Stacked Reed Valve Assembly for Higher Compressor Flow Area

The patent implements a nested valve assembly structure where multiple valve plates are stacked vertically, with each plate containing flow passages and valves. The valves are nested within the valve plates, and the entire assembly is nested within the cylinder. This nesting arrangement maximizes the effective flow area by providing multiple parallel flow paths through different valve plates while maintaining a compact structure that fits within the cylinder volume.

The patent transitions from a traditional single-plane valve arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. Multiple valve plates are arranged vertically along the piston stroke direction, creating additional flow dimensions. This vertical stacking allows the effective flow area to extend in the vertical dimension, significantly increasing the total flow area beyond what is achievable with a single flat valve plate.

The patent divides the valve assembly into multiple discrete valve plates stacked vertically, with each plate containing specific flow passages and valves for particular directions. This segmentation allows the flow area to be distributed across multiple plates while maintaining efficient gas sweeping. The segmented structure enables better utilization of the cylinder volume, reducing trapped clearance gas compared to conventional radial or double-decker designs.

By stacking valve plates vertically along the piston stroke axis, the patent utilizes the vertical dimension to increase effective flow area without proportionally increasing clearance volume. The vertical arrangement allows gas to be swept more effectively through the stacked plates during piston movement, reducing trapped clearance volume compared to radial valve designs that extend outward from the center.

The stacked valve plate structure segments the flow paths into multiple distinct channels across different plates. This segmentation promotes better gas flow distribution and reduces localized heat retention by preventing gas from becoming trapped in single large-volume spaces. The segmented structure allows more efficient heat dissipation through increased surface area contact with cooler incoming gas during each stroke.

The vertical stacking of valve plates creates continuous flow paths that extend through multiple plates along the piston stroke direction. This continuity ensures that gas flows smoothly through the entire valve assembly without interruption, maintaining consistent cooling action throughout the compression cycle and preventing heat buildup that would occur with disconnected or isolated flow paths.

The patent segments the valve assembly into standardized valve plates that can be manufactured independently and then stacked. This modular segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components while achieving the overall benefit of increased flow area through assembly. The segmented design enables easier maintenance and replacement of individual plates without replacing the entire valve assembly.

The patent combines multiple valve plates with flow passages and valves into a single integrated stacked assembly that functions as one unified valve system. This merging of multiple components into a compact stacked structure achieves the desired increase in effective flow area while containing the overall device footprint within the cylinder volume, balancing complexity with performance benefit.