Compressors 77

Figure 5-2. Hermetic compressor

Number and Arrangement of Cylinders

Reciprocating compressors come with one to sixteen cylin-
ders. In multi-cylinder compressors, the cylinder arrangement
may be in-line, radial, or at an angle to each other in the shape of
a V, VV or W pattern. For two and three cylinder units, the cyl-
inders are generally arranged in-line. Compressors with four or
more cylinders use the radial or the V or W patterns.
78 HVAC Fundamentals

Valve Construction
Three basic types of valves are used in compressors: a non-
flexing ring plate, a flexing reed, and poppet. In high-speed HVAC
compressors, the ring plate or flexing valve is used. The poppet
valve is limited to slow speed compressors. Valves are further clas-
sified according to mechanical function. The classifications are
suction valves and discharge valves. Valves operate because of the
difference in the pressure between the inside of the cylinder and
the suction and discharge lines. For instance, the suction valve
opens on the downstroke of the piston when the pressure inside
the cylinder becomes less than the pressure in the suction line
from the evaporator. On the upstroke of the piston, the pressure
inside the cylinder is increased. This closes the suction valve. As
the piston continues upward, the cylinder pressure continues to
increase. The discharge valve opens because the pressure inside
the cylinder is greater than the pressure in the discharge line. This
allows the compressed vapor to flow into the discharge line.

Method of Lubrication
The compressor requires lubrication for the bearings, cylin-
ders, pistons and gears. Lubricating oil is mixed in, and travels
with, the refrigerant. Special care is taken in the design and opera-
tion of the refrigerating system to assure that the oil returns to the
compressor from the evaporator and refrigerant lines. The oil also
acts as a sealant in the space between the piston and the walls of
the cylinder so all the refrigerant vapor is forced out the discharge
valve and into the discharge line. If the oil doesn’t seal the space,
the vapor leaks back to the crankcase and results in a loss of ef-
ficiency. Lubrication is accomplished either by simple splash feed
systems or by forced feed systems. Small, open compressors gen-
erally use splash feed systems. In this arrangement, the crankcase
acts an oil sump and is filled with oil to a level about even with
the bottom of the main bearings. As the crankshaft rotates, it dips
into the oil in the crankcase. The oil is splashed around within the
crankcase, lubricating the bearings, cylinder walls and other rub-
bing surfaces as the crankshaft rotates. In larger compressors, a