COMPRESSOR WITH A CAPACITY MODULATION SYSTEM UTILIZING A RE-EXPANSION CHAMBER

摘要

A compressor (12) with a capacity modulation system (10) includes a compression chamber (30), a rotatable shaft (20) within the compression chamber (30), and a roller (32) mounted on the shaft (20) in contact with a wall of the compression chamber (30). A re-expansion channel (46) adjacent to the compression chamber (30) has a first end forming a re-expansion port (48) in the wall of the compression chamber (30). A re-expansion chamber (50) is connected to the re-expansion channel (46). A valve (52) disposed in the re-expansion channel (46) is movable between a first position, in which the valve (52) allows fluid communication between the compression chamber (30) and the re-expansion chamber (50), and a second position, in which the valve (52) prevents fluid communication between the compression chamber (30) and the re-expansion chamber (50). The compressor (12) operates in a reduced capacity mode with the valve (52) in the first position, and in a full capacity mode with the valve (52) in the second position.