Patents Assigned to Bristol Compressors
  • Patent number: 6172476
    Abstract: An electrical control system for an induction motor for achieving optimum efficiency at both full and partial loads at markedly reduced electrical components costs while maximizing reliability over the range of load, and for achieving a two step motor power output in a greatly simplified manner, the circuit having an electrical induction motor adapted for connection to line electrical power at maximum motor operating frequency, and to a second source of electrical power at approximately one half of the maximum operating frequency, wherein an electrical switch is provided for selectively connecting each power source to the motor, wherein the second source is a reduced frequency wave form generator for producing a reduced frequency wave form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Tolbert, Jr., Michael R Young, David T Monk, Joseph F Loprete
  • Patent number: 6132177
    Abstract: A two stage reciprocating compressor and associated HVAC systems and methods are disclosed. The reciprocating compressor includes a crankshaft having an eccentric crankpin, a reversible motor for rotating the crankshaft in a forward and a reverse direction, and an eccentric, two position cam rotatably mounted over the crankpin. The crankshaft and cam combine to cause the piston to have a first stroke when the motor operates in the forward direction and a second stroke when the motor operates in the reverse direction. The cam and crankpin also include stabilization means to restrict the relative rotation of the cam about the crankpin. A lubrication system is provided to lubricate the engaging surfaces of the crankshaft and cam and between the cam and the bearing surface of the connecting rod. There is also provided a control for selectively operating the motor either in the forward direction at a first power load or in the reverse direction at a reduced second power load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Loprete, Michael R Young, John W Tolbert, Jr., David T Monk, Philip C Wagner, Joe T Hill, Larry Pippin, Robert B. Peters
  • Patent number: 6099259
    Abstract: For a refrigerant compressor having two capacities, a camming structure operable in different manners depending on direction of crankshaft rotation, to achieve each capacity while providing top dead center piston operation thru the use of a circular cam bushing which is eccentrically, rotatably mounted on the crankshaft eccentric and within the connecting rod bearing wherein the combined eccentricities of the bushing and the eccentric equal the primary stroke of the piston. A first stop mechanism is provided for stabilizing the bushing on the eccentric upon rotation of the crankshaft in one direction whereby the eccentricities of the eccentric and bushing become aligned and remain so during synchronous rotational orbiting motion of the eccentric and bushing during rotation of the crankshaft for producing full stroke and full capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Monk, Joe T. Hill, Philip C. Wagner, Joseph F. Loprete, Michael R. Young
  • Patent number: 6092993
    Abstract: A stabilizing structure for a throw adjusting eccentric cam in a two-stage reciprocating compressor is provided. The compressor includes a block that has at least one cylinder with an associated compression chamber and piston, a crankshaft that includes an eccentric crankpin, and a reversible motor for rotating the crankshaft in a forward and a reverse direction. An eccentric, two position cam is rotatably mounted over the crankpin. The cam rotates to and operates at a first position relative to said crankpin when the motor is running in the forward direction and rotates to and operates at a second position relative to said crankpin when the motor is running in the reverse direction. The combined eccentricities of the crankpin and the cam cause the piston to have a first stroke when the motor operates in the forward direction and a second stroke when the motor operates in the reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Young, Joseph F. Loprete, David T. Monk, Philip C. Wagner, Joe T. Hill, Robert B. Peters
  • Patent number: 6040679
    Abstract: An electrical control system for a variable capacity compressor having an A/C motor is provided. The control system includes a first circuit that has a start winding in series with a capacitor, a second circuit that has a main winding. The control system also includes a third circuit that includes the start winding and a fourth circuit that includes the main winding in series with the capacitor. There is also provided a power supply line that provides power to each of the circuits. The control system further includes a first switch and a second switch, both of which are responsive to loading conditions. The first switch operates to connect the first and second circuits with the power supply line to run the compressor for high load operation and the second switch operates to connect the third and fourth circuits with the power supply line to run the compressor for partial load operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Monk, Joe T. Hill, Phillip C. Wagner, Joseph F. Loprete, Michael R. Young
  • Patent number: 6037725
    Abstract: An electrical control system for an induction motor for achieving optimum efficiency at both full and partial loads at markedly reduced electrical components costs while maximizing reliability over the range of load, and for achieving a two step motor power output in a greatly simplified manner, the circuit having an electrical induction motor adapted for connection to line electrical power at maximum motor operating frequency, and to a second source of electrical power at approximately one half of the maximum operating frequency, wherein an electrical switch is provided for selectively connecting each power source to the motor, wherein the second source is a generator for producing a reduced frequency sine wave form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Tolbert, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6030192
    Abstract: A scroll compressor having a housing containing an orbiting scroll and a non-orbiting scroll each having a base formed with a free side and a compression side and having an involute extending generally normally from the compression side, each the involute terminating in an axially outer, substantially planar edge and having a radially outer inlet end and a radially inner discharge end, the scrolls being mounted within the housing in mating arrangement about a center axis of the involutes for relative orbital motion for compressing gas between the base and adjacent side portions of the involutes, the orbiting scroll having special bearing structure for eliminating the laterally directed tipping forces which are generally experienced by the orbiting scrolls of conventional scroll compressors, the bearing structure having a bearing hub integral with the discharge end of the involute of the orbiting scroll, the hub having a cylindrical bore oriented substantially normal to the compression side of the orbiting scr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe T. Hill, Gene M. Fields, John R. Williams, Terry L. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5997258
    Abstract: A compressor unit having a housing consisting of steel inner and outer shells, the shells being spaced apart from each other to provide an attenuation cell substantially occupying all of the space between the shells, a suction gas inlet and a discharge gas outlet extending through both of the shells and the cell and being isolated from the outer shell by sound absorbing means, and spacer material having sound absorbing properties positioned between the shells and maintaining the spacing therebetween, the spacing being, preferably, at least about 0.06 in. in width over at least a major portion of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: Colon W. Sawyer, III, Gordon A. Carter, Gordon T. Boyd, Prakash N. Pandeya, Michael A. DiFlora
  • Patent number: 5593295
    Abstract: A scroll compressor having a housing, a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll nested with each other to provide a pressure continuum of suction, intermediate and high pressure regions between said scrolls during compressor operation, the base of the orbiting scroll being axially slidably mounted on a thrust plate for allowing only axial motion of the orbiting scroll with respect thereto, a coupling device on the housing or fixed scroll and associated with cooperating coupling elements on one or both of the thrust plate or the orbiting scroll for preventing angular motion of the orbiting scroll with respect to the housing or fixed scroll, an axial compliance seal between and contacting the base of the orbiting scroll and the thrust member and defining an axial compliance pressure chamber, and one or more conduits connecting the chamber with one or more pressure regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe T. Hill
  • Patent number: 5588820
    Abstract: A scroll compressor having a housing, a fixed scroll stationary on said housing, an orbiting scroll nested with the fixed scroll and being mounted on the eccentric of the compressor crankshaft for orbital motion about the longitudinal axis of the compressor, the base of the orbiting scroll having an annular groove formed in the outside or low pressure side thereof, a passage formed through the base of the orbiting scroll and placing the groove in fluid communication with an intermediate section of the pressure continuum for providing an axial compliance force against the base of the orbiting scroll and urging the wrap tips thereof into sealing engagement with the adjacent base of the fixed scroll, an annular seal positioned in the groove and having an annular web provided with a substantially planar contact side positioned in sliding, sealing contact with a sealing surface of housing and having annular elastomeric sealing components slidingly sealed against the walls of the groove to provide an axial complian
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe T. Hill, Gene M. Fields, John R. Williams
  • Patent number: 5588810
    Abstract: A sound barrier cover for a compressor unit which has a housing provided by a substantially continuous wall which provided with a plurality of access ports therethrough. The barrier cover has first and second shell sections configured to lie close to the housing wall and substantially envelope the same wherein the shell sections are configured to provide two substantially longitudinally oriented halves each having sound absorbing material affixed to its inner surface. These halves have perimeters with portions thereof formed with mating tongue and groove structure and carry cooperating components of snap-fastener devices in close proximity to the perimeters. These snap-fastener devices are adapted to hold the perimeters in contact with each other and with the sound absorbing material in resilient contact with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. DiFlora, Prakash N. Pandeva, Christopher S. Robinson, Philip C. Wagner
  • Patent number: 5551851
    Abstract: A scroll compressor having a housing containing a non-orbiting scroll and an orbiting scroll and a crankshaft having an eccentric mounted on the orbiting scroll, the non-orbiting scroll being fixed in operative position on the housing by a plurality of pairs of cooperating, mating key and keyway type components provided on the housing and non-orbiting scroll and mating with predesigned pressure contact, wherein all of the pairs have been mated with substantially equal pressure contact prior to fixing the positions of the pairs on the housing, and wherein the mated pairs allow axial compliance motion of the non-orbiting scroll while providing predetermined resistance to the motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Williams, Scott A. Schultz, Terry L. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5542341
    Abstract: A wrist pin for use with a piston of a refrigeration compressor unit, wherein the wrist pin is to be mounted on a piston and non-rotatively affixed thereto, the pin having a longitudinal axis, a round cross-section and a uniform diameter over substantially its entire length to provide a peripheral journal surface adapted to be mounted within and juxtaposed the bearing surface of a wrist pin bore of a connecting rod for rocking motion within the bore, one or more oil transport grooves in the journal surface circumscribing the same within a longitudinally central region thereof, a generally longitudinally extending recess in the journal surface extending across the one or more grooves and to either side thereof within the region, the region of the journal surface being dimensioned to lie totally within the wrist pin bore of the connecting rod, the recess laterally encompassing an arc angle of from about 6.degree. to about 30.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Monk, Pantelis Hatzikazakis, Kevin N. Mumpower
  • Patent number: 5538404
    Abstract: A shell for a hermetic compressor unit, the shell having a top section or dome, and a bottom section, the dome having a unique shape which gives enhanced capacity for absorbing and attenuating structural and fluid transmitted wave energies emanating from the unit at wave frequencies of between 1,000 Hz and 2,000 Hz, while reducing total operating noise of the unit, the dome being formed of sheet metal and having a generally inverted cup-shaped configuration with generally cylindrical sidewalls and a top wall having a central portion surrounded by a peripheral portion, wherein the sidewall taken in a generally axial direction is substantially straight, wherein the central portion of the top constitutes from about 40 to about 90% of the total area of the top and has a generally hemispherical configuration on a mean radius of from about 6.5 to about 10.0 inches as measured from an origin point O.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. DiFlora, David R. Gilliam, Pransanta K. Roy, Prakash N. Pandeya, Gordon T. Boyd, David T. Monk
  • Patent number: 5361900
    Abstract: A compressor shipping carton having a sheet-like base pad provided with a plurality of depressions or compressor feet retainers in the top surface thereof arranged in a close pattern and each adapted to snugly receive the mounting feet of a compressor for preventing lateral movement thereof, a plurality of rectangular, corrugated paperboard partitions having only side and end walls and being sufficiently wide to accommodate a single compressor and its associated retainer, and being sufficiently long to accommodate at least two compressors and their associated retainers, said partitions resting edgewise and side by side on said base pad, a plurality of rectangular, corrugated paperboard dividers each having side, top and bottom, and end walls providing a substantially closed tube of relatively narrow width and affording a degree of crushability for absorbing forces generated by tilting of the compressors, laterally aligned notches in the upper wall portions of the partitions and laterally aligned slots in the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors
    Inventors: Hugh C. Stringer, Phillip S. Leonard
  • Patent number: 5326231
    Abstract: A gas compressor having a block with two opposed cylinder banks each having at least one cylinder formed therein, each bank having an upper end, a lower end, an inner wall, an outer wall, and opposite side wall, a floor interconnecting the cylinder banks at their lower ends, and a roof interconnecting the cylinder banks at their upper ends, a crankcase formed by the inner walls, roof and floor, the crankcase having a longitudinal axis extending through the roof and floor, first bearing positioned on the floor and aligned with the longitudinal axis for rotatably mounting one end of a crankshaft, an aperture through the roof, a second bearing positioned on the roof and aligned with the longitudinal axis for rotatably mounting the other end of the crankshaft through the aperture, a piston mounted in each cylinder and each having a connecting rod mounted on the crankshaft, the adjacent edge portions of the inner wall, the side walls, the floor and the roof defining an access portal to the crankshaft and to the co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors
    Inventors: Prakash N. Pandeya, Gordon T. Boyd, Robert D. Douglas
  • Patent number: 5238370
    Abstract: A suction gas feed assembly for a gas compressor unit having a shell, an electric motor driven dual piston compressor mounted therein having dual suction ports, one end of the motor being interconnected with and adjacent the compressor, the other end of the motor being substantially unencumbered, the feed assembly consisting of an end cap having a circumferential side wall and a top wall and adapted to be mounted within the shell with the side wall in substantial sealing contact with the unencumbered end of the motor to provide a suction plenum substantially containing the unencumbered end, dual suction conduits each having one of its ends mounted in an aperture in the side wall of the end cap, the apertures being spaced apart on the side wall a distance of at least about one eighth the total circumferential dimension of the side wall, the other ends of the conduits adapted to be mounted in communication with the suction porting of the compressor, intermediate portions of each of the conduits lying in contigu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors
    Inventor: Michael A. DiFlora
  • Patent number: 5203857
    Abstract: A single or multi-cylinder compressor unit being cylinder wall ported and having suction inlet means to compression chamber means through the wall and top of piston means, wherein suction valve means comprises preferably a light-weight plastic disc means mounted in an essentially free-floating manner in the piston means top, the discharge valving cooperatively comprises discharge porting plate means and discharge valve disc means reciprocably mounted on bearing means in the compressor head for enhanced operating accuracy and seat longevity and adapted to seal discharge port aperture means in the plate means on the suction stroke, and wherein the piston means top, the compression side of the suction valve disc means, the compression side of the porting plate means, and the compression side of the discharge valve disc means all being adapted to lie substantially in the same plane at the apex of the compression stroke to essentially eliminate gas reexpansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald L. Terwilliger, Robert D. Douglas, Prasanta K. Roy, Milton M. Kosfeld
  • Patent number: 5196654
    Abstract: A discharge muffler construction having a casing which defines a noise attenuation cavity and which is provided with an inlet and outlet located at substantially opposite portions thereof and communicating with the cavity, a baffle plate in the cavity intermediate the inlet and outlet and partitioning the same into at least two chambers, the baffle plate having an arcuate surface concave to the inlet, an aperture through the baffle plate, and a tubular conduit mounted through the aperture and placing the chambers in fluid communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors
    Inventors: Michael A. DiFlora, Gordon T. Boyd
  • Patent number: 5174540
    Abstract: A mounting grommet for compressors adapted for attachment to the mounting feet thereof and to the compressor mounts of a refrigeration unit, comprising an elastomeric, generally cylindrical body adapted for attachment to a compressor mount by bolt means passing through the bore of the body, a radially peripheral portion of the body being formed intermediate the length of said body to provide an upwardly extending annular shoulder adapted to contact and support a compressor foot and receive substantial downward force therefrom, the radially inner surface of the shoulder being spaced from radially outer and adjacent portions of the body, and the radially outer surface of the shoulder lying radially outwardly of all other peripheral portions of the body, to thereby provide a diagonal shear or distortion line in response to the application of downward force to the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors
    Inventor: David R. Gilliam