Abstract: A compressor with a capacity modulation system includes a compression chamber, a rotatable shaft within the compression chamber, and a roller mounted on the shaft in contact with a wall of the compression chamber. A suction channel is in fluid communication with the compression chamber for providing fluid at a suction pressure and a discharge channel is in fluid communication with the compression chamber for removing fluid at a discharge pressure. A re-expansion channel adjacent to the compression chamber has a first end forming a re-expansion port in the wall of the compression chamber. A re-expansion chamber is connected to the re-expansion channel. A valve disposed in the re-expansion channel is movable between a first position, in which the valve allows fluid communication between the compression chamber and the re-expansion chamber, and a second position, in which the valve prevents fluid communication between the compression chamber and the re-expansion chamber.

Abstract: A pressure equalization method and system is provided for starting a compressor while maintaining the condenser at a high pressure and includes a valve and a bleed port. The compressor has a compressor inlet for receiving a fluid at a first pressure and a compressor outlet for discharging the fluid at a second pressure, and is operable to compress the fluid from the first pressure to the second pressure. The valve is proximate to and in fluid communication with the compressor outlet and is movable to an open position when the compressor is operating to permit the fluid at the second pressure to flow through the valve and is movable to a closed position when the compressor stops operating to prevent backflow of the fluid at the second pressure through the valve toward the compressor inlet. The bleed port is upstream of the valve and in fluid communication with the compressor inlet to equalize the pressure of the fluid contained in the compressor when the compressor stops operating.

Abstract: A two stage reciprocating compressor and associated HVAC systems and methods are disclosed. The reciprocating compressor includes a crankshaft having an eccentric crankpin, a reversible motor for rotating the crankshaft in a forward and a reverse direction, and an eccentric, two position cam rotatably mounted over the crankpin. The crankshaft and cam combine to cause the piston to have a first stroke when the motor operates in the forward direction and a second stroke when the motor operates in the reverse direction. The cam and crankpin also include stabilization means to restrict the relative rotation of the cam about the crankpin. A lubrication system is provided to lubricate the engaging surfaces of the crankshaft and cam and between the cam and the bearing surface of the connecting rod. There is also provided a control for selectively operating the motor either in the forward direction at a first power load or in the reverse direction at a reduced second power load.

Abstract: A pressure equalization method and system is provided for starting a compressor while maintaining the compressor at a high pressure and comprises a valve and a bleed port. The compressor has a compressor inlet for receiving a fluid at a first pressure and a compressor outlet for discharging the fluid at a second pressure, and is operable to compress the fluid from the first pressure to the second pressure. The valve is proximate to and in fluid communication with the compressor outlet and is movable to an open position when the compressor is operating to allow the fluid at the second pressure to flow through the valve and is movable to a closed position when the compressor stops operating to prevent backflow of the fluid at the second pressure through the valve toward the compressor inlet. The bleed port is upstream of the valve and in fluid communication with the compressor inlet to equalize the pressure of the fluid contained in the compressor when the compressor stops operating.

Abstract: A viscous pumping system for lubricating a bearing, including a reservoir configured to store a lubricant, a housing connected to the reservoir and mounting the bearing, and a shaft disposed in the housing and supported by the bearing. The shaft is rotatable in a forward direction and a reverse direction and has a first helical groove and a second helical groove. The first helical groove and the second helical groove are configured so that they act to pump sufficient lubricant from a groove origin to the bearing when said shaft rotates in both the forward direction and the reverse direction. It is contemplated that the viscous pumping system may be used to lubricate the bearing of a variable capacity compressor.

Abstract: In a gas compressor having a crankcase rotatably supporting a drive shaft connected to and adapted for operating compression generating structure of the compressor, the shaft being connected to an electrical motor for being driven thereby in either rotational direction, and the shaft having an oil passage formed generally longitudinally therein for conveying lubricating oil to various portions of the compressor, unique oil pump structure having from one to about six slots formed generally radially thru a portion of the shaft and communicating with the oil passage, an elongated vane slidably mounted in each slot for movement both longitudinally and laterally thereof to provide an oil conduit alongside each of the vanes regardless of the direction of rotation of the shaft, a wall slidably enclosing the shaft portion and having a circular inner surface eccentrically positioned with respect to the shaft portion such that a small vertical segment of the inner surface lies adjacent the shaft portion to thereby prov

Abstract: A two stage reciprocating compressor and associated HVAC systems and methods are disclosed. The reciprocating compressor includes a crankshaft having an eccentric crankpin, a reversible motor for rotating the crankshaft in a forward and a reverse direction, and an eccentric, two position cam rotatably mounted over the crankpin. The crankshaft and cam combine to cause the piston to have a first stroke when the motor operates in the forward direction and a second stroke when the motor operates in the reverse direction. The cam and crankpin also include stabilization means to restrict the relative rotation of the cam about the crankpin. A lubrication system is provided to lubricate the engaging surfaces of the crankshaft and cam and between the cam and the bearing surface of the connecting rod. There is also provided a control for selectively operating the motor either in the forward direction at a first power load or in the reverse direction at a reduced second power load.

Abstract: A two stage reciprocating compressor and associated HVAC systems and methods are disclosed. The reciprocating compressor includes a crankshaft having an eccentric crankpin, a reversible motor for rotating the crankshaft in a forward and a reverse direction, and an eccentric, two position cam rotatably mounted over the crankpin. The crankshaft and cam combine to cause the piston to have a first stroke when the motor operates in the forward direction and a second stroke when the motor operates in the reverse direction. The cam and crankpin also include stabilization means to restrict the relative rotation of the cam about the crankpin. A lubrication system is provided to lubricate the engaging surfaces of the crankshaft and cam and between the cam and the bearing surface of the connecting rod. There is also provided a control for selectively operating the motor either in the forward direction at a first power load or in the reverse direction at a reduced second power load.

Abstract: A two-step metering device for controlling the flow of an operating fluid to a variable capacity compressor is provided. The metering device includes a valve that defines a fluid flow path having a large orifice configured to allow a flow rate corresponding to a high operating capacity of the compressor and a small orifice configured to allow a flow rate corresponding to a reduced operating capacity of the compressor. The metering device further includes a control operable to adjust the valve to direct the operating fluid through the large orifice when the compressor is operating at the high capacity and to direct fluid through the small orifice when the compressor is operating at the reduced capacity.

Abstract: A two-stage reciprocating compressor is provided. The compressor includes a reversible motor that rotates a crankshaft. The crankshaft is connected to a piston by a mechanical system. The mechanical system drives the piston at a full stroke between a bottom position and a top dead center position when the motor is operated in a forward direction. The mechanical system drives the piston at a reduced stroke between an intermediate position and the top dead center position when the motor is operated in the reverse direction. The compressor also includes a control for selectively operating the motor in either the forward direction at a first preselected, fixed speed or in the reverse direction at a second preselected fixed speed.

Abstract: An electrical control system for an induction motor for achieving optimum efficiency at both full and partial loads at markedly reduced electrical components costs while maximizing reliability over the range of load, and for achieving a two step motor power output in a greatly simplified manner, the circuit having an electrical induction motor adapted for connection to line electrical power at maximum motor operating frequency, and to a second source of electrical power at approximately one half of the maximum operating frequency, wherein an electrical switch is provided for selectively connecting each power source to the motor, wherein the second source is a reduced frequency wave form generator for producing a reduced frequency wave form.

Abstract: A two stage reciprocating compressor and associated HVAC systems and methods are disclosed. The reciprocating compressor includes a crankshaft having an eccentric crankpin, a reversible motor for rotating the crankshaft in a forward and a reverse direction, and an eccentric, two position cam rotatably mounted over the crankpin. The crankshaft and cam combine to cause the piston to have a first stroke when the motor operates in the forward direction and a second stroke when the motor operates in the reverse direction. The cam and crankpin also include stabilization means to restrict the relative rotation of the cam about the crankpin. A lubrication system is provided to lubricate the engaging surfaces of the crankshaft and cam and between the cam and the bearing surface of the connecting rod. There is also provided a control for selectively operating the motor either in the forward direction at a first power load or in the reverse direction at a reduced second power load.

Abstract: For a refrigerant compressor having two capacities, a camming structure operable in different manners depending on direction of crankshaft rotation, to achieve each capacity while providing top dead center piston operation thru the use of a circular cam bushing which is eccentrically, rotatably mounted on the crankshaft eccentric and within the connecting rod bearing wherein the combined eccentricities of the bushing and the eccentric equal the primary stroke of the piston. A first stop mechanism is provided for stabilizing the bushing on the eccentric upon rotation of the crankshaft in one direction whereby the eccentricities of the eccentric and bushing become aligned and remain so during synchronous rotational orbiting motion of the eccentric and bushing during rotation of the crankshaft for producing full stroke and full capacity.

Abstract: A stabilizing structure for a throw adjusting eccentric cam in a two-stage reciprocating compressor is provided. The compressor includes a block that has at least one cylinder with an associated compression chamber and piston, a crankshaft that includes an eccentric crankpin, and a reversible motor for rotating the crankshaft in a forward and a reverse direction. An eccentric, two position cam is rotatably mounted over the crankpin. The cam rotates to and operates at a first position relative to said crankpin when the motor is running in the forward direction and rotates to and operates at a second position relative to said crankpin when the motor is running in the reverse direction. The combined eccentricities of the crankpin and the cam cause the piston to have a first stroke when the motor operates in the forward direction and a second stroke when the motor operates in the reverse direction.

Abstract: An electrical control system for a variable capacity compressor having an A/C motor is provided. The control system includes a first circuit that has a start winding in series with a capacitor, a second circuit that has a main winding. The control system also includes a third circuit that includes the start winding and a fourth circuit that includes the main winding in series with the capacitor. There is also provided a power supply line that provides power to each of the circuits. The control system further includes a first switch and a second switch, both of which are responsive to loading conditions. The first switch operates to connect the first and second circuits with the power supply line to run the compressor for high load operation and the second switch operates to connect the third and fourth circuits with the power supply line to run the compressor for partial load operation.

Abstract: An electrical control system for an induction motor for achieving optimum efficiency at both full and partial loads at markedly reduced electrical components costs while maximizing reliability over the range of load, and for achieving a two step motor power output in a greatly simplified manner, the circuit having an electrical induction motor adapted for connection to line electrical power at maximum motor operating frequency, and to a second source of electrical power at approximately one half of the maximum operating frequency, wherein an electrical switch is provided for selectively connecting each power source to the motor, wherein the second source is a generator for producing a reduced frequency sine wave form.

Abstract: A scroll compressor having a housing containing an orbiting scroll and a non-orbiting scroll each having a base formed with a free side and a compression side and having an involute extending generally normally from the compression side, each the involute terminating in an axially outer, substantially planar edge and having a radially outer inlet end and a radially inner discharge end, the scrolls being mounted within the housing in mating arrangement about a center axis of the involutes for relative orbital motion for compressing gas between the base and adjacent side portions of the involutes, the orbiting scroll having special bearing structure for eliminating the laterally directed tipping forces which are generally experienced by the orbiting scrolls of conventional scroll compressors, the bearing structure having a bearing hub integral with the discharge end of the involute of the orbiting scroll, the hub having a cylindrical bore oriented substantially normal to the compression side of the orbiting scr

Abstract: A compressor unit having a housing consisting of steel inner and outer shells, the shells being spaced apart from each other to provide an attenuation cell substantially occupying all of the space between the shells, a suction gas inlet and a discharge gas outlet extending through both of the shells and the cell and being isolated from the outer shell by sound absorbing means, and spacer material having sound absorbing properties positioned between the shells and maintaining the spacing therebetween, the spacing being, preferably, at least about 0.06 in. in width over at least a major portion of the cell.

Abstract: A scroll compressor having a housing, a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll nested with each other to provide a pressure continuum of suction, intermediate and high pressure regions between said scrolls during compressor operation, the base of the orbiting scroll being axially slidably mounted on a thrust plate for allowing only axial motion of the orbiting scroll with respect thereto, a coupling device on the housing or fixed scroll and associated with cooperating coupling elements on one or both of the thrust plate or the orbiting scroll for preventing angular motion of the orbiting scroll with respect to the housing or fixed scroll, an axial compliance seal between and contacting the base of the orbiting scroll and the thrust member and defining an axial compliance pressure chamber, and one or more conduits connecting the chamber with one or more pressure regions.

Abstract: A scroll compressor having a housing, a fixed scroll stationary on said housing, an orbiting scroll nested with the fixed scroll and being mounted on the eccentric of the compressor crankshaft for orbital motion about the longitudinal axis of the compressor, the base of the orbiting scroll having an annular groove formed in the outside or low pressure side thereof, a passage formed through the base of the orbiting scroll and placing the groove in fluid communication with an intermediate section of the pressure continuum for providing an axial compliance force against the base of the orbiting scroll and urging the wrap tips thereof into sealing engagement with the adjacent base of the fixed scroll, an annular seal positioned in the groove and having an annular web provided with a substantially planar contact side positioned in sliding, sealing contact with a sealing surface of housing and having annular elastomeric sealing components slidingly sealed against the walls of the groove to provide an axial complian