Abstract: Disclosed is a direct-drive refrigerant screw compressor, having: a housing; a compression chamber in the housing; a pair of rotors, each rotor of the pair of rotors being rotationally disposed in the compression chamber and including an outer surface with a screw-geared profile; wherein, for each rotor, the compressor includes: a plurality of bearing packs disposed within a respective plurality of bearing chambers; a working fluid disposed within each of the plurality of bearing chambers, the working fluid providing oil-free lubrication to the plurality of bearing packs; a plurality of bearing lubrication ports extending through the housing and into each of the plurality of bearing chambers, and configured for injecting the working fluid into each of the plurality of bearing chambers when the compressor is running.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for cooling the refrigerant, an evaporator for heating the refrigerant, and a lubrication system for providing a lubricant mist to a movable component of the compressor. The lubrication system includes an ejector arranged in fluid communication with the compressor and the evaporator, wherein the lubricant mist is carried by the refrigerant to the movable component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a direct-drive refrigerant screw compressor, having: a housing; a compression chamber in the housing; a pair of rotors, each rotor of the pair of rotors being rotationally disposed in the compression chamber and including an outer surface with a screw-geared profile; a fluid being disposed in the compression chamber, the fluid consisting of a working fluid for providing lubrication to each rotor; a first port extending through the housing and configured for directing the fluid toward the compression chamber; and when the compressor is activated, each rotor rotates and the fluid is distributed about each rotor to lubricate each rotor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a direct-drive refrigerant screw compressor, having: a housing; a compression chamber in the housing; a pair of rotors, each rotor of the pair of rotors being rotationally disposed in the compression chamber and including an outer surface with a screw-geared profile; a fluid being disposed in the compression chamber, the fluid consisting of a working fluid for providing lubrication to each rotor; a first port extending through the housing and configured for directing the fluid toward the compression chamber; and when the compressor is activated, each rotor rotates and the fluid is distributed about each rotor to lubricate each rotor.

Abstract: A screw compressor includes an outlet housing. The outlet housing includes a passage that is configured to communicate compressed fluid from a screw rotor to a discharge. A removable cover plate is configured to cover a portion of the passage. A method of varying a volume index for a screw compressor is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a direct-drive refrigerant screw compressor, having: a housing; a compression chamber in the housing; a pair of rotors, each rotor of the pair of rotors being rotationally disposed in the compression chamber and including an outer surface with a screw-geared profile; wherein, for each rotor, the compressor includes: a plurality of bearing packs disposed within a respective plurality of bearing chambers; a working fluid disposed within each of the plurality of bearing chambers, the working fluid providing oil-free lubrication to the plurality of bearing packs; a plurality of bearing lubrication ports extending through the housing and into each of the plurality of bearing chambers, and configured for injecting the working fluid into each of the plurality of bearing chambers when the compressor is running.

Abstract: Disclosed is a direct-drive refrigerant screw compressor, having: a housing; a compression chamber in the housing; a pair of rotors, each rotor of the pair of rotors being rotationally disposed in the compression chamber and including an outer surface with a screw-geared profile; a fluid being disposed in the compression chamber, the fluid consisting of a working fluid for providing lubrication to each rotor; a first port extending through the housing and configured for directing the fluid toward the compression chamber; and when the compressor is activated, each rotor rotates and the fluid is distributed about each rotor to lubricate each rotor.

Abstract: A compressor assembly, a vapor compression system incorporating the same, and a method for operating the vapor compression system are provided. The compressor assembly includes a motor for driving a rotating shaft, a foil bearing for supporting the rotating shaft, a compression mechanism for increasing the pressure of a working fluid, a supply line in fluid communication with the compression mechanism, and a heating apparatus for heating the working fluid. The supply line is configured for injecting the working fluid (e.g., from downstream of the compression mechanism) toward the foil bearing. The method provides for the monitoring of the temperature of the working fluid. When the temperature of the working fluid is less than 3° F. of superheat it is heated prior to being injected toward the foil bearing. The heating of the working fluid prevents, or at least mitigates, liquid from being transferred to the foil bearing.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for cooling the refrigerant, an evaporator for heating the refrigerant, and a lubrication system for providing a lubricant mist to a movable component of the compressor. The lubrication system includes an ejector arranged in fluid communication with the compressor and the evaporator, wherein the lubricant mist is carried by the refrigerant to the movable component.

Abstract: In a screw compressor (20), a male rotor suction end bearing (96) and discharge end bearing (90 1, 90 2, 90 3) mount the male rotor suction end shaft portion (39) and discharge end shaft portion (40). A female rotor suction end bearing (98) and discharge end bearing (92 1, 92 2) mount the female rotor suction end shaft portion (41) and discharge end shaft portion (42). At least one valve (182; 282; 382 1,382 2,382 3; 82; 582-1,582-2; 682-1,682-2; 782-1,782-2) is along a lubricant flowpath and has an energized condition and a de-energized condition. At least one restriction (184; 84-1,84-2; 84-1, 84-2,84-3; 484 1,484-2,84-3; 84 1,84 2,584; 84-1,84-2,684; 84-1,84-2,784) is along the lubricant flowpath. The at least one valve and the at least one restriction are positioned to create a lubricant pressure difference biasing the rotors away from a discharge end of the case.

Abstract: In a screw compressor (20), a male rotor suction end bearing (96) and discharge end bearing (90 1, 90 2, 90 3) mount the male rotor suction end shaft portion (39) and discharge end shaft portion (40). A female rotor suction end bearing (98) and discharge end bearing (92 1, 92 2) mount the female rotor suction end shaft portion (41) and discharge end shaft portion (42). At least one valve (182; 282; 382 1,382 2,382 3; 82; 582-1,582-2; 682-1,682-2; 782-1,782-2) is along a lubricant flowpath and has an energized condition and a de-energized condition. At least one restriction (184; 84-1,84-2; 84-1, 84-2,84-3; 484 1,484-2,84-3; 84 1,84 2,584; 84-1,84-2,684; 84-1,84-2,784) is along the lubricant flowpath. The at least one valve and the at least one restriction are positioned to create a lubricant pressure difference biasing the rotors away from a discharge end of the case.