Continuously variable capacity swash plate type refrigerant compressor

Abstract

A continuously variable capacity swash plate type refrigerant compressor having a cylinder block defining therein a plurality of front and rear cylinder bores arranged around an axis of rotation of a drive shaft supported in the cylinder block, front and rear refrigerant suction chambers in front and rear housings attached to the ends of the cylinder block, an angularly inclined swash plate mounted on the drive shaft to be integrally rotated therewith and to be pivotable about a pivoting center to change an angle of inclination thereof, double-headed pistons reciprocated in the front and rear cylinder bores by the rotation of the swash plate in such a manner that the top dead center of the pistons in the rear cylinder bores is constantly set at a fixed position, front and rear suction passageways to suck the refrigerant before compression into the front and rear suction chambers, and a suction reducer for reducing a suction of the refrigerant gas by the rear suction passageway during the small capacity operation of the compressor to thereby generate a pressure differential between the front and rear suction chamber and obtain a flow of the lubricant contained refrigerant gas from the front suction chamber toward the rear suction chamber, while lubricating movable elements at the front side of the compressor.