Abstract: An unloading arrangement for a rotary screw compressor includes discrete and different unloading apparatus associated with the male and female rotors respectively. The unloading apparatus associated with the male rotor is an axial piston continuous unloader movably disposed in a bore which is remote from but in flow communication, through a series of ports, with the compressor's working chamber. The unloading apparatus associated with the female rotor is a step unloader which, when opened, unloads the compressor in a single, relatively large capacity step. The compressor is therefore capable of being unloaded both over a continuous operating range and in a discontinuous, stepwise fashion. By duplexing compressors of this type, continuous capacity modulation of a multiple compressor system is made available over a large operating range without the employment of compressors unloaded by slide valve mechanisms.

Abstract: A screw compressor employs a piston unloader which is disposed in a bore remote from the compressor's working chamber. Flow communication between the bore and working chamber is through a series of non-overlapping unloader ports. The unloader piston has a notched end face which effectively causes the unloader ports to overlap in operation. Precise and continuous capacity control of the compressor over a predetermined portion of its operating range is thereby achieved while internal high to low side gas leakage within the compressor and the clearance volume of the unloader ports is minimized. Compressor efficiency is thereby increased.

Abstract: Sound attenuating liquid-gas separation apparatus includes nested elements which are tuned to abate noise in general and at predetermined frequencies in particular in a screw compressor assembly. The apparatus includes a helical flow path defined internal of an outer shell. The shell is selectively perforated at its downstream end to allow for the egress of separate oil from it. The apparatus includes a columnar, open-ended cylindrical member internal of the outer separator shell and a discharge conduit which penetrates both the separator shell and the open end of the columnar cylindrical member disposed within the shell to create the nesting which both contributes to the oil separation proces and abates noise. By selectively dimensioning and therefore "tuning" the nested members in accordance with the characteristics of the particular compressor with which they are used, compressor assembly noise abatement at predetermined frequencies is accomplished.

Abstract: A combination heat shield/gasket is disposed between abutting components in a reciprocating compressor. The heat shield/gasket includes strategically located protuberances, at locations where the components do not directly abut, the tips of which contact one of the components causing the heat shield/gasket to locally deflect away from the contacted component. The deflection of the heat shield/gasket at such non-abutting locations causes a dead space to be created between the component contacted by the tip of the protuberance and the heat shield/gasket. The dead space so created is a barrier to the transfer of heat, as is the heat shield/gasket itself, from the component contacted by the protruberances to the area on the side of the heat shield/gasket opposite that side on which the dead space is created.

Abstract: A reciprocating gas compressor of the multicylinder, radial type is disclosed which includes unloading means for selectively shutting off suction gas flow to one or more of the cylinders in order to vary the capacity of the compressor. The unloading means include a valve element having a flat, planar surface which is movable between first and second positions with respect to a generally planar valve seat surrounding the inlet of the suction flow passage means, which inlet is spaced radially from the crankshaft axis and lies in a plane substantially perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: A hermetic compressor assembly is disclosed wherein a motor-compressor unit is supported in a hermetically sealed chamber so as to permit at least limited rotation thereof about an axis which may coincide with the axis of the drive shaft of the compressor. In order to limit such rotation, at least a first leaf spring member is provided affixed to one of the interior wall of the chamber and the motor-compressor unit, which member cooperates with abutment means affixed to the other of said interior wall and motor compressor unit whereby, upon rotation of the motor-compressor unit about said axis, engagement between the abutment means and the leaf spring member results in deflection thereof so as to limit such rotation.

Abstract: A valve plate for use in a reciprocating gas compressor is disclosed wherein lower and upper members are held in spaced apart relation so as to define a suction gas flow path therebetween. A corrugated element is located in the flow path and bonded to said members, the corrugations thereof defining suction gas flow paths of minimal resistance, thus improving the efficiency of the compressor, while providing the support necessary between said lower and upper members.