Abstract: A rotary screw compressor system is provided wherein the base plate connecting the prime mover to the compressor integrates the drive transmission with the lubricating fluid flow path between lubricating circuit components. Each of those circuit components and the compressor is removably mounted to the base plate via segregating housings. The compressor is mounted to the base plate with drive shaft and working fluid outlet on the same side. A pre-separation chamber is included within the base plate to facilitate removal of lubricant from the compressed working fluid prior to passage of the working fluid through the separator component. A double seal arrangement is provided about the connection of the prime mover drive shaft to the base plate. That seal arrangement includes a lubricant collection chamber between the seals, and control air is used to recycle lubricant from that chamber to the air inlet of the compressor.

Abstract: A combination of a variable reluctance motor and a screw compressor is provided with a fluid management system that directs a portion of the lubricant flow through the variable reluctance motor to cool its stator laminations and windings. Another portion of the lubricant flow is caused to pass directly from a heat exchanger to the screw compressor. The first portion of flow, which passes through the variable reluctance motor, is then directed into fluid communication with the inlet of the screw compressor to lubricate the screw compressor and provide cooling for the compressor. The portion of lubricant flow passing directly through the heat exchanger to the compressor also provides lubrication for the compressor and is used to further cool the moving parts of the screw compressor.

Abstract: An adjustable bearing assembly for mounting a rotor in a rotary gas machine includes a tapered roller bearing at the high pressure end to bear the combined axial thrust and radial loads induced on the high pressure end by the working fluid therein and an axially floating bearing at the low pressure end to bear radial load. No axial bearing adjustment or bearing preload is applied to the radial load bearing at the low pressure end to maintain proper internal clearance in the bearing at the high pressure end. To obtain simplified assembly and improved bearing life, initial bearing clearance is provided simultaneously during adjustment of rotor end clearance.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for the rotors of a rotary screw variable volume gas machine, as a compressor expander or fluid pump, includes opposed thrust and high radial load bearings at the high pressure end of each rotor and high thrust bearings for each rotor shaft at the low pressure end. An axial force is applied to each of the bearings at the low pressure end, opposing the axial load on the screws from the working fluid, tending to equalize the thrust load on the bearings at the high pressure end so that bearing wear is relatively even and bearing life is improved.