Abstract: A bypass line assembly comprising a bypass line for transporting a gas in a flow direction, a bypass valve located at a position along the bypass line, and a manual throttle valve located upstream from the bypass valve, the manual throttle valve comprising a throttle valve ball comprising a pressure release passage.

Abstract: A float bell for use in a condenser comprising a center sleeve extending along a centerline comprising a first and second perimeter, an outer sleeve comprising a first and second perimeter encompassing the center sleeve, a top in contact with the second perimeter of the outer sleeve and the second perimeter of the center sleeve, and a plurality of stiffeners extending between the center sleeve and the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A baffle for use in a refrigerator apparatus comprises a baffle plate comprising a first and a second opposing sides attached to an inner surface of the refrigerator apparatus, a baffle seal plate attached along a third side of the baffle plate, the baffle plate seal plate attached to the inner surface of the refrigerator apparatus.

Abstract: A float bell for use in a condenser comprising a center sleeve extending along a centerline comprising a first and second perimeter, an outer sleeve comprising a first and second perimeter encompassing the center sleeve, a top in contact with the second perimeter of the outer sleeve and the second perimeter of the center sleeve, and a plurality of stiffeners extending between the center sleeve and the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A vaned diffuser for a centrifugal compressor has provision for selectively adjusting the pitch of the vanes in order to accommodate variable load conditions. Each of the vanes is rotatable about a pivot pin near its leading edge and is engaged with an actuation member near its trailing edge. The actuation members are attached to a common ring which can be selectively rotated to move to the vanes in unison. The ring is supported by rollers at its outer periphery and is positioned at the outer periphery of a diffuser wall such that there is no forward facing step projecting into the flow stream. A throat is defined between adjacent vanes, and the pivot pin for each vane is located downstream of the throat on the pressure side of the vane to reduce turbulence in the flow at the throat.

Abstract: A vaned diffuser for a centrifugal compressor has provision for selectively adjusting the pitch of the vanes in order to accommodate variable load conditions. Each of the vanes is rotatable about a pivot pin near its leading edge and is engaged with an actuation member near its trailing edge. The actuation members are attached to a common ring which can be selectively rotated to move to the vanes in unison. The ring is supported by rollers at its outer periphery and is positioned at the outer periphery of a diffuser wall such that there is no forward facing step projecting into the flow stream. A throat is defined between adjacent vanes, and the pivot pin for each vane is located downstream of the throat on the pressure side of the vane to reduce turbulence in the flow at the throat.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor that includes a low speed shaft connected to a drive motor and a high speed shaft containing an impeller. The high speed shaft is coupled to the low speed shaft by a gear train. The low speed shaft is supported by hydrodynamic, oil lubricated, bearings while the high speed shaft is supported by roller and ball bearings. Any vibrational stresses developed in the high speed shaft are dampened by the low shaft system through the gear train coupling.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor that includes a low speed shaft connected to a drive motor and a high speed shaft containing an impeller. The high speed shaft is coupled to the low speed shaft by a gear train. The low speed shaft is supported by hydrodynamic, oil lubricated, bearings while the high speed shaft is supported by roller and ball bearings. Any vibrational stresses developed in the high speed shaft are dampened by the low shaft system through the gear train coupling.

Abstract: An annular radially disposed split ring diffuser for a centrifugal compressor includes an inner ring and an outer ring. A drive positioning mechanism includes a pinion gear on a pinion axle driven by an actuator. A rack gear is mounted to the inner ring and adapted to engage in meshing arrangement with the pinion gear. The actuator is operable to position the inner ring between a fully open position and a partially closed position with respect to the outer ring. A travel limiter is provided to positively limit the travel of the inner ring at the fully open and the partially closed positions. A compliant mechanical stop on a side of the rack gear touches an outer ring stop on the outer ring when the inner ring is in the fully open position to prevent the gear teeth from being stripped by the actuator torque output.

Abstract: A vaned diffuser for a centrifugal compressor has provision for selectively adjusting the pitch of the vanes in order to accommodate variable load conditions. Each of the vanes is rotatable about a pivot pin near its leading edge and is engaged with an actuation member near its trailing edge. The actuation members are attached to a common ring which can be selectively rotated to move to the vanes in unison. The ring is supported by rollers at its outer periphery and is positioned at the outer periphery of a diffuser wall such that there is no forward facing step projecting into the flow stream.

Abstract: An annular radially disposed split ring diffuser for a centrifugal compressor includes an inner ring and an outer ring. A drive positioning mechanism includes a pinion gear on a pinion axle driven by an actuator. A rack gear is mounted to the inner ring and adapted to engage in meshing arrangement with the pinion gear. The actuator is operable to position the inner ring between a fully open position and a partially closed position with respect to the outer ring. A travel limiter is provided to positively limit the travel of the inner ring at the fully open and the partially closed positions. A compliant mechanical stop on a side of the rack gear touches an outer ring stop on the outer ring when the inner ring is in the fully open position to prevent the gear teeth from being stripped by the actuator torque output.

Abstract: A diffuser for a centrifugal compressor includes an inner ring and an outer ring. An actuator drives a pinion gear which interfaces with a rack gear which is mounted to the inner ring. The actuator is operable to position the inner ring between a fully open position and a partially closed position with respect to the outer ring. In the fully open position, the rack gear is offset from an outer ring stop a distance equivalent to five degrees of actuator movement. The control logic of the actuator is modified so that the open position of the actuator moves the pinion gear so that the rack gear stops at or near the offset distance, leaving five degrees as the margin for error. Any overtravel by the actuator does not cause the rack gear to impact the outer ring stop, thus avoiding possible stall of the actuator.

Abstract: A screw compressor having balanced axial thrust includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a rotor disposed in the housing for receiving low pressure fluid from the inlet and discharging increased pressure fluid from the outlet, the rotor having a discharge end and a motor end; a balance piston arranged to exert a balancing force on the motor end of the rotor; and a conduit for conveying a high pressure fluid to the balance piston so as to exert the balancing force.

Abstract: A vaned diffuser for a centrifugal compressor has provision for selectively adjusting the pitch of the vanes in order to accommodate variable load conditions. Each of the vanes is rotatable about a pivot pin near its leading edge and is engaged with an actuation member near its trailing edge. The actuation members are attached to a common ring which can be selectively rotated to move to the vanes in unison. The ring is supported by rollers at its outer periphery and is positioned at the outer periphery of a diffuser wall such that there is no forward facing step projecting into the flow stream.

Abstract: A screw compressor having balanced axial thrust includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a rotor disposed in the housing for receiving low pressure fluid from the inlet and discharging increased pressure fluid from the outlet, the rotor having a discharge end and a motor end; a balance piston arranged to exert a balancing force on the motor end of the rotor; and a conduit for conveying a high pressure fluid to the balance piston so as to exert the balancing force.

Abstract: Related components of a refrigeration system are cooled by refrigerant drawn from the system condenser by a pump which serves to raise the pressure of the condensate and move the condensate through the system related component. The condensate is reduced to a vapor as it absorbs parasitic heat losses in the components and is returned to the condenser where the parasitic heat losses are carried out of the system by the condenser coolant so that the system performance is not adversely effected.

Abstract: Lubrication supply to the rotors of a variable speed screw compressor is optimized for full load and a supplemental supply path is provided which is opened during low speed operation.

Abstract: A composite roller for use in a variable pipe diffuser having inner and outer rings. The composite roller bearing rotatably mountable to a shaft comprising a cylindrical metal body having an external surface, an internal bore, and a pair of thrust washers having an internal bore mounted to each end.

Abstract: A fluid passage extends through the compressor casing from a point near the tip of the impeller to a transducer located externally of the compressor casing. Responsive to fluctuations of pressure sensed by the transducer indicative of rotating stall, the compressor is controlled by varying the diffuser or shutting down the compressor, as is appropriate.

Abstract: A ring support system for use in a variable pipe diffuser. The ring support mechanism includes at least three axle shafts and at least three roller bearings rotatably mounted to the axle shafts, an inner ring having a groove disposed in the outside diameter, and an outer ring having a corresponding groove disposed in the inside diameter. The at least three axle shafts are circumferentially mounted in the outer ring such that the rollers are positioned partially within the groove of the outer cylinder such that the roller bearings define a diameter nearly equal to the outside diameter of the inner ring. The inner ring is positioned within the at least three roller bearings such that the at least three roller bearings are in axial sliding contact with the groove of the inner ring and in rolling contact with the groove of the inner ring. The ring support system provides rotational and axial support of the inner ring.