piston is configured to be positioned in at least first, second, and third positions, wherein in the first position a first fluid flow path from a pressurized gas inlet port to the gas chamber is open, in the second position the first fluid flow path is closed, and in the third position the first fluid flow path is closed and a second fluid flow path that activates a venturi vacuum generator is open.

A variable displacement compressor which prevents leakage of a refrigerant flowing directly into a suction chamber without passing via a crank chamber at a time of a minimum discharge displacement operation, thus making it possible to prevent an increase of a minimum discharge displacement by increasing a refrigerant pressure in the crank chamber, and in addition, making it possible to prevent insufficient lubrication of sliding portions and the like in the crank chamber.

A variable displacement compressor which prevents leakage of a refrigerant flowing directly into a suction chamber without passing via a crank chamber at a time of a minimum discharge displacement operation, thus making it possible to prevent an increase of a minimum discharge displacement by increasing a refrigerant pressure in the crank chamber, and in addition, making it possible to prevent insufficient lubrication of sliding portions and the like in the crank chamber.

A reciprocating compressor-expander according to the present invention comprises a cylinder, a piston, a crankshaft connected to the piston, a first valve for a low pressure compressible fluid, a second valve for a high pressure compressible fluid, and a valve drive mechanism for driving the first valve and the second respectively such that, during a compression process, the low-pressure compressible fluid is sucked into the cylinder from the first valve in synchronization with the rotation of the crankshaft and the high-pressure compressible fluid compressed in the cylinder is discharged from the second valve, and that, during an expansion process, the high-pressure compressive fluid is introduced from the second valve into the cylinder, and the low-pressure compressible fluid expanded in the cylinder is discharged from the first valve.

A reciprocating compressor-expander according to the present invention comprises a cylinder, a piston, a crankshaft connected to the piston, a first valve for a low pressure compressible fluid, a second valve for a high pressure compressible fluid, and a valve drive mechanism for driving the first valve and the second respectively such that, during a compression process, the low-pressure compressible fluid is sucked into the cylinder from the first valve in synchronization with the rotation of the crankshaft and the high-pressure compressible fluid compressed in the cylinder is discharged from the second valve, and that, during an expansion process, the high-pressure compressive fluid is introduced from the second valve into the cylinder, and the low-pressure compressible fluid expanded in the cylinder is discharged from the first valve.

A hydraulically operated compressor has a fixed piston and a fixed compression or outer cylinder. A drive or intermediate cylinder is located between the piston and outer cylinder. A compression chamber is formed between the drive cylinder and the outer cylinder. Drive fluid is pumped into and released from an interior chamber in the drive cylinder to reciprocate the drive cylinder. The drive fluid also provides cooling to the interior of the compressor.

A depressurizing device includes a valve base, a first valve, a flexible member, and a top cover. The valve base has a pressure chamber and an outgassing chamber. Top and bottom surfaces of the pressure chamber have an opening and a first valve port respectively. The first valve is located in the pressure chamber and covers the first valve port. The flexible member is disposed on the valve base and has a depressurizing valve and a first outgassing port, the depressurizing valve covers the opening, and the first outgassing port is communicated with the outgassing chamber. A first outgassing channel is at least formed on the flexible member and communicates the pressure chamber to the outside of the valve base. The top cover is disposed on the flexible member and has a first depressurizing port and a second outgassing port.