Abstract: A variable displacement swash plate type compressor which incorporates a conduit formed in the cylinder block to provide fluid communication between a crank chamber and one or more cylinders to eliminate the need for an orifice tube in fluid communication between a discharge chamber and the crank chamber and to increase the flow of refrigerant gas and lubricating oil to the crank chamber under all operating conditions and to increase the internal fluid pressure in the crank chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oil separator for separating oil from a gaseous medium discharged by a compressor. The oil separator includes an inlet for communication with the discharge outlet of a compressor, and first and second outlets. The first outlet allows separated refrigerant to escape the oil separator, and the second outlet allows separated oil to escape the oil separator. A tortuous path lies between the inlet and a first outlet, and is comprised of one or more enlarged regions and one or more narrow regions that are angularly situated with each other. The walls of the tortuous path provide surfaces on which the oil contained within the gaseous medium can be impinged, and thereby separated from the gaseous medium. The oil separator may also include a collection chamber and drainage pathways that communicate with the tortuous path. The oil separator can be a separate body that is attached to a compressor, or may be integrally formed by a housing of a compressor.

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.

Abstract: An oil separator comprising a cylindrical portion, an inlet for incoming gas/oil mixture, an outlet for separated gas, a lower portion, and an outlet for separated oil is provided. The lower portion decreases in diameter as it proceeds from top to bottom, thereby providing for an increase in centrifugal force within the oil separator and greater separation of oil.

Abstract: A variable displacement swash plate type compressor which incorporates a lubrication passage formed in the drive shaft, wherein the lubrication passage provides fluid communication between a discharge chamber and a crank chamber. The lubrication passage maximizes the low of refrigerant gas and lubricating oil to the crank chamber under all operating conditions providing cooling and lubrication to the internal moving components in the crank chamber. The lubrication passage facilitates the efficient flow of lubricating oil from the discharge chamber to the crank chamber.

Abstract: A variable displacement swash plate type compressor which incorporates a conduit formed in the cylinder block to provide fluid communication between a crank chamber and one or more cylinders to eliminate the need for an orifice tube in fluid communication between a discharge chamber and the crank chamber and to increase the flow of refrigerant gas and lubricating oil to the crank chamber under all operating conditions and to increase the internal fluid pressure in the crank chamber.

Abstract: A variable swash plate compressor (10), including a housing (12), a top inlet (14A), a bottom inlet (14B), a pumping chamber (16), a compression piston (18), a top outlet (20A), a bottom outlet (20B), a drive shaft (22), a control surface element (24), a pinnacle element (26), a swash plate (28), a bore (30) and a pocket (32) formed in the swash plate (28), a pivot element tip (38) and fulcrum piston assembly (40). Wherein the angle of the swash plate (28) relative to the drive shaft (22) is varied to bring about a larger or smaller travel path of the double-sided compression piston (18) and thereby increasing or decreasing the output capacity of the variable swash plate compressor (10).

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch (10) for an air conditioning compressor includes a generally cylindrical pulley (11) rotatably mounted on a compressor housing (16) and having an annular friction surface (21b), a driven member (12) mounted on a compressor shaft (13) and having an annular friction surface (21a) positioned radially adjacent the first friction surface to form an annular space (21c) therebetween. A quantity of flowable magnetic material (27) is provided in the annular space (21c) and a magnetic coil (34) is fixed on the housing adjacent thereto. A control (40,46,46′) connected to the magnetic coil (34) supplies electrical power from a power supply (47) to energize the magnetic coil and create magnetic flux in the annular space (21c) polarizing the magnetic material and frictionally coupling the first and second friction surfaces (21a,21b) to cause the pulley (11) to rotate the driven member (12).

Abstract: A variable swash plate compressor (10), including a housing (12), a top inlet (14A), a bottom inlet (14B) , a pumping chamber (16), a compression piston (18), a top outlet (20A), a bottom outlet (20B) , a drive shaft (22) , a control surface element (24), a pinnacle element (26), a swash plate (28), a bore (30) and a pocket (32) formed in the swash plate (28), a pivot element tip (38) and fulcrum piston assembly (40). Wherein the angle of the swash plate (28) relative to the drive shaft (22) is varied to bring about a larger or smaller travel path of the compression piston (18) and thereby increasing or decreasing the output capacity of the variable swash plate compressor (10).