Miscellaneous Patents (Class 418/270)
  • Patent number: 6186753
    Abstract: A scroll compressor having an apparatus for minimizing oil leakage during reverse running is provided. The compressor includes a suction tube for allowing gas to enter the compressor housing. One oil minimizing apparatus is a check valve disposed at the suction tube having a spring normally biased against the inlet suction tube so as to prevent oil from exiting the suction tube during reverse running of the motor of the compressor. An alternative oil minimizing apparatus is an oil dam extending longitudinally above the suction tube on an inner surface of the compressor housing. The oil dam bends circumferentially with the inner surface for draining oil along the inner surface away from the suction tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventors: Jason J. Hugenroth, Thomas R. Barito
  • Patent number: 6179589
    Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a discharge valve assembly for blocking compressed refrigerant flow from the discharge chamber through the scroll members. This blocking of flow results in an increased performance for the scroll compressor by minimizing the recompression volume due to the configuration of the value assembly and thus the elimination of reverse rotation at shut down. The discharge valve assembly includes a valve seat, a disc shaped valve member, a retainer, a spring and a stop secured within a recess formed within the scroll member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Bass, Werner H. Prenger, Roy J. Doepker
  • Patent number: 6179588
    Abstract: A check valve device for a scroll machine is used to automatically maintain a unique flow direction of the working media. The check device is mounted on the neck of the non-orbiting scroll member of the scroll machine, in which the neck has an axle hole for defining a first passage for flowing the working media. The check valve includes a housing and a valve member. The housing has a through second passage, and couple with the neck in such a manner that a through passage is formed for connecting the first passage of the neck and the second passage of the housing. The valve member is located inside the second passage of the housing, and is formed as a plate with a pivot means to rotate along. While the scroll machine is in stop operation, the valve member is at a close position that the valve member can substantially block the flow of the working media inside the second passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Kun-I Liang, Ching-Feng Lai, Tse-Liang Hsiao, Ann Huang, Yu-Choung Chang, Chun-Chung Yang, Ching-Eeng Tsai
  • Patent number: 6171084
    Abstract: A compressor assembly includes a shell which defines a discharge chamber. A discharge valve assembly is attached to the shell in communication with the discharge chamber. The discharge valve assembly includes a stamped or coined valve seat, a drawn tubular element and a stamped valve member. The stamping, drawing and coining operations used to manufacture the discharge valve assembly significantly reduce the manufacturing costs for the discharge valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Frank S. Wallis, Walter T. Grassbaugh, William Christian Gates, Jeffrey L. Berning, Clyde C. Verhoff, Norman G. Beck
  • Patent number: 6164263
    Abstract: While most rotary engines use the principle of volume variation between a curve and a moving cord of fixed length, this new engine concept uses a four degrees of freedom X, Y, .theta., .PHI. rotor, confined inside an internal housing contour, and does not require a central shaft or support. The invention is an assembly of four carriages supporting the pivots of four pivoting blades forming a variable-shape rotor. This rotor rolls just like a roller bearing on the surface of an housing internal contour wall shaped like a skating rink. During the rotation, the rotor pivoting blades align alternatively in a lozenge and a square configuration. All ports are radial in the housing and/or axial on the lateral side covers. Since the compression and expansion strokes start and end simultaneously, an ignition flame transfer slot is used to maintain a continuous combustion while four strokes are completed in every rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventors: Roxan Saint-Hilaire, Ylian Saint-Hilaire, Gilles Saint-Hilaire, Francoise Saint-Hilaire
  • Patent number: 6162033
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an economizer tube assembly for a sealed compressor. The economizer tube assembly of the present invention includes an economizer fitting and an economizer fitting extension. The economizer fitting extension extends through a center shell assembly of the compressor into a housing element that defines a portion of the compression chamber. The economizer fitting extension includes a refrigerant vapor seal with the housing element. The economizer fitting and economizer fitting extension both include interior chambers, which are in communication with each other. The economizer fitting mounts flush to the center shell assembly and is preferably secured to the center shell assembly by a welded joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Billy W. Moore, Jr., Scott Westberg, Frederick L. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6139291
    Abstract: A compressor includes a normally open discharge valve assembly for controlling compressed refrigerant flow from the discharge chamber through the compression members. This controlling of flow results in an increased performance for the compressor by reducing recompression volume and the elimination of reverse rotation at shut down. The discharge valve assembly includes a valve seat, a valve plate and a valve stop secured within a recess formed within the compressor. The valve stop and the valve seat include a contoured surface which is engaged by the valve plate when it opens and closes. The contoured surface control the movement of the valve plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventor: Michael M. Perevozchikov
  • Patent number: 6132191
    Abstract: A series of check valves are disclosed for use in a scroll compressor which control and dampen the closing of the check valve to reduce noise during rapid pressure fluctuations encountered during normal operation and to control loss of gas in a discharge passage. In one check valve, a reed valve or poppet valve is employed to control the motion of a main valve to a closed position. In another check valve, suction pressure is used to reduce the closing force of the main valve. In another check valve, the main refrigerant flow passes through a converging, diverging passage to create a relatively low pressure chamber to reduce the closing force of the main valve. In another check valve, the reverse flow from the discharge plenum either does not act to close the valve or acts on a reduced surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventors: Jason Hugenroth, Dennis Janda, Gene Fields
  • Patent number: 6102682
    Abstract: A compressor comprises a cylinder assembly forming a compression space. A compressing member is movable disposed in the compression space for compressing fluid therein. A discharge port communicates with the compression space for discharging compressed fluid. A valve is mounted on the cylinder assembly for sliding movement across the discharge port between a first position blocking the discharge port, and a second position unblocking the discharge port. A valve mover in the form of a plate spring is connected to the valve and communicates with pressure in the compression space. In response to a pressure build-up in the compression space, the plate spring is elastically deformed to slide the valve from the first position to the second position for unblocking the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-Il Kim
  • Patent number: 6095777
    Abstract: A connector 30 is integrated in a hermetic compressor 10. A flange block 48 is secured on the connector 30 by a screw 62. The connector 30 and the flange block 48 have through-holes 38 and 50, respectively, and a tube 54 is inserted into through-hole 50. A flange 58 is integrally formed in a peripheral surface of one end portion of the tube 54. Also, an elastic ring 60 is fitted near the flange 58. The flange 58 and the elastic ring 60 are positioned in enlarged diameter portions 40 and 42 formed in the connector 30 so that the ring 60 seals against the tube 54 and the connector 30. With this arrangement, simply by tightening the screw using a screwdriver, the tube can be securely connected with the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Nishihata, Norio Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6082986
    Abstract: A reversible double-throw air motor provides for forward and reverse operation by having a cylinder member rotate relative to a stationary valve plate between fixed forward and reverse positions of the cylinder member. The valve plate has diametrically opposite pressure ports and diametrically opposite exhaust ports at an end surface that faces the cylinder member. The cylinder member has a transfer passage associated with each quadrant of the inner surface, the transfer passages opening at wall ports at the inner surface close to each of the two bottom dead center lines. In the forward position of the cylinder, pressure is supplied from the pressure ports in the valve plate through two of the transfer passages to opposite quadrants while the other two quadrants are open to the exhaust ports in the valve plate. For reverse operation, the cylinder is rotated, which reverses the quadrants open to the pressure and exhaust paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies
    Inventors: David R. Seward, Paul A. Biek
  • Patent number: 6079966
    Abstract: A variable capacity, vane-type compressor has a cylinder block with an oval rotor chamber. A plurality of vanes mounted in slots on a rotor rotate inside the rotor chamber on a shaft that is concentric with the minor diameter of the rotor chamber. Valves discharge refrigerant gas from the rotor chamber. The front nose block is located on the front side of the cylinder block and contains a bore for the rotor shaft and a set of needle roller bearings which supports the forward end of the shaft. A circular O-ring groove with an O-ring is located on the rearward side of the front nose block at its perimeter for sealing between the front nose block and the forward side of the cylinder block. The cylinder block has internal, weight-reducing voids located outboard of the rotor chamber. The lower voids serve as an oil sump and supply high pressure lubricant to the undervane pressurization manifolds. Like the front nose block groove, the cylinder block has a circular groove machined on a rearward side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Zexel USA Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Bearint, James I. Miller
  • Patent number: 6065948
    Abstract: A scroll compressor has a discharge check valve assembly comprised of a valve and a valve cage. The valve is maintained open within the assembly by the flow of discharge gas from the scroll set during the normal course of compressor operation and is essentially unaffected by momentary gas backflow and/or momentary pressure pulsations that can repetitively occur in the discharge pressure portion of the compressor shell during such operation. At the same time, the valve is quickly responsive to close the discharge port to gas backflow upon compressor shutdown. A dash pot volume, defined between the discharge valve and its cage, is vented to the discharge pressure portion of the compressor shell and is such that the valve is maintained open and does not chatter in the face of momentary gas backflow and/or pressure pulsations yet closes quickly when the compressor shuts down to prevent the backflow of high pressure gas to the scroll set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry E. Brown
  • Patent number: 6059552
    Abstract: Hydraulic vane machine with a stator having a stator bore with a guiding contour, a rotor arranged in the stator bore and having substantially radially movable vanes bearing on the guiding contour, and a shaft connected fixedly rotatable with the rotor via a coupling. In such a machine the operation behaviour must be improved. For this purpose the coupling has a transmission element located horizontally with the shaft being vertical. The transmission element is radially displaceable relative to the shaft in one direction and is laterally displaceable relative to the rotor in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Lars Martensen, Gunnar Lysh.o slashed.j Hansen
  • Patent number: 6030196
    Abstract: A variable-speed motor comprising a sun gear (P), at least two planet gears (Si, Si+1), a ring gear (C), an intermediate sector (Zi) between the sides opposite the sun gear (P), opposite the two planet gears (Si, Si+1), and opposite ring gear (C), defining the circulation paths of the drive fluid therewith. The junctions (J(P, Si), J(Si, C), J(Si+1), C), J(P, Si+1)) are impermeable to the drive fluid. The two inlets (Ai, .alpha.i+1) and the two returns (Ri, .rho.i+1) for the drive fluid are provided in sector (Zi) in the vicinity of the junctions; the inlets (Ai, .alpha.i+1) and the returns (Ri, .rho.i+1) are located at two opposite vertices of the quadrilateral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Institut Francais Du Petrole
    Inventors: Bernard Coeuret, Andre Renot
  • Patent number: 6027321
    Abstract: A scroll-type compressor has a scroll plate that is prevented from moving radially or rotating but may be axially displaced. The configuration includes a key and key way configuration and springs to axially bias one scroll plate away from the other scroll plate. The major components of the compressor assembly can be axially assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Kyungwon-Century Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Kil Shim, Hiun Won, Wan Pyo Park, Man Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 6009847
    Abstract: An oscillating-piston engine comprises a housing in which multiple pistons are each arranged pivotably about a piston axis parallel to a central housing axis and are movable together in a revolution direction about said housing axis. It is proposed to arrange, centrally in said housing, a cam piece which is immovable with respect to said housing, there being configured, on the sides of said pistons facing said cam piece, running surfaces which, as said pistons revolve along an outer contour of said cam piece, are guided in constant contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventor: Herbert Huttlin
  • Patent number: 5980225
    Abstract: The pump (20) has a rotor (80) rotatable by a drive in a pump duct (25). The rotor (80) has a pump element (90) with undulating boundary faces extending radially. The boundary faces are bounded cylindrically and run in a fitted manner in a cylindrical conveying region (27), their highest points running adjacent to the end faces (35) of the pump duct in a sealed manner. In addition, a sealing slide (31) is provided, which is displaceable parallel to the axis of rotation (76) and which seals off the pump duct (25) between the inlet (22) and the outlet (23), so that during rotation the rotor (80) follows the undulating movement of the boundary faces (96) of the pump element (90). In addition, sealing means seal off the media-conveying pump chambers from the housing (21). The rotor (80) is detachably connected to the drive shaft (180) while forming connecting boundary faces, which are arranged on the drive side on the other side of the sealing means with respect to the media-conveying pump chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Sundstrand Fluid Handling Corporation
    Inventor: Manfred Sommer
  • Patent number: 5954489
    Abstract: In a vane type vacuum pump comprising a rotor 5 having a rotary shaft offset in a pump chamber P of hermetically sealed structure, grooves 5a disposed on the outer periphery of the rotor, vanes 6 disposed in the grooves and sliding while in intimate contact with the inner wall of the pump chamber, an input shaft 1 having a rotary shaft coaxial with the rotor, and torque transmission means for transmitting the rotational torque of the input shaft to the rotor, the torque transmission means includes a carrier 7 disposed to the outer periphery of the input shaft integrally therewith, a flange unit 7a formed to the end surface of the carrier so as to confront the end surface of the rotor, recessed portions 5b, 7b formed to the respective end surfaces of the rotor and the flange unit, and pins 8 for coupling the rotor with the flange unit through the respective recessed portions, and the pins extending in the direction of the rotary shafts of the rotor and the input shaft are inserted into the respective recessed
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 5938420
    Abstract: A fastening structure has a screw rotor fixing a rotor shaft to a shaft hole of a rotor body. A casing includes the rotor therein, and a positioning portion and a screw portion are arranged between the shaft hole and the rotor shaft. Press fit portions are arranged at both axial ends of the shaft hole. The screw portion receives driving torque inputted to the rotor shaft and moves the rotor body so that the shaft hole and the rotor shaft hit against each other in the positioning portion. Accordingly, a fixing function of the rotor body and the rotor shaft is strengthened as the input torque to the rotor is increased. Further, the rotor has a simple structure and is cheaply manufactured. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent reductions in performance and durability of the rotor caused by any shift in position between the rotor body and the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Tochigi Fuji Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masao Teraoka
  • Patent number: 5800150
    Abstract: A hermetic compressor which compresses compressed gas, comprising a sealing container, a compression mechanism which is housed in the sealing container and introduces the compressed gas into its inside to compress the compressed gas, and a frame for fixedly supporting the compression mechanism. A portion where the compression mechanism and the frame are abutted against each other, is provided with a solid propagation wave damping portion which damps a vibratory propagation by suddenly changing a cross section of a abutting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Izumi Onoda, Yasushi Adachi, Isao Kawabe, Kazu Takashima
  • Patent number: 5800141
    Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a discharge valve assembly for blocking compressed refrigerant flow from the discharge chamber through the scroll members. This blocking of flow results in the elimination of reverse rotation at shut down. The discharge valve assembly includes a leakage path which allows a limited amount of refrigerant flow past the discharge valve to eliminate the forming of a vacuum during powered reverse rotation. In one embodiment, a valve located in the leakage path provides a time delay to optimize the performance of the discharge valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Muzaffer Ceylan, Jaroslav Blass, Jean-Luc Caillat
  • Patent number: 5788473
    Abstract: A coupling for transferring power from a drive shaft to a driven shaft includes a first coupling member, having a substantially cylindrical body, with a cylindrical bore at a first end, longitudinal key arrangement within the bore for being rotatably driven by a keyed motor drive shaft, and a solid cylindrical portion at a second end having a distal face with an alternating plurality of longitudinally projecting drive lugs and longitudinally recessed pockets; and a second coupling member for installation on a driven shaft having a substantially cylindrical body with a first proximal face, providing a non-cylindrical socket means for receiving and for drivably engaging the driven shaft, and a second distal face with an alternating plurality of longitudinally recessed pockets and longitudinally projecting drive lugs, the longitudinally projecting drive lugs of the first coupling member fitting into the longitudinally recessed pockets of the second coupling member, and vice versa, to complete the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Dresser Pump Company
    Inventors: Frederic W. Buse, Mark D. Warner
  • Patent number: 5779463
    Abstract: A rotary piston pump in which a slide valve has a pivot bearing at each of its ends which supports a sliding block and wherein a theoretical slide valve length in the position in which the axes of symmetry of the shell rotor and slide valve are superimposed, is equal to the sum of the length along the slide valve measured between the pivot bearings plus two times the thickness of a sliding block measured between its pivot bearing and the wall of the shell. The sliding blocks have an outer surface with a curvature between the curvature of the outer surface of the rotor and the maximum curvature of the wall of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Pierburg AG
    Inventors: Helmut Rossel, Martin Krucinski, Rainer Strauss, Ulrich Flesch, Dieter Jelinek
  • Patent number: 5775894
    Abstract: In a refrigerant compressor, a discharge valve assembly which reduces reexpansion volume. The present invention provides a discharge valve assembly for reciprocating, rotary, and scroll types of compressors, and includes a spherical valve member that engages and penetrates a discharge port provided on a compressor cylinder head, valve plate or scroll plate. The discharge port is formed in the cylinder head or scroll plate and is dimensioned such that the spherical member penetrates and substantially fills the discharge port. The reexpansion volume within the discharge port is thereby reduced. To maintain engagement of the spherical member with the discharge port, an elastically deformable arm having an aperture is positioned to hold the spherical member in the discharge port. The arm is elastically deformable to allow the spherical valve member to move out of engagement with the discharge port during the compression phase of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: John Kosco, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5769617
    Abstract: A rotary sliding-vane compressor is described which contains a single rotor with compressor and expander sections, together with a reduced number of parts and efficiency improvements compared to conventional compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Refrigeration Development Company
    Inventor: John Stewart Glen
  • Patent number: 5755565
    Abstract: A pump has inner and outer gears, suction and discharge passages, and a reinforcing member arranged in at least one of openings of the suction and discharge passages, the reinforcing member reinforcing a wall between the at least one opening and an inner peripheral surface of a gear pocket formed in a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Takao Koyama, Masaki Simakura
  • Patent number: 5735678
    Abstract: A scroll compressor has a compression mechanism accommodated in a closed container and comprising a stationary scroll and an orbiting scroll. The stationary scroll includes a frame and a separate wrap element secured to the frame or otherwise movable relative to the frame. The orbiting scroll has a wrap element allowed to undergo circular translation with respect to the wrap element of the stationary scroll to compress gas. The wrap element of the stationary scroll is made of a readily machinable abrasion-resistant material to reduce the manufacturing cost of the scroll compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fukuhara, Sadayuki Yamada, Shigeru Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 5707222
    Abstract: A vacuum pump, particularly adapted for use with a power assisted brake system of a motor vehicle, includes a pump housing with a small diameter section and a larger section. A rotor in the housing with a smaller diameter coupling section and with a larger diameter pump section in the larger section of the housing. A rotor wing in the larger section of the housing is received in a slot in the rotor for being rotated by the rotor. A drive element passing along the axis of the rotor is connectable with a coupling to drive the drive element and is positioned between the two half bodies of the rotor for rotating the rotor and the wing of the rotor. The drive element has a coupling section of elastic resilient material which is received in a slot in the rotor and has wing sections above and below the plane of the coupling section which define a slot in the rotor in which the rotor wing is received, such that the drive element can absorb torque and oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: LuK Automobiltechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Dieter Otto
  • Patent number: 5700140
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for a pump is adapted for controlling thrust loads and limiting undesirable axial movement of components. The pump has a shaft having first and second shaft ends, and the pump may be configured so that the shaft is drivable from one or both of the shaft ends. The first and second shaft ends are respectively supported in a first and second bearing arrangement. Each bearing arrangement includes a radial main bearing having an inner race disposed around the shaft end. The inner race contacts a mounting ring to transfer outwardly axial thrust forces against a thrust bearing assembly. Each bearing arrangement is retained by a bearing cap contacting against an outer side of the thrust bearing assembly. A shim having a selected thickness can be placed between the bearing cap and the housing in order to position the internal pump components in an axially centered position to maintain proper clearances in order to minimize wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Corken, Inc.
    Inventors: James Delwin Gray, Michael Franklin Hughes, Paul Joseph Lutes
  • Patent number: 5695326
    Abstract: A compressor for a refrigeration machine is provided without any problems of reduction in the life of a thrust bearing structure even when a substitutive coolant not containing any chlorine is used. In the compressor for a refrigeration machine having a thrust bearing made of steel for supporting a thrust load applied to a drive shaft, a thrust bearing surface made of a material different from that of the drive shaft is formed in the thrust bearing by means of a surface treatment. Alternatively a washer defining the thrust bearing surface may be surface treated to provide a material different from that of the drive shaft. The washer may also be made of a material different from that of the drive shaft. According to the the present invention, even when a boundary lubricating state is produced between the drive shaft and the thrust bearing surface sticking is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideto Oka, Shigeru Muramatsu, Hirotsugu Fukuoka, Hiroshi Matsunaga, Masahiro Tsubokawa
  • Patent number: 5683236
    Abstract: A scroll-type refrigeration compressor has a gas-liquid mixture discharge passage extending through the driver scroll drive shaft for discharging refrigerant gas and entrained lubricant into a high pressure chamber in the compressor housing. An anti-reverse rotation valve is connected to the distal end of the drive shaft and includes a valve housing with radially extending discharge ports and a closure member movable to prevent reverse flow of high pressure gas to the scroll compression chambers to prevent reverse rotation on compressor shutdown. A pressure equalization port may be formed in the valve closure member, valve housing or the distal end of the drive shaft to allow slow bleed down of pressure from the high pressure side to the low pressure side to minimize starting torque of the drive motor. The valve may be formed from a tubular metal housing and having a plug-type closure member slidably disposed therein with the housing being press fitted in a counterbore in the end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Alliance Compressors
    Inventors: Mark W. Harrison, Peter A. Kotlarek, Charles A. Singletary, John Kenneth Wollitz
  • Patent number: 5664941
    Abstract: A rotary vane compressor has a compressor housing which contains an oval chamber. A cylindrical rotor is mounted on an axial shaft and has radial vanes which engage the chamber and slide radially inward and outward in slots formed in the rotor as the shaft rotates. A pair of thrust shoulders are on the shaft, spaced axially apart from each other exterior of the rotor and facing in axially opposite directions. A deep groove ball bearing assembly is stationarily mounted in the housing in engagement with both of the shoulders on the shaft. Radial, moment, and thrust in both axial directions applied to the shaft are transferred by the shoulders through the bearing assembly to the compressor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Zexel USA Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Bearint
  • Patent number: 5616017
    Abstract: A rotary compressor comprises an outer casing, a rotary type compression mechanism accommodated in the outer casing in a sealed manner, and an electric motor for driving the rotary type compression mechanism. The rotary type compression mechanism is provided with a cylinder having an inner peripheral surface to which a discharge port is formed, and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder has a portion formed of a valve sheet to which said discharge port is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hirokazu Iizuka, Masashi Ohmura, Masataka Kondo, Hideki Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Mizuno, Takaya Yamazaki, Kazuo Shibata
  • Patent number: 5613843
    Abstract: Compressor bodies, an accelerator and a main motor are disposed on a base, while an innercooler, an aftercooler an oil cooler and a coolant cooler are disposed perpendicular to the axial direction of the motor so that the directions, in which the tube nests of the gas coolers are drawn out, are made to be the same. A control panel having a maintenance display is mounted on a front panel composed of panel portions which are mounted pivotally around respective remote or opposite side ends. Portions to be inspected daily are disposed near the front panel and one side panel adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Tsuru, Shinichi Hirose, Junji Okita, Tadashi Kaneki, Katsuaki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 5597296
    Abstract: A scroll compressor includes stationary and orbiting scroll members in engagement with each other. The stationary scroll member includes a stationary end plate having first and second end surfaces opposite to each other, a stationary scroll wrap protruding axially from the first end surface of the stationary end plate, a discharge port defined in the stationary end plate in the proximity of a center thereof, and a recess defined in the stationary end plate on the second surface thereof. A check valve is received in the recess so as to open or close the discharge port. The recess has a shape substantially identical to the shape of the check valve and also has a depth greater than a maximum lift of the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruyuki Akazawa, Sadao Kawahara, Akihiko Shimizu, Yoshifumi Abe
  • Patent number: 5588821
    Abstract: A vacuum pump with a planetary gear accelerator which comprises: a pump chamber formed in a pump housing; a pump rotor accommodated in said pump chamber; a rotor shaft attached to said pump rotor; a sun gear formed on this rotor shaft; and planetary gears arranged so as to constitute a planetary gear device together with said sun gear and connected to an input shaft, said planetary gear device having a gear ratio which is set so that the rotation of said pump rotor is accelerated relative to the rotation of said input shaft. Thus, the vacuum properties of the engine at times of low-speed rotation are stabilized, and high vacuum properties are guaranteed. Moreover, in addition to seeking a more compact and light-weight design, the intensiveness and standardization of vacuum pumps meeting the maximum performance requirements are realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 5567138
    Abstract: A method for limiting eccentric deviations of a rotating polished rod which extends through a stuffing box in a downhole rotary pumping application. The method includes the step of positioning below the stuffing box at least two centralizing members having arcuate contact surfaces that engage the rotating polished rod to dampen eccentric deviations. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus having a housing with a central polished rod receiving passage. At least two centralizing members extend radially inwardly into the central polished rod receiving passage to engage a rotating polished rod positioned in the central polished rod receiving passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Hille Newton
  • Patent number: 5525097
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air motor having an engine pack (with a rotor provided with front and rear retainers, a stator, and vanes) which can be assembled and replaced even by an unskilled person. An air supply joint is engaged with guide projections formed on the inner peripheral surface of a housing, with its forward end portion held in contact with the rear retainer; the forward end portion being fastened by a nut member which is threadedly engaged with the housing. On the rear face of the forward end portion are formed a plurality of first projections produced of a rigid synthetic resin, and on the front face of the nut member corresponding to the first projection are formed a plurality of second projections, so that a firm relation of engagement is established by an elastic force of restoration of the first projection; that is, the nut member will not accidentally become loose owing to the locking effect of the first and second projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: UHT Corporation
    Inventor: Masakazu Kakimoto
  • Patent number: 5494422
    Abstract: A scroll type compressor includes a check valve (42) having a valve element (63) disposed in a valve chamber (36, 60) and moveable in the vertical direction. A back pressure port (60a) having one end opening at a retainer surface (62a) and the other end communicating with a high-pressure side chamber (3, 43) is disposed in a retainer having the retainer surface thereon which is engaged by the valve element (63) when the check valve is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetuzou Ukai, Kimiharu Takeda, Kazuhiro Sato
  • Patent number: 5452998
    Abstract: A non-contact vane-type fluid-displacement machine includes a stator housing having an annular interior surface defining an interior bore and a rotor supported in an eccentric position in the interior bore of the stator housing relative to the annular interior surface thereof to undergo rotation relative to the stator housing about a central rotational axis. The rotor has at least one slot radially defined therein relative to the rotational axis. The machine also has at least one vane disposed in radial slot of the rotor. The vane is mounted to the rotor to undergo reciprocable movement in a radial direction relative to the rotational axis of the rotor such that an outer tip portion of the vane is maintained in a non-contacting substantially sealed relationship with the interior surface of the stator housing. Improved features of the machine relate to a suction flow check valve assembly for use in the inlet of the stator housing of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5451148
    Abstract: A check valve device is provided for a scroll compressor in which a crescent-shaped compression chamber is defined by a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll, the orbiting scroll being driven to compress gas introduced into the compression chamber such that the compressed gas is discharged out of a discharge port provided in the vicinity of a center of the fixed scroll. The check valve device includes a check valve having a disk for closing the discharge port, a ring concentric with the disk and a plurality of beams coupling the disk and the ring, a tube receiving the check valve and which is provided at the discharge port of the fixed scroll, and a valve retainer for retaining the check valve. The valve retainer is provided at an outlet portion of the tube so as to confront the ring of the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Matsuzaki, Takeshi Hashimoto, Shigeru Muramatsu, Toshiharu Yasu, Hiroyuki Masunaga
  • Patent number: 5449051
    Abstract: A pneumatic oil lubricator for lubricating replenishment mainly has a pneumatic oil pump for pumping oil from a oil reservoir to an oil outlet unit, such as an oil gun. An automatic controlling apparatus is provided which has a hollow unit sleeve, a piston disposed in the hollow unit sleeve, and a spring mounted on the piston. The piston has interior air passage formed at one end thereof. The entrance and the exit of the interior air passage are faced to the second connecting inlet and the connecting outlet respectively. In which, the hollow sleeve has a first and a second connecting inlets at its two end and an connection outlet. The first connecting inlet is linked to an air compressor, the first connecting outlet is linked to the air outlet unit, and the connecting outlet is linked to an air inlet of the pneumatic oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Inventor: Pen-Huai Liao
  • Patent number: 5419292
    Abstract: Four elements (9a, 9b, 11a, 11b) are mutually articulated as a parallelogram deformable according to four parallel axes (A1, . . . A4). A crank (31) causes a circular motion of a first co-ordination axis (K1) connected to one (9a) of the elements. Another element (11b) is articulated to the frame along a second co-ordination axis (K2). A variable volume chamber (17) is defined between the cylindrical surfaces (S1, . . . S4) whose axes (C1, . . . C4) intersect the longitudinal axes (Da, Db) of the first elements (9a, 9b). Distribution orifices (19, 21) are selectively open and obturated by the elements as a function of the angular position of the crank (31). A sparking-plug is provided. Each first element (9a, 9b) carries two cylindrical convex surfaces (S1, S2; S3, S4) the rigidely interconnected. Each cylindrical surface is in dynamic sealing relationship with a cylindrical surface belonging to the other element and whose axis (C1, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Inventor: Roumen Antonov
  • Patent number: 5410998
    Abstract: A thermal engine utilizing a positive displacement rotary expander and preferably a positive displacement rotary compressor in conjunction with an external substantially steady-state thermal source, such as a continuous fuel combustor, the external source heating a high pressure gas that is directed from the thermal source to the rotary expander wherein the gases expand driving a rotor in the positive displacement rotary engine before discharge. An additional embodiment of the thermal engine includes a modified epitrochoidal chamber configuration for the compression cycle and the expansion cycle to utilize the total internal volume for each compression pulse and expansion pulse for obtaining improved thermal efficiency in a manner similar to super long stroke reciprocal piston engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventors: Marius A. Paul, Ana Paul
  • Patent number: 5411386
    Abstract: There is disclosed in connection with a random orbital sander the utilization of improved arrangements for resiliently supporting an air motor, controlling the flow of pressurized air to the motor, and utilizing air exhausted from the motor to withdraw dust from a shroud arranged to collect dust generated incident to operation of the sander. Also disclosed is an alternative dust collecting arrangement, wherein the shroud is connected by a sander mounted duct to a source of vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Dynabrade, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Huber, David G. Heckmiller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5380176
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor includes a compressor housing defining a chamber in which successive strokes of intake, compression, and discharge of a refrigerant gas are repeatedly performed. The chamber is divided into a compression chamber and a discharge chamber by a valve plate. A discharge hole links the compression chamber to the discharge chamber. The valve plate includes an end surface which faces the discharge chamber. A discharge valve regulates a flow of the refrigerant gas from the compression chamber to the discharge chamber. A valve retainer limits the bending movement of the discharge valve in the direction in which the refrigerant gas exits the discharge hole. The valve retainer is secured to an axial end surface of the valve plate together with the discharge valve by a fixing bolt. The discharge valve bends as it opens and closes the discharge hole. The valve plate includes an annular groove formed at the end surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Kikuchi, Atsushi Mabe, Kiyoshi Terauchi
  • Patent number: 5346024
    Abstract: A power tool construction wherein an integrated pressure fluid motor is provided with a unitary motor cylinder and back head and an external cooperative porting surface for cooperation with a valve porting surface. A further feature of the construction provides a cooperating front head plate with concentric alignment lands for attachment of the motor and a power output device such as a gear reducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Geiger, John M. Clapp
  • Patent number: 5346375
    Abstract: A discharge valve is incorporated into a scroll compressor for use in a refrigerator or an air conditioner. A valve element seating surface having a concave cylindrical shape is formed in the upper surface of the stationary disk of the stationary scroll plate of the scroll compressor, a discharge port is formed through the stationary disk of the stationary scroll plate so as to open in the valve element seating surface, and a discharge valve element having a cylindrical shape conforming to the concave cylindrical shape of the valve element seating surface is seated on the valve element seating surface so as to open or close the discharge port. The valve element seating surface having a concave cylindrical shape facilitates machining the stationary scroll plate, reduces the top clearance of the scroll compressor without reducing the rigidity of the stationary disk, prevents the concentration of stress on the delivery valve, and improves the reliability of the delivery valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Akiyama, Yoshinori Shirafuji, Keiju Sakaino
  • Patent number: 5310326
    Abstract: A rotary compressor, such as a sliding vane compressor, comprises a housing having a bore, a rotor assembly operatively arranged to rotate within the bore, vanes operatively arranged at the rotor assembly to move linearly relative to the rotor assembly and to form, together with the housing and rotor assembly, variable chambers, and a valve assembly arranged in the housing. The bore has a configuration divided into a expansion region of elliptical shape, a circular transition region, a polynomial-shaped compression region and a circular sealing region. The lubricant seal is composed of an oil injection port and oil grooves for trapping and transporting the oil. The valve assembly is provided in a recess portion of the housing and is configured as a thin blade covering each discharge port which has been relieved to minimize undesirably large difference of the pressure forces between the two sides of the blade. Oil grooves are provided in the rotor assembly and in end cap assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Mainstream Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Fulin Gui, Robert P. Scaringe