Reciprocating-piston type refrigerant compressor with an improved rotary-type suction-valve mechanism

摘要

A reciprocating-piston-type refrigerant compressor provided with a cylinder block having formed therein a plurality of cylinder bores in which a plurality of pistons are reciprocated to effect suction, compression and discharge of refrigerant gas in response to rotation of a drive shaft, a rotary valve element connected to the drive shaft to be rotated together with the drive shaft within a recessed chamber formed in the cylinder block, the valve element having an outer circumference in sliding contact with the inner wall of the recessed chamber and a suction passageway for sequentially introducing the refrigerant gas before compression into the plurality of cylinder bores during the rotation of the rotary valve element. A sealing mechanism is provided between opposite ends of the outer circumference of the rotary valve element and the inner wall of the recessed chamber to prevent the compressed refrigerant gas from leaking from the contact area of the rotary valve element and the inner wall of the recessed chamber toward a low pressure region of the compressor during rotation of the rotary valve element.