Abstract: A water heating system including a water storage vessel; a water circuit; first and second heat exchangers operably disposed in the water circuit; and a vapor compression system defining a refrigerant circuit. The vapor compression system includes first and second compressor mechanisms. The first compressor mechanism compresses the refrigerant from suction pressure to intermediate pressure. The second compressor mechanism compresses the refrigerant from the intermediate pressure to a supercritical discharge pressure. The first heat exchanger is operably disposed in the refrigerant circuit between the first and second compressor mechanisms, and exchanges heat between intermediate pressure refrigerant and water. An expansion device is operably disposed in the refrigerant circuit. An evaporator is operably disposed in the refrigerant circuit between expansion device and first compressor mechanism.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed compressor assembly including a housing, an electric motor located in the housing, a compression mechanism located in the housing and operatively coupled to the motor, and a terminal assembly comprising a cup-shaped terminal body and having electrically conductive pins extending therethrough. The cup-shaped terminal body extends through and is sealingly attached to the housing. A cluster block assembly is in communication with the terminal assembly and includes a cluster block fitted to the terminal body, the cluster block having free volume therein. The pins are electrically connected to the motor through the cluster block assembly. A cavity is defined between the interior of the cup-shaped terminal body and the cluster block, and a dielectric material substantially fills at least one of the cavity and the cluster block free volume.

Abstract: A compressor assembly having a housing with a first inlet. A compressor mechanism within the housing has a second inlet leading to a working space wherein gas is compressed. A baffle surface is extends from proximate the first inlet to proximate the second inlet and is impactable by gas entering the housing through the first inlet. The baffle surface directs gas in a flow path from the first inlet toward the second inlet and defines a baffle opening positioned between the first and second inlets. The length of the baffle opening extends substantially transverse to the flow path and is substantially greater than its width. The baffle opening diverts a portion of the gas directed along the flow path through the opening and intercepts fluid, such as lubricating oil, collected on the baffle surface whereby the fluid is separable by passage through the opening from gas entering the second inlet.

Abstract: A compressor having a discharge valve. The discharge valve is mounted to the fixed scroll of a scroll compressor using a C-shaped clamp. The clamp is secured using a threaded fastener which extends through the clamp at a position between the two legs of the clamp. The valve member is positioned within a recess on the scroll member and sealingly covers a discharge outlet through which compressed refrigerant is discharged from the working space of the compressor. The thickness of the scroll member at the location of the discharge outlet is less than the thickness of the scroll member at the location where the threaded fastener attached the clamp to the scroll member. The valve member is larger than the discharge outlet and the recess is dimensioned to limit the movement of the valve member such that it remains positioned over the discharge outlet.

Abstract: A vessel for containing a refrigerant fluid in a vapor compression system. The vessel includes a housing defining a fixed interior volume and an internal structure subdividing the interior volume into a storage chamber and a displacement chamber. The storage chamber is in fluid communication with the vapor compression system and stores both liquid phase and gas phase refrigerant during normal operation of the system. The displacement chamber may be repositionable or have a variable volume wherein varying the volume of the displacement chamber inversely varies the volume of the storage chamber. The volume of the displacement chamber may be controlled by the transfer of thermal energy to a working fluid within the displacement chamber to thereby thermally expand or contract the working fluid.

Abstract: A tuned exhaust system for small two cylinder engines, the exhaust system including a pair of exhaust passage through which exhaust gasses pass. The exhaust passages are dimensioned to providing a tuning effect to the exhaust gasses for enhanced engine performance. The exhaust passages are not straight and elongated, but rather are sprialed, scrolled, coiled, or otherwise folded upon themselves at least twice. In this manner, the exhaust passages may be housed at least in part within a muffler having a significantly reduced overall size or profile, such that the muffler may be used in small engines.

Abstract: A fuel tank for use with small internal combustion engines, the fuel tank having an inlet and an outlet and storing a quantity of fuel therein. A hydrophobic barrier is positioned within the fuel tank in flow communication with the outlet, and permits the passage of fuel therethrough while preventing the passage of water therethrough. In this manner, water is prevented from entering the intake system of the engine. The hydrophobic barrier may be positioned at an inclined angle proximate the fuel outlet, such that water droplets within the fuel are deflected downwardly toward the lower portion of the fuel tank. The fuel tank includes a lower wall with a depressed area defining a water trap in which water may collect, the water trap spaced laterally away from the fuel outlet and the fuel inlet.

Abstract: A compressor having a housing with a compression mechanism mounted therein. A suction fluid passageway is located in the housing through which the compression mechanism receives refrigerant fluid. A thermoelectric device is in thermal communication with refrigerant fluid substantially at suction pressure in the suction fluid passageway. The thermoelectric device receives thermal energy from the suction fluid passageway and refrigerant fluid therein with the thermal energy being transferred from the compressor assembly.

Abstract: A twin cylinder engine, includes a pair of cylinder members mounted to mounting surfaces of a crankcase, and cylinder heads mounted to the cylinder members. The cylinder members are modular components, which may be pre-assembled with components of the valve train as packaged units before the cylinder members are attached to the crankcase. Each cylinder member rotatably supports a cam gear which extends into the crankcase for driving engagement with the crankshaft. The cylinder members may be configured for either side valve-type (“L-head”), or overhead valve-type (“OHV”) engines, and the cylinder members may also be used in single cylinder engines.

Abstract: An engine control system for maintaining the operator-commanded speed setting of an internal combustion engine over a range of engine loads and for easy starting and improved efficiency over a range of ambient and engine operating temperatures. The engine control system includes a governor assembly driven by the engine, the governor assembly supplying an output to a sensor assembly through a mechanical coupling member operator. The sensor assembly provides an engine speed control signal which corresponds to operator commanded engine speed and actual engine speed. The engine speed control signal is provided to a throttle actuator to control actual engine speed is controlled to correspond with the operator-commanded engine speed regardless of loads imposed on the engine.

Abstract: A hermetic two stage rotary compressor having a housing with a stationary shaft fixedly mounted in the housing. A motor having a rotor and a stator is mounted in the housing with the rotor being rotatably mounted on the shaft. A pair of compression mechanisms are rotatably mounted on the shaft with one compression mechanism being located adjacent a first end of the rotor, and one compression mechanism being located adjacent a second end of the rotor. The compression mechanisms are operatively associated with the rotor such that rotation of the rotor drives the compression mechanisms. A fluid flow path is defined in the compressor including a plurality of longitudinal bores formed in the stationary shaft. A mounting assembly is attached to the housing so as to mount the compressor in either a substantially horizontal or vertical orientation. The pump is positioned so as to be at least partially immersed in an oil sump in the housing when the compressor in either orientation.

Abstract: A condensing unit which includes a base plate having first and second oppositely disposed major surfaces. The base plate may include flanges disposed along the outer periphery of the base plate. A compressor mechanism and a condensing coil are mounted to the first major surface which faces a first direction. The flanges may also extend in the first direction. The second major surface may be substantially free of projections and define a bearing surface for the condensing unit. The motor of the compressor may have a main shaft which extends substantially parallel to the first major surface. The compressor may be a rotary compressor. There may be a conduit in fluid communication with the compressor and condensing coil and define together therewith a fluid circuit. Valves rotatably mounted on brackets and in fluid communication with the fluid circuit and operably couplable to an evaporator circuit may also be provided.

Abstract: A vapor compression system includes a first compression mechanism that compresses the working fluid from a low suction pressure to an intermediate pressure, a second compression mechanism that compresses intermediate pressure working fluid to a higher discharge pressure, and a fluid circuit circulating the working fluid discharged from the second compression mechanism to the first compression mechanism. The fluid circuit includes, in serial order, a first high pressure heat exchanger, an expansion device and an evaporator. The system may be operated as a transcritical system employing carbon dioxide as the working fluid. An intermediate pressure vessel is in communication with the system between the first and second compression mechanisms and working fluid at an intermediate pressure is communicated with the vessel. The system may be regulated by controlling the mass of working fluid contained in the intermediate pressure vessel, e.g., by regulating the temperature or storage volume of the vessel.

Abstract: An automatic priming system for internal combustion engines, which is operable at engine cranking speeds and which is automatically disabled at engine running speeds. The automatic priming system is driven by pressure fluctuations within the engine crankcase which are caused by reciprocation of the piston. At engine cranking speeds, fluid communication between the engine crankcase and a chamber is substantially equalized, such that positive pressure pulses from the crankcase air space pass from the chamber through a check valve to the carburetor for priming. At engine running speeds, communication between the crankcase air space and the chamber is restricted such that the pressure within the chamber is below atmospheric, positive pressure pulses are not present within the chamber, and the priming function is automatically disabled.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed compressor assembly including a housing, an electric motor located in the housing, a compression mechanism located in the housing and operatively coupled to the motor, and a terminal assembly comprising a cup-shaped terminal body and having electrically conductive pins extending therethrough. The cup-shaped terminal body extends through and is sealingly attached to the housing. A cluster block assembly is in communication with the terminal assembly and includes a cluster block fitted to the terminal body, the cluster block having free volume therein. The pins are electrically connected to the motor through the cluster block assembly. A cavity is defined between the interior of the cup-shaped terminal body and the cluster block, and a dielectric material substantially fills at least one of the cavity and the cluster block free volume.

Abstract: A line of small internal combustion engines, including twin cylinder engines and single cylinder engines. The engines each include a crankcase, and one or more cylinder members attached to the crankcase, the cylinder members being separate components from the crankcase. A number of different crankcases are provided for various types of single and two cylinder engines, the crankcases having common mounting structure to which the cylinder members may be attached. Thus, the manner in which the cylinder members are attached to the crankcases is the same for each of the different types of crankcases. Two different types of cylinder members are provided, one having a side valve or “L-head” valve train, and the other having an overhead cam (“OHV”) valve train. The cylinder members are therefore modular components which may be selectively used in a variety of different types of engines.

Abstract: A scroll compressor having crankcase with an integral shroud. The shroud includes an aperture and defines a partial enclosure. A counterweight mounted on the shaft of the compressor is disposed within the partial enclosure defined by the shroud. The aperture is positioned above the shaft and the shroud shields an oil sump within the compressor housing from the fanning action of the counterweight. A scroll compressor having a baffle extending from an inlet to the compressor housing to an inlet of the working space of the compressor is also provided. The baffle is secured to the crankcase of the compressor and may include an opening that functions as an oil stripper.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission including a pump, a motor, and a center section provided with a conduit through which the pump and motor are in fluid communication and a valve. The pump, motor and center section are disposed in a housing having a plurality of walls which at least partially define a sump, the conduit being in fluid communication with the sump through the valve when the valve is open. A hydraulic disconnect mechanism is provided which includes a substantially rigid first portion, and a second portion operatively engaged with the first portion and being at least partially resilient. The valve is operably engaged with and opened by the second portion in response to the first portion being in an engaged position, and the valve is not operably engaged with the second portion when the first portion is in a disengaged position.

Abstract: A priming system for the carburetor of a small internal combustion engine which is used with a lawnmower, for example, in which the priming system is remotely actuated. The priming system includes a priming feature for supplying an amount of liquid fuel to the carburetor throat to aid in starting the engine, and an enrichment feature for providing an enriched fuel supply to the engine during a warm-up period. In one embodiment, the priming system includes an automatic primer disabling feature which is operative when the engine is warm to block the supply of priming fuel to the carburetor throat and thereby prevent priming during a warm engine re-start. In another embodiment, the priming system includes a primer reduction feature, which is operative when the engine is warm to provide a reduced amount of priming fuel to the carburetor throat during a warm engine re-start, with respect to the amount of fuel which is supplied during a cold engine start.

Abstract: A self-propelled mower with blade and ground speed controls. The mower includes a motor with an output shaft and a rotatable cutting blade mounted on a blade shaft. The motor may be an internal combustion engine. A torque transmitting mechanism such as a variable diameter pulley defines a rotational speed ratio between the output shaft and the blade shaft. A transmission is coupled to the output shaft. Sensors provide an electronic control unit with the blade speed, ground speed and engine speed. The ECU may be used to maintain either a desired blade speed or a desired ground speed. To maintain a desired blade speed, the ECU monitors the blade speed and, when the blade speed diverges from the desired speed, adjusts either the rotational speed ratio of the output shaft and blade shaft or the ground speed of the mower to maintain the desired blade speed.