Patents by Inventor Robin G. Skinner

Robin G. Skinner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080184733
    Abstract: A scroll compressor including a refrigerant injection system. The refrigerant injection system includes an injection inlet conduit which is disposed at least partially within the suction pressure chamber of the scroll compressor, and includes one end sealingly fitted into an opening in the non-orbiting scroll member which is disposed within the suction pressure chamber. The non-orbiting scroll member includes a pair of transfer passages at least partially formed in a side thereof which faces the discharge pressure chamber, as well as injection ports for injecting refrigerant from the transfer passages into the working pockets defined between the non-orbiting and orbiting scroll members. A cover plate, disposed in the discharge chamber of the compressor, is secured to the base plate of the non-orbiting scroll via a gasket and a plurality of fasteners to enclose and seal the transfer passages from the discharge pressure chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: TECUMSEH PRODUCTS COMPANY
    Inventor: Robin G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 7389582
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for a compressor. The mounting bracket includes a mounting member and an elongate bracing member. The mounting member is secured to the housing of the compressor has a central support section in substantial registry with the housing. The mounting member includes two legs which extend from opposite ends of the central support section. The first and second legs respectively include first and second distal portions. The bracing member may be secured to the mounting member with two swaged connections. The swaged connections each define an aperture through the bracing member and the mounting member. A method of mounting a compressor is also provided. The method utilizes a mounting bracket having a bracing member which is secured to a mounting member by deforming at least one of the bracing member and the mounting member into engagement with the other of the bracing member and the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Robin G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 7351043
    Abstract: A substantially horizontal compressor including a housing having a main body portion with an open end. An end cap is secured to the main body portion with the end cap being provided with a plurality of apertures. The hermetic terminal body of the compressor is sealably fitted into one of the plurality of apertures located in the end cap. One of the apertures is sealably fitted with a heater well in which a substantially cylindrical heater element is removably received. A third aperture may be provided in the end cap in which a sight glass is sealably secured for checking the oil level in the oil sump. An indentation is formed in the end cap to increase the rigidity of the end cap. The proximity of the terminal assembly and heater well allows the wiring therefor to be part of the same wiring harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: David K Haller, Robin G Skinner
  • Patent number: 7186095
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for a compressor. The mounting bracket includes a mounting member and an elongate bracing member. The mounting member is secured to the housing of the compressor has a central support section in substantial registry with the housing. The mounting member includes two legs which extend from opposite ends of the central support section. The first and second legs respectively include first and second distal portions. The bracing member may be secured to the mounting member with two swaged connections. The swaged connections each define an aperture through the bracing member and the mounting member. A method of mounting a compressor is also provided. The method utilizes a mounting bracket having a bracing member which is secured to a mounting member by deforming at least one of the bracing member and the mounting member into engagement with the other of the bracing member and the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Robin G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 7163383
    Abstract: A compressor assembly including a compression mechanism having a main bearing and a plurality of first pilot holes, and an electric motor comprising a rotor disposed within a stator. The stator has a plurality of second and third pilot holes. Each of the first pilot holes are aligned with one of the second pilot holes. Alignment members are disposed within each pair of aligned first and second pilot holes, whereby the alignment of compression mechanism and stator is maintained. An outboard bearing is secured to the stator, has a plurality of fourth pilot holes and rotatably supports the drive shaft. Each of third pilot holes is aligned with one of the fourth pilot holes. Alignment members are disposed within each pair of third and fourth pilot holes, whereby the alignment of the compression mechanism, the stator and the outboard bearing is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Robin G Skinner
  • Patent number: 7094043
    Abstract: A compressor having a housing and mutually engaged stationary and orbiting scrolls. A crankcase is disposed between a motor and the orbiting scroll. A shaft is operably connected with the orbiting scroll and extends through the crankcase and the motor. The end of the shaft extending from the motor is rotatably supported by a bearing mounted in a bearing support. A counterweight is rotationally coupled with the shaft proximate the bearing support. An oil sump is disposed within the housing and an oil shield is fixed to the bearing support. The oil shield has a cylindrical portion with an open end which encircles the counterweight and may include a plurality of flexible members having inwardly bent portions which engage a groove on the bearing support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Robin G Skinner
  • Patent number: 7063518
    Abstract: A compressor assembly including a compression mechanism, a motor including rotor and a laminated stator and a shaft is provided. The shaft is operably coupled to the compression mechanism and the rotor. The shaft extends outwardly from the motor opposite the compression mechanism. A bearing support has a central body that rotatably supports an end of the shaft. The bearing support also includes an outer ring and a support structure connecting the outer ring and central body. The outer ring has a plurality of circumferentially distributed bearing surfaces separated by recesses and bears against the laminated stator. Deformations in the laminations of the stator are received in the recesses in the outer ring. A method of supporting a shaft in a compressor wherein a bearing support member bears against a laminated stator and a stator lamination deformingly protrudes into a recess on the bearing support is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Robin G Skinner, Dale Westcott
  • Patent number: 7063523
    Abstract: A compressor assembly having a housing in which a compressor mechanism and discharge chamber are located. A first port communicates compressed gas and oil from the compressor mechanism to the discharge chamber. A one-way valve allows the compressed gas and oil to enter the discharge chamber through the first port. A second port in the discharge chamber defines an outlet in the housing through which compressed gas and oil are discharged from the compressor assembly. The second port is disposed vertically below the first port in the lower half of the discharge chamber to thereby limit the quantity of oil which may collect in the discharge chamber. The second port may be defined by a discharge tube which passes through the housing at a flat portion of the housing which thereby facilitates the welding of the tube to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Robin G Skinner
  • Patent number: 7059839
    Abstract: A substantially horizontal compressor including a housing having a main body portion with an open end. An end cap is secured to the main body portion with the end cap being provided with a plurality of apertures. The hermetic terminal body of the compressor is sealably fitted into one of the plurality of apertures located in the end cap. One of the apertures is sealably fitted with a heater well in which a substantially cylindrical heater element is removably received. A third aperture may be provided in the end cap in which a sight glass is sealably secured for checking the oil level in the oil sump. An indentation is formed in the end cap to increase the rigidity of the end cap. The proximity of the terminal assembly and heater well allows the wiring therefor to be part of the same wiring harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: David K. Haller, Robin G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 7018184
    Abstract: A compressor assembly having a housing with a first inlet. A compressor mechanism within the housing has a second inlet leading to a working space wherein gas is compressed. A baffle surface is extends from proximate the first inlet to proximate the second inlet and is impactable by gas entering the housing through the first inlet. The baffle surface directs gas in a flow path from the first inlet toward the second inlet and defines a baffle opening positioned between the first and second inlets. The length of the baffle opening extends substantially transverse to the flow path and is substantially greater than its width. The baffle opening diverts a portion of the gas directed along the flow path through the opening and intercepts fluid, such as lubricating oil, collected on the baffle surface whereby the fluid is separable by passage through the opening from gas entering the second inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Robin G. Skinner, Richard C. Haney
  • Patent number: 7018183
    Abstract: A compressor having a discharge valve. The discharge valve is mounted to the fixed scroll of a scroll compressor using a C-shaped clamp. The clamp is secured using a threaded fastener which extends through the clamp at a position between the two legs of the clamp. The valve member is positioned within a recess on the scroll member and sealingly covers a discharge outlet through which compressed refrigerant is discharged from the working space of the compressor. The thickness of the scroll member at the location of the discharge outlet is less than the thickness of the scroll member at the location where the threaded fastener attached the clamp to the scroll member. The valve member is larger than the discharge outlet and the recess is dimensioned to limit the movement of the valve member such that it remains positioned over the discharge outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: David K. Haller, Robin G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 6896496
    Abstract: A scroll compressor having crankcase with an integral shroud. The shroud includes an aperture and defines a partial enclosure. A counterweight mounted on the shaft of the compressor is disposed within the partial enclosure defined by the shroud. The aperture is positioned above the shaft and the shroud shields an oil sump within the compressor housing from the fanning action of the counterweight. A scroll compressor having a baffle extending from an inlet to the compressor housing to an inlet of the working space of the compressor is also provided. The baffle is secured to the crankcase of the compressor and may include an opening that functions as an oil stripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: David K. Haller, Robin G. Skinner, Richard C. Haney
  • Publication number: 20040208760
    Abstract: A hermetic compressor assembly that includes a hermetically sealed housing. A motor and compressor mechanism are disposed within the housing. The housing wall includes an aperture and a terminal block is mounted on the housing wall proximate the aperature. The terminal block forms a hermetic seal with the exterior surface of the housing wall that encircles the aperture. The seal may be formed by welding the terminal block to the exterior housing wall surface and the terminal block may be positioned entirely outwardly of the exterior surface of the housing wall and have a concave surface for engaging the housing wall. A cover may also be provided wherein the cover has a plurality of radially inwardly projecting tabs that are engageable with a latching surface on the terminal body. The latching surface may be formed by an annular groove formed in the terminal body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Zer Kai Yap, Robin G. Skinner, Ryan M. Wright
  • Publication number: 20040118146
    Abstract: A substantially horizontal compressor including a housing having a main body portion with an open end. An end cap is secured to the main body portion with the end cap being provided with a plurality of apertures. The hermetic terminal body of the compressor is sealably fitted into one of the plurality of apertures located in the end cap. One of the apertures is sealably fitted with a heater well in which a substantially cylindrical heater element is removably received. A third aperture may be provided in the end cap in which a sight glass is sealably secured for checking the oil level in the oil sump. An indentation is formed in the end cap to increase the rigidity of the end cap. The proximity of the terminal assembly and heater well allows the wiring therefor to be part of the same wiring harness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: David K. Haller, Robin G. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20040057837
    Abstract: A compressor assembly including a compression mechanism having a main bearing and a plurality of first pilot holes, and an electric motor comprising a rotor disposed within a stator. The stator has a plurality of second and third pilot holes. Each of the first pilot holes are aligned with one of the second pilot holes. Alignment members are disposed within each pair of aligned first and second pilot holes, whereby the alignment of compression mechanism and stator is maintained. An outboard bearing is secured to the stator, has a plurality of fourth pilot holes and rotatably supports the drive shaft. Each of third pilot holes is aligned with one of the fourth pilot holes. Alignment members are disposed within each pair of third and fourth pilot holes, whereby the alignment of the compression mechanism, the stator and the outboard bearing is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Robin G. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20040057843
    Abstract: A compressor having a discharge valve. The discharge valve is mounted to the fixed scroll of a scroll compressor using a C-shaped clamp. The clamp is secured using a threaded fastener which extends through the clamp at a position between the two legs of the clamp. The valve member is positioned within a recess on the scroll member and sealingly covers a discharge outlet through which compressed refrigerant is discharged from the working space of the compressor. The thickness of the scroll member at the location of the discharge outlet is less than the thickness of the scroll member at the location where the threaded fastener attached the clamp to the scroll member. The valve member is larger than the discharge outlet and the recess is dimensioned to limit the movement of the valve member such that it remains positioned over the discharge outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: David K. Haller, Robin G. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20040057845
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for a compressor. The mounting bracket includes a mounting member and an elongate bracing member. The mounting member is secured to the housing of the compressor has a central support section in substantial registry with the housing. The mounting member includes two legs which extend from opposite ends of the central support section. The first and second legs respectively include first and second distal portions. The bracing member may be secured to the mounting member with two swaged connections. The swaged connections each define an aperture through the bracing member and the mounting member. A method of mounting a compressor is also provided. The method utilizes a mounting bracket having a bracing member which is secured to a mounting member by deforming at least one of the bracing member and the mounting member into engagement with the other of the bracing member and the mounting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Robin G. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20040057849
    Abstract: A compressor assembly having a housing with a first inlet. A compressor mechanism within the housing has a second inlet leading to a working space wherein gas is compressed. A baffle surface is extends from proximate the first inlet to proximate the second inlet and is impactable by gas entering the housing through the first inlet. The baffle surface directs gas in a flow path from the first inlet toward the second inlet and defines a baffle opening positioned between the first and second inlets. The length of the baffle opening extends substantially transverse to the flow path and is substantially greater than its width. The baffle opening diverts a portion of the gas directed along the flow path through the opening and intercepts fluid, such as lubricating oil, collected on the baffle surface whereby the fluid is separable by passage through the opening from gas entering the second inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Robin G. Skinner, Richard C. Haney
  • Publication number: 20040057858
    Abstract: A compressor assembly having a housing in which a compressor mechanism and discharge chamber are located. A first port communicates compressed gas and oil from the compressor mechanism to the discharge chamber. A one-way valve allows the compressed gas and oil to enter the discharge chamber through the first port. A second port in the discharge chamber defines an outlet in the housing through which compressed gas and oil are discharged from the compressor assembly. The second port is disposed vertically below the first port in the lower half of the discharge chamber to thereby limit the quantity of oil which may collect in the discharge chamber. The second port may be defined by a discharge tube which passes through the housing at a flat portion of the housing which thereby facilitates the welding of the tube to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Robin G. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20040057848
    Abstract: A scroll compressor having crankcase with an integral shroud. The shroud includes an aperture and defines a partial enclosure. A counterweight mounted on the shaft of the compressor is disposed within the partial enclosure defined by the shroud. The aperture is positioned above the shaft and the shroud shields an oil sump within the compressor housing from the fanning action of the counterweight. A scroll compressor having a baffle extending from an inlet to the compressor housing to an inlet of the working space of the compressor is also provided. The baffle is secured to the crankcase of the compressor and may include an opening that functions as an oil stripper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: David K. Haller, Robin G. Skinner, Richard C. Haney