Compressor having improved valve plate

Abstract

A compressor valve plate assembly includes a first valve plate formed of a unitary casting that separates a compressor head and a compressor body and defines a suction chamber receiving refrigerant at a suction pressure.

1 . A compressor valve plate assembly including a first valve plate formed of a unitary casting that separates a compressor head and a compressor body and defines a suction chamber receiving refrigerant at a suction pressure. 
     
     
         2 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first valve plate defines a discharge passage therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said first valve plate includes a central recessed portion surrounded by an outer wall integrally formed therewith and extending a height above said central recessed portion, said discharge passage passing through said central recessed portion. 
     
     
         4 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first valve plate includes a central recessed portion defining said suction chamber and surrounded by an outer wall integrally formed therewith and extending a height above said central recessed portion. 
     
     
         5 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising a second valve plate including an outer perimeter portion abutting said outer wall of said first valve plate, said suction chamber being defined between said first and second valve plates and said second valve plate including an inlet port in communication with said suction chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said second valve plate includes an outlet port in communication with said suction chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said first valve plate includes a support member integrally formed with and extending from said central recessed portion and engaged with said second valve plate. 
     
     
         8 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said support member includes a rib extending therefrom. 
     
     
         9 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said first and second valve plates are brazed together. 
     
     
         10 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said second valve plate is formed from a stamping process. 
     
     
         11 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said second valve plate includes a circumferentially outer surface mechanically engaged with a circumferentially inner surface of said outer wall of said first valve plate. 
     
     
         12 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first valve plate is made from a steel. 
     
     
         13 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said valve plate assembly consists of a single cast valve plate. 
     
     
         14 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said single cast valve plate is formed by a lost foam casting process. 
     
     
         15 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said lost foam casting process includes a mold formed from Mullite sand. 
     
     
         16 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said single cast valve plate includes an as-cast reed valve relief therein. 
     
     
         17 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said single cast valve plate is made from a steel. 
     
     
         18 . The compressor valve plate assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said single cast valve plate includes a sand clean out passage that facilitates removal of sand from internal passages of said single cast valve plate. 
     
     
         19 . A monolithic compressor valve plate that separates a compressor head and a compressor body and includes a first plate region defining a suction passage, a second plate region defining a discharge passage, and an outer wall extending between said first and second plate regions and defining a suction chamber in communication with said suction passage. 
     
     
         20 . The compressor valve plate of  claim 19 , wherein said first and second plate regions are disposed on opposite sides of said valve plate.