Compressors 75

vantage is that if the open compressor is belt driven, the V-belt

drive allows the speed ratio between the motor and the compres-
sor to be easily changed. This means that a single compressor can
be used on several different units by merely changing the size of
the motor sheave and compressor valve clearance. The disadvan-
tage of the open compressor is that the crankshaft must emerge
from the crankcase for installation of the driven sheaves. This
means that the shaft must be sealed to separate the refrigerant
from the atmosphere to prevent loss of refrigerant vapor. Mechani-
cal seals, similar to the ones in water pumps, are generally used.
One part of the mechanical seal is attached to the compressor
housing and the other part is attached to the rotating crankshaft. A
spring exerts pressure on the assembly to hold parts together. The
assembly is flooded with oil from the lubrication system which
forms a vapor-tight seal between the refrigerant and the atmo-
sphere. Leaking shaft seals are a common source of compressor
problems. In open systems, the compressor motor is cooled by the
flow of ambient air across the motor housing.

Motor Accessibility—Hermetic Compressors

Generally, hermetic units range from fractional horsepower
sizes to about 10 tons in a single unit. If more tonnage is needed,
several compressors may be installed in the same air conditioning
unit. Above 10 tons, the construction is often the open type or the
semi-hermetic type. Semi-hermetic compressors are almost com-
pletely accessible. Semi-hermetics range in capacity from 2 tons to
about 150 tons and offer the advantage of direct drive and her-
metic sealing plus serviceability. The hermetic compressor is also
called a welded hermetic and the semi-hermetic compressor is
called a bolted hermetic.
One advantage of the hermetic compressor is that it’s
smaller, more compact and has less vibration than the open com-
pressor. However, the main advantage of the hermetic compressor
is that it has no external shaft. This eliminates mechanical prob-
lems with shafts, belts, and sheaves, and concern for refrigerant
leakage. In a hermetic unit, the motor is located within the refrig-
76 HVAC Fundamentals

erant atmosphere. Therefore, another advantage is that the motor

is continuously cooled by the refrigerant vapor flowing to the
compressor suction valves. Lubrication is also simplified since
both the motor and the compressor operate in the same closed
space with the oil.
The disadvantages of hermetic compressors are that they’re
limited on capacity, and limited on speed because the compressor
has to run at the motor speed (direct drive). A third disadvantage
is that it’s not field serviceable. Therefore, if a motor burns out in
a hermetic compressor, or any other internal problem occurs, the
maintenance trend is for a complete replacement of the compres-
sor. Otherwise, the entire unit must be returned to the shop or
factory to be dismantled and reconditioned.

Type of Piston
The reciprocating compressor is comprised of a group of
pistons operated by a rotating crankshaft. The pistons are either
the automotive type or a double-trunk piston. Double-trunk pis-
tons are used in medium and large compressor applications. Re-
ciprocating compressors may also be classified as either
single-acting or double-acting. The double-acting type com-
presses the refrigerant vapor alternately on both sides of the pis-
ton so that the compression occurs twice during each revolution
of the crankshaft. This type of compressor isn’t practical for small
sizes and is limited to large industrial applications. Therefore,
most reciprocating compressors for HVAC systems are the single-
acting type with the automotive type pistons (Figure 5-1).
Single-acting compressors compress the vapor on the
upstroke of the piston only once, during each revolution. The
cycle of operation is this: when the piston moves down refrigerant
vapor is drawn into the cylinder from the evaporator. As the pis-
ton moves up, it begins to compress the vapor. The volume of the
refrigerant vapor is reduced and the pressure of the vapor is in-
creased. At the top of the piston stroke, the vapor exits through
the discharge valve and enters the discharge line to the condenser.
The piston starts its downward stroke and the cycle is repeated.