Swash plate type compressor

Abstract

A swash plate type compressor includes an improved thrust bearing for axially supporting the swash plate. The bearing is of a composite type, and includes at least two elastically deformable slide bearing elements. The swash plate and the cylinder block each have seat portions, which are of different diameters. The two bearing elements are compressed between the respective seat portions into an elastically deformed conically-shaped state, with the amount of conical deformation depending upon the amount of axial compression that is applied to the bearing by tightening the assembly bolts of the compressor. In operation, one of the conically shaped slide bearing elements is pressed outwardly against the other by centrifugal force as the compressor shaft rotates. During start up and low speed operation of the compressor, this centrifugal force will have minimal effect, and the bearing elements will rotate with respect to each other, keeping internal frictional resistance low. At higher speeds, however, the centrifugal force will both bind the bearing elements to move together as a unit and will impart additional supportive force to the swash plate that will tend to minimize vibration and noise during operation.