Abstract: A variable displacement compressor adjusts the pressure in a control pressure chamber and controls the displacement in accordance with the adjusted pressure. Refrigerant is supplied via a supply passage, and released via a bleed passage. The compressor includes a first control valve for adjusting the cross-sectional area of the supply passage for refrigerant. The compressor further includes a second control valve that adjusts the cross-sectional area of the bleed passage in accordance with the opening/closing state of the first control valve. The second control valve adjusts the cross-sectional area of the bleed passage such that the cross-sectional area when the first control valve is in the closed state is larger than that when the first control valve is in the opened state. The back pressure chamber is located in a section of the bleed passage that is located between the second control valve and the control pressure chamber.

Abstract: The muffler has a muffler chamber formed in a rear housing, an inlet channel that provides communication between the discharge chamber and the muffler chamber, and an outlet channel that provides communication between the muffler chamber and the outlet port. The muffler chamber has a first end surface positioned on one end side of the muffler chamber, a second end surface positioned on the other end side of the muffler chamber, and an inner peripheral surface having a cylindrical shape that is positioned between the first end surface and the second end surface and extends from the discharge chamber toward the other end side. The muffler chamber is positioned between an annular wall and an outer peripheral wall. The inlet channel opens in the first end surface. The outlet channel opens in the inner peripheral surface at a position spaced apart from the second end surface.

Abstract: A compressor has therein a suction chamber into which refrigerant gas is introduced, a compression chamber in which the refrigerant gas in the suction chamber is introduced and compressed, and a discharge chamber into which the compressed refrigerant gas is discharged from the compression chamber. The suction chamber and the discharge chamber are formed adjacent to each other while being separated by a partition wall. At least one surface of the partition wall is provided with a thermal insulator which is formed by curing a thermal insulation coating composition. The thermal insulator includes hollow beads and one or more binder resin selected from the group consisting of epoxy resin, polyamide-imide resin, phenolic resin, and polyimide resin.

Abstract: A variable displacement compressor adjusts the pressure in a control pressure chamber and controls the displacement in accordance with the adjusted pressure. Refrigerant is supplied via a supply passage, and released via a bleed passage. The compressor includes a first control valve for adjusting the cross-sectional area of the supply passage for refrigerant. The compressor further includes a second control valve that adjusts the cross-sectional area of the bleed passage in accordance with the opening/closing state of the first control valve. The second control valve adjusts the cross-sectional area of the bleed passage such that the cross-sectional area when the first control valve is in the closed state is larger than that when the first control valve is in the opened state. The back pressure chamber is located in a section of the bleed passage that is located between the second control valve and the control pressure chamber.

Abstract: A swash plate type compressor including; a rotary drive shaft having an axis of rotation; a swash plate supported by the drive shaft such that the swash plate is inclined or tiltable with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the shaft; a housing which supports the drive shaft such that the drive shaft is rotatable and axially immovable relative to the housing, which has a plurality of cylinder bores which are located at respective circumferential portions radially spaced from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft and which extend in a direction parallel to the drive shaft; a plurality of pistons each including a head portion slidably engaging a corresponding one of the cylinder bores, and an engaging portion engaging a radially outer portion of opposite surfaces of the swash plate, each piston being reciprocated by the swash plate rotated with the drive shaft; and a plurality of shoes each of which is disposed between one of the opposite surfaces of the swash plate and the engaging po

Abstract: A method of producing a shoe for a swash plate type compressor, said shoe being disposed between a swash plate and a piston of said swash plate type compressor, the method comprising: a forming step of forming a steel blank into a shoe product including an end product shoe and a pre size-adjusted shoe; and a nitriding step of effecting a nitriding treatment on said shoe product; and wherein a quenching treatment is not effected after said forming step.

Abstract: A method of producing a die-cast article by die-casting, the die-cast article having at least one of an inner and an outer circumferential surface, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a mold assembly including a hollow portion having a molding surface for molding one of the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the die-cast article; closing the mold assembly to define therein a mold cavity having a configuration corresponding to that of the die-cast article; subjecting the hollow portion to an elastic deformation in a direction toward the one of the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the die-cast article to be produced; introducing a molten metal into the mold cavity while the hollow portion is subjected to the elastic deformation; opening the mold assembly and permitting the elastic deformation to be removed from the hollow portion after the molten metal has solidified; and removing the die-cast article from the mold assembly. An apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of die-casting a die-cast article having at least one of an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, whose cross sectional shape is a circle, the die-casting article being formed with a die-casting apparatus having a mold cavity therein and a molding portion for forming one of the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the die-cast article, the method comprising the steps of introducing a molten metal into the mold cavity; and separating the die-cast article and the molding portion from each other while the die-cast article and the molding portion are rotated relative to each other, after the molten metal has solidified into the die-cast article. A die-casting apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cam plate of a variable displacement compressor is easily manufactured. The compressor includes a lug plate fixed to a drive shaft, a cam plate supported in an inclinable manner by the drive shaft, and a hinge mechanism connecting the lug plate and the cam plate. The cam plate includes a disk engaged with a piston and a joint formed separately from the disk and fixed to the disk. The joint forms the hinge mechanism. At least one of the joint and the disk is press-formed.

Abstract: Variable displacement compressor may include a swash plate inclinably coupled to a drive shaft. A piston may be disposed within a cylinder bore and an end portion of the piston may be connected to a peripheral edge of the swash plate by a shoe. The piston preferably reciprocates within the cylinder bore in order to compress a refrigerant in response to rotation of the inclined swash plate. The inclination angle of the swash plate can be changed to change the compressor output discharge capacity. A rotor is preferably coupled to the drive shaft so that the rotor rotates together with the rotating drive shaft. A hinge mechanism connects the swash plate with the rotor by means of a guide on a rotary disk of the rotor. The hinge mechanism transmits torque from the drive shaft to the swash plate regardless of the inclination angle of the swash plate.

Abstract: A variable displacement compressor that decreases displacement to reduce compression load without imbalancing the rotation of the drive shaft when the rotating speed of the compressor's drive shaft exceeds a predetermined limit value. The compressor includes a pressurizing passage connecting a crank chamber to a discharge chamber. A rotated guide rotates integrally with the drive shaft. The pressurizing passage is opened and closed by a valve body. Orbiting balls, which contact the valve body, are arranged about the axis of the drive shaft and the rotated guide. The balls follow the rotation of the rotated guide and orbit about the axis. The orbiting radius of the balls varies. A spring urges the balls in a direction decreasing the orbiting radius of the balls. When the rotating speed of the drive shaft exceeds the limit value, centrifugal force moves the balls against the force of the spring and increases the orbiting diameter of the balls.

Abstract: A piston for use in a compressor that compresses gas containing lubricating oil is disclosed. The compressor has a crank chamber and cylinder bores for accommodating the pistons. A swash plate is located in the crank chamber and is supported on a drive shaft for integrally rotating with the drive shaft. The swash plate is operably connected to the pistons by shoes to convert the rotation of the drive shaft to reciprocation of each piston. Each piston has a head for compressing the gas supplied to the cylinder bore and a skirt projecting from the head toward the crank chamber. The skirt has a slot for receiving the swash plate by means of the shoes. A rib is formed on an inner wall of the slot and extends parallel to the axis of the piston. When the swash plate rotates, swirling gas in the crank chamber collides against the rib. When the gas collides against the rib, the oil contained in the gas separates from the gas and is guided to the shoes.

Abstract: A piston for use in a compressor that compresses gas containing lubricating oil is disclosed. The compressor includes a housing having a crank chamber and cylinder bores, and a swash plate located in the crank chamber. The swash plate is operably connected to the pistons by shoes to convert the rotation of a drive shaft to the reciprocation of each piston. Each piston has a head for compressing the gas supplied to the cylinder bore and a skirt projecting from the head toward the crank chamber. The skirt is connected to the swash plate. A restrictor is provided on the skirt to prevent the piston from rotating in the cylinder bore. The restrictor has a pair of arched surfaces slidably contacting an inner surface of the housing and a recessed surface located between the arched surfaces and free from contact with the inner surface. The recessed surface defines a gap for allowing passage of the oil between the recessed surface and the inner surface.