Tecumseh Products Company

Tara C Kandpal

Harold M Harper

Nelik I Dreiman

Ronald K Harper

Emanuel D Fry

Rick L Bunch

Robert L Morse

Andrew W Paczuski

Herbert G Siewert

Raymond J Schmitz, Iii

A refrigeration compressor includes a polyamide annular thrust bearing pressfit within a countersunk recess in the rotor aperture and having radially extending lubricating oil grooves on a lower surface thereof. A vertical crankshaft being concentrically disposed within and secured to the rotor at one end and being journalled for rotation within a vertical bore defined by a bearing hub formed in a frame. The bearing hub supports the rotor and crankshaft combination. The bearing hub includes an upper end face which is machine ground and polished to a smooth surface and which is in contact with the smooth lower surface of the thrust bearing thereby forming a frictional pair. A reduction in mechanical friction and power consumption is realized by use of the polyamide thrust bearing and the smooth polishing of the hub upper end face thereby increasing the overall efficiency associated with the refrigeration compressor.

Method of making a refrigeration compressor thrust bearing assembly

Refrigeration compressor thrust bearing assembly

A hermetic compressor including a suction muffler disposed opposite the suction inlet tube. A funnelled or countersunk inlet port on the muffler permits semi-direct refrigerant flow into the muffler, creating enhanced cooling of the motor and higher compressor efficiency. Baffle walls disposed parallel and on opposite sides of an internal standpipe within the suction muffler create an increased resonator effect with optimum refrigerant throughput.

Suction muffler

A compressor assembly is disclosed including a compressor mechanism mounted within a hermetically sealed housing. A cylinder block assembly, containing a plurality of reciprocating pistons within compression chambers, is covered by cylinder heads. The compression chambers include a discharge valve which permits compressed refrigerant to empty into a common discharge chamber. A pressure relief mechanism, formed by cylinder heads yieldably attached to the crankcase, is included within the compressor to eliminate damage caused by high pressure conditions such as slugging. Alternatively, pressure relief may be created in the common discharge chamber by a yieldably attached cage bearing or a valved port.

Compressor pressure relief assembly

A reciprocating piston hermetic compressor is disclosed, including a crankcase defining a cylinder, and a cylinder head and valve plate assembly attached to the top surface of the crankcase to cover the cylinder. A cantilevered suction leaf valve has an attached end intermediate the crankcase top surface and the valve plate. During a compression stroke of the compressor, the unattached end of the suction valve is forced by pressure against the valve plate to cover a suction inlet opening. During an intake stroke of the compressor, the unattached end is drawn away from the valve plate to open the suction inlet opening. The unattached end of the suction valve is limited in its travel into the cylinder by engagement with a positive stop defined by a generally inclined milled surface intersecting the crankcase top surface and the cylinder wall.

Positive stop for a suction leaf valve of a compressor

The present invention is a crankcase heater for preventing the migration of liquid refrigerant. The heater is located on the compressor housing surface near the oil sump. The heater is positioned within a fence of a terminal assembly, covering substantially all the surface area enclosed by the fence except for the terminal cluster itself. The heater provides heat to the housing and the interior of the compressor, and the gasket insulates the heater and interiorly reflects the heat produced. Liquid refrigerant in the oil sump is boiled off to increase the pressure inside the housing and inhibit migration of refrigerant from the evaporator or accumulator.

Normal direction heater for compressor crankcase heat

A muffler tube for use in a hermetically sealed compressor is disclosed. The muffler tube of the present invention has a roughened outer finish, and has a protuberance extending radially outwardly therefrom, which protuberance is received in a recess in the inner wall of the muffler. The combination of the roughened outer finish and the protuberance connection assist in preventing the muffler from turning on the tube, and from moving vertically on the tube.

Suction muffler tube

A reciprocating piston hermetic compressor including a two piece suction valve used for fluid control. The reexpansion volume between the valve leaf and valve spacer is reduced to a minimum. The valve leaf is located within the compressor and valve spacer by an attachment means such as locating pins.

Plate suction valve

A hermetic compressor including a hardened cylindrical pin bearing disposed through the crankshaft permits a line contact between the crankshaft and bearing hub for a more efficient compressor. The pin bearing reduces friction while increasing compressor efficiency. In one embodiment, the hardened steel pin is constructed in two parts permitting rotation within the crankshaft. In another embodiment, hardened metal sleeves surround the cylindrical bearing pin allowing.

Thrust bearing for refrigeration compressor

A method of assembling a reciprocating piston hermetic compressor including a two piece suction valve capable of being deburred by abrasive material. The reexpansion volume between the valve leaf and valve spacer is reduced to a minimum since the clearance between the valve leaf and valve spacer is reduced by the fabrication method. The valve leaf may be made of a different material than the valve spacer using the same or a different stamping tool.

Method of manufacturing plate suction valve

A single piece gasket valve plate assembly for sealing and separating assembly parts secured to the valve plate of a reciprocating piston compressor. The gasket includes a compressible peripheral portion for sealing and separating the valve plate to the cylinder head. The device also includes compressible central portions, which are spaced from and integral with the peripheral portion, wherein the central portions members are adapted to encircle the suction ports of the valve plate to seal and separate the suction ports from the discharge ports. A connecting portion extending through the discharge chamber connects the peripheral portion of the gasket to the central portions.

Single piece gasket valve plate assembly

A calculator having six discs concentrically mounted for relative rotation having scales and indices which are graduated and are selectively registrable. The calculator is operable to determine the period, in years, to recover the higher price of a higher efficiency air conditioner over a standard air conditioner taking into consideration the differences in price and efficiency; the energy saved; the climate region in which the air conditioner is to be used; the electric rate in the region in which the air conditioner is to be used; the capacity of the air conditioner; and the available interest rate. The calculator will indicate the number of years over which the air conditioner must be used in order to recover the initial price differential of the higher efficiency unit.

Growing community of inventors

Tecumseh, MI, United States of America

Tara C Kandpal