Compressor discharge valve retainer
View Patent ↗A discharge valve retainer is manufactured from powder metal using FLC4608, FL4405, FC0205 or FC0208 material. The finisher retainer has a density of approximately 6.8 to 7.6 gm/cc. The retainer is carbonitrided, quenched and tempered to achieve a surface hardness of Rockwell 15N 89-93. The exterior of the retainer is contoured to provide for the non-turbulent flow of pressurized gas around the discharge valve.
1. A discharge valve assembly for a compressor, said discharge valve assembly comprising
a valve plate assembly defining a discharge valve seat;
a discharge valve member movable between a closed position where said discharge valve member engages said discharge valve seat and an open position where said discharge valve member is spaced from said discharge valve seat;
a biasing member urging said discharge valve member into its closed position;
a retainer attached to said valve plate assembly overlying said discharge valve member to limit opening movement of said discharge valve member, said retainer comprising:
a circular central body defining a recess extending into a bottom surface of said central body within which said discharge valve member and said biasing member are disposed;
a pair of flanges extending radially outwardly from said circular central body, each of said pair of flanges defining a bore for attaching said retainer to said valve plate assembly; and
an annular recess extending into a top surface of said central body, said annular recess defining a more consistent wall thickness for said retainer.
2. The discharge valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein said retainer is manufactured from a powder metal material.
3. The discharge valve assembly according to claim 2 wherein said retainer has a density of approximately 6.8 to 7.6 gm/cc.
4. The discharge valve assembly according to claim 3 wherein said retainer has a surface hardness of Rockwell 15N 89-93.
5. The discharge valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein said retainer is manufactured from powder metal material and said retainer has a density of approximately 6.8 to 7.6 gm/cc.
6. The discharge valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein said central body defines an outer surface having a first contoured surface, a second contoured surface and a blending portion disposed between said first and second contoured surfaces.
7. The discharge valve assembly according to claim 6 wherein said first contoured surface is a frusto-conical surface.
8. The discharge valve assembly according to claim 7 wherein said second contoured surface is a frusto-conical surface.
9. The discharge valve assembly according to claim 6 wherein said retainer is manufactured from a powder metal material.
10. The discharge valve assembly according to claim 9 wherein said retainer has a density of approximately 6.8 to 7.6 gm/cc.
11. The discharge valve assembly according to claim 10 wherein said retainer has a surface hardness of Rockwell 15N 89-93.
12. The discharge valve assembly according to claim 6 wherein said retainer is manufactured from powder metal material and said retainer has a density of approximately 6.8 to 7.6 gm/cc.