Abstract: A compressor for compressing refrigerant in an air conditioning or refrigeration system, including a housing having a suction port, a discharge port, and a compression chamber, a mechanism for producing a compression cycle for compressing the refrigerant, wherein the compression cycle occurs in the suction port, discharge port and compression chamber, and a mechanism for providing liquid refrigerant into the compression cycle at a desired location for reducing pressure pulsations and associated radiated noise produced during the compression cycle.

Abstract: An oil separator for use in a compressor for separating oil from refrigerant. The separator includes a discharge line having an inner surface, a structure in the discharge line forming an inlet and an outlet within the discharge line, wherein the inlet has a wider diameter than the outlet; and a design for preventing oil from exiting the outlet and means for directing the oil out of the discharge line. In one embodiment, the structure is a substantially circular wall, and wherein the design for preventing is the shape of the wall and relative orientation of the wall to the discharge line. In one embodiment, the relative orientation is such that the discharge line has a flow direction with a horizontal component of orientation and the wall has a vertical component of orientation relative the horizontal component.

Abstract: Low voltage electrical power is supplied to a diagnostic control device in a sealed compressor. Electrical power is tapped from a high voltage power line and transformed to low voltage power that in turn operates the diagnostic control device. The diagnostic control device and the electric voltage transforming system are housed within the sealed compressor shell, thus eliminating the need for additional openings in the compressor shell. Other low voltage devices can be powered in this way.

Abstract: A screw machine (10) has a rotor housing (12) defining overlapping bores (12-1, 12-2). Female rotor (14) is located in bore (12-1) and male rotor (16) is located in bore (12-2). A wear resistant coating is deposited on the tips (14-1, 16-1) of the rotors. A conformable coating is deposited on the valleys (14-2, 16-2) of the rotors. A conformable coating is depsoited on the surface of the bores coacting with the rotors.

Abstract: A scroll expresser of a refrigerant system includes a non-orbiting expander scroll plate and an orbiting expander scroll plate which form a plurality of expansion chambers and a non-orbiting compressor scroll plate and a orbiting compressor scroll plate which form a plurality of compression chambers. The scroll expresser expands high pressure refrigerant in the expansion chambers to low pressure vapor refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant exits the scroll expresser for evaporation. The vapor refrigerant is compressed in the compression chambers and mixes with the refrigerant exiting the compressor. Alternatively, the orbiting scroll plates are integrated into one component.

Abstract: Low voltage electrical power is supplied to a diagnostic control device in a sealed compressor. Electrical power is tapped from a high voltage power line and transformed to low voltage power that in turn operates the diagnostic control device. The diagnostic control device and the electric voltage transforming system are housed within the sealed compressor shell, thus eliminating the need for additional openings in the compressor shell. Other low voltage devices can be powered in this way.

Abstract: A low cost protective clutch member is positioned adjacent an end of the drive shaft in a scroll compressor. The device is a thin washer having a tab which is selectively driven against the housing stop when the compressor is driven in a forward direction, but is movable into a notch in the shaft when the shaft is driven in a reverse direction. The tab prevents rotation of the shaft when in the notch.

Abstract: A scroll expresser of a refrigerant system includes a non-orbiting expander scroll plate and an orbiting expander scroll plate which form a plurality of expansion chambers and a non-orbiting compressor scroll plate and a orbiting compressor scroll plate which form a plurality of compression chambers. The scroll expresser expands high pressure refrigerant in the expansion chambers to low pressure vapor refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant exits the scroll expresser for evaporation. The vapor refrigerant is compressed in the compression chambers and mixes with the refrigerant exiting the compressor. Alternatively, the orbiting scroll plates are integrated into one component.

Abstract: A number of improvements increase the flow of lubricant within a scroll compressor. A centrifugal oil separator is mounted on the discharge port to remove oil from the refrigerant. The oil is returned through a leak path such that the oil can easily return back to a suction pressure chamber. The leak path is preferably upstream of a check valve. Thus, at shutdown, the leak path will not allow upstream components to also equalize in pressure with the suction pressure chamber of the compressor. Further, a number of embodiments include ways of resisting flow of refrigerant through the leak path, while still allowing oil flow. A number of valve elements are described which perform this function. Alternatively, labyrinth flow paths, or positioning of the return paths such that it will be closed when the compressor is shut down are disclosed.

Abstract: A screw compressor includes at least two components defining at least two operating zones of different pressure and having surfaces defining a flow point between the at least two zones, and a surface treatment positioned on the surfaces so as to reduce clearance between the surfaces, and thereby reduce leakage through the flow point.

Abstract: Low voltage electrical power is supplied to a diagnostic control device in a sealed compressor. Electrical power is tapped from a high voltage power line and transformed to low voltage power that in turn operates the diagnostic control device. The diagnostic control device and the electric voltage transforming system are housed within the sealed compressor shell, thus eliminating the need for additional openings in the compressor shell. Other low voltage devices can be powered in this way.

Abstract: A method for coating surfaces of a screw machine. The method includes the steps of providing at least one of a plurality of screw machine components including a rotor housing having at least a pair of parallel, overlapping bores; at least a conjugate pair of intermeshing rotors located in the bores, wherein each of the rotors has helical lobes having radially outward tip portions and intervening radially inward root portions; rough coating a surface of at least one of the plurality of components with a conformable coating, wherein the coating is substantially unevenly applied to the surface and has variable thickness over said surface; and leveling the conformable coating to a substantially uniform thickness prior to final assembly of the plurality of components, the substantially uniform thickness selected to ease assembly of the components, while maintaining coating performance criteria.

Abstract: A compressor for compressing refrigerant in an air conditioning or refrigeration system, including a housing having a suction port, a discharge port, and a compression chamber, a mechanism for producing a compression cycle for compressing the refrigerant, wherein the compression cycle occurs in the suction port, discharge port and compression chamber, and a mechanism for providing liquid refrigerant into the compression cycle at a desired location for reducing pressure pulsations and associated radiated noise produced during the compression cycle.

Abstract: A screw compressor includes at least two components defining at least two operating zones of different pressure and having surfaces defining a flow point between the at least two zones, and a surface treatment positioned on the surfaces so as to reduce clearance between the surfaces, and thereby reduce leakage through the flow point

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for injecting a liquid/vapor into compression chambers at an intermediate pressure utilizes the economizer injection ports already found in the compressor. By selectively communicating a liquid to be injected into the compression chambers to the economizer return line, the economizer return line and its ports are utilized for this liquid/vapor injection. In this way, no additional flow connections at the compressor are necessary. Moreover, by injecting the liquid at an intermediate pressure point, the other benefits are provided. In general, the liquid is injected to reduce the discharge temperature of the refrigerant under certain operational conditions.

Abstract: A system includes a motor mounted within a housing and a compressor pump unit. A single-phase PSC motor includes a switch assembly which selectively connects primary or alternate windings. During normal load operation, when maximum efficiency is desired, the switch is placed in one position, then during high load operation, when maximum torque output is needed at maximum a load point, the switch is placed in the closed position. In effect, the number of main winding turns is decreased and the motor is strengthened. As the auxiliary capacitors are also now connected in parallel, the net effect is an increase in the total auxiliary capacitance, which also serves to strengthen the motor. Another embodiment provides a switch for a three-phase WYE connected motor. In yet another embodiment, a three phase delta connected motor switch is provided.

Abstract: A screw machine (10) has a rotor housing (12) defining overlapping bores (12-1, 12-2). Female rotor (14) is located in bore (12-1) and male rotor (16) is located in bore (12-2). A wear resistant coating is deposited on the tips (14-1, 16-1) of the rotors. A conformable coating is deposited on the valleys (14-2, 16-2) of the rotors. A conformable coating is depsoited on the surface of the bores coacting with the rotors.

Abstract: A screw machine (10) has a rotor housing (12) defining overlapping bores (12-1, 12-2). Female rotor (14) is located in bore (12-1) and male rotor (16) is located in bore (12-2). A wear resistant coating is deposited on the tips (14-1, 16-1) of the rotors. A conformable coating is deposited on the valleys (14-2, 16-2) of the rotors. A conformable coating is depsoited on the surface of the bores coacting with the rotors.

Abstract: A screw machine (10) has a rotor housing (12) defining overlapping bores (12-1, 12-2). Female rotor (14) is located in bore (12-1) and male rotor (16) is located in bore (12-2). A wear resistant coating is deposited on the tips (14-1, 16-1) of the rotors. A conformable coating is deposited on the valleys (14-2, 16-2) of the rotors. A conformable coating is depsoited on the surface of the bores coacting with the rotors.

Abstract: Low voltage electrical power is supplied to a diagnostic control device in a sealed compressor. Electrical power is tapped from a high voltage power line and transformed to low voltage power that in turn operates the diagnostic control device. The diagnostic control device and the electric voltage transforming system are housed within the sealed compressor shell, thus eliminating the need for additional openings in the compressor shell. Other low voltage devices can be powered in this way.