Abstract: A vehicle heating and cooling system having both a coolant loop with a heater core employing a coolant to warm a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a refrigerant loop with an air conditioning system for cooling the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The refrigerant loop and coolant loop can also operate together where the air conditioning system is operating as a heat pump and drawing heat from the coolant loop.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle air-conditioning system for cooling an interior of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle air conditioning system has a compressor coupled to an electronic control valve.

Abstract: A variable displacement swash plate type compressor which incorporates a lubricant pump coupled to one end of the drive shaft of the compressor, wherein the lubricant pump provides positive lubricant flow within the compressor and facilitates the lubrication of compressor components.

Abstract: A variable displacement swash plate type compressor which incorporates a conduit formed in the cylinder block to provide fluid communication between a crank chamber and one or more cylinders to eliminate the need for an orifice tube in fluid communication between a discharge chamber and the crank chamber and to increase the flow of refrigerant gas and lubricating oil to the crank chamber under all operating conditions and to increase the internal fluid pressure in the crank chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston for use in a swashplate type compressor. The piston includes a void in the exterior surface of the head region that is positioned at a distance from a region that receives a side load during operation of the compressor. In preferred embodiments, the void comprises a helical groove that extends along a path parallel to the region receiving the side load, and a recess or depression positioned adjacent the region receiving the side load.

Abstract: A variable displacement swash plate type compressor which incorporates a lubrication passage formed in the drive shaft, wherein the lubrication passage provides fluid communication between a discharge chamber and a crank chamber. The lubrication passage maximizes the low of refrigerant gas and lubricating oil to the crank chamber under all operating conditions providing cooling and lubrication to the internal moving components in the crank chamber. The lubrication passage facilitates the efficient flow of lubricating oil from the discharge chamber to the crank chamber.

Abstract: A variable displacement swash plate type compressor which incorporates a conduit formed in the cylinder block to provide fluid communication between a crank chamber and one or more cylinders to eliminate the need for an orifice tube in fluid communication between a discharge chamber and the crank chamber and to increase the flow of refrigerant gas and lubricating oil to the crank chamber under all operating conditions and to increase the internal fluid pressure in the crank chamber.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch (110) for an air conditioning compressor includes a generally cylindrical pulley (111) rotatably mounted on a comressor housing (116) and having an annular friction surface (120a, 120b) in a cavity (120). A driven member (112) is mounted on a compressor shaft (113) and has a leg (118, 119) with an annular friction surface (118a, 118b, 119a, 119b) positioned radially adjacent the cavity friction surface to form an annular space (120c, 120f) therebetween. A quantity of flowable magnetic material (127) is provided in the annular space and a magnetic coil (124) is fixed on the housing adjacent thereto. When electrical power is applied to the magnetic coil (124), magnetic flux is generated in the annular space (120c, 120f) polarizing the magnetic material and frictionally coupling the friction surfaces to cause the pulley (111) to rotate the driven member (112).

Abstract: A variable displacement swash plate type compressor which incorporates an impeller attached to a drive shaft, and a plurality of blades for, efficiently directing lubricating oil to a shaft seal. The impeller provides a mist of lubricating oil to the crankcase, and the blades direct lubricating oil to a shaft seal. The impeller and blades maximize the distribution and flow of lubricating oil to the crank chamber under all operating conditions providing cooling and lubrication to the internal moving components within the crankcase.

Abstract: A variable capacity swash plate type compressor 10, which incorporates an inlet port 40 disposed in a crankcase 36 leading to a crank chamber 38. The inlet port 40 places the crank chamber 38 in the active flow path of a refrigerant gas for the compressor 10 and eliminates the need for an orifice tube in fluid communication with a discharge chamber 22 and the crank chamber 38 thereby increasing the maximum capacity of the compressor 10.

Abstract: An air conditioning (A/C) system and method of controlling same is provided for a vehicle. The A/C system includes an evaporator, a desiccant dryer located downstream of the evaporator, and a compressor fluidly connected to the air evaporator. The A/C system also includes a plurality of sensors to provide inputs relating to temperature of the evaporator and relative humidity of an occupant compartment of the vehicle. The A/C system further includes an electronic control unit electrically connected to the sensors to receive the inputs therefrom and electrically connected to the desiccant dryer and the compressor to turn the desiccant dryer and the compressor On and Off to control the temperature and relative humidity of air to the occupant compartment.

Abstract: An air conditioning (A/C) system and method of controlling same is provided for a vehicle. The A/C system includes an evaporator, a desiccant dryer located downstream of the evaporator, and a compressor fluidly connected to the evaporator. The A/C system also includes a plurality of sensors to provide inputs relating to temperature of the evaporator and relative humidity of an occupant compartment of the vehicle. The A/C system further includes an electronic control unit electrically connected to the sensors to receive the inputs therefrom and electrically connected to the desiccant dryer and the compressor to turn the desiccant dryer and the compressor On and Off to control the temperature and relative humidity of air to the occupant compartment.

Abstract: A variable capacity swash plate type compressor 10 incorporates a pressure relief valve 43 in fluid communication with a suction chamber 20 and a crank chamber 40. The pressure relief valve 43 prevents over pressurization in the crank chamber 40 to minimize friction and forces acting on the components of the compressor 10.

Abstract: A piston having anti-rotation for a swashplate compressor includes a body portion extending axially and a connecting portion spaced radially from a longitudinal axis of the body portion and extending axially. The piston also includes a pair of opposed anti-rotation wings extending radially from one end of the body portion between the connecting portion and the longitudinal axis of the body portion.

Abstract: A compressor (10) for a vehicular air conditioning system includes a cylinder block (12) having a bore (14). A piston (78) is slidingly received in the bore (14). A cylinder head (16) is mounted on the cylinder block (12) and includes a suction chamber (20) and a discharge chamber (22). A valve plate (18) is provided between cylinder block (12) and the cylinder head (16). The valve plate (18) includes a suction port (26) and a discharge port (35). A suction valve (28) cooperates with the suction port (26) to permit refrigerant to enter the bore (14) from the suction chamber (20). The suction valve (28) includes a terminating portion (28A) and a flexing portion (28B). A recess (32) is formed in the cylinder block (12) adjacent the flexing portion (28B) of the suction valve (28). The recess (32) provides a linear clamping line (C) on the suction valve (28) between the valve plate (18) and the cylinder block (12).

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch (10) for an air conditioning compressor includes a generally cylindrical pulley (11) rotatably mounted on a compressor housing (16) and having an annular friction surface (21b), a driven member (12) mounted on a compressor shaft (13) and having an annular friction surface (21a) positioned radially adjacent the first friction surface to form an annular space (21c) therebetween. A quantity of flowable magnetic material (27) is provided in the annular space (21c) and a magnetic coil (34) is fixed on the housing adjacent thereto. A control (40,46,46′) connected to the magnetic coil (34) supplies electrical power from a power supply (47) to energize the magnetic coil and create magnetic flux in the annular space (21c) polarizing the magnetic material and frictionally coupling the first and second friction surfaces (21a,21b) to cause the pulley (11) to rotate the driven member (12).

Abstract: A variable swash plate compressor (10), including a housing (12), a top inlet (14A), a bottom inlet (14B) , a pumping chamber (16), a compression piston (18), a top outlet (20A), a bottom outlet (20B) , a drive shaft (22) , a control surface element (24), a pinnacle element (26), a swash plate (28), a bore (30) and a pocket (32) formed in the swash plate (28), a pivot element tip (38) and fulcrum piston assembly (40). Wherein the angle of the swash plate (28) relative to the drive shaft (22) is varied to bring about a larger or smaller travel path of the compression piston (18) and thereby increasing or decreasing the output capacity of the variable swash plate compressor (10).