Carrier Corporation

Michael J Dormer

Bruce A Fraser

Peter F Kaido

Wayne P Beagle

Kyle D Wessells

Foster Philip Lamm

Timothy V Nelson

The seat of a suction valve of a reciprocating compressor is modified to limit the radial extent and thereby the area in which an annular oil film can be established between the valve and the valve seat. The preferred radial extent of the seating surface is 0.014 to 0.018 inches and the preferred ratio of the area of the suction valve seat to the passage therethrough is in the range of 13% to 25%.

Oil film dilation for compressor suction valve stress reduction

The seat of a suction valve of a reciprocating compressor is modified to limit the area in which an annular oil film can be established between the valve and the valve seat. The seat is configured to limit the oil film from 3% to 33% of the total inlet port opening. In a modified embodiment gas at discharge pressure exerts an opening bias to the suction valve at the end of the discharge stroke.

Enhanced oil film dilation for compressor suction valve stress reduction

In addition to seating on its valve seat during the combined compression and discharge stroke, the suction valve seats on the structure associated with the valve seat which has at least one shallow recessed area. In seating on its valve seat, the suction valve seats on the structure defining the shallow recesses to trap fluid therein. The recesses serve to reduce the area available for adhesion and the trapped fluid pressure provides an opening bias to the suction valve. If necessary, or desired, restricted communication between the compression chamber and the shallow recess can take place to provide a higher pressure in the recess at the time of transition from discharge to suction.

Suction valve with release timing chamber

A compressor having plural banks of cylinders can be operated multi-stage, single stage, plural parallel single stages and, when multi-stage, with or without an economizer. One of the low stage banks of cylinders can be unloaded to reduce the first stage output during multi-stage operation or to permit operation of a single stage when the second stage is bypassed.

Refrigerating system employing a compressor for single or multi-stage

In a positive displacement compressor having a plurality of banks, operation can be multi-staged or single staged. Single stage operation can be of a single bank or plural banks in parallel. Switchover between modes of operation is under the control of a microprocessor responsive to sensed inputs. During pulldown under ambient or condenser entering air temperatures of 100.degree. F., or more, suction modulation is used to limit the suction pressure thereby permitting a switchover to two-stage operation and the use of an economizer.

Capacity control for multi-stage compressors

In a positive displacement compressor having a plurality of banks, operation can be multi-staged or single staged. Single stage operation can be of a single bank or plural banks in parallel. Switch-over between modes of operation is under the control of a microprocessor responsive to sensed inputs.

Compressor for single or multi-stage operation

In a compressor having an oil sump located therein, a restricted communication is provided between the oil sump and the suction plenum. As a result, froth generation due to a rapid pressure drop in the oil sump is reduced. A relief valve is provided to limit the pressure differential between the suction plenum and the oil sump.

Method and apparatus for oil sump pressure control

A wrist pin and wrist pin retainer are combined in a subassembly which prevents inadvertent removal of the retainer from the assembly. The subassembly is placed in a bore defined by a piston and a connecting rod with at least one annular groove formed in the bore. When the subassembly is located in the bore, the retainer coacts with the annular groove to secure the wrist pin in the bore.

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Fabius, NY, United States of America

Michael J Dormer