Abstract: A hermetic compressor assembly is disclosed including a motor-compressor unit disposed within a hermetically sealed housing, wherein the housing has an oil sump in the bottom thereof from which oil is drawn to lubricate the compressor mechanism. An electric drive motor includes a vertical rotor having a lower axial end adjacent the oil sump. An arc-shaped counterbalance weight and an annular plate member having a smooth bottom surface adjacent the oil sump are connected to the lower axial end of the rotor, whereby upon rotation of the rotor turbulence and resulting agitation of the oil in the oil sump are prevented. In one embodiment, the counterbalance weight and plate member are integrally formed. In other embodiments, the weight is disposed intermediate the rotor and a flat or dish-shaped plate member, which presents a smooth bottom surface adjacent the oil sump.

Abstract: A mounting boot for mounting a vertical hermetic compressor to a horizontal base, includes a resilient cup-shaped member to receive the bottom end of the compressor housing. A cylindrical inner wall surface of the cup-shaped member frictionally engages the sidewall of the compressor. The bottom end of the compressor housing comprises a plate member having a radially extending flange portion resiliently enveloped by the inner wall surface of the cup-shaped member. The bottom end of the compressor housing is spaced from the bottom wall of the mounting boot, thereby defining an enclosed muffling chamber to suppress noises radiated from the compressor bottom end. The mounting boot is formed with radially extending mounting feet, and passages through which compressor inlet and outlet tubes may extend.

Abstract: A scroll-type hermetic compressor is disclosed including a compressor mechanism having a fixed scroll member. The fixed scroll member includes a plate portion that is subject to forces causing deflection thereof. A housing cover plate is attached to the back surface of the fixed scroll member so as to define a discharge pressure chamber therebetween for exposing a partial area of the back surface to compressed refrigerant fluid. The discharge pressure chamber also serves as a discharge muffler. Also disclosed is a method of assembling a compressor wherein a compressor mechanism is mounted to a top cover plate before the top cover plate is attached to an open-ended shell to form a hermetically sealed housing. The compressor mechanism is suspended from the top cover plate and extends into the interior of the housing.

Abstract: A scroll-type hermetic compressor is disclosed including within a hermetically sealed housing a fixed scroll member, an orbiting scroll member, a main bearing frame member, and a crankshaft. An oil sump is located in a discharge pressure chamber in the housing. The frame member and fixed scroll member define a suction pressure chamber in which the orbiting scroll member is disposed. The crankshaft includes a plate portion disposed between the orbiting scroll member and a thrust surface of the frame. Flexible annular seals are disposed within respective interfaces between the orbiting scroll member bottom surface and the plate portion top surface, and between the plate portion bottom surface and the frame thrust surface. The seals provide sealing between a radially inner, oil-filled discharge region and a radially outer suction region, and actuate to compensate for axial space in the interfaces.

Abstract: A scroll-type hermetic compressor is disclosed including within a hermetically sealed housing a fixed scroll member, an orbiting scroll member, a main bearing frame member, and a crankshaft. The frame member and fixed scroll member define a suction pressure chamber in which the orbiting scroll member is disposed. The crankshaft includes a plate portion disposed between the orbiting scroll member and a thrust surface of the frame. Oil chambers are disposed within respective interfaces between the orbiting scroll member bottom surface and the plate portion top surface, and the plate portion bottom surface and the frame thrust surface. Oil at discharge pressure from an oil sump is supplied to the oil chambers. The oil chambers communicate with one another via a pressure equalization port extending through the plate portion.

Abstract: A scroll-type hermetic compressor is disclosed including within a hermetically sealed housing a fixed scroll member, an orbiting scroll member, a main bearing frame member, and a crankshaft. An oil sump is located in a discharge pressure chamber in the housing. The crankshaft is journalled by bearings in the frame member and the orbiting scroll member. A centrifugal oil pump supplies lubricating oil from the sump to the bearings through an axial passageway in the crankshaft. A vent allows the pumped oil to return to the sump to reduce leakage of oil and refrigerant into regions at suction pressure.

Abstract: A scroll-type hermetic compressor is disclosed including within a hermetically sealed housing a fixed scroll member, an orbiting scroll member, a main bearing frame member, and a crankshaft. An oil sump is located in a discharge pressure chamber in the housing. The frame member and fixed scroll member define a suction pressure chamber in which the orbiting scroll member is disposed. The crankshaft includes a plate portion disposed between the orbiting scroll member and a thrust surface of the frame. Oil chambers are disposed within respective interfaces between the orbiting scroll member bottom surface and the plate portion top surface, and the plate portion bottom surface and the frame thrust surface. Oil from the oil sump is supplied to the oil chambers. Either a hydrodynamic oil seal or an annular seal element is provided in each interface radially outwardly from the oil chamber.

Abstract: A hermetic refrigeration motor-compressor assembly includes a motor driving a compressor having suction and discharge ports. A hermetically sealed casing encloses the motor and compressor and has a gas inlet opening coupled by a conduit to the evaporator of the refrigeration system. A discharge conduit is coupled to the compressor discharge port and extends out of the casing to the condenser. The casing also encloses a suction muffler having a wall defining a chamber, the wall having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the chamber, the casing and muffler inlet openings being in closely spaced alignment to provide a semi-direct suction coupling. The muffler outlet opening is directly coupled to the compressor suction port. The wall of the muffler has another opening therein spaced from the inlet and outlet openings and communicating with the chamber. A passage in the muffler chamber extends between the inlet and other opening and has opposite ends respectively coupled thereto.

Abstract: A reciprocating compressor includes a conduit to communicate a first portion operating at compressor suction pressure with a second portion of the compressor operating at compressor discharge pressure. A valve responsive to the temperature of the fluid compressed by the operation of the compressor is provided to control the flow of the fluid through the conduit. The valve is in a normally open position to permit flow of fluid through the conduit when the temperature of the fluid is at a relatively low level. As the compressor continues to operate, the temperature level of the fluid increases whereby the valve is placed in a closed position to terminate the flow of fluid through the conduit.

Abstract: A reciprocating compressor including a valve plate mounting a discharge valve to control the flow of compressed gas through an opening formed in the valve plate. The discharge valve is formed from a bimetallic element and is mounted in a normally open position with respect to the discharge opening in the valve plate to permit fluid leakage from the compressor cylinder through the opening upon startup of the compressor. The discharge valve warps to a closed position relative to the opening in the valve plate as the temperature of the gas increases due to the compression thereof by operation of said piston.