GB576016A - An improved method of lubricating refrigerator compressors and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

576,016. Lubricating. PRESSED STEEL CO., Ltd., ROWLEDGE, E. G., and KITSON, J. W. Sept. 26, 1944, No. 18330. [Class 12 (iii)] The valves and upper portion of the cylinder of a compressor of a refrigerator unit are lubricated by metering lubricant through a gauze restrictor unit into, or adjacent to, the stream,of refrigerant vapour as the latter passes to the compressor whereby the lubricant is converted into a fine mist entrained in the refrigerant vapour. A hermetically closed unit is shown in which the lubricant is derived from an auxiliary sump 10 supplied by the overflow from themain bearing 12 of the direct-driven crankshaft C. Refrigerant vapour drawn in through a silencer 14 passes by a pipe 15 to a bore 38 formed in the cylinder block and leading to an open part 13 in a lapped valve plate 17 situated between a cylinder head 18 and the cylinder block. The refrigerant passes into the cylinder Y through an inlet chamber 24 and valve 27 and after compression is discharged through a valve 29 to pass to the condenser through a delivery chamber 23, a silencer 26 and pipe 28. In the bore 38 is inserted a metering gauze restrictor comprising as shown in Fig. 3, a gauze cylinder 34 and blanking foil 35 held in place by an inner spring expanding clip 36; a passage from the auxiliary sump 10 opens on to the periphery of this gauze restrictor unit whereby the lubricant is entrained as a fine mist through the gauze by the flow of the refrigerant vapour on its passage towards the compressor so to lubricate the valves and upper portion of the cylinder. The refrigerant on its return from the condenser* and evaporator is fed to a separating chamber 30 warmed by the motor heat in which any lubricant carried by the vapour may settle and fall to the main sump S. In the modification shown in Fig. 7 the lubricant from the auxiliary sump 10 passes through a gauze plate 44, held in place by a blanking plate 45, to a capillary groove 53 formed on the valve plate and serving to direct the lubricant to the inlet valve opening 27 where the lubricant is entrained as a mist by the flow of the refrigerant vapour.