Abstract: An apparatus for separating an oil from a refrigerant has a housing, an inlet conduit for receiving a refrigerant/oil mixture, a separator medium, a refrigerant outlet conduit, and an oil outlet conduit. The inlet conduit has an inlet external to the housing and an outlet within the housing and provides means for limiting external sounds transmitted by the housing.

Abstract: A compressor has a housing. One or more working elements cooperate with the housing to define a compression path between suction and discharge locations. An intermediate port is located along the compression path. A branch path extends to the intermediate port. The compressor includes means for limiting pressure pulsations along the branch path.

Abstract: To counter downstream oil infiltration through a shaft seal, a small portion of the compressed fluid is diverted from downstream to upstream through a passageway in a rotor. The diverted fluid is introduced to a space at a downstream side of the seal. An exemplary implementation is in a compressor having a central male rotor intermeshed with a pair of female rotors. The seal is located at an upstream (inlet) end of the lobed working portion of the male rotor.

Abstract: A lubricant still for use in a compressor for separating oil from refrigerant, includes a vessel having an inlet for incoming oil laden refrigerant, an outlet for gaseous refrigerant, and an outlet for refrigerant laden oil. A separating structure is provided for separating transitioning oil laden refrigerant from the incoming oil-laden refrigerant, wherein the oil laden refrigerant progressively changes to the refrigerant laden oil closer to the outlet for refrigerant laden oil. A heating device is used for heating the incoming oil laden refrigerant and transitioning oil laden refrigerant, for facilitating the formation of the gaseous refrigerant and the refrigerant laden oil.

Abstract: To counter downstream oil infiltration through a shaft seal, a small portion of the compressed fluid is diverted from downstream to upstream through a passageway in a rotor. The diverted fluid is introduced to a space at a downstream side of the seal. An exemplary implementation is in a compressor having a central male rotor intermeshed with a pair of female rotors. The seal is located at an upstream (inlet) end of the lobed working portion of the male rotor.

Abstract: A lubricant still for use in a compressor for separating oil from refrigerant, includes a vessel having an inlet for incoming oil laden refrigerant, an outlet for gaseous refrigerant, and an outlet for refrigerant laden oil. A separating structure is provided for separating transitioning oil laden refrigerant from the incoming oil-laden refrigerant, wherein the oil laden refrigerant progressively changes to the refrigerant laden oil closer to the outlet for refrigerant laden oil. A heating device is used for heating the incoming oil laden refrigerant and transitioning oil laden refrigerant, for facilitating the formation of the gaseous refrigerant and the refrigerant laden oil.

Abstract: At or just prior to shut-down, or at least prior to a significant pressure equalization in a refrigeration system, a vessel containing pressurized oil or a pressurized oil-rich oil-refrigerant solution, possibly in combination with some refrigerant gas is isolated from the rest of the refrigeration system and is then maintained in a pressurized state while the refrigeration system is not operating. Preliminary to start up of the refrigeration system, the pressurized oil and refrigerant gas or oil-rich oil-refrigerant solution, is placed in fluid communication with bearings and any other components requiring pre-start lubrication. Pre-start lubrication then results as oil flows to bearings and possibly other components due to the pressure difference between the vessel containing oil and the regions to be lubricated.

Abstract: A scroll compressor (10) is disclosed which incorporates, in the first embodiment, a floating seal (50) having an inner face seal (52) and an outer face seal (54). The floating seal also has inner and outer diametric seals (58, 60) to seal against the walls of a recess (41) in the crankcase (36). The axial thickness of the floating seal exceeds the depth of the recess. As the scroll compressor undergoes start-up, the orbiting scroll element (14) is forced against the face seals (52, 54) to create a sealed chamber (40). Intermediate pressure from a compression pocket between the scroll elements pressurizes chamber (40) defined between the seals to force the orbiting scroll element (14) into engagement with the fixed scroll element (12). In a second embodiment, a floating seal (80) uses actuator piston (88) which is urged into continuous sealing contact with the orbiting scroll element (14) by an actuator spring (92) to create a sealed chamber.

Abstract: A unique valve assembly is disclosed which has particular utility in scroll compressors. The valve assembly includes a relatively thin valve plate formed of reed valve steel. The valve plate is less than 0.05 inch, and is elastically deformable upon application of fluid pressure. Thus, the pressure fluid in a chamber formed above the valve plate deforms the valve plate to conform to the valve seat. In embodiments a clip holds the valve plate on the valve seat. The clip provides a stop surface for the valve seat, and is also formed of thin resilient steel. Thus, when the valve plate is driven to its open position, the steel valve plate contacts the steel clip such that there is a spring back effect in response to rapid movement of the valve plate to its open position.

Abstract: The lowest metering port in the suction feed pipe of an accumulator is located such that a residual liquid storage volume is created which is at least 20% of the total volume available for liquid storage without overflowing into the suction feed pipe.

Abstract: In a scroll compressor, under conditions favoring reverse operation, the scroll wraps are separated so as to provide a continuous, unimpeded path through the scrolls. Spring bias, a repositioning of driving contact areas and/or force areas can be used singly or in combination to cause separation of the wraps.

Abstract: In a scroll compressor, under conditions favoring reverse operation, the scroll wraps are separated so as to provide a continuous, unimpeded path through the scrolls. Spring bias, a repositioning of driving contact areas and/or force areas can be used singly or in combination to cause separation of the wraps.