Abstract: A refrigeration chiller employs a centrifugal compressor the impellers of which are mounted on a shaft which is itself mounted for rotation using rolling element bearings lubricated only by the refrigerant which constitutes the working fluid of the chiller system. Apparatus is taught for providing liquid refrigerant to (1.) the bearings immediately upon chiller start-up, during chiller operation and during a coastdown period subsequent to shutdown of the chiller and (2.) the drive motor of the chiller's compressor for motor cooling purposes. By use of a variable speed-driven motor to drive the compressor, optimized part load chiller performance is achieved in a chiller which does not require or employ an oil-based lubrication system.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a single motor drives both oil and refrigerant pumps in a refrigeration chiller, the motor and oil pump being disposed in the chiller's oil supply tank and the refrigerant pump being disposed exterior thereof. The refrigerant pump pumps liquid refrigerant to the chiller's compressor section so as to cool the motor by which the compressor is driven while the oil pump pumps oil to chiller locations that require lubrication when the chiller is in operation. A uniquely designed impeller permits low pressure liquid refrigerant in its liquid state to be reliably pumped to a location of use, without significant flashing, from a source location which is at a height only a short distance above the pump inlet. A stand alone refrigerant pump embodiment is also described.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a single motor drives both oil and refrigerant pumps in a refrigeration chiller, the motor and oil pump being disposed in the chiller's oil supply tank and the refrigerant pump being disposed exterior thereof. The refrigerant pump pumps liquid refrigerant to the chiller's compressor section so as to cool the motor by which the compressor is driven while the oil pump pumps oil to chiller locations that require lubrication when the chiller is in operation. A uniquely designed impeller permits low pressure liquid refrigerant in its liquid state to be reliably pumped to a location of use, without significant flashing, from a source location which is at a height only a short distance above the pump inlet. A stand alone refrigerant pump embodiment is also described.

Abstract: A refrigeration chiller employs a centrifugal compressor the impellers of which are mounted on a shaft which is itself mounted for rotation using rolling element bearings lubricated only by the refrigerant which constitutes the working fluid of the chiller system. Apparatus is taught for providing liquid refrigerant to (1.) the bearings immediately upon chiller start-up, during chiller operation and during a coastdown period subsequent to shutdown of the chiller and (2.) the drive motor of the chiller's compressor for motor cooling purposes. By use of a variable speed-driven motor to drive the compressor, optimized part load chiller performance is achieved in a chiller which does not require or employ an oil-based lubrication system.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a single motor drives both oil and refrigerant pumps in a refrigeration chiller, the motor and oil pump being disposed in the chiller's oil supply tank and the refrigerant pump being disposed exterior thereof. The refrigerant pump pumps liquid refrigerant to the chiller's compressor section so as to cool the motor by which the compressor is driven while the oil pump pumps oil to chiller locations that require lubrication when the chiller is in operation. A uniquely designed impeller permits low pressure liquid refrigerant in its liquid state to be reliably pumped to a location of use, without significant flashing, from a source location which is at a height only a short distance above the pump inlet. A stand alone refrigerant pump embodiment is also described.

Abstract: An enhanced motor cooling and lubrication system for a liquid chiller includes a liquid refrigerant cooled compressor drive motor, wherein the refrigerant used to cool the drive motor is returned to the chiller's condenser, and apparatus to better facilitate the return of oil carried to the compressor entrained in the suction gas flow stream back to the chiller's oil supply tank.

Abstract: A single motor drives both oil and refrigerant pumps in a refrigeration chiller, the motor and oil pump being disposed in the chiller's oil supply tank and the refrigerant pump being disposed exterior thereof. The refrigerant pump pumps liquid refrigerant to the chiller's compressor section so as to cool the motor by which the compressor is driven while the oil pump pumps oil to chiller locations that require lubrication when the chiller is in operation.

Abstract: An electrically actuated valve for incremental fluid flow rate control is disclosed. The valve is comprised of a valve body having an interior with a planar outlet surface against which a rectilinear valve element is slidingly operated. The valve body includes an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in the planar outlet surface for fluid flow through the valve body. The valve element has an orifice therethrough controlling flow through the outlet orifice in accordance with the position of the valve element, which is linearly actuated by a rotary stepper motor. Linear actuation of the valve element by the rotary stepper motor is accomplished by a shaft extending through and rotating in bearings at opposing ends of the valve body. A drive key on the shaft interfits a corresponding slot in the valve element and converts rotary motion of the shaft to linear motion of the valve element.

Abstract: An electrically actuated valve for incremental fluid flow rate control is disclosed. The valve is comprised of a valve body having an interior with a planar outlet surface against which a rectilinear valve element is slidingly operated. The valve body includes an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in the planar outlet surface for fluid flow through the valve body. The valve element has an orifice therethrough controlling flow through the outlet orifice in accordance with the position of the valve element, which is linearly actuated by a rotary stepper motor. Linear actuation of the valve element by the rotary stepper motor is accomplished by a shaft extending through and rotating in bearings at opposing ends of the valve body. A drive key on the shaft interfits a corresponding slot in the valve element and converts rotary motion of the shaft to linear motion of the valve element.

Abstract: A corner member for an air conditioning equipment cabinet includes a three-sided corner portion from which six discrete legs extend. The disposition of the legs and the existence of an open seam between two of the three sides of the corner portion of the corner member makes the corner member flexible and self-fixturing during the process of cabinet assembly yet results in an assembled cabinet which is both rigid and strong.

Abstract: A body located downstream of the compressor discharge port in an oil-injected screw compressor assembly includes a contoured surface for directing the flow of the gas-oil mixture discharged from the compressor. The body is movable in the compressor assembly between a first position in which the flow of the mixture out of the discharge port is unimpeded and a second position in which the backflow of gas from downstream of the discharge port back into and through the working chamber of the compressor is prevented. In the first position the body facilitates the separation of oil from the discharged compressed gas while in the second position the reverse direction rotation of the screw rotors in the compressor working chamber is prevented.

Abstract: In a system with parallel connected compressors, a suction and discharge manifold arrangement for isolating an inactive compressor from the rest of the operating system. A check valve in the discharge line of the compressor prevents fluid flow back into the discharge port from a common system discharge line when the compressor is de-energized. A normally closed, pressure actuated valve in the suction line of each compressor prevents fluid from flowing through the compressor suction port when the compressor is inactive. The valve is connected to the compressor's discharge line, and opens in response to the discharge pressure developed when the compressor begins to operate. Pressure and oil level equalizing lines interconnect the compressor oil sumps, conveying oil between compressors and equalizing pressure in the oil sumps.

Abstract: A centrifugal fan includes a fan wheel having airfoil blades mounted for pivotal movement about their center of gravity. A yoke mechanism exterior of the fan wheel, when moved axially of the fan wheel drive shaft axis, causes actuator rods to move through the sidewall of the fan wheel. The axial movement of the actuator rods is translated first into rotary movement of a quill hub relative to the fan wheel and finally to radial movement of blade pivoting levers interior of the fan wheel. The movement of the blade pivoting levers causes the pitch of the individual fan blades to be changed in accordance with the degree of movement of the yoke mechanism. The yoke mechanism, actuator rods, quill hub and blade pivoting levers operate independently of the fan wheel so that blade pitch can be varied over an operating range irrespective of whether the fan wheel is stopped or is rotating.

Abstract: The slide valve assembly by which the capacity of an oil-injected screw compressor is controlled includes a valve portion connected to a piston. The valve portion is located in the screw rotor housing while the valve actuating piston is located within a pressure housing interior of a centrifugal oil separator in what would otherwise be unused space. The rod connecting the valve portion and piston penetrates the discharge port of the compressor. The piston is actuated and the compressor is loaded by directing separated oil from the oil sump in a sealed sump housing into the pressure chamber within the centrifugal oil separator. The oil separator is located within the sealed oil sump housing. Oil is vented from the pressure housing into a suction area within the rotor housing to unload the compressor. Such oil is sucked into the working chamber of the compressor where it assists in the cooling, lubricating and sealing of compressor components.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating a liquid from a gas includes a cylindrical separator element disposed in a sealed housing. The separator element includes a helical ramp wrapped around a cylindrical column both of which are disposed in a hollow cylindrical shell. The ramp, column and shell cooperate to define a helical passage through which a liquid-gas mixture is constrained to pass between an inlet and outlet at opposing ends of the separator element. A liquid-gas mixture entering the separator element is imparted a swirling motion as it passes through the helical passage within the separator element. Liquid entrained in the mixture migrates radially outward within the separator element and passes through the permeable shell. The separated liquid drains by force of gravity to a sump area defined by the sealed housing from where it can be drained for re-use.

Abstract: Liquid refrigerant produced in the condenser of a refrigeration system is directed into an expansion device. The expansion device throttles the high pressure liquid refrigerant into the compressor drive motor housing of the compressor assembly within the refrigeration system. Upon entering the motor housing a first portion of the liquid refrigerant flashes into gas at a pressure intermediate compressor suction and discharge pressure. The portion of refrigerant which remains in the liquid state is directed into a jacket surrounding the stator of the compressor drive motor. As the jacket fills with liquid refrigerant, a portion of the refrigerant is directed through passages in the motor stator into contact with the motor rotor. Liquid refrigerant overflowing the jacket and flowing out the ends of the motor through the gap between the rotor and stator drains to the lowermost portion of the motor housing from where it is directed to a second expansion device.

Abstract: A scroll compressor in which a fluid compressed by the machine is applied to one side of an orbiting scroll plate to provide an axial sealing force directed toward an opposing stationary scroll plate. Intermeshed involute wrap elements on facing surfaces of the two scroll plates define pockets in which the fluid is compressed as a motor drives one of the plates in an orbital motion relative to the other. Both the motor and scroll plates are enclosed in a hermetic shell. The volume enclosed by the shell is divided by the driven scroll plate and an internal supporting frame into one part that is at suction pressure and another part at discharge pressure. A seal extending from the frame abuts the back side of the driven scroll plate and defines the relative areas of that plate which are exposed to suction and discharge pressure.

Abstract: A system for lubricating the main drive shaft bearings in a scroll compressor enclosed within a hermetic shell. The drive shaft and its main bearings are supported in a frame that defines first and second chambers adjacent each end of a main bearing. Each of the chambers includes an opening to a spatial volume contained within the compressor shell. An oil pump at the lower end of the drive shaft supplies oil through a bore in the shaft to a swing link bearing and a thrust bearing, both disposed adjacent its upper end. Oil is dispersed into the spatial volume as a mist of oil droplets by the rotating elements connected to the drive shaft. Fan means are disposed within the second chamber and are operative to develop a differential pressure between the two chambers so that oil droplets are drawn toward the first chamber, lubricating the main bearing as they pass through it.