Abstract: An orientation insensitive scroll compressor is assembled by assembling the internal compressor as on an assembly which is inserted into a middle shell. The tubes are inserted and then the top and bottom shells are partially inserted into the middle shell and secured in place.

Abstract: A coiled resistance element is connected to an insulator block by sequentially locating and holding the coil in place; camming the coil such that two adjacent coils are forced together and the coils on either side are forced away so as to form two gaps or openings; and, inserting the arms of an insulator block into the two gaps so as to force the two adjacent coils into the cross bar portion of a T-slot formed in the connector block. Upon removing the camming forces from the coil, the two adjacent coils will be separated and located in the cross bar portion of the T-slot to thereby secure the coil and insulator together.

Abstract: A slit fin heat exchanger is formed by wrapping slit fin tubing into a flat coil having two spaced rows of tubing. The flat coil is located on mandrels which are rotatable about spaced parallel axes with the mandrels and axes initially being in the same plane. The mandrels are rotated about their axes in opposite directions which shifts the plane in which the coil is located. The shifting of the plane of the coil moves a portion of a first row of the coil into contact with a planar portion of a platen and the second row of the coil into a nesting relationship with the portion of the first row which is in contact with the planar portion of the platen. Continued rotation of the mandrels causes folding of the portions of the coil which extends the area of nesting. The folding takes place through up to 120.degree. and the ends of the first row of the coil contacts a portion of the platen causing the formation of a knob at the end of each coil.

Abstract: Lubrication oil is supplied to provide a thrust force tending to keep the fixed and orbiting scroll means together in opposition to the forces acting thereon due to compressing gas between the wraps.

Abstract: Each piston is provided with a suction plenum and the suction plenums are connected through restricted openings. This causes the suction inlets to be connected to a plurality of cylinders resulting in a continuous flow of gaseous refrigerant in each of the suction tubes.

Abstract: The diameter of an orbiting scroll plate is increased and the periphery of the plate is notched or scalloped to clear the bolt bosses or spacers located between the fixed scroll and crankcase. The bolt bosses act as guides for the notches in the orbiting scroll plate to thereby create an anti-rotation mechanism. Because the anti-rotation structure is on the periphery of the plate, a greater thrust surface is available.

Abstract: A scroll compressor is run with a clearance between the wraps and oil is injected between the wraps for sealing. In addition to providing a sealing function, the oil also provides a lubrication function prior to injection.

Abstract: A rotary cylinder is tested by loading in two fixed and one movable locations until a location of the movable point is found at which no, or a predetermined amount of, distortion takes place in the vane slot. The cylinder is then welded into a shell at the three points without producing distortion of the vane slot or with a predetermined distortion.

Abstract: Oil separation for a horizontal refrigeration screw compressor is achieved in a series of steps which achieves nearly oil-free refrigerant gas. The refrigerant is discharged from the compressor into a generally cylindrical shell which is divided into three chambers. A generally horizontal, but slightly tilted, divider plate unequally divides the cylindrical shell into two chambers for the greater portion of the cylindrical shell. A cylindrical chamber at the end of the cylindrical shell provides fluid communication between the other two chambers. The compressor discharge is located in the lower and larger chamber which is a segment of a circle portion which also contains the oil sump. A discharge deflector turns the compressor discharge flow at least 90.degree., but as much as 135.degree., and causes it to impact upon the lower surface of the divider plate and depositing oil thereon. The flow striking the divider plate is deflected 180.degree. and is caused to turn approximately 90.degree.

Abstract: A rotary vane pump has restricted fluid communication between the inlet and the trapped volume for about 4.degree. of rotation beyond when the vane starts past the inlet. Similarly there is restricted communication between the trapped volume and the outlet for about 4.degree. of rotation prior to the vane reaching the outlet. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, the trapped volume is in restricted communication with the outlet prior to its isolation from the inlet.

Abstract: A slit fin heat exchanger is formed by wrapping slit fin tubing into a flat coil having two spaced rows of tubing. The flat coil is located on mandrels which are rotatable about spaced parallel axes with the mandrels and axes initially being in the same plane. The mandrels are rotated about their axes in opposite directions which shifts the plane in which the coil is located. The shifting of the plane of the coil moves a portion of a first row of the coil into contact with a planar portion of a platen and the second row of the coil into a nesting relationship with the portion of the first row which is in contact with the planar portion of the platen. Continued rotation of the mandrels causes folding of the portions of the coil which extends the area of nesting. The folding takes place through up to 120.degree. and the ends of the first row of the coil contacts a portion of the platen causing the formation of a knob at the end of each coil.

Abstract: In a high side scroll compressor, the motor is located above the scrolls and the oil sump and discharge gas are isolated from each other. The compressor can be used in an orientation that can range between vertical and at least 20.degree. of horizontal.

Abstract: A duct pressure powered air volume controller controls the flow through a terminal responsive to the differential pressure across a nozzle plate, the selected ventilation requirements, and the temperature of the supplied air, the zone and the setpoint.

Abstract: The uncovering of the opening of the oil pickup tube is avoided by preventing the formation of a stable vortex. The prevention of the formation of a stable vortex is achieved by making the paddles of the impeller axially asymmetrical by at least a minimum critical value.

Abstract: A discharge valve and baffle assembly is provided in a refrigeration system having either one or more compressors. The discharge valve and baffle assembly eliminates the effects of an established head upon starting the associated compressor, thereby permitting the compressor to quickly come up to speed for the established head. During compressor operation, the discharge valve and baffle assembly provides a suction force for holding the valve in the open position to prevent bouncing of the valve during part-load conditions and cycling of the valve between the open and closed positions during surge conditions. The assembly prevents backflow of refrigerant through the nonoperating compressor, and also provides a baffle effect to direct the flow of high pressure gaseous refrigerant uniformly into the condenser.

Abstract: A plurality of unloading steps for a compressor are achieved by providing the compressor with at least two cylinders having different displacements. By unloading different cylinders, the compressor output is better able to match system demand.

Abstract: Movement in a pressurized environment is transmitted to a non-pressurized environment by means of a strong magnetic coupling whereby linear movement of a magnet in a pressurized environment causes linear movement of a surrounding magnet which is in a non-pressurized environment. Because of the strong magnetic coupling, the surrounding magnet is used to drive a linear to rotary motion converter. In the preferred embodiment, the pressurized environment is within a screw compressor.

Abstract: A scroll compressor can be provided with different wrap thicknesses to compensate for the different material properties of the orbiting and fixed scroll elements. The concept of different wrap thicknesses also aids in the select-fitting of parts and in the provision of and adjustment of a clearance or spacing between the wrap elements. Additionally, in the manufacture of a scroll compressor, the total wrap thickness of the two wraps is kept constant within narrow tolerances while the individual wrap thicknesses are allowed to vary over a predetermined range. The cutting tools used are sized such that even if they differ in their cutting diameters, the combined cutting diameters, and therefore the total wrap thicknesses, are constant within narrow tolerances. This permits the tools to be used and resharpened until their cutting diameters fall below the minimum acceptable diameter.

Abstract: Low frequency noise and turbulence are reduced in a damper structure by providing a perforate screen extension onto the damper blade so as to extend across the flow path when the damper is open. Additionally, a perforate screen is located immediately downstream of the damper and spaced from the wall so as to define a chamber therewith as well as defining a boundary of the flow path.

Abstract: Oil normally having refrigerant gas entrained therein is drawn from a sump. A portion of the oil is returned to the sump to agitate the oil in the sump to enhance gas separation therefrom. The remainder of the oil is subjected to centrifugal separation to remove the entrained refrigerant. The separated refrigerant is vented while the separated oil is fed to the lubrication system where contaminant removal takes place.