Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to reciprocating compressors. In one example embodiment, a reciprocating compressor is disclosed including a cylinder, a piston, at least one suction valve, at least one pressure valve, at least one connection chamber, a sequence valve, a sequence valve control unit, and an unloader. The piston moves back and forth in the cylinder in order to form a compression chamber in the cylinder. The at least one suction valve and the at least one pressure valve are provided on the compression chamber. The at least one connection chamber having a connection chamber volume, which is connected to the compression chamber via at least one overflow opening. The sequence valve opens and closes the at least one overflow opening, and the sequence valve control unit controls the sequence valve. The unloader is actuated by an electrically controllable actuator.

The valve system, to be used as a suction valve and/or as a discharge valve in a reciprocating compressor, comprises a valve body, at least one sensor mounted on the valve body and configured to detect a parameter associated to operation of the valve device, and a wireless communication unit electrically coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to transmit information detected by the at least one sensor; the at least one sensor is associated with a fixing member that is inserted in holes of the valve body and that seals the holes. The innovative valve system may comprise further at least one energy harvesting system, which could be for example thermoelectric or piezoelectric, located preferably in or on or at the valve body.

A valve plate (1) made of fiber-reinforced plastic for gas exchange valves for reciprocating piston compressors comprises at least two concentric sealing rings (3) which cooperate with corresponding sealing surfaces (4) at the valve seal (5) by way of profiled sealing surface (2) and that are connected by way of radial webs (6). In order to improve the flexibility of the valve plate (1) and the sealing behavior, the webs (6) are designed thinner along the entire radial extent thereof between the sealing rings (3) on both sides of the valve plate (1) compared to the adjacent thickness of the sealing rings (3).

A shutoff valve (2) which is switchable in a cycled manner for capacity regulation by temporarily shutting off the intake gas feed is designed as a multi-element ring valve, and is directly actuated by means of an electromagnet (12). The actuating forces for switching the shutoff valve (2) may be kept small via pressure compensation from the intake gas feed (3) to behind the anchor plate (9).

An unloader for a valve element (30) of a compressor valve (40) includes an unloader finger (2) and one carrier bushing (14), wherein the unloader finger (2) is fabricated from a first material, the carrier bushing (14) is fabricated from a second material using a casting method, and at least part of the unloader finger (2) is mold in with the material of the carrier bushing (14).

A miniature poppet valve assembly for a high-speed compressor, the miniature poppet valve assembly includes a plurality of miniature poppets, each characterized by a stem and a head with a maximum head diameter of no more than 0.9 inches; a cage having a plurality of counter bores disposed therein, each counter bore disposed for receipt of a poppet; and a seat plate overlying the cage, the seat plate including a plurality of through bores axially aligned with the counter bores of the cage. Each counter bore includes a chamfered edge against which the head of the poppet seats, thereby forming a seal. The chamfered edged is provided with a chamfer angle of approximately 30 degrees. In one embodiment, poppet heads have a convex head surface and are shaped so that the tangent angle at the point of contact between the edge and the head is approximately 30 degrees.

A valve for a reciprocating compressor having a valve seat with a plurality of flow channels which open into an end face of the valve seat; a valve plate having a planar sealing surface which is designed to control the flow channels of the valve seat and has passage openings which are spatially offset relative to the flow channels of the valve seat, at least one projection being arranged on the end face of the valve seat, which projection projects into a passage opening of the valve plate at least in a closed valve state.

The valve system, to be used as a suction valve and/or as a discharge valve in a reciprocating compressor, comprises a valve body, at least one sensor mounted on the valve body and configured to detect a parameter associated to operation of the valve device, and a wireless communication unit electrically coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to transmit information detected by the at least one sensor; the at least one sensor is associated with a fixing member that is inserted in holes of the valve body and that seals the holes. The innovative valve system may comprise further at least one energy harvesting system, which could be for example thermoelectric or piezoelectric, located preferably in or on or at the valve body.

A valve for a reciprocating compressor having a valve seat with a plurality of flow channels which open into an end face of the valve seat; a valve plate having a planar sealing surface which is designed to control the flow channels of the valve seat and has passage openings which are spatially offset relative to the flow channels of the valve seat, at least one projection being arranged on the end face of the valve seat, which projection projects into a passage opening of the valve plate at least in a closed valve state.