Patents by Inventor Edwin L. Gannaway

Edwin L. Gannaway has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8152497
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Edwin L. Gannaway, Clayton Carn
  • Patent number: 6361293
    Abstract: A hermetic compressor includes a housing and a compressor subassembly resiliently supported within the housing. The compressor subassembly includes a motor drivingly coupled to a compressor mechanism by means of a shaft and a motor enclosure is connected to the compressor mechanism and encases the motor. A pair of grommets are disposed between the housing and the compressor subassembly whereby the compressor subassembly is resiliently suspended within the housing. The compressor mechanism discharges compressed gas into the housing through an aperture located in the motor enclosure and a quantity of oil is disposed in a lower portion of the housing. The aperture is submerged in the quantity of oil and the discharge gas exiting through the aperture is urged through the quantity of oil forming a sound damping foam. A main bearing is connected to the motor enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Harold M. Harper, Edwin L. Gannaway
  • Patent number: 6290472
    Abstract: A hermetic rotary compressor comprising a housing, a cylinder block and a bearing assembly in the housing and defining a cylindrical cavity therein. A roller piston, drivingly coupled to a motor, is disposed in the cylindrical cavity. The cylinder block includes a reciprocating vane within a vane slot defined therein. The vane slot extends axially through said cylinder block, radially from an outside perimeter surface of the cylinder block to the cylindrical cavity. At least a portion of the vane slot is defined by a pair of substantially parallel sidewalls with the vane disposed in the vane slot and urged against the roller piston. The vane is guided by the substantially parallel sidewalls and a clearance exists between the vane and the substantially parallel sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Edwin L. Gannaway
  • Publication number: 20010002981
    Abstract: A hermetic rotary compressor comprising a housing, a cylinder block and a bearing assembly in the housing and defining a cylindrical cavity therein. A roller piston, drivingly coupled to a motor, is disposed in the cylindrical cavity. The cylinder block includes a reciprocating vane within a vane slot defined therein. The vane slot extends axially through said cylinder block, radially from an outside perimeter surface of the cylinder block to the cylindrical cavity. At least a portion of the vane slot is defined by a pair of substantially parallel sidewalls with the vane disposed in the vane slot and urged against the roller piston. The vane is guided by the substantially parallel sidewalls and a clearance exists between the vane and the substantially parallel sidewalls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Inventor: EDWIN L. GANNAWAY
  • Patent number: 6195889
    Abstract: A hermetic rotary compressor assembly having a housing, a cylinder block and a bearing assembly within the housing. The cylinder block and the bearing assembly define a cylindrical cavity which has a roller piston disposed therein. The rotary compressor assembly includes a motor drivingly coupled to the roller piston and the cylinder block has a vane slot extending completely axially through and extending radially from an outside perimeter surface of the cylinder block to the cylindrical cavity. At least a portion of the vane slot is defined by a pair of substantially parallel sidewalls and a vane is disposed in and guided by the vane slot and is urged against said roller piston. The cylinder block is fixed in a state of circumferentially oriented stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Edwin L. Gannaway
  • Patent number: 6196814
    Abstract: A compressor assembly including a compression mechanism, a rotating crankshaft operably coupled to the compression mechanism, the crankshaft provided with a longitudinally-extending oil conveyance passageway, the oil conveyance passageway in fluid communication with relatively moving interfacing bearing surfaces of the compression mechanism, and an oil pump assembly. The oil pump assembly includes an oil pump body having an interior surface and being rotatable relative to the crankshaft, a vane disposed within the pump body and rotating with the crankshaft, the vane having at least one end in sliding engagement with the interior surface of the oil pump body, and a port plate disposed within the pump body and having rotatably opposite first and second positions. The vane is in sliding engagement with an adjacent surface of the port plate, and the port plate is provided with an inlet and an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Edward A. Cooksey, Daniel J. Hadesh, Edwin L. Gannaway
  • Patent number: 6171076
    Abstract: A hermetic compressor assembly having a housing and a pair of spaced apart main bearings, disposed within the housing, which subdivide the housing into first and second discharge chambers, and a suction chamber. The suction chamber is disposed between the pair of main bearings and first and second compressor mechanisms are disposed, respectively, in the discharge chambers. Each compressor mechanism has an outboard bearing, a cylinder block, which is disposed between the outboard and main bearings and defining a cylindrical cavity, a roller piston in the cylindrical cavity and a vane supported in the cylinder block and rotationally engaging the roller piston. At least one discharge opening is in fluid communication with the respective discharge chamber and a drive motor is disposed in the suction chamber. A drive shaft drivingly connects each roller piston to the motor. A suction port is disposed within at least one of the compressor mechanisms and extends through the respective main bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Edwin L. Gannaway
  • Patent number: 5573182
    Abstract: A water heater using the heat pump principle includes a hermetic compressor mounted within a well defined within a water tank. The outlet fitting of the compressor is connected to a condensing tube within the tank that heats the water. The compressor includes a radially outwardly projecting flange that is supported on a support surface on the upper header of the water tank through a resilient pad. The pad includes ribs, dimples, or other projections to partially support the flange away from the surface of the pad and/or to support the pad off of the support surface on the header, to thereby vent the volume defined between the compressor and the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Edwin L. Gannaway, Frank J. Scire
  • Patent number: 5348455
    Abstract: A rotary compressor including an orbiting piston is disposed within a cylinder bore. A drive shaft with an attached eccentric causes the piston to orbit within the cylinder block. Rotation of the piston is prevented by a pin radially disposed on the piston and slidably engaged through a recess in the cylinder bore. A plastic pinion is interfit about the radially outward end of the pin and disposed within the recess to prevent piston rotation and reduce re-expansion volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Todd W. Herrick, Edwin L. Gannaway
  • Patent number: 5266015
    Abstract: A compressor assembly is disclosed including a compressor mechanism mounted within a hermetically sealed housing. A cylinder block contains a reciprocating piston in which the piston includes a suction valve assembly and an annular rim that substantially completely fills the discharge port when the piston is at top dead center position, to reduce re-expansion volume. The cylinder head assembly is attached directly to the cylinder block with no intermediate gasket therebetween, permitting coplanar seating of the discharge valve with a correspondingly larger discharge valve seat perimeter permitting faster valve closure and lower pressure loss through the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Edwin L. Gannaway
  • Patent number: 5174735
    Abstract: A scotch yoke compressor including a valve system wherein an annular discharge port is defined by an opening in the valve plate and a washer attached to the cylinder head. A valved piston includes a valve retainer having an annular protuberance that extends above the piston head and is received within the annular discharge port when the piston is at top dead center, thereby reducing reexpansion volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Edwin L. Gannaway
  • Patent number: 5171135
    Abstract: A flexible valve retainer for a piston and suction valve assembly of a reciprocating piston hermetic compressor assembly. In the compressor assembly, the suction valve opens as a result of the fluid pressure generated by the reciprocating movement of the piston in the cylinder. As it opens, the suction valve is axially displaced from a closed position on the top surface of the piston to an open position a fixed distance therefrom, whereupon further axial movement is prevented as the suction valve strikes the valve retainer. The radially outer portion of the valve retainer deflects as a result of the impact with the suction valve. This deflection of the valve retainer lessens the detrimental effects caused by repeated impact between the suction valve and retainer. The valve retainer is formed from a flexible material such as spring steel or Swedish steel. The valve retainer comprises at least one washer coaxial with the suction valve, and spaced said fixed distance therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Edwin L. Gannaway, George W. Gatecliff, Arturo L. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 5169299
    Abstract: In a rotary vane hermetic compressor an improved loading structure is provided for the vanes. A pressure reducing means incorporated into the compressor rotor reduces the frictional loading of the vane tips against the compressor walls. A passageway vents fluid at suction pressure into a cavity in the rotor containing the inner tips of the sliding vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Edwin L. Gannaway
  • Patent number: 5022146
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed twin rotary compressor is disclosed wherein a pair of rotary vane compressors are synchronously, coaxially coupled to respective axial ends of a drive motor by means of a quill disposed in a rotation rotor thereof. The rotary compressor crankshafts are coupled to the quill with their eccentric portion oriented opposite one another with respect to the axis of rotation. Counterbalancing weights are mounted to the motor end rings oppositely the adjacent eccentric portion with respect to the axis of rotation. A suction accumulator is provided having a pair of tubes extending from fluid outlets on the accumulator to respective fluid inlets associated with the pair of compressors. The tubes pass through a pair of spaced apertures in the housing and effectively mount the suction accumulator to the housing. A method of assembling the compressor assembly, including accumulator, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Edwin L. Gannaway, Arturo L. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 5007807
    Abstract: A compressor assembly is disclosed including a compressor mechanism resiliently mounted within a hermetically sealed housing. The compressor mechanism includes a crankcase having a radially extending mounting flange portion, which is resiliently connected to the housing sidewall at a plurality of circumferentially spaced locations by a plurality of mounting assemblies. Each mounting assembly comprises a rubber bushing received within a hole in the mounting flange, and a threaded stud that extends through a hole in the bushing and engages a threaded hole in a steel block welded to the housing sidewall above the mounting flange. A washer and retaining nut on the bottom of the threaded stud suspendingly support the mounting flange. In this manner, only a peripheral portion of the washer contacts the mounting flange circumjacent the hole therein, thereby minimizing noise transmission to the housing. Lateral movement of the compressor mechanism is absorbed by the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Edwin L. Gannaway
  • Patent number: 4971529
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed twin rotary compressor is disclosed wherein a pair of rotary vane compressors are synchronously, coaxially coupled to respective axial ends of a drive motor by means of a quill disposed in a rotatable rotor thereof. The rotary compressor crankshafts are coupled to the quill with their eccentric portion oriented opposite one another with respect to the axis of rotation. Counterbalancing weights are mounted to the motor end rings oppositely the adjacent eccentric portion with respect to the axis of rotation. A suction accumulator is provided having a pair of tubes extending from fluid outlets on the accumulator to respective fluid inlets associated with the pair of compressors. The tubes pass through a pair of spaced apertures in the housing and effectively mount the suction accumulator to the housing. A method of assembling the compressor assembly, including accumulator, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Edwin L. Gannaway, Arturo L. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 4969804
    Abstract: A compressor assembly including a compressor mechanism mounted within a hermetically sealed housing. The compressor mechanism includes a crankcase having a suction inlet opening providing communication into a suction cavity within the crankcase. A suction line adaptor is provided for attaching to a suction line of a refrigeration system to introduce suction gas from the exterior of the housing to the suction inlet opening within. The suction line connector includes a fitting mounted to the housing sidewall and having a bore communicating therethrough, and a tube insert extending between the fitting and the suction inlet opening. The tube insert includes annular protuberances at opposite ends thereof, each protuberance having a groove into which an O-ring seal is retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Edwin L. Gannaway
  • Patent number: 4889475
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed twin rotary compressor is disclosed wherein a pair of rotary vane compressors are synchronously, coaxially coupled to respective axial ends of a drive motor by a quill disposed in a rotatable rotor thereof. The rotary compressor crankshafts are coupled to the quill with their eccentric portion oriented opposite one another with respect to the axis of rotation. Counterbalancing weights are mounted to the motor end rings oppositely the adjacent eccentric portion with respect to the axis of rotation. A suction accumulator is provided having a pair of tubes extending from fluid outlets on the accumulator to respective fluid inlets associated with the pair of compressors. The tubes pass through a pair of spaced apertures in the housing and effectively mount the suction accumulator to the housing. A method of assembling the compressor assembly, including accumulator, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Edwin L. Gannaway, Arturo L. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 4846635
    Abstract: A hermetic compressor assembly is disclosed including a compressor mechanism and an electric drive motor within a hermetically sealed housing. The electric motor includes a rotatable rotor and a stator. In one disclosed embodiment, the stator is friction fit within the housing and a rotor is press fit over a crankshaft journalled in a crankcase of the compressor mechanism. The crankcase is selectively positioned within the housing and mounted thereto by means of mounting pins. In another disclosed embodiment, the motor is mounted to the compressor mechanism and the compressor crankcase is axially supported in the housing. A mounting pin is used to prevent rotation of the compressor mechanism within the housing caused by torque forces produced by dynamic operation of the motor. The disclosed mounting pins are received within holes in the crankcase and extend radially outwardly through oversized apertures in the housing. The pins are selectively positioned in the apertures prior to welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Emanuel D. Fry, Edwin L. Gannaway
  • Patent number: 4844705
    Abstract: A compressor assembly is disclosed including a compressor mechanism mounted within a hermetically sealed housing. The compressor mechanism includes a crankcase having a suction inlet opening providing communication into a suction cavity within the crankcase. A suction line adaptor is provided for attaching to a suction line of a refrigeration system to introduce suction gas into the suction inlet opening. The suction line adaptor includes a fitting mounted to the sidewall of the housing. The fitting defines a bore communicating through the housing wall. A radially outwardly extending annular groove is provided in the sidewall of the bore. A section of tubing having a washer-shaped flange at one end thereof extends between the fitting and the suction inlet opening. The tube section end opposite the flange is sealingly received at a variable depth within the suction inlet opening using an O-ring seal. The other end of the tube section is received within the bore with the flange received within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Edwin L. Gannaway