A discharge valve mechanism has a plurality of discharge openings. The
discharge openings are placed in an open or closed state by a plate-like
valve element. Each of the discharge openings is formed at a respective
location between a base end side and a leading end side of the valve
element. The number of discharge openings to be placed in the open state
is varied depending on the pressure and the flow rate of gas refrigerant
discharged from a compression chamber.