Abstract: A horizontal scroll compressor assembly for compressing a working fluid and lubricated with oil includes a housing, an interior surface, and a suction sump for collected oil located in the suction plenum. A compression mechanism has an orbital scroll member having a thrust surface axially superposed with the housing and having an oil distribution channel. Oil from the suction sump is received into the distribution channel and delivered to locations between the superposed surfaces during movement of the orbital scroll member. A method for distributing oil in a scroll compressor assembly includes: receiving oil from a suction sump into an oil distribution channel located in the thrust surface of an orbital scroll member; pumping oil along the oil distribution channel to locations between the thrust surface and a superposed housing surface; and lubricating a thrust surface interface with oil.

Abstract: A compressor assembly for compressing a working fluid and lubricated with an oil, including a housing having a suction plenum and a discharge plenum that defines a discharge chamber and an exhaust chamber in fluid communication through a discharge chamber outlet, and a compression mechanism disposed in the housing. A baffle member proximate the discharge chamber outlet and against which a compressed admixture of working fluid and oil expelled from the discharge chamber is impactable for separating oil from the impacting admixture. The baffle member has an oil-impingement surface for collecting oil separated from the impacting admixture and directing the flow of oil separated from the impacting admixture. Working fluid substantially at a discharge pressure and devoid of the oil collected on the oil-impingement surface is exhaustible from the exhaust chamber through the discharge port.

Abstract: A horizontal scroll compressor assembly for compressing a working fluid and lubricated with an oil, including a housing having an axis, an interior surface, and a suction sump for collected oil located in the suction plenum, and a compression mechanism including an orbital scroll member having a thrust surface, the thrust surface and the housing interior surface axially superposed. The thrust surface is provided with an oil distribution channel extending at least partially about an axis. Oil from the suction sump received into the distribution channel urged along the distribution channel and delivered to locations between the superposed surfaces during movement of the orbital scroll member about the axis relative to the housing.

Abstract: A compressor assembly for compressing a working fluid and lubricated with an oil, including a housing having a suction plenum and a discharge plenum that defines a discharge chamber and an exhaust chamber in fluid communication through a discharge chamber outlet, and a compression mechanism disposed in the housing. A baffle member proximate the discharge chamber outlet and against which a compressed admixture of working fluid and oil expelled from the discharge chamber is impactable for separating oil from the impacting admixture. The baffle member has an oil-impingement surface for collecting oil separated from the impacting admixture and directing the flow of oil separated from the impacting admixture. Working fluid substantially at a discharge pressure and devoid of the oil collected on the oil-impingement surface is exhaustable from the exhaust chamber through the discharge port.

Abstract: A torque limiting device features spring arms that extend resiliently and spirally from a driven member to distal ends rotatably supporting cams that engage cam posts on a drive member to transmit rotation from the drive member to the driven member. In response to a predetermined reactive force, the spring arms are resilient and move radially, and the cams rotate to allow the distal ends to spring past the cam posts in response to a predetermined reactive force.

Abstract: A unitary, “hollow out” piston is molded or forged with only two tools, which move along a single parting direction, with a pair of arcuate side walls that provide maximal outer surface area with minimal thickness and weight. The thin walls are internally fortified by a cruciform support structure that is molded integrally by the same tools. No post forming machining steps are needed to reduce weight.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a scroll compressor of the type including an electric motor in driving engagement with an orbiting scroll member having an orbiting scroll vane in a shell extending along an axis between open ends. The method includes the steps of orientating the fixed scroll member angularly about the axis of the shell relative to the orbiting scroll member, and pressing the fixed scroll member having a fixed scroll vane axially into sealing engagement with the shell and into a predetermined spaced relationship with the orbiting scroll member with the scroll vanes of the scroll members in axially overlapping relationship for pumping action between the vanes.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a scroll compressor of the type including an electric motor in driving engagement with an orbiting scroll member having an orbiting scroll vane in a shell extending along an axis between open ends. The method includes the steps of orientating the fixed scroll member angularly about the axis of the shell relative to the orbiting scroll member, and pressing the fixed scroll member having a fixed scroll vane axially into sealing engagement with the shell and into a predetermined spaced relationship with the orbiting scroll member with the scroll vanes of the scroll members in axially overlapping relationship for pumping action between the vanes.

Abstract: In a hermetic reciprocating compressor, the discharge line functions as a torsion spring in supporting the compressor and motor within the hermetic shell. To prevent excessive deflection of the discharge line while maintaining its torsion spring function, the discharge line is restrained radially and axially while permitting circumferential movement in a helical portion which defines the torsion spring.