Abstract: A method of assembling a compressor, including assembling, first as a subassembly external of the compressor housing, portions of the motor-compressor unit, including a crankcase, mount brackets, stator, outboard bearing assembly, and drive shaft. Thereafter, the motor-compressor unit subassembly is inserted into a first end of the housing, and the housing is shrink-fit around the subassembly. The mount brackets may then be welded to the interior surface of the housing. Once the mount brackets are welded to the housing, the remainder of the components of the motor-compressor unit, including the orbiting scroll member, the Oldham coupling, and the fixed scroll member, are then assembled to the motor-compressor unit subassembly and the housing through a second end of the housing opposite the first end, followed by welding the top and bottom caps to the housing.

Abstract: A scroll compressor that utilizes liquid or vapor injection to cool a working fluid being compressed by an orbiting scroll member and a non-orbiting scroll member, and/or to increase the efficiency of the compressor. An injection fitting is secured to, and extends through, the compressor housing and receives liquid or vapor working fluid from a source external to the compressor. The non-orbiting scroll member may be fixedly mounted with respect to the crankcase of the compressor, and internal passages formed within the crankcase and the non-orbiting scroll member, which are substantially isolated from the suction pressure and discharge pressure chambers of the compressor, are used to convey liquid or vapor working fluid from the injection fitting into intermediate pressure working pockets defined between the scroll members.

Abstract: A baffle member for use in scroll compressors. In one exemplary embodiment, the baffle member is attached to a portion of the crankcase and, in use, deflects lubricant that may be thrown from the thrust surface of the crankcase during operation of the compressor away from the flow of working fluid, and also aids in directing the flow of working fluid away from the thrust surface of the crankcase and toward a suction inlet in the compression mechanism.

Abstract: In sealed compressors, in one form of the invention, the compressor housing and the compression mechanism are assembled to one another without fasteners. As a result, the time required to install and tighten the fasteners is eliminated, lessen the time required to assemble the compressor. Further, such a fastenerless assembly requires less parts and machining, further reducing the cost of the compressor. Additionally, in one form of the invention, the compression mechanism includes two bearings mounted to the compressor housing and a cylinder block reciprocatingly driven between the bearings by an eccentric member of the crankshaft. Typically, the cylinder block of existing compressors is rigidly mounted to the compressor housing and does not reciprocate.

Abstract: A method of assembling a compressor, including assembling, first as a subassembly external of the compressor housing, portions of the motor-compressor unit, including a crankcase, mount brackets, stator, outboard bearing assembly, and drive shaft. Thereafter, the motor-compressor unit subassembly is inserted into a first end of the housing, and the housing is shrink-fit around the subassembly. The mount brackets may then be welded to the interior surface of the housing. Once the mount brackets are welded to the housing, the remainder of the components of the motor-compressor unit, including the orbiting scroll member, the Oldham coupling, and the fixed scroll member, are then assembled to the motor-compressor unit subassembly and the housing through a second end of the housing opposite the first end, followed by welding the top and bottom caps to the housing.

Abstract: A scroll compressor including a non-orbiting and an orbiting scroll member having mating involute wraps extending therefrom. In one exemplary embodiment, at least one of the non-orbiting and orbiting scroll members includes an inner wall forming a groove in an end of the involute wrap and extending substantially entirely along the length thereof. Positioned within the groove is a tip seal having outwardly extending projections configured to engage the inner walls of the involute wrap along at least a portion thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the tip seal has a length that is less than the length of the groove. As a result, a gap is formed at the innermost portion of the involute wrap between the end of the groove and the end of the tip seal.

Abstract: A complete refrigeration system (CRS) including at least one heat exchanger which is designed to occupy an irregular volume to reduce the overall profile of the CRS. The heat exchanger may be a condenser or an evaporator, and includes a substantially solid body made of a thermally conductive metal, plastic, or other material. A plurality of fluid and refrigerant passageways are defined substantially within the solid body for conducing fluid and refrigerant, respectively, through the solid body and facilitating the transfer of heat between the fluid and refrigerant. Also disclosed is a method wherein the spatial orientation of each passageway is optimized with respect to all of the other passageways and the walls of the solid body by determining the relative distance of each passageway from all of the other passageways and the walls of the solid body at a plurality of points along each passageway, followed by adjusting the spatial orientation of the passageway accordingly.

Abstract: A two-stage rotary compressor having a compression mechanism including a single muffler housing member. The single muffler housing member at least partially defines an intermediate pressure discharge cavity and a discharge pressure discharge cavity. In one exemplary embodiment, the compression mechanism includes a cylinder block having a plurality of vanes positioned within slots formed in an inner cylindrical surface of the cylinder block. The slots are in fluid communication with the discharge pressure discharge cavity and receive discharge pressure working fluid to bias the vanes radially inwardly. In another exemplary embodiment, the cylinder block includes a plurality of passages for the delivery of working fluid to and from the cylinder block.

Abstract: A scroll compressor including a hermetic housing with a motor-compressor unit disposed therein, including fixed and orbiting scrolls. The fixed scroll defines perpendicular axial and radial directions, and includes an outer wall having a suction inlet facing substantially in the radial direction. A baffle member is associated with the suction inlet of the fixed scroll, and in one embodiment, is attached to the fixed scroll with fasteners. The baffle member includes a first open end facing in the axial direction toward a suction port of the compressor housing, and a second open end facing in the radial direction in fluid flow alignment with the suction inlet of the fixed scroll. The baffle member directs a portion of the working fluid which enters the compressor housing substantially directly into the suction inlet of the fixed scroll to reduce turbulent flow of the working fluid within the compressor housing, improving the operating efficiency of the compressor.

Abstract: A complete refrigeration system (CRS) including at least one heat exchanger which is designed to occupy an irregular volume to reduce the overall profile of the CRS. The heat exchanger may be a condenser or an evaporator, and includes a substantially solid body made of a thermally conductive metal, plastic, or other material. A plurality of fluid and refrigerant passageways are defined substantially within the solid body for conducing fluid and refrigerant, respectively, through the solid body and facilitating the transfer of heat between the fluid and refrigerant. Also disclosed is a method wherein the spatial orientation of each passageway is optimized with respect to all of the other passageways and the walls of the solid body by determining the relative distance of each passageway from all of the other passageways and the walls of the solid body at a plurality of points along each passageway, followed by adjusting the spatial orientation of the passageway accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the rate of heat transfer between an evaporator of a refrigeration system and the environment surrounding the evaporator. In one embodiment, the evaporator is placed in thermal communication with the air of a data center where electronic equipment is operated therein. To improve the rate of heat transfer between the air and the evaporator, water is evaporated into the air before it flows over the evaporator coils. As a result, when the humidified air flows over the cold evaporator coils, a portion of the water vapor in the air condenses on the evaporator, thereby wetting the evaporator coils. The wetted surfaces of the evaporator coils improve the rate of heat transfer between the air and, ultimately, the refrigerant passing through the evaporator. In one embodiment, a humidifier having a water atomizer may be used for spraying and dispersing water into the air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a relatively constant temperature of a working fluid in an evaporator of a refrigeration system by providing a constant volumetric displacement compressor and a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the high pressure and low pressure portions of a refrigeration circuit to superheat, and hold substantially constant, the temperature of the refrigerant entering the compressor. In doing this, the pressure of the refrigerant in the low pressure portion of the circuit, including the evaporator, and the mass flow rate of the refrigerant remain substantially constant. As a result, the temperature of the saturated refrigerant in the evaporator remains substantially constant.

Abstract: A transcritical vapor compression system that includes a fluid circuit circulating a refrigerant in a closed loop. The fluid circuit has operably disposed therein, in serial order, a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a first capillary tube and a second heat exchanger. The compressor compresses the refrigerant from a low pressure to a supercritical pressure. The first heat exchanger is positioned in a high pressure side of the fluid circuit and the second heat exchanger is positioned in a low pressure side of the fluid circuit. The first capillary tube reduces the pressure of the refrigerant from a supercritical pressure to a relatively lower pressure. The refrigerant flows through the first capillary tube at its critical velocity and means for controlling the temperature of the refrigerant in the first capillary tube are provided.

Abstract: A baffle member for use in scroll compressors. In one exemplary embodiment, the baffle member is attached to a portion of the crankcase and, in use, deflects lubricant that may be thrown from the thrust surface of the crankcase during operation of the compressor away from the flow of working fluid, and also aids in directing the flow of working fluid away from the thrust surface of the crankcase and toward a suction inlet in the compression mechanism.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for use in cooling electronic equipment includes a closed vapor circuit having operably disposed therein, in serial order, a fluid pumping device, a first heat exchanger, a flow regulator and a second heat exchanger. A converter is operably couplable to a power supply and is operably coupled to at least one refrigeration system component. The at least one refrigeration system component is operably coupled to the closed vapor compression circuit. The converter supplies power to the at least one refrigeration system component. The converter further supplies DC power to the electronic equipment being cooled by the refrigeration system.

Abstract: An improved muffler system for a compressor assembly where the muffler is disposed within the compressor housing and a peripheral edge of the muffler abuts, and expansively engages, the interior surface of the housing in an interference fit relationship. The compressor pump is attached to the muffler where the pump is substantially thermally and vibrationally isolated from the housing. The muffler, the compressor pump and the compressor housing define a series of chambers in which noise generated by the compressor pump is dissipated. The dimensions of the chambers are chosen to cause acoustical waves having specific, undesirable frequencies to cancel each other out.

Abstract: A transcritical vapor compression system includes a fluid circuit circulating a refrigerant in a closed loop. The fluid circuit has operably disposed therein, in serial order, a first compressor, an intercooler, a second compressor with a variable capacity, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device and a second heat exchanger. The first compressor compresses the refrigerant from a low pressure to an intermediate pressure. The second compressor compresses the refrigerant from the intermediate pressure to a supercritical pressure. The first heat exchanger is positioned in a high pressure side of the fluid circuit. The second heat exchanger is positioned in a low pressure side of the fluid circuit. The expansion device reduces the pressure of the refrigerant from a supercritical pressure to a relatively lower pressure. Cooling means cools the refrigerant within one of the compressors.

Abstract: A vapor compression system including a closed fluid circuit having operably coupled thereto, in serial order, a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, a second heat exchanger and a fluid vessel. The refrigerant is compressed in the compressor and circulated through the fluid circuit. Thermal energy is removed from the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger. The pressure of the refrigerant is reduced in the expansion device, and thermal energy is added to the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger. Upon ceasing operation of the system, refrigerant present in the vessel defines a lower temperature than the refrigerant present in the second heat exchanger. A thermal energy storage medium is operably coupled to the vessel and provides the vessel with thermal inertia wherein the temperature of the refrigerant in the vessel remains cooler than the temperature of the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for use in cooling electronic equipment includes a closed vapor compression circuit having operably disposed therein a compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device, a second expansion device, and a two-part evaporator. A first part of the evaporator receives working fluid from the first expansion device at a first pressure, and a second part of the evaporator receives working fluid from the second expansion device at a second pressure that is different than the first pressure.

Abstract: A compressor assembly including a housing that encloses a sealed interior volume and defines an inlet opening and an outlet opening. Refrigerant is communicated from a suction line into the interior volume through the inlet opening. Refrigerant is communicated from the interior volume to a discharge line through the outlet opening. A first compressor mechanism is disposed within the interior volume and is adapted to compress the refrigerant. A first fitting is mounted on an exterior surface of the housing and is in communication with one of the inlet and outlet openings. The first fitting defines a first passageway for communicating the refrigerant between the one opening and a respective one of the suction and discharge refrigerant lines. The fitting further defines a first duct in communication with the first passageway. A first pressure relief valve is mounted in communication with the first duct.