Abstract: A system is provided and includes a compressor. The compressor further includes a diffuser frame, a gas or oil actuator and a drive system. The diffuser frame defines a first channel through which compressed fluids are flowable, a second channel intersecting the first channel and a third channel extending from the second channel. The gas or oil actuator includes a piston and a head integrally coupled to the piston. The head and the piston are disposable in the second and third channels, respectively. The piston is movable in forward or reverse directions through the third channel such that the head is movable through the second channel and into or out of the first channel, respectively. The drive system is at least partially disposable in the third channel and configured to drive forward and rearward movements of the piston.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor and a method of operating a centrifugal compressor. The centrifugal compressor includes: an impeller configured to suction a gas to be compressed; a diffuser disposed downstream of the impeller to pressurize the gas, the diffuser comprising a movable ring, a main passage in which the gas flows past the ring, and an openable branch passage; and a circulation loop comprising an inlet and an outlet, the outlet being in communication with an inlet of the impeller; the branch passage is disposed to be in communication with the main passage and the circulation loop when the ring moves into the main passage so that a portion of the gas in the main passage passes through the circulation loop and returns to the impeller so as to be suctioned, and to be closed when the ring is withdrawn from the main passage.

Abstract: A ported shroud (60) for use in a compressor includes a body having a first end (42) and a second opposite end (46). The body is disposed concentrically about an axial passageway (50) and includes an inlet (40) for receiving a fluid flow formed adjacent the first end (42) and an outlet port (70) for discharging the fluid flow formed adjacent the second end (46). A toroidal volute (74) is disposed within the interior of the body and fluidly couples the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A vapor compression system comprises a compressor (22). The compressor comprises an inlet (40) and an outlet (42) and an electric motor (28). The motor has a stator (30) and a rotor (32). A plurality of bearings (36) support the rotor. A fluid flowpath (126) extends to the plurality of bearings. A branch (310) from the fluid flowpath extends to the compressor. A liquid sensor (330) is along the branch.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor includes a casing. An impeller is arranged within the casing. The impeller is rotatable about an axis. A diffuser section is arranged within the casing. The diffuser section is positioned axially downstream from an outlet of the impeller and includes a forward portion fixed relative to the impeller and an aft portion distinct from the forward portion.

Abstract: A compressor (22) comprises: a housing (50); a shaft (70); a plurality of bearings (66, 67, 68, 74, 76) mounting the shaft to the housing for relative rotation about an axis (500); and a motor (52). The motor has: a rotor (64) mounted on the shaft; and a stator (62). A first impeller (54A) is mounted the shaft to a first side of the motor. A second impeller (54B) is mounted the shaft to a second side of the motor. The first impeller is an open impeller and the second impeller is a shrouded impeller.

Abstract: A vapor compression system (20, 400, 420, 440, 460, 480) has: a compressor (22) having a suction port (40) and a discharge port (42); a heat rejection heat exchanger (58) coupled to the discharge port to receive compressed refrigerant; a heat absorption heat exchanger (88); a first lubricant flowpath (120, 126; 120) from the heat rejection heat exchanger to the compressor; a second lubricant flowpath (121, 126; 121) from the heat absorption heat exchanger to the compressor; at least one lubricant pump (190; 190, 191); at least one liquid level sensor (180, 181; 180, 181, 330); and a controller (900) configured to control lubricant flow along the first lubricant flowpath and the second lubricant flowpath based on output of the at least one liquid level sensor.

Abstract: System includes a compressor having a compressor suction port and a compressor discharge port; a heat rejection heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the compressor discharge port; an expansion device fluidly coupled to an outlet of the heat rejection heat exchanger; a heat absorption heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the expansion device; a hot gas bypass line fluidly coupled to the compressor discharge port; an ejector comprising a motive port fluidly coupled to the hot gas bypass line, a suction port fluidly coupled to an outlet of the heat absorption heat exchanger and a discharge port fluidly coupled to the compressor suction port; a hot gas bypass valve positioned between the compressor discharge port and the motive port of the ejector; a flow control valve fluidly coupled to the outlet of the heat absorption heat exchanger, and fluidly coupled to the suction port of the ejector and the compressor suction port.

Abstract: A vapor compression system includes a compressor that has a suction port and a discharge port. A heat rejection heat exchanger is coupled to the discharge port to receive compressed refrigerant. A heat absorption heat exchanger is coupled to the suction port. A lubricant flowpath goes from the heat absorption heat exchanger to the compressor. A side channel pump is located in the lubricant flowpath.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a compressor includes at least one impeller. At least one seal land is associated with the impeller including a plurality of radially stepped surfaces. A seal is associated with each of at least one seal lands. The seal includes a plurality of radially stepped projections corresponding to the plurality of radially stepped surfaces on at least one seal land. At least one actuator is configured to move at least one seal land relative to the seal.

Abstract: A diffuser for a centrifugal compressor and a centrifugal compressor having the same. The diffuser (100) comprises a drive component (110), a transmission assembly (120), an adjustment assembly (130), a spool valve assembly (140) and a rear wall (150); wherein the transmission assembly is used for transmitting power produced by the drive component to the adjustment assembly, the adjustment assembly is capable of circumferentially reciprocating with respect to the rear wall and driving the spool valve assembly to reciprocate axially; and wherein a rolling element (160) is provided between the adjustment assembly and the rear wall. Intervention of a mechanism for adjusting a flow passage width is better achieved by such an arrangement in combination with an existing configuration of the diffuser; and a low-friction fit between the adjustment assembly and the rear wall is achieved by the rolling element.

Abstract: A vapor compression system (20) has: a centrifugal compressor (22) having an inlet (40) and an outlet (42); and an electric motor (28) having a stator (30) and a rotor (32). A plurality of bearings (36) support the rotor. A refrigerant charge comprises a base refrigerant and one or more oils. The one or more oils are present at a total concentration of 80-5000 parts per million (ppm) by weight.

Abstract: A bearing (20; 150; 152) comprises: an inner race (26); an outer race (28); and a plurality of rolling elements (30). The inner race comprises a nitrogen-alloyed steel (40). The outer race comprises a steel (42) with lower nitrogen content than said nitrogen-alloyed steel.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor includes a shaft defining an axis, an impeller mounted to the shaft for rotation about the axis, and a diffuser section including a first wall, a second wall, and an opening defined between the first wall and the second wall. The opening of the diffuser section is arranged in fluid communication with the impeller. The first wall is rotatable about the axis and rotation of the first wall about the axis is mechanically driven.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor (20) comprises: a housing (26); an impeller (34) having an axial inlet (70) and a radial outlet (72); a diffuser (82); and a control ring (90) mounted for shifting between an inserted position and a retracted position. The control ring comprises means (150, 160, 162, 166) for absorbing pulsations.

Abstract: A system (20; 300) comprises: a vapor compression loop (38; 338); a low-pressure or medium-pressure refrigerant in the loop; a centrifugal compressor (42) along the vapor compression loop and comprising: a housing (120); an inlet (44); an outlet (46); an impeller (140); an electric motor (122) coupled to the impeller to drive rotation of the impeller; and one or more refrigerant-lubricated bearings (130, 132).

Abstract: A lubrication additive recovery system is provided for use with a vapor compression system. The vapor compression system includes a compressor having a bearing, a condenser and an evaporator. The lubrication additive recovery system includes a lubrication ring formed to define first and second through-holes, a first system by which a portion of a required supply of lubrication is drawn from the condenser and provided to the bearing through the first through-holes and a second system by which a remainder of the required supply of lubrication is recovered from the evaporator and provided along with compressor discharge gas to the bearing through the second through-holes.

Abstract: A compressor (22) has a housing assembly (40) with a suction port (24), a discharge port (26), and a motor compartment (60). An electric motor (42) has a stator (62) within the motor compartment and a rotor (64) within the stator. The rotor is mounted for rotation about a rotor axis (500). One or more working elements (44) are coupled to the rotor to be driven by the rotor in at least a first condition so as to draw fluid in through the suction port and discharge the fluid from the discharge port. A gap (80) is between the rotor and stator. The gap is isolated (140, 142) from an outer portion (144) of the motor compartment. The outer portion is exposed to the stator. One or more passages (150) are positioned to draw fluid from the gap in the first condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a seal assembly for use in a centrifugal compressor and a centrifugal compressor having same. The centrifugal compressor comprises an impeller and a housing, wherein the impeller comprises a gimbal, provided on the back of the impeller, having an inner diameter and an outer diameter; and the seal assembly for use in a centrifugal compressor comprises a sealing section, the sealing section comprising a sealing tooth formed on the impeller and a sealing ring provided on the housing, wherein an elastic part is provided on a contact surface of the sealing ring with the sealing tooth. According to the seal assembly of the present invention, the sealing clearance between the sealing ring and the sealing tooth is effectively reduced by way of multiple sets of sealing sections and the elastic parts provided therebetween.

Abstract: A screw compressor (12) includes a casing (20) having a suction port and a discharge port, a male rotor (28) rotatable relative to said casing about a first axis (A), a female rotor (30) rotatable relative to said casing about a second axis (B), and a magnetic gear system including a first magnetic gear (60) associated with said male rotor and a second magnetic gear (62) associated with said female rotor. The first magnetic gear and the second magnetic gear are positioned such that a magnetic field of said first magnetic gear interacts with said second magnetic gear to drive rotation of said female rotor about said second axis.