Abstract: A hinge mechanism for a variable displacement swash plate type compressor including an arm extending from a rotor and a pair of arms extending from a swash plate hub, wherein a pair of shoes are interposed between the arm of the rotor and each of the arms of the swash plate hub to facilitate a tilting of a swash plate disposed on the swash plate hub, the hinge mechanism militating against undesirable contact between the arms of the swash plate hub and the arm of the rotor.

Abstract: A control system for a variable displacement compressor uses a mechanical valve to minimize energy consumption in an air conditioning system. The control system can also provide instantaneous indications to the vehicle controller of air conditioning power consumption to avoid engine loading. Controls are also used to contain oil within the compressor and to minimize its presence downstream of the compressor into the gas cooler and evaporator parts of the system.

Abstract: A compressor for an automotive air conditioning system includes a cylinder head that comprises a mixing chamber, suction chamber and discharge chamber. The cylinder head comprises a first annular wall defining a mixing chamber and a second annular wall disposed about the first annular wall and spaced apart therefrom to define the suction chamber that communicates with the suction ports to the cylinder chambers. The discharge chamber is disposed about the second annular wall and communicates with the discharge ports. Refrigerant flows through the mixing chamber in a swirling or other turbulent pattern and into suction chamber through circumferentially spaced openings. By providing the mixing chamber and isolating the mixing chamber from the suction chamber, pressure pulsation resulting from opening of the suction ports to admit refrigerant is reduced.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for a variable displacement swash plate type compressor including an arm extending from a rotor and a pair of arms extending from a swash plate hub, wherein a pair of shoes are interposed between the arm of the rotor and each of the arms of the swash plate hub to facilitate a tilting of a swash plate disposed on the swash plate hub, the hinge mechanism militating against undesirable contact between the arms of the swash plate hub and the arm of the rotor.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for cooling a vehicle passenger compartment is disclosed. The system includes an air duct, a refrigerant circuit, a variable displacement compressor, and a controller. The air duct directs air conditioned air into the vehicle passenger compartment. The refrigerant circuit circulates a refrigerant, wherein a first portion of the circuit is exposed to the air duct and a second portion of the circuit is exposed to air external of the vehicle passenger compartment. The variable displacement compressor is in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit, wherein the compressor has a control valve for regulating refrigerant flow between a compressor crankcase and a compressor discharge chamber and between the compressor crankcase and a compressor suction chamber. The controller in electrical communication with the variable displacement compressor for controlling refrigerant flow and a displacement of the compressor by actuating the control valves.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for a variable displacement swash plate type compressor including an arm extending from a rotor and a pair of arms extending from a swash plate hub, wherein a pair of shoes are interposed between the arm of the rotor and each of the arms of the swash plate hub to facilitate a tilting of a swash plate disposed on the swash plate hub, the hinge mechanism militating against undesirable contact between the arms of the swash plate hub and the arm of the rotor.

Abstract: A compressor for an automotive air conditioning system includes a cylinder head that comprises a mixing chamber, suction chamber and discharge chamber. The cylinder head comprises a first annular wall defining a mixing chamber and a second annular wall disposed about the first annular wall and spaced apart therefrom to define the suction chamber that communicates with the suction ports to the cylinder chambers. The discharge chamber is disposed about the second annular wall and communicates with the discharge ports. Refrigerant flows through the mixing chamber in a swirling or other turbulent pattern and into suction chamber through circumferentially spaced openings. By providing the mixing chamber and isolating the mixing chamber from the suction chamber, pressure pulsation resulting from opening of the suction ports to admit refrigerant is reduced.

Abstract: A control system for a variable displacement compressor uses a mechanical valve to minimize energy consumption in an air conditioning system. The control system can also provide instantaneous indications to the vehicle controller of air conditioning power consumption to avoid engine loading. Controls are also used to contain oil within the compressor and to minimize its presence downstream of the compressor into the gas cooler and evaporator parts of the system.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a refrigerant compressor in an air conditioning system includes a forward housing portion, and a rearward housing portion. The two mate together to contain the internal components and seal the compressor. A clamp engages the forward and the rearward housing portions and is rotated to compress the two together. It maintains a desired clamping force under various operating and environmental conditions.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a refrigerant compressor in an air conditioning system includes a forward housing portion, and a rearward housing portion. The two mate together to contain the internal components and seal the compressor. A clamp engages the forward and the rearward housing portions and is rotated to compress the two together. It maintains a desired clamping force under various operating and environmental conditions.

Abstract: A swashplate type compressor that includes one or more pistons having an extra support surface for receiving a side load is provided. In a first preferred embodiment of the piston, a rotational restrictor that overlaps the head region is utilized as the extra support surface. In a second preferred embodiment, a support projection, separate from the head region, is utilized as the extra support surface. The extra support surface of the piston of the present invention receives a portion of the side load exerted on the piston, thereby relieving some of stress applied to the head region.

Abstract: The present involves an anti-rotation piston for a swash plate compressor assembly having a piston-receiving bore and an anti-rotation groove formed adjacently therein. The anti-rotation piston comprises a body and a skirt extending from the body. The body has a first radius of curvature and first and second ends. The body complements the bore so that the body is slideably moveable within the bore. The skirt extends from the second end of the body and has an arcuate outer surface which complements the groove so that the skirt is slideably moveable along the groove. The skirt has a second radius of curvature which is greater than the first radius of curvature. The second radius of curvature is offset from the first radius of curvature so that the body and the skirt have differing axes of rotation which prevents the piston from rotating.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for cooling a vehicle passenger compartment is disclosed. The system includes an air duct, a refrigerant circuit, a variable displacement compressor, and a controller. The air duct directs air conditioned air into the vehicle passenger compartment. The refrigerant circuit circulates a refrigerant, wherein a first portion of the circuit is exposed to the air duct and a second portion of the circuit is exposed to air external of the vehicle passenger compartment. The variable displacement compressor is in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit, wherein the compressor has a control valve for regulating refrigerant flow between a compressor crankcase and a compressor discharge chamber and between the compressor crankcase and a compressor suction chamber. The controller in electrical communication with the variable displacement compressor for controlling refrigerant flow and a displacement of the compressor by actuating the control valves.

Abstract: A swashplate type compressor that includes one or more pistons having an extra support surface for receiving a side load is provided. In a first preferred embodiment of the piston, a rotational restrictor that overlaps the head region is utilized as the extra support surface. In a second preferred embodiment, a support projection, separate from the head region, is utilized as the extra support surface. The extra support surface of the piston of the present invention receives a portion of the side load exerted on the piston, thereby relieving some of stress applied to the head region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston for use in a swashplate type compressor. The piston includes a void in the exterior surface of the head region that is positioned at a distance from a region that receives a side load during operation of the compressor. In preferred embodiments, the void comprises a helical groove that extends along a path parallel to the region receiving the side load, and a recess or depression positioned adjacent the region receiving the side load.