Abstract: A scroll compressor build assembly is provided. An outer housing includes multiple shell sections that interfit to provide internal steps that provide seating surfaces. One or both bearing members can use the internal seats. The outer housing may comprise three shells that telescopically interfit and that can be welded with circumferential welds.

Abstract: A counterweight mounted to a drive shaft in a scroll compressor is provided. The drive shaft has a central annular segment generally concentric about the central axis and an eccentric annular segment offset from the central axis that can be used for driving the movable scroll compressor body. A counterweight engages the eccentric and also engages the annular segment for location and mounting of the counterweight to the shaft.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes scroll compressor bodies with axial tip seals projecting from the respective scroll ribs of fixed and movable scroll compressor bodies. An extended thrust region is provided in surrounding relation to an inner axial tip sealing region to provide for carrying thrust loads in the event that the scroll compressor bodies are forced axially together. Part of the thrust region may carry a tip seal, while another part may be free of a tip seal. This provides for at least a nominal reverse operation capability.

Abstract: A compressor has a housing. A crank is carried by the housing for rotation about a crank axis. A cylinder is defined within the housing and has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is smaller in transverse cross-sectional area than is the proximal portion. A piston is held within the housing for reciprocal movement at least partially within the cylinder. The piston also has a distal portion smaller in transverse cross-sectional area than a proximal portion. A connecting rod is pivotally coupled to the crank for relative rotation about a proximal axis and to the piston for relative rotation about a distal axis. A first compression chamber exists in the cylinder distal portion beyond the end of the piston. A second compression chamber exists in the cylinder proximal portion beyond a piston shoulder. The first and second compression chambers are non-series and non-parallel.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a baffle member in a high pressure region of the housing where compressed fluid is stored. The baffle serves to carry and transfer pressure loads away from the central region to an outer periphery region where such loads can be transferred to the outer housing. Deflection, stress and wear on the scroll compressor bodies may be reduced.

Abstract: A compressor (20) has at least a first rotor (26; 28) at least partially within a bore (276; 278) of a housing. A slide valve element (102; 300) is positioned at least partially within a channel (200; 301) in the housing and has a first surface facing the first rotor. The slide valve element includes a body (268; 302) and a coating (270; 306) on the body. The coating forms the first surface.

Abstract: A counterweight mounted to a drive shaft in a scroll compressor is provided. The drive shaft has a central annular segment generally concentric about the central axis and an eccentric annular segment offset from the central axis that can be used for driving the movable scroll compressor body. A counterweight engages the eccentric and also engages the annular segment for location and mounting of the counterweight to the shaft.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes scroll compressor bodies with axial tip seals projecting from the respective scroll ribs of fixed and movable scroll compressor bodies. An extended thrust region is provided in surrounding relation to an inner axial tip sealing region to provide for carrying thrust loads in the event that the scroll compressor bodies are forced axially together. Part of the thrust region may carry a tip seal, while another part may be free of a tip seal. This provides for at least a nominal reverse operation capability.

Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank receiver disposed in the refrigerant circuit intermediate the refrigerant cooling heat exchanger and the refrigerant heating heat exchanger. The flash tank receiver, which receives a liquid/vapor refrigerant mix, also functions as a receiver. A refrigerant charge control apparatus includes at least one sensor for sensing an operating characteristic of the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant compression device, and a controller operative to selectively adjust a secondary expansion device to increase or decrease the flow of refrigerant passing into the flash tank receiver to provide a circulating refrigerant charge consistent with maintaining a desired system operating characteristic.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a movable scroll compressor body and a fixed scroll compressor body that are arranged for relative orbital movement relative to one another to facilitate compression of refrigerant. To guide the orbital movement, a Oldham key coupling is provided that may include four keys spaced in separate quadrants for guiding movement of the scroll compressor body along a linear translational path along a lateral axis. Additionally, running clearances may be unequally and non-symmetrically arranged so as to prevent unwanted rotation of one of the scroll compressor bodies and thereby prevent unwanted edge loading.

Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank receiver disposed in the refrigerant circuit intermediate the refrigerant cooling heat exchanger and the refrigerant heating heat exchanger. The flash tank receiver, which receives a liquid/vapor refrigerant mix, also functions as a receiver. A refrigerant charge control apparatus includes a liquid level sensing device disposed in operative association with the flash tank receiver for sensing the level of liquid refrigerant within the flash tank receiver, at least one sensor for sensing a system operating parameter, and a controller operative to determine a desired liquid refrigerant level within the flash tank receiver and to selectively adjust a secondary expansion device to increase or decrease the flow of refrigerant passing into the flash tank receiver to provide a circulating refrigerant charge consistent with maintaining a desired system operating parameter.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes an oil separation region generally formed between the motor housing and upper bearing member. A long labyrinth channel is provided with the suction refrigerant gas flow path being redirected to facilitate coalescing of oil mist droplets out of the gas stream. An integral deflector plate can be provided on the upper bearing member to interrupt flow and facilitate coalescing of oil. Additionally, offset arrangements between motor housing outlet ports and through ports through the bearing member are provided to facilitate redirection of the refrigerant flow that can further achieve oil separation.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a feature for location of a housing shell section off of one of the scroll compressor bodies. According to this aspect, a scroll compressor comprises a housing including a shell section; scroll compressor bodies having respective bases and respective scroll ribs that project from the respective bases and which mutually engage about an axis for compressing fluid; and a drive unit operative to facilitate relative movement between the scroll compressor bodies. The shell section is located axially relative to a remainder of the housing off of one of the scroll compressor bodies.

Abstract: A bearing material composition that lines a support includes a combination of a thermoplastic conforming material and abrasive particles which provide a combined effect for remedying the effects due to edge loading that may be caused by misalignment between the bearing and a shaft to which a portion is rotatably mounted. The conforming material may be PTFE such that it does not have a memory and is subject to cold flow and creep. As a result, misalignment problems and edge loading are remedied by the combination of abrasive removal of metal material from the drive shaft at the location of edge loading and creep of the conforming material at the location of edge loading which may provide an overall greater bearing interface surface.

Abstract: A refrigeration system (20A) comprises an evaporator (27) for evaporating a refrigerant, a two-stage compressor (32) for compressing the refrigerant, a single-stage compressor (34) for compressing the refrigerant, a heat rejecting heat exchanger (24) for cooling the refrigerant, a first economizer circuit (25A), and a second economizer circuit (25B). The first economizer circuit (25A) is configured to inject refrigerant into an interstage port (48) of the two-stage compressor (32). The second economizer circuit (25B) is configured to inject refrigerant into a suction port (52) of the single-stage compressor (34). The single-stage compressor (34) is configured to discharge into the interstage port (48) of the two-stage compressor (32).

Abstract: A refrigeration system (20A) comprises an evaporator (27), a two-stage compressor (32) for compressing a refrigerant, a second compressor (34) for compressing the refrigerant, a heat rejecting heat exchanger (24) for cooling the refrigerant, a first economizer circuit (25A), and a second economizer circuit (25B). The first economizer circuit (25A) is configured to inject refrigerant into an interstage port (48) of the two-stage compressor (32). The second economizer circuit (25B) is connected to the second compressor (34).

Abstract: A compressor has a housing. A crank is carried by the housing for rotation about a crank axis. A cylinder is defined within the housing and has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is smaller in transverse cross-sectional area than is the proximal portion. A piston is held within the housing for reciprocal movement at least partially within the cylinder. The piston also has a distal portion smaller in transverse cross-sectional area than a proximal portion. A connecting rod is pivotally coupled to the crank for relative rotation about a proximal axis and to the piston for relative rotation about a distal axis. A first compression chamber exists in the cylinder distal portion beyond the end of the piston. A second compression chamber exists in the cylinder proximal portion beyond a piston shoulder. The first and second compression chambers are non-series and non-parallel.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor. A heat rejection heat exchanger is downstream of the compressor along a refrigerant primary flowpath. An expansion device is downstream of the heat rejection heat exchanger along the primary flowpath. A heat absorption heat exchanger is downstream of the expansion device along the primary flowpath. An economizer heat exchanger is between the heat rejection heat exchanger and the expansion device along the primary flowpath. The economizer heat exchanger includes a first portion configured to provide heat transfer from the primary flowpath to a first economizer flowpath. The economizer heat exchanger includes a second portion configured to provide heat transfer from the primary flowpath to a second economizer flowpath.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor, first and second heat exchangers, and an expansion device. A refrigerant recirculating flowpath extends sequentially downstream through the compressor, first heat exchanger, expansion device, and second heat exchanger The system includes a charge storage system. The charge storage system includes first and second refrigerant storage chambers. At least one valve is coupled to the storage chambers to permit the storage chambers to each be individually placed in alternative communication with the flowpath upstream and downstream of the expansion device.

Abstract: A method for controlling temperature pulldown of an enclosure with a refrigeration system having a compressor, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an evaporator comprises circulating a refrigerant through the refrigeration system, sensing a parameter of the enclosure, determining a desired evaporator pressure based upon the parameter sensed, and adjusting the expansion valve as a function of the desired evaporator pressure.