Unloader for a valve element of a compressor valve
An unloader for a valve element ( 30 ) of a compressor valve ( 40 ) includes an unloader finger ( 2 ) and one carrier bushing ( 14 ), wherein the unloader finger ( 2 ) is fabricated from a first material, the carrier bushing ( 14 ) is fabricated from a second material using a casting method, and at least part of the unloader finger ( 2 ) is mold in with the material of the carrier bushing ( 14 ).
1. An unloader for a valve element of a compressor valve, the unloader comprising:
a carrier bushing,
a centrally-located force-transmitting ring, and
at least one unloader finger, each unloader finger being directly attached to the force-transmitting ring and in part embedded in material of the carrier bushing.
2. The unloader according to claim 1 , including a plurality of unloader fingers circumferentially positioned relative to the carrier bushing.
3. The unloader according to claim 1 , wherein said force-transmitting ring is at least partially embedded in the material of the carrier bushing.
4. The unloader according to claim 1 , wherein a first contact point of each of the unloader fingers with the force transmitting ring is embedded in the material of the carrier bushing.
5. The unloader according to claim 1 , wherein said force-transmitting ring includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced recesses, and wherein each of said plurality of unloader fingers extends into a separate recess.
6. The unloader according to claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of unloader fingers includes a groove which contacts contact surfaces of the force-transmitting ring.
7. The unloader according to claim 2 , including a connection ring, wherein each of said unloader fingers is attached to said connection ring.
8. The unloader according to claim 7 , wherein each of said unloader fingers has a recess at one axial thereof, and wherein said connection ring has a circumferential projection that extends into the recesses.
9. The unloader according to claim 7 , wherein the connection ring is at least partially embedded in the material of the carrier bushing.
10. The unloader according to claim 9 , wherein a second contact point of the unloader fingers with the connection ring is at least partially embedded in the material of the carrier bushing.
11. The unloader according to claim 2 , wherein said carrier bushing defines a hollow interior.
12. The unloader according to claim 11 , wherein a segment of said hollow interior has a non-circular cross-section for cooperation with a guide pin of a compressor valve.
13. The unloader according to claim 2 , wherein said material of the carrier bushing comprises plastic.
14. The unloader according to claim 1 , wherein said material of the carrier bushing comprises plastic.
15. A method for fabricating an unloader for a valve element of a compressor valve, the unloader including at least one unloader finger and a carrier bushing, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) fabricating at least one unloader finger,
(b) positioning said unloader finger from step (a) in a mould, and
(c) forming the carrier bushing in said mould so that at least a portion of said unloader finger is mould in said formed carrier bushing.
16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein said unloader finger and said carrier bushing are contact one another.