A multi-cylinder compressor includes a valve plate having a plurality of
cylinder suction ports formed therethrough, and a plurality of cylinder
bores centered on an arc having a radius (R). The cylinder bores are
substantially equally spaced from each other, and have a diameter (D).
The compressor also includes a suction chamber having a substantially
annular shape and adapted to be in fluid communication with each of the
cylinder bores via the suction ports. Moreover, a center of a first of
the suction ports is radially offset in a predetermined direction from a
center of a predetermined suction port by a first angle, in which the
predetermined suction port has a diameter (d), and the first angle equals
{[(360.degree./N)([N-1]-n)]+X.degree.}. In this formula, N is a number of
the suction ports formed through the valve plate, n is a number of the
suction ports positioned between the first suction port and the
predetermined suction port in a direction opposite to the predetermined
direction, and X.degree. is a predetermined angle which is less than or
equal to {(sin.sup.-1[(D-d)/2R])57.3.degree./Radian} and greater than or
equal to -{(sin.sup.-1[(D-d)/2R]57.3.degree./Radian}, and which is not
equal to 0.degree..