Abstract: A refrigeration system with two or more compressors configured to compress a flow of refrigerant with oil entrained therein. A suction flow piping arrangement is configured to supply a flow of refrigerant and oil to the two or more compressors. The suction flow piping arrangement has a suction header configured to carry the flow of refrigerant and oil, and a primary compressor supply conduit connected to the suction header. The primary compressor supply conduit supplies refrigerant and oil to a first compressor of the two or more compressors. A secondary compressor supply conduit branches off from the suction header. The secondary compressor supply conduit supplies refrigerant to a second compressor of the two or more compressors. The primary compressor supply conduit is configured to supply more oil to the first compressor than the secondary compressor supply conduit supplies to the second compressor.

Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration system uses a plurality of compressors in connected parallel. The method includes returning refrigerant and oil to the compressors, the refrigerant also having oil entrained therein, separating the oil entrained in the refrigerant, and returning more of the oil entrained in the refrigerant to a lead compressor of the plurality of compressors regardless of whether the lead compressor is operating. The method also includes connecting the oil sumps of all of the plurality of compressors such that oil is supplied from the lead compressor to at least one non-lead compressor of the plurality of compressors when the at least one non-lead compressor is operating.

Abstract: A scroll compressor with unfastened thrust plate includes a compressor housing and scroll compressor bodies disposed in the compressor housing. The scroll bodies include a fixed scroll body and a moveable scroll body. The fixed and moveable scroll bodies have respective bases and respective scroll ribs that project from the respective bases. The scroll ribs mutually engage. The moveable scroll body is movable relative to the fixed scroll body for compressing fluid. An upper bearing member provides axial thrust support to the moveable scroll compressor body through a bearing support via an unfastened thrust plate that is located between the upper bearing member and the moveable scroll body. The unfastened thrust plate has no means of attachment to the upper bearing member or to the moveable scroll body.

Abstract: A counterweight mounted to a drive shaft in a scroll compressor is provided. The drive shaft has a central annular segment generally concentric about the central axis and an eccentric annular segment offset from the central axis that can be used for driving the movable scroll compressor body. A counterweight engages the eccentric and also engages the annular segment for location and mounting of the counterweight to the shaft.

Abstract: A refrigeration system with two or more compressors configured to compress a flow of refrigerant with oil entrained therein. A suction flow piping arrangement is configured to supply a flow of refrigerant and oil to the two or more compressors. The suction flow piping arrangement has a suction header configured to carry the flow of refrigerant and oil, and a primary compressor supply conduit connected to the suction header. The primary compressor supply conduit supplies refrigerant and oil to a first compressor of the two or more compressors. A secondary compressor supply conduit branches off from the suction header. The secondary compressor supply conduit supplies refrigerant to a second compressor of the two or more compressors. The primary compressor supply conduit is configured to supply more oil to the first compressor than the secondary compressor supply conduit supplies to the second compressor.

Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration system uses a plurality of compressors in connected parallel. The method includes returning refrigerant and oil to the compressors, the refrigerant also having oil entrained therein, separating the oil entrained in the refrigerant, and returning more of the oil entrained in the refrigerant to a lead compressor of the plurality of compressors regardless of whether the lead compressor is operating. The method also includes connecting the oil sumps of all of the plurality of compressors such that oil is supplied from the lead compressor to at least one non-lead compressor of the plurality of compressors when the at least one non-lead compressor is operating.

Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank receiver disposed in the refrigerant circuit intermediate the refrigerant cooling heat exchanger and the refrigerant heating heat exchanger. The flash tank receiver, which receives a liquid/vapor refrigerant mix, also functions as a receiver. A refrigerant charge control apparatus includes at least one sensor for sensing an operating characteristic of the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant compression device, and a controller operative to selectively adjust a secondary expansion device to increase or decrease the flow of refrigerant passing into the flash tank receiver to provide a circulating refrigerant charge consistent with maintaining a desired system operating characteristic.

Abstract: A refrigeration system (20A) comprises an evaporator (27), a two-stage compressor (32) for compressing a refrigerant, a second compressor (34) for compressing the refrigerant, a heat rejecting heat exchanger (24) for cooling the refrigerant, a first economizer circuit (25A), and a second economizer circuit (25B). The first economizer circuit (25A) is configured to inject refrigerant into an interstage port (48) of the two-stage compressor (32). The second economizer circuit (25B) is connected to the second compressor (34).

Abstract: A refrigeration system (20A) comprises an evaporator (27) for evaporating a refrigerant, a two-stage compressor (32) for compressing the refrigerant, a single-stage compressor (34) for compressing the refrigerant, a heat rejecting heat exchanger (24) for cooling the refrigerant, a first economizer circuit (25A), and a second economizer circuit (25B). The first economizer circuit (25A) is configured to inject refrigerant into an interstage port (48) of the two-stage compressor (32). The second economizer circuit (25B) is configured to inject refrigerant into a suction port (52) of the single-stage compressor (34). The single-stage compressor (34) is configured to discharge into the interstage port (48) of the two-stage compressor (32).

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor. A heat rejection heat exchanger is downstream of the compressor along a refrigerant primary flowpath. An expansion device is downstream of the heat rejection heat exchanger along the primary flowpath. A heat absorption heat exchanger is downstream of the expansion device along the primary flowpath. An economizer heat exchanger is between the heat rejection heat exchanger and the expansion device along the primary flowpath. The economizer heat exchanger includes a first portion configured to provide heat transfer from the primary flowpath to a first economizer flowpath. The economizer heat exchanger includes a second portion configured to provide heat transfer from the primary flowpath to a second economizer flowpath.

Abstract: A method for controlling temperature pulldown of an enclosure with a refrigeration system having a compressor, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an evaporator comprises circulating a refrigerant through the refrigeration system, sensing a parameter of the enclosure, determining a desired evaporator pressure based upon the parameter sensed, and adjusting the expansion valve as a function of the desired evaporator pressure.

Abstract: A refrigeration system (20A) comprises an evaporator (27), a plurality of compressors (32, 34, 35) for compressing a refrigerant, a heat rejecting heat exchanger (24) for cooling the refrigerant, and a plurality of economizer heat exchangers (28A, 28B). Each of the economizer heat exchangers (28A, 28B) is configured to inject a portion of the refrigerant into a suction port (52, 56) of one of the compressors (34, 35).

Abstract: A scroll compressor build assembly is provided. An outer housing includes multiple shell sections that interfit to provide internal steps that provide seating surfaces. One or both bearing members can use the internal seats. The outer housing may comprise three shells that telescopically interfit and that can be welded with circumferential welds.

Abstract: A counterweight mounted to a drive shaft in a scroll compressor is provided. The drive shaft has a central annular segment generally concentric about the central axis and an eccentric annular segment offset from the central axis that can be used for driving the movable scroll compressor body. A counterweight engages the eccentric and also engages the annular segment for location and mounting of the counterweight to the shaft.

Abstract: A scroll compressor for compressing fluid has a common terminal block for electrical hook-ups. The compressor includes a compressor section; a drive unit operative to drive the compressor section for compressing fluid; a protection module; and a power connector for connecting electrical power to the drive unit to facilitate operation of the scroll compressor bodies. The common terminal block provides for connection to the protection module and the power connector for the compressor.

Abstract: A compressor has a housing. A crank is carried by the housing for rotation about a crank axis. A cylinder is defined within the housing and has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is smaller in transverse cross-sectional area than is the proximal portion. A piston is held within the housing for reciprocal movement at least partially within the cylinder. The piston also has a distal portion smaller in transverse cross-sectional area than a proximal portion. A connecting rod is pivotally coupled to the crank for relative rotation about a proximal axis and to the piston for relative rotation about a distal axis. A first compression chamber exists in the cylinder distal portion beyond the end of the piston. A second compression chamber exists in the cylinder proximal portion beyond a piston shoulder. The first and second compression chambers are non-series and non-parallel.

Abstract: A counterweight mounted to a drive shaft in a scroll compressor is provided. The drive shaft has a central annular segment generally concentric about the central axis and an eccentric annular segment offset from the central axis that can be used for driving the movable scroll compressor body. A counterweight engages the eccentric and also engages the annular segment for location and mounting of the counterweight to the shaft.

Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank receiver disposed in the refrigerant circuit intermediate the refrigerant cooling heat exchanger and the refrigerant heating heat exchanger. The flash tank receiver, which receives a liquid/vapor refrigerant mix, also functions as a receiver. A refrigerant charge control apparatus includes at least one sensor for sensing an operating characteristic of the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant compression device, and a controller operative to selectively adjust a secondary expansion device to increase or decrease the flow of refrigerant passing into the flash tank receiver to provide a circulating refrigerant charge consistent with maintaining a desired system operating characteristic.

Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank receiver disposed in the refrigerant circuit intermediate the refrigerant cooling heat exchanger and the refrigerant heating heat exchanger. The flash tank receiver, which receives a liquid/vapor refrigerant mix, also functions as a receiver. A refrigerant charge control apparatus includes a liquid level sensing device disposed in operative association with the flash tank receiver for sensing the level of liquid refrigerant within the flash tank receiver, at least one sensor for sensing a system operating parameter, and a controller operative to determine a desired liquid refrigerant level within the flash tank receiver and to selectively adjust a secondary expansion device to increase or decrease the flow of refrigerant passing into the flash tank receiver to provide a circulating refrigerant charge consistent with maintaining a desired system operating parameter.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes an oil separation region generally formed between the motor housing and upper bearing member. A long labyrinth channel is provided with the suction refrigerant gas flow path being redirected to facilitate coalescing of oil mist droplets out of the gas stream. An integral deflector plate can be provided on the upper bearing member to interrupt flow and facilitate coalescing of oil. Additionally, offset arrangements between motor housing outlet ports and through ports through the bearing member are provided to facilitate redirection of the refrigerant flow that can further achieve oil separation.