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 hydrostatic transaxle including first and second hydrostatic transmission modules and an axle drive housing. Each module includes a transmission housing, a rotating fluid pump and a rotatable fluid motor with the pump being of variable displacement and the motor being rotated at various speeds and in forward and reverse directions in response to changes in pump displacement. The axle drive housing contains first and second gear trains and a pair of axles. One of the axles is operably coupled to the first transmission module motor through the first gear train, and the other of the axles is operably coupled to the second transmission module motor through the second gear train. Each of the hydrostatic transmission module housings is detachably fixed to the axle drive housing.

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 compressor assembly having a drive shaft supported by a main bearing and an outboard bearing located on opposite axial ends of a cylinder block. The main bearing has a bearing support formed therein in which first and second apertures are defined. The diameter of the first aperture is less than the diameter of the second aperture. The shaft extends through the first and second apertures with the diameter of the drive shaft having an outer diameter which is no greater than the diameter of the first aperture. A sleeve is mounted on the drive shaft and is at least partially disposed within the second aperture. A bearing is located in the second aperture and engages the sleeve and the main bearing to rotationally support the drive shaft. The sleeve can have a thickness which allows the bearing to be of a standard size rather than a custom size.

Abstract: A hermetic rotary compressor including a housing having an oil sump formed therein; a stationary shaft fixedly mounted in the housing, a longitudinal bore formed in the shaft; and a motor mounted in the housing, the motor having a rotor and a stator, the rotor having a first and second end and being rotatably mounted on the shaft. A pair of compression mechanisms is rotatably mounted on the shaft, the compression mechanisms rotatably coupled to the rotor and lubricated with oil conducted through the longitudinal bore. Each of the compression mechanism has an outboard bearing rotatably mounted on the shaft, and an oil pump in fluid communication with the longitudinal bore is also mounted on the stationary shaft, the pump operatively engaged with one of the outboard bearings. The oil pump is actuated by rotation of one of the outboard bearings, and oil is pumped from the sump into the longitudinal bore by the oil pump.

Abstract: An orbiting rotary compressor assembly having a compression mechanism disposed in a housing and including relatively moving fixed and orbiting compression members including extending portions having surfaces engaged with each other and between which a compression chamber is located. The orbiting member has a centrally-located hub which moves eccentrically relative to the axis of rotation of a drive shaft in driving engagement with the hub. A vane operatively engages the fixed member extending portion and the orbiting member extending portion, and partially defines the compression chamber. An Oldham coupling is disposed about and is in engagement with the hub, and is in engagement with the fixed compression member, rotation of the orbiting compression member being prevented by the Oldham coupling.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an engine housing containing an oil sump in communication with an oil fill conduit, and a fuel pump including a pump assembly having at least a portion thereof formed integrally with the oil fill conduit and in fluid communication therewith. The fuel pump is actuated by pressure pulses created within the engine crankcase when the engine is running, which are communicated to the fuel pump through the oil fill conduit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lubrication system for small internal combustion engines. In a first aspect, a helical oil pump includes a helical insert which is disposed within a bore in the engine camshaft and is rotationally fixed with respect to the crankcase. During running of the engine, rotation of the camshaft draws oil from the oil sump upwardly through the bore in the camshaft and around the helical insert to provide lubrication oil directly to the upper camshaft bearing and to the upper crankshaft bearing. In another aspect, an impeller oil pump includes a pump chamber defined between the camshaft gear and a pump body which is rotationally fixed with respect to the crankcase and in communication with the oil sump. An impeller assembly mounted on the camshaft is disposed within the pump chamber, and draws oil from the oil sump into the pump chamber.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission including a fluid motor and a variable displacement fluid pump in fluid communication with the motor and having a first and a second, greater, fluid displacement rate. The pump is mounted on a block having an outer surface, a passage through which fluid flows from the pump to the motor, and a first and a second fluid bleed hole extending from the passage to the outer surface. The passage and a sump external to the pump are in fluid communication through the bleed holes and the void of a sliding element disposed within a bore in the block when the pump is operating at its first rate and the sliding element is in a first position. The first bleed hole and the sump are substantially out of fluid communication when the pump is operating at its second rate and the sliding element is in a second position.

Abstract: A transaxle for a small utility vehicle or implement, including a casing, at least one rotatable shaft disposed in and extending from the casing, at least one brake disc rotatably fixed to the rotatable shaft for rotation therewith, and at least one braking mechanism with at least a portion of the braking mechanism being externally mounted on the casing proximate the rotatable shaft. The braking mechanism includes at least one friction puck disposed proximate the brake disc, and a brake shaft including a cam surface having a longitudinal edge, wherein the brake shaft has an engaged position in which the longitudinal edge is in operative engagement with the friction puck and the friction puck is in pressing engagement with the brake disc and a disengaged position in which the longitudinal edge is out of operative engagement with the friction puck.

Abstract: A linkage assembly for a vehicle having a vehicle body and an engine mounted thereto. The linkage assembly is operably disposed between a user-operable speed control input mechanism, e.g., a foot-operated accelerator, and the engine. The linkage assembly includes first and second linkage bodies and sets the idle and maximum speed of the engine without restricting the range of movement of the input mechanism. The linkage assembly may also include two adjustable stop mechanisms for limiting the travel of one of the linkage bodies and thereby providing for the independent adjustment of the idle and maximum engine speeds.

Abstract: A valve clearance adjustment mechanism for use in small internal combustion engines such as, for example, side valve engines and overhead valve engines, which generally include intake and exhaust valves actuated by lifters pivotally mounted within the engine housing, which in turn are actuated by cam lobes driven in timed rotation with the crank shaft. An adjustment member is provided for mounting each lifter to a shaft, wherein the adjustment member is eccentric relative to the shaft, such that rotation of the adjustment member modifies the position of the lifter and in turn modifies the valve clearance between the lifter and the valve. After the valve clearance has been properly set, the adjustment member is fixed in position.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission including a housing, a drive shaft having an axis of rotation and rotatably supported in the housing, an output shaft having an axis of rotation and rotatably supported in the housing, a first pulley and a second pulley both having a common axis of rotation, a third pulley having an axis of rotation and rotatably attached to the drive shaft, and a belt. The output shaft is operatively connected to the drive shaft. The first pulley and the second pulley each have a variable pitch diameter and changes in the first and second pulley variable pitch diameters being inversely proportional. The third pulley and one of the first and the second pulleys are in engagement though the belt.

Abstract: A modular refrigeration system having an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and expansion device fluidly connected by a plurality of conduits. The modular refrigeration system includes an integral base plate to which the evaporator, condenser, expansion device, and compressor are mounted. A compressor mount is formed in the base plate and includes at least one integrally formed stud extending from the base plate. The compressor has at least one mounting flange in which the stud is received. A fastener is affixed to the stud to secure the compressor to the base plate. A drain pan is formed in the base plate beneath the compressor to collect condensate. A drain basin is located beneath the evaporator and is fluidly connected to the drain pan via a trough. Condensate from the evaporator drains to the drain pan where it is evaporated.

Abstract: A hermetic compressor assembly including a compressor housing, a compression mechanism disposed in the housing, a motor disposed in the housing; and a crankshaft operatively coupling the compression mechanism and the motor and having an axis of rotation. The crankshaft includes a cylindrical eccentric and a counter eccentric lobe. The cylindrical eccentric has a central axis, defines a circular axial profile, and is located on one radial side of the axis of rotation. The counter eccentric lobe is integrally formed with the crankshaft on the opposite side of the crankshaft from the eccentric, is axially adjacent the eccentric, and is located within the circular axial profile.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a plurality of thermally-conductive, fluid-conveyance tubes, and at least one header from which each of the plurality of fluid-conveyance tubes extends. The header includes an elongate outer tube and an elongate inner tube disposed eccentrically within the outer tube, with a fluid conduit being defined between the inner tube and the outer tube. The plurality of fluid-conveyance tubes are in fluid communication with the conduit.