Swash plate type refrigerant compressor with improved internal

Abstract

A refrigerant compressor, typically a swash plate type refrigerant compressor for compressing refrigerant gas containing therein lubricating oil, which has axially combined cylinder blocks having a plurality of cylinder bores in which a plurality of pistons reciprocate to implement suction and compression of refrigerant gas as well as discharge of the compressed refrigerant gas. The cylinder blocks further have a swash plate chamber for a swash plate supported by a sliding type thrust bearings, receiving the refrigerant gas returning from an exterior of the compressor, and an axially extending central through-bore for a drive shaft supported by radial bearings. The compressor has a lubricating oil system which includes a fluid passageway for supplying a part of the refrigerant gas containing the lubricating oil from refrigerant gas inlet passageways in the cylinder blocks into the central bore to lubricate the sliding type thrust bearings and the radial bearings. Additional gas passageways may be provided in the valve plate for providing communication between some cylinder bores and the central bore in synchronism with opening of suction valves of some cylinder bores so that introduction of the part of the refrigerant gas into the central bore from the swash plate is promoted.