Compressor with a radial bearing for supporting a drive shaft

Abstract

A compressor includes a housing having a first casing which encloses a compression mechanism and a second casing releasably attached to one end of the first casing. The second casing supporting a pair of bearings which in turn rotatably support a drive shaft. The first one of the bearings is positioned adjacent the first casing and the second bearing is spaced therefrom toward the driven end of the drive shaft. A sealing mechanism is disposed about the drive shaft and between the bearings for sealing the compressor housing and preventing refrigerant or lubricating oil from leaking therefrom. The second bearing includes a gripping mechanism on the outermost radial surface thereof. The gripping mechanism is preferably an annular groove formed in the outermost radial surface of the bearing. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the casing which supports the bearing from the bearing before pulling the bearing off of the shaft. Furthermore, the sealing mechanism may be replaced without separating the first and second casings.