Reciprocating Compressor And Fluid Injection System

Abstract

A compressor includes a housing, a first compression mechanism and a second compression mechanism disposed in the housing, and a valve. Both the first compression mechanism and the second compression mechanism are configured to compress a working fluid from a suction pressure to a discharge pressure. The first compression mechanism includes a first cylinder housing having a first fluid storage plenum. The second compression mechanism includes a second cylinder housing having a second fluid storage plenum. An intermediate-fluid port is in selective fluid communication with the valve. The intermediate-fluid port is in fluid communication with the first fluid storage plenum via a first intermediate-fluid passage and the second fluid storage plenum via a second intermediate-fluid passage. Working fluid at an intermediate pressure enters the intermediate-fluid port through the valve. The intermediate pressure is greater than the suction pressure and less than the discharge pressure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compressor comprising:
 a housing;   a first compression mechanism disposed in the housing and configured to compress a working fluid from a suction pressure to a discharge pressure, the first compression mechanism including a first cylinder housing having a first cylinder, a second cylinder, and a first fluid storage plenum;   a second compression mechanism disposed in the housing and configured to compress the working fluid from the suction pressure to the discharge pressure, the second compression mechanism including a second cylinder housing having a third cylinder, a fourth cylinder, and a second fluid storage plenum;   a valve; and   an intermediate-fluid port in selective fluid communication with the valve, the intermediate-fluid port being in fluid communication with the first fluid storage plenum via a first intermediate-fluid passage and the second fluid storage plenum via a second intermediate-fluid passage,   wherein:
 working fluid at an intermediate pressure enters the intermediate-fluid port from the valve, 
 the intermediate pressure is greater than the suction pressure and less than the discharge pressure, and 
 the first fluid storage plenum and the second fluid storage plenum are configured to store the fluid at the intermediate pressure therein. 
   
     
     
         2 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid storage plenum is in selective fluid communication with the first cylinder and the second cylinder and the second fluid storage plenum is in selective fluid communication with the third cylinder and the fourth cylinder. 
     
     
         3 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first cylinder, second cylinder, third cylinder, and fourth cylinder include a sleeve assembly disposed therein, the sleeve assembly including a sleeve and a collar. 
     
     
         4 . The compressor of  claim 3 , wherein the sleeve includes:
 a hollow body including an annular wall extending between a first end and a second end, the hollow body including an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface,   a flange extending radially outward from the first end of the annular wall,   a step positioned between a first portion of the hollow body and a second portion of the hollow body, wherein a diameter of the outer surface of the first portion is greater than a diameter of the outer surface of the second portion,   a plurality of recesses defined in the first portion, and   a plurality of apertures defined in the second portion.   
     
     
         5 . The compressor of  claim 4 , wherein the collar includes:
 an annular member extending between a first end and a second end and including an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface,   a first plurality of protrusions extending axially from the second end,   a second plurality of protrusions extending axially from the first end, and   a plurality of depressions defined in the inner surface, each of the plurality of depressions positioned between each of the first plurality of protrusions.   
     
     
         6 . The compressor of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first end of the collar is in contact with the step of the sleeve,   the second plurality of protrusions of the collar are received in the plurality of recesses of the sleeve, and   the plurality of depressions of the collar are aligned with and spaced apart from the plurality of apertures of the sleeve.   
     
     
         7 . The compressor of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of depressions of the collar and the plurality of apertures of the sleeve cooperate to define a plurality of ports therebetween. 
     
     
         8 . The compressor of  claim 7 , wherein each of the first cylinder, the second cylinder, the third cylinder, and the fourth cylinder receive a piston therein, the piston being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the piston and the sleeve assembly cooperate to selectively permit the fluid at the intermediate pressure to enter the respective first, second, third, or fourth cylinder. 
     
     
         9 . The compressor of  claim 8 , wherein when the piston is in the first position, the fluid at the intermediate pressure enters the respective cylinder through the plurality of ports. 
     
     
         10 . The compressor of  claim 8 , wherein when the piston is in the second position, the fluid at the intermediate pressure is restricted from entering the respective cylinder.