Abstract: A refrigeration motor compressor assembly has a housing including a lubricant sump in the bottom thereof into which the lower end of the drive shaft and associated rotor extend. A shield is provided which is positioned by the drive shaft and extends above the oil level in the sump in surrounding spaced relationship to the lower end of the rotor. As the rotor rotates within the shield, lubricant contained therein is thrown out of the surrounding shield and a close fit between the shield and the shaft restricts return flow of lubricant into the area occupied by the rotating rotor.

Abstract: A scroll machine having an eccentric crank pin on a cranshaft disposed nonrotatably in the bore of a drive busing for driving the orbiting scroll of the compressor. A flat on the crank pin drivingly engages a flat in the bore, one flat being at an acute angle to the normal cranksahft axis so that when the crankshaft deflects under normal loads the flats come into better contact with one another to reduce unwanted wear. Several other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and several embodiments of apparatus are disclosed for modulating the capacity of a gas compressor. A discharge valve member is formed with an opening therein and fluid communication between the compression chamber and a clearance pocket is selectively established by a slidable plunger element. In a first position, the plunger fills the opening in the discharge valve member to close fluid communication between the clearance pocket and the compression chamber. In a second position, the plunger element moves away from the valve member to establish fluid communication between the compression chamber and the clearance pocket, wherein the reexpansion volume is increased and the capacity of the compressor reduced. In the preferred embodiment, an apertured neck member is provided. The valve member is slidably guided by outer walls of the neck member, and the plunger has a stem designed to slidingly fit within the neck aperture.

Abstract: A hermetic refrigeration compressor system comprises a sealed shell containing two motor-compressor units of different capacities and also containing a suction gas accumulator through and from which suction gas is delivered to both units, the interior of the shell being at suction pressure; gas from an outlet of the accumulator being directed into an aligned, spaced inlet in the motor cover of the smaller unit. Both units are spring-mounted on a unitary support within the shell.

Abstract: A method of assembling a hermetic refrigeration motor compressor is disclosed wherein the motor stator is assembled in a first shell section, the compressor is assembled in another shell section and the two shell sections are aligned and secured together in such a manner as to insure a uniform air gap between the rotor and stator. The method employed enables the two shell sections to be initially locked in position before complete welding of the periphery so as to avoid potential heat distortion.

Abstract: An improved hermetic motor compressor is disclosed which incorporates an improved discharge muffler arrangement wherein the discharge muffler is intergrated with an end portion of the shell and remote from the driving motor whereby heating of the discharge gas by the motor is substantially eliminated and a relatively large surface area is provided to transfer heat to the surrounding atmosphere. Additionally, the compressor incorporates an improved lubrication system wherein in one embodiment a pressure responsive valved vent is provided for the substantially closed crankcase and operates to create a pressure differential between an oil sump and the upper end of an oil distribution passage thereby improving lubricant flow to the bearings as well as providing means for returning lubricant from the crankcase to the sump. In another embodiment a rotating valved vent is provided which operates to selectively place this upper end of an oil distribution passage in communication with the crankcase.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a suspension system including a shipping stop arrangement for resiliently mounting a refrigeration motor-compressor unit within a hermetically sealed shell. The suspension system comprises a three point supporting arrangement employing a pair of laterally disposed springs, each having a single tapered portion, for providing vertical support to the motor-compressor, in combination with a single top spring for providing lateral stability. Lateral and vertical motion limiting shipping stops are also provided to prevent excessive movement of the motor-compressor, such as may occur during shipment thereof, from damaging the suspension system members. In addition, the system is capable of accommodating different size motor-compressor units in a standardized hermetic shell size by using simple spacers of different sizes.

Abstract: A hermetic refrigeration compressor system comprises a sealed shell containing two motor-compressor units of different capacities and also containing a suction gas accumulator through and from which suction gas is delivered to both units, the interior of the shell being at suction pressure; gas from an outlet of the accumulator being directed into an aligned, spaced inlet in the motor cover of the smaller unit. Both units are spring-mounted on a unitary support within the shell.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a refrigeration compressor having an induction system which includes a conduit for directing suction gas to the compressor and an associated muffler designed to attenuate noise generated by the suction process while still allowing relatively unrestricted flow through the conduit. In one form the conduit and associated suction muffler are integrally formed from a suitable plastic composition as a two piece assembly with the associated muffler being in the form of an elongated chamber overlying an opening in the conduit and arranged in longitudinally parallel relationship thereto.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a suspension system including a shipping stop arrangement for resiliently mounting a refrigeration motor-compressor unit within a hermetically sealed shell. The suspension system comprises a three point supporting arrangement employing a pair of laterally disposed springs, each having a single tapered portion, for providing vertical support to the motor-compressor, in combination with a single top spring for providing lateral stability. Lateral and vertical motion limiting shipping stops are also provided to prevent excessive movement of the motor-compressor, such as may occur during shipment thereof, from damaging the suspension system members. In addition, the system is capable of accommodating different size motor-compressor units in a standardized hermetic shell size by using simple spacers of different sizes.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a lubrication system for a compressor which provides means for separating and flushing foreign particles contained in the lubricant so as to minimize the number of such particles being circulated through the lubrication system thereby reducing the possibility of damaging the bearings. The foreign particles are separated from the main lubricant flowpath by centrifugal forces and are flushed downwardly into collection means in the lower bearing housing and out through a passage provided therein back to the oil sump. An extension of this passage in the lower bearing housing is also adapted to cooperate with a portion of an axial thrust bearing to prevent rotation thereof.