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 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 compressor having drive assembly including a crankshaft and a motor having a stator and a rotor. The rotor is received on a crankshaft and secured to the crankshaft via a counterweight. In one exemplary embodiment, the counterweight is shrink-fit or press-fit in position on the crankshaft and the rotor is attached to the counterweight. In one exemplary embodiment, the rotor may be secured to the counterweight by fasteners, such as bolts. The interference between the counterweight and the crankshaft is sufficiently strong to transfer driving loads from the rotor and through the counterweight to drive the crankshaft. In one exemplary embodiment, the rotor includes a central opening having a diameter larger than the diameter of the crankshaft. This allows for the rotor to fit closely to the crankshaft without touching the same. As a result, the rotor may be easily assembled as a slip-fit on the crankshafts and then secured to the counterweights.

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 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 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 V-twin engine having a crankcase and a pair of cylinders defining a V-space therebetween, wherein the V-space is substantially enclosed, and a carburetor is positioned within the V-space. An intake air preheating arrangement supplies heated intake air to the carburetor, and a carburetor heating arrangement heats the V-space and the carburetor which is positioned within the V-space. Each of the foregoing arrangements, used separately or in combination within one another, aids in preventing “freeze-up” of the carburetor during running of the engine in a cold environment.

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.

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.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed compressor including a pressure release device. In one exemplary embodiment, the pressure release device includes a flange portion and a rupture portion. The flange portion is positioned against and secured to the inner surface of the housing of a hermetically sealed compressor. In this embodiment, the rupture portion extends at least partially within a vent aperture extending through the compressor housing. When the interior pressure of the housing exceeds a predetermined limit, the rupture portion of the pressure release device opens allowing the fluid within the compressor housing to escape. In another exemplary embodiment, the pressure release device further includes a connecting portion positioned between the flange portion and the rupture portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the connecting portion forms an S-curve.

Abstract: A refrigeration system module including a frame, a heating plate having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a first heat transfer surface, a cooling plate having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a second heat transfer surface, an expansion device disposed between the heating and cooling plates and in fluid communication with the heating plate fluid outlet and the cooling plate fluid inlet, and a hermetic compressor assembly. The compressor assembly is disposed between the heating and cooling plates and has a discharge outlet in fluid communication with the heating plate inlet, and a suction inlet in fluid communication with the cooling plate fluid outlet. The heating plate, the cooling plate, the expansion device and the compressor are fixed to the frame, and the first and second heat transfer surfaces each at least partially define an exterior surface of the module.

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.

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.

Abstract: A compressor terminal fault interruption method and interrupter for disconnecting power to a compressor terminal when terminal venting failure is imminent including a current sensing circuit for sensing current provided to the terminal by a power source and outputting a sensed signal representing the current provided to the terminal and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a first circuit for outputting a reference signal representing input current much higher than locked rotor current, a second circuit connected to the current sensing circuit and the first circuit for comparing the sensed signal to the reference signal, and a third circuit connected to the second circuit for disconnecting power to the terminal when the sensed signal exceeds the reference signal, thereby preventing excessive current from reaching the compressor terminal.

Abstract: A rotary compressor having a housing, a rotor positioned within the housing defining a compression chamber, the rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation, a discharge port in the rotor in fluid communication with the compression chamber, and a valve assembly mounted to the rotor to regulate the pressure of the fluid within the compression chamber. In one embodiment, the valve assembly is canted or obliquely aligned with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor and a radial axis perpendicular to and intersecting the axis of rotation. Aligning the valve assembly in this way allows the displacement of the valve head of the valve assembly to be substantially collinear with forces acting on the valve head.

Abstract: The present invention provides an evaporative emissions control system for small internal combustion engines. The fuel tank of the engine includes a filler neck closed by a fuel tank cap which seals the fuel tank in a manner in which air and/or fuel vapors are not permitted to pass between the filler neck and the fuel tank cap. The fuel tank cap includes a first, one-way vacuum relief valve therein which operates to allow atmospheric make-up air to enter the fuel tank to replace a decreasing amount of fuel in the fuel tank during running of the engine, or otherwise as needed. The fuel tank cap additionally includes a second, one-way pressure relief valve having a first cracking threshold which operates to relieve high pressures within the fuel tank. Additionally, the fuel supply line between the fuel tank and the carburetor includes a fuel flow inhibiting or blocking member having a second cracking threshold greater than the first cracking threshold of the pressure relief valve of the fuel tank cap.

Abstract: A V-twin engine having a crankcase and a pair of cylinders defining a V-space therebetween, wherein the V-space is substantially enclosed, and a carburetor is positioned within the V-space. An intake air preheating arrangement supplies heated intake air to the carburetor, and a carburetor heating arrangement heats the V-space and the carburetor which is positioned within the V-space. Each of the foregoing arrangements, used separately or in combination within one another, aids in preventing “freeze-up” of the carburetor during running of the engine in a cold environment.