Motor-compressor drive apparatus

Abstract

Multiple compressors are connected to a common shaft of a drive motor. Provision may be made for selectively disengaging one or more of the compressors from its drive connection. The multiple compressors an preferably attached to opposite ends of a common motor shaft extending from both ends of the motor. Multiple compressors may be arranged to operate in parallel flow relationship or in series flow relationship in a single refrigerant circuit. The compressors may also be installed on separate refrigerant circuits. In a series flow relationship, a vapor or liquid injection function may be provided. Both compressors may be of an open-drive design, or one of the compressors nay share a common housing with the motor.

1 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus, comprising:
 a motor having a drive shaft extending therefrom;   a first open-drive compressor having a shaft to be driven;   a second compressor having a shaft to be driven; and   said motor drive shaft being connected to both said first and second compressor.   
   
   
       2 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  and disengaging apparatus for selectively disengaging one or more of said compressors from the connection to said motor drive shaft. 
   
   
       3 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said second compressor is an open-drive compressor. 
   
   
       4 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said second compressor shares a common housing with said motor. 
   
   
       5 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said motor drive shaft extends from one end of said drive motor. 
   
   
       6 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus as set forth in  claim 5  wherein at least one of said first and second compressors is connected to said drive shaft by a mechanical coupling. 
   
   
       7 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus as set forth in  claim 5  wherein at least one of said first and second compressors is mechanically connected to said drive shaft by pulleys and belts. 
   
   
       8 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said motor drive shaft extends from both ends of the motor with said first and second compressor shafts being connected to opposite ends of the motor drive shaft. 
   
   
       9 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus as set forth in  claim 8  wherein at least one of said connections is a mechanical coupling. 
   
   
       10 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus as set forth in  claim 8  wherein at least one of said first and second compressors is mechanically connected to said motor drive shaft by pulleys and belts. 
   
   
       11 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each of said first and second compressors is fluidly connected in at least one refrigerant circuit which at least includes, in serial flow relationship, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator. 
   
   
       12 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said at least one refrigerant circuit is a single circuit with said compressors operating in parallel flow relationship. 
   
   
       13 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said at least one refrigerant circuit comprises a pair of refrigerant circuits with each said compressor being connected in a separate refrigerant circuit. 
   
   
       14 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said compressors are connected in serial flow relationship. 
   
   
       15 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus as set forth in  claim 14  and including an economizer circuit with at least a portion of refrigerant flowing to a point between two said compressors. 
   
   
       16 . A motor-compressor drive apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein at least one of said compressors comprises multiple compressors. 
   
   
       17 . A method of driving a pair of compressors comprising the steps of:
 providing a motor with a drive shaft extending therefrom; and   mechanically connecting said drive shaft to a first open-drive compressor and a second compressor.   
   
   
       18 . A method as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said second compressor is an open drive compressor. 
   
   
       19 . A method as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said second compressor shares a common housing with said motor. 
   
   
       20 . A method as set forth in  claim 17  and including the step of disengaging one or more of said compressors from the connection to the motor drive shaft. 
   
   
       21 . A method set forth in  claim 17  wherein said motor drive shaft is extended from one end of said drive motor. 
   
   
       22 . A method as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said at least one compressor is connected to said drive shaft by a mechanical coupling. 
   
   
       23 . A method as set forth in  claim 21  wherein at least one compressor is mechanically connected to said drive shaft by pulleys and belts. 
   
   
       24 . A method as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said motor drive shaft is extended from both ends of the motor with said first and second compressor shafts being connected to opposite ends of the motor drive shaft. 
   
   
       25 . A method as set forth in  claim 24  wherein at least one of said driving connections is made by a mechanical coupling. 
   
   
       26 . A method as set forth in  claim 24  wherein at least one compress mechanically connected to said drive shaft by pulleys and belts. 
   
   
       27 . A method as set forth in  claim 17  and including the step wherein each of said first and second compressor is fluidly connected in at least one refrigerant circuit which at least includes, in serial flow relationship, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator. 
   
   
       28 . A method as set forth in  claim 27  and including the step wherein said at least one refrigerant circuit is a single circuit and said compressors are connected to operate in parallel flow relationship. 
   
   
       29 . A method as set forth in  claim 27  and including the step wherein said at least one refrigerant circuit comprises a pair of refrigerant circuits and each said compressor is connected in a separate refrigerant circuit. 
   
   
       30 . A method as set forth in  claim 27  and including the step wherein said compressors are connected in serial flow relationship. 
   
   
       31 . A method as set forth in  claim 30  and including the step of including an economizer function with at least a portion of refrigerant flowing to a point between said two compressors. 
   
   
       32 . A method as set forth in  claim 17  wherein at least one of said two compressors comprises multiple compressors.