Compressor system with variable lubricant injection orifice

1. A compressor system, comprising:

a compressor;

an oil reservoir; and

a continuously variable oil injection orifice structured to regulate a flow of oil from the oil reservoir into the compressor, the continuously variable oil injection orifice comprising:

a first valve member structured to displace in response to oil pressure;

a second valve member structured to cooperate with the first valve member to define a continuously variable flow area for controlling a flow of oil through the continuously variable injection orifice;

a biasing member structured to urge the first valve member away from the second valve member;

wherein oil pressure acting on the first valve member urges the first valve member to move toward the second valve member; and

wherein the biasing member is a dual acting spring system with different spring rates.

2. The compressor system of claim 1 , wherein a displacement of the first valve member toward the second valve member reduces the continuously variable flow area.

3. The compressor system of claim 1 , wherein the second valve member includes a plate having an oil discharge opening for discharging the oil to the compressor.

4. The compressor system of claim 3 , wherein the plate includes a mesh disposed in the oil discharge opening.

5. The compressor system of claim 3 , wherein the plate includes:

a hub having a pilot opening formed therethrough;

an outer rim positioned about the hub; and

at least one supporting arm extending between the hub and the rim.

6. The compressor system of claim 5 , wherein the pilot opening is structured to slidably receive a rod.

7. The compressor system of claim 1 , wherein the first valve member includes a head acted upon by oil pressure.

8. The compressor system of claim 7 , wherein the first valve member is displaced relative to the second valve member as a function of a change in oil pressure acting on the head.

9. The compressor system of claim 7 , wherein the second valve member includes a port, and wherein the continuously variable flow area is defined between the head and the port.

10. The compressor system of claim 7 , further comprising a rod extending from the head and slidably coupled with the second valve member.

11. A compressor system, comprising:

a screw compressor;

an oil reservoir; and

a pressure actuated variable oil injection orifice structured to regulate a flow of oil from the oil reservoir into the screw compressor, the pressure actuated variable oil injection orifice including a first valve member; a second valve member and a biasing member, wherein the first valve member is slidably engaged with the second valve member and biased relative to the second valve member by the biasing member; wherein the first valve member, the second valve member and the biasing member cooperate to define a continuously variable flow area that decreases with increasing oil pressure; and

wherein the first valve member includes a rod extending from the head configured to slidably engage with the second valve member and the second valve member includes a plate having a pilot opening structured to slidably receive the rod.

12. The compressor system of claim 11 , wherein the biasing member is structured to have a first spring rate at a first deflection and a second spring rate at a second deflection, wherein the second spring rate is different than the first spring rate.

13. The compressor system of claim 11 , wherein the first valve member includes a head acted upon by oil pressure to displace the first valve member relative to the second valve member.

14. The compressor system of claim 13 , wherein the second valve member includes a port, and wherein the continuously variable flow area is defined between the head and the port.

15. The compressor system of claim 11 , wherein the plate includes at least one oil discharge opening for discharging oil to the screw compressor.

16. A compressor system, comprising:

a compressor;

an oil reservoir; and

means for continuously varying a flow area for controlling a flow of oil from the oil reservoir to the compressor, such that the flow area is reduced as oil pressure is increased up to a predefined limit position; and

wherein the means includes a plate comprising:

a hub with a pilot opening formed therethrough;

an outer rim positioned radially outward of the hub; and

at least one supporting arm extending between the hub and the rim.

17. The compressor system of claim 16 , wherein the means includes a valve biased to an open position.

18. The compressor system of claim 16 , wherein the means includes a valve head configured to urge the valve toward a closed position when a flow of oil passes through the valve.

19. The compressor system of claim 16 , wherein the plate includes an opening formed between the hub and the outer rim for discharging the oil to the compressor.

20. The compressor system of claim 19 , wherein the opening includes a mesh disposed therein.

21. A compressor system, comprising:

a compressor;

an oil reservoir; and

a continuously variable oil injection orifice structured to regulate a flow of oil from the oil reservoir into the compressor, the continuously variable oil injection orifice comprising:

a first valve member structured to displace in response to oil pressure;

a second valve member structured to cooperate with the first valve member to define a continuously variable flow area for controlling a flow of oil through the continuously variable injection orifice;

a biasing member structured to urge the first valve member away from the second valve member;

wherein oil pressure acting on the first valve member urges the first valve member to move toward the second valve member;

wherein the second valve member includes a plate having an oil discharge opening for discharging the oil to the compressor; and

wherein the plate includes a mesh disposed in the oil discharge opening.