U.S. patent application number 11/656858 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-02 for oil separation structure in compressor.
Invention is credited to Yoshinori Inoue, Naoki Koeda, Masaya Sakamoto, Tomoji Tarutani.
Application Number | 20070177991 11/656858 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37946104 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070177991 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Inoue; Yoshinori ; et
al. |
August 2, 2007 |
Oil separation structure in compressor
Abstract
A muffler forming member defines a muffler chamber. Refrigerant
discharged from a cylinder bore is sent to the muffler chamber. The
muffler forming member is coupled to a circumferential surface of a
housing of a compressor. An oil separation chamber is defined in a
discharge pressure zone of the compressor. The oil separation
chamber separates the oil from the refrigerant discharged from the
cylinder bore. The oil separation chamber extends into both the
muffler forming member and the housing. The oil separation chamber
has a refrigerant inlet through which the refrigerant flows into
the oil separation chamber. The refrigerant inlet is formed in the
muffler forming member. Therefore, the oil separation chamber is
prolonged in the direction from the muffler forming member toward
the housing, thereby improving the oil separation performance.
Inventors: |
Inoue; Yoshinori;
(Kariya-shi, JP) ; Koeda; Naoki; (Kariya-shi,
JP) ; Sakamoto; Masaya; (Kariya-shi, JP) ;
Tarutani; Tomoji; (Kariya-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORGAN & FINNEGAN, L.L.P.
3 World Financial Center
New York
NY
10281-2101
US
|
Family ID: |
37946104 |
Appl. No.: |
11/656858 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/312 ;
417/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 39/04 20130101;
F04B 39/0061 20130101; F04B 39/16 20130101; F04B 39/0072 20130101;
F04B 27/109 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/312 ;
417/269 |
International
Class: |
F04B 39/00 20060101
F04B039/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 23, 2006 |
JP |
2006-013690 |
Claims
1. An oil separation structure provided in a discharge pressure
zone in a compressor, wherein the compressor includes: a piston for
compressing refrigerant containing oil; a housing defining a
cylinder bore for accommodating the piston, the housing having a
circumferential surface; and a muffler forming member coupled to
the circumferential surface of the housing, wherein the muffler
forming member defines a muffler chamber, wherein the refrigerant
discharged from the cylinder bore is sent to the muffler chamber,
the oil separation structure in the compressor comprising; an oil
separation chamber separating the oil from the refrigerant, the oil
separation chamber extending into both the muffler forming member
and the housing, the oil separation chamber having a refrigerant
inlet through which the refrigerant flows into the oil separation
chamber, and the refrigerant inlet being formed in the muffler
forming member.
2. The oil separation structure according to claim 1, wherein the
housing defines an oil reservoir chamber, which communicates with
the oil separation chamber, the oil reservoir chamber located
adjacent to the oil separation chamber in a circumferential
direction of the housing.
3. The oil separation structure according to claim 2, the
compressor further having a partition functioning as a seal located
between the housing and the muffler forming member, the oil
separation chamber extending through the partition, the oil
separation chamber having a refrigerant outlet through which the
refrigerant flows out of the oil separation chamber to communicate
with the muffler chamber, the refrigerant outlet being formed in
the muffler forming member, and the partition dividing the oil
reservoir chamber from the muffler chamber.
4. The oil separation structure according to claim 3, wherein the
compressor has a discharge passage through which the refrigerant
discharged from the cylinder bore flows, and wherein the discharge
passage extends from the interior of the housing to the refrigerant
inlet through the partition.
5. The oil separation structure according to claim 3, wherein the
muffler forming member has an oil separating cylinder, which
extends from the muffler forming member into the oil separation
chamber, the oil separating cylinder having an opening facing the
housing, and the opening functioning as the refrigerant outlet.
6. The oil separation structure according to claim 2, wherein the
cylinder bore is one of a plurality of cylinder bores defined by
the housing, the cylinder bores include a first cylinder bore, a
second cylinder bore, and a third cylinder bore, the first and
second cylinder bores being adjacent to each other in a
circumferential direction of the housing, and the third cylinder
bore being adjacent to at least one of the first and second
cylinder bores, wherein the housing includes: a first intervening
portion between the first cylinder bore and the second cylinder
bore; and a second intervening portion between the third cylinder
bore and the first cylinder bore or between the third cylinder bore
and the second cylinder bore, and wherein the oil separation
chamber has a bottom formed in the housing, the bottom being
located above the first intervening portion, wherein the oil
reservoir chamber has a bottom formed in the housing, the bottom of
the oil reservoir chamber being located above the second
intervening portion.
7. The oil separation structure according to claim 1, wherein the
compressor has a discharge passage through which the refrigerant
discharged from the cylinder bore flows, and wherein the discharge
passage is connected to the oil separation chamber, and the oil
separation chamber is connected to the muffler chamber such that
the refrigerant in the discharge passage flows into the oil
separation chamber, and flows toward the muffler chamber from the
oil separation chamber.
8. A compressor having a discharge pressure zone, comprising: a
piston for compressing refrigerant containing oil; a housing
defining a cylinder bore for accommodating the piston, the housing
having a circumferential surface; a muffler forming member coupled
to the circumferential surface of the housing, wherein the muffler
forming member defines a muffler chamber, wherein the refrigerant
discharged from the cylinder bore is sent to the muffler chamber;
an oil separation chamber separating the oil from the refrigerant
discharged from the cylinder bore, the oil separation chamber
extending into both the muffler forming member and the housing, the
oil separation chamber having a refrigerant inlet through which the
refrigerant flows into the oil separation chamber, and the
refrigerant inlet being formed in the muffler forming member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an oil separation structure
in a compressor.
[0002] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-182430
discloses a compressor having a muffler forming portion. The
muffler forming portion is located on the outer circumference of a
cylinder block that forms a part of the compressor housing. A first
muffler chamber is defined in the muffler forming portion. The
muffler forming portion is coupled to a muffler cover (muffler
forming member). A second muffler chamber is defined in the muffler
cover. A swirl chamber is defined in the first muffler chamber. A
downwardly projecting cylindrical oil separator is provided in the
swirl chamber. As pistons reciprocate, refrigerant is discharged to
a discharge chamber from the cylinder bores. The refrigerant is
then led to the first muffler chamber via a discharge passage.
After entering the first muffler chamber, the refrigerant flows
into the swirl chamber. The refrigerant flows downward while
swirling along the circumferential wall of the swirl chamber. Oil
contained in the refrigerant that has entered the swirl chamber is
separated as the refrigerant swirls in the swirl chamber. The
refrigerant then flows to the second muffler chamber from a lower
end and the interior of the cylindrical oil separator. The oil,
which has been separated from refrigerant in the swirl chamber, is
supplied to a crank chamber that accommodates a swash plate through
a recovery passage. The lubricant oil supplied to the crank chamber
lubricates parts in the compressor that needs lubrication.
[0003] To improve the oil separation performance of the swirl
chamber, the swirl chamber is preferably prolonged in the direction
from the muffler cover to the cylinder block. However, if the swirl
chamber (oil separation chamber) is excessively prolonged in the
direction along the cylindrical oil separator, the required
strength of the cylinder block cannot be ensured. Therefore, the
length of the swirl chamber cannot be simply prolonged.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to
provide an oil separation structure that is capable of increasing
the length of an oil separation chamber, thereby improving the oil
separation performance.
[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, an oil separation
structure provided in a discharge pressure zone in a compressor is
provided. The compressor includes: a piston for compressing
refrigerant containing oil; a housing defining a cylinder bore for
accommodating the piston. The housing has a circumferential
surface. The compressor further includes a muffler forming member
coupled to the circumferential surface of the housing. The muffler
defines a muffler chamber. The refrigerant discharged from the
cylinder bore is sent to the muffler chamber. The oil separation
structure in the compressor includes an oil separation chamber
separating the oil from the refrigerant. The oil separation chamber
extends into both the muffler forming member and the housing. The
oil separation chamber has a refrigerant inlet through which the
refrigerant flows into the oil separation chamber. The refrigerant
inlet is formed in the muffler forming member.
[0006] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the
principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof,
may best be understood by reference to the following description of
the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional side view illustrating the
entirety of a compressor according to a first embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 1B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the
compressor shown in FIG. 1A;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of
FIG. 1A;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of
FIG. 1B;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 3; and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] A fixed displacement piston compressor according to a first
embodiment of the present invention will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 1A to 5.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 1A, a front housing member 12 and a rear
housing member 13 are coupled to a cylinder block 11. A suction
chamber 131 and a discharge chamber 132 are defined in the rear
housing member 13. The cylinder block 11, the front housing member
12, and the rear housing member 13 form a housing of a compressor
10.
[0017] A rotary shaft 14 is rotatably supported by the cylinder
block 11 and the front housing member 12. The rotary shaft 14
extends through shaft holes 111, 121 formed in the cylinder block
11 and the front housing member 12. The rotary shaft 14 is
supported by the cylinder block 11 and the front housing member 12
with radial bearings 18, 19 located in the shaft holes 111,
121.
[0018] A swash plate 16 is fixed to the rotary shaft 14. The swash
plate 16, which functions as a cam member, is accommodated in a cam
chamber 17. The swash plate 16 is pressed against a thrust bearing
44 located between the front housing member 12 and the swash plate
16 by the force of a compression spring 43. The force of the
compression spring 43 prevents the rotary shaft 14 from chattering
in the axial direction.
[0019] A sealing device 15 of lip seal type is located between the
front housing member 12 and the rotary shaft 14. An accommodation
chamber 45 for accommodating the sealing device 15 communicates
with the cam chamber 17. The sealing device 15 prevents refrigerant
from leaking through between the circumferential surface of the
rotary shaft 14 and the front housing member 12.
[0020] The cam chamber 17 is connected to an external refrigerant
circuit 28 via a suction hole 122 formed in the front housing
member 12. A heat exchanger 29 for removing heat from refrigerant,
an expansion valve 30, and a heat exchanger 31 for transferring the
ambient heat to refrigerant are located on the external refrigerant
circuit 28.
[0021] Cylinder bores 20 are formed in the cylinder block 11 to
surround the rotary shaft 14. As show in FIG. 2, the number the
cylinder bores 20 is five in this embodiment. A piston 21 is
retained in each cylinder bore 20.
[0022] Rotation of the swash plate 16, which rotates integrally
with the rotary shaft 14, is converted into reciprocation of the
pistons 21 via shoes 22, which slide on the swash plate 16 as shown
in FIG. 1A. Thus, each piston 21 reciprocates back and forth inside
the corresponding cylinder bore 20. That is, the pistons 21 are
interlinked with rotation of the rotary shaft 14 by means of the
swash plate 16, which is integrated with the rotary shaft 14. Each
piston 21 defines a compression chamber 201 in the corresponding
cylinder bore 20.
[0023] A valve plate 23, suction valve plate 24, discharge valve
plate 25, and a retainer plate 26 are arranged between the cylinder
block 11 and the rear housing member 13. Suction ports 231 are
formed in the valve plate 23, the discharge valve plate 25, and the
retainer plate 26. Discharge ports 232 are formed in the valve
plate 23 and the suction valve plate 24. Flexible suction valves
241 are formed on the suction valve plate 24, and flexible
discharge valves 251 are formed on the discharge valve plate25. The
suction valves 241 open and close the suction ports 231, and the
discharge valves 251 open and close the discharge ports 232.
Retainers 261 are formed on the retainer plate 26. The retainers
261 limit the opening degree of the discharge valve 251.
[0024] An in-shaft passage 142 is formed in the rotary shaft 14.
The in-shaft passage 142 communicates with the suction chamber 131
through a bore 46 extending through the valve plate 23.
[0025] The rotary shaft 14 has an inlet hole 27, which communicates
with the in-shaft passage 142. The entrance of the inlet hole 27 of
the rotary shaft 14 is located between the swash plate 16 and the
cylinder block 11. Gaseous refrigerant in the cam chamber 17 flows
into the in-shaft passage 142 via the inlet hole 27. The
refrigerant in the in-shaft passage 142 flows to the suction
chamber 131.
[0026] When each cylinder bore 20 is in a suction stroke, that is,
when the associated piston 21 is moved from right to left as viewed
in FIG. 1A, refrigerant in the suction chamber 131 is drawn into
the cylinder bore 20 (the compression chamber 201) through the
corresponding suction port 231, while opening the suction valve
241. When each cylinder bore 20 is in a discharge stroke, that is,
when the associated piston 21 is moved from left to right as viewed
in FIG. 1A, gaseous refrigerant in the cylinder bore 20 (the
compression chamber 201) is discharged to the discharge chamber 132
through the corresponding discharge port 232, while opening the
discharge valve 251. The thrust bearing 44 receives discharge
reaction force that acts on the swash plate 16 from the cylinder
bores 20 through the pistons 21 and the shoes 22.
[0027] A mount 32 is integrally formed with and projects from an
upper portion of the outer circumferential surface 110 of the
cylinder block 11, which forms a part of the entire housing of the
compressor 10. As shown in FIG. 1B, the upper end of the mount 32
is flat. A muffler forming member 33 is coupled to the upper end of
the mount 32 with a flat plate-like sealing gasket 34 in between.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the muffler forming member 33 and the
gasket 34 are secured to the mount 32 by means of screws 35.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, a lower oil separation chamber 361 is
defined in the mount 32 of the cylinder block 11, and an upper oil
separation chamber 362 is defined in the muffler forming member 33.
The upper oil separation chamber 362 communicates with the lower
oil separation chamber 361. That is, an oil separation chamber 36
includes the lower oil separation chamber 361 and the upper oil
separation chamber 362, and the oil separation chamber 36 extending
into the mount 32 and the muffler forming member 33. As shown in
FIG. 4, the oil separation chamber 36 is cylindrical and has a
circumferential surface 363. The axis of the circumferential
surface 363 is perpendicular to the gasket 34.
[0029] The lower oil separation chamber 361 is defined above a
first intervening portion 115 of the cylinder block 11. The first
intervening portion 115 is located between a first cylinder bore
20A, which is the topmost one of the cylinder bores 20, and a
second cylinder bore 20B, which is adjacent to the first cylinder
bore 20A. The second cylinder bore 20B is the one to the left of
the first cylinder 20A as viewed in FIG. 3. That is, a bottom 365
of the lower oil separation chamber 361 is located above the first
intervening portion 115. An oil reservoir chamber 37 is defined in
the mount 32 to communicate with the lower oil separation chamber
361 in the mount 32 of the cylinder block 11. A bottom 375 of the
reservoir chamber 37 is located above a second intervening portion
116. The second intervening portion 116 is located between the
first cylinder bore 20A, which is the topmost one of the cylinder
bore 20, and a third cylinder bore 20C, which is adjacent to the
first cylinder bore 20A. The third cylinder bore 20C is the one to
the right of the first cylinder 20A as viewed in FIG. 3. That is,
the oil reservoir chamber 37 is located adjacent to the oil
separation chamber 36 in the circumferential direction of the
cylinder block 11.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1B, the oil reservoir chamber 37 is
connected to the cam chamber 17 through an oil supply passage 112.
The inlet of the oil supply passage 112 is located in the bottom of
the oil reservoir chamber 37.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the oil reservoir chamber 37 is divided
from the lower oil separation chamber 361 by an arcuate dividing
wall 38, which is formed integrally with the mount 32. The oil
reservoir chamber 37 communicates with the lower oil separation
chamber 361 through a port 39 at the end of the arcuate dividing
wall 38. As shown in FIG. 3, the port 39 is located at a position
higher than the bottom of the lower oil separation chamber 361.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, a discharge passage 40 is formed in the
mount 32 and the muffler forming member 33, extending through the
gasket 34. The discharge passage 40 includes a lower discharge
passage 401 and an upper discharge passage 402. The lower discharge
passage 401 is formed in the mount 32, and communicates with the
discharge chamber 132. The upper discharge passage 402 is defined
in the muffler forming member 33 to communicate with the lower
discharge passage 401. The upper discharge passage 402 is connected
to the upper oil separation chamber 362 through a port 403 formed
in the circumferential wall of the upper oil separation chamber
362. That is, the port 403 serves as an outlet of the upper
discharge passage 402, and serves as an inlet of the upper oil
separation chamber 362.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the port 403 is directed to the
circumferential surface 363 of the upper oil separation chamber 362
as indicated by arrow R in FIG. 5 when viewed from above the
compressor 10 (as viewed along the longitudinal direction of the
oil separation chamber 36). Gaseous refrigerant in the discharge
chamber 132 flows into the upper oil separation chamber 362 via the
discharge passage 40. Refrigerant that flows into the oil
separation chamber 36 via the port 403 serving as the refrigerant
inlet, swirls counterclockwise in the oil separation chamber 36
when viewed from above the compressor 10.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, an oil separating cylinder 41 is
integrally formed with the muffler forming member 33. The oil
separating cylinder 41 extends into the upper oil separation
chamber 362 from the muffler forming member 33 toward the mount 32.
An opening 411 at the lower end of the oil separating cylinder 41
opens to the upper oil separation chamber 362 to face the cylinder
block 11 at a position lower than the port 403 of the upper oil
separation chamber 362.
[0035] The muffler forming member 33 is formed such that a muffler
chamber 42 communicates with a passage 412 in the oil separating
cylinder 41. The muffler chamber 42 communicates with the external
refrigerant circuit 28 via a discharge hole 47 to discharge the
refrigerant from the compressor 10. The muffler chamber 42 is
divided from the oil reservoir chamber 37 by the gasket 34 serving
as a partition.
[0036] After discharged to the discharge chamber 132, refrigerant
flows out to the external refrigerant circuit 28 via the discharge
passage 40, the port 403 serving as a refrigerant inlet, the oil
separation chamber 36, the opening 411 serving as a refrigerant
outlet, the passage 412 in the oil separating cylinder 41, the
muffler chamber 42, and the discharge hole 47. This discharge path
from the discharge chamber 132 to the external refrigerant circuit
28 constitutes a discharge pressure zone for receiving the
discharged refrigerant. That is, the discharge chamber 132, the
discharge passage 40, the port 403, the oil separation chamber 36,
the opening 411, the passage 412, the muffler chamber 42, and the
discharge hole 47 are parts of the discharge pressure zone. After
being discharged to the external refrigerant circuit 28, the
refrigerant is returned to the cam chamber 17, which is a suction
pressure zone. The circuit including the compressor 10 and the
external refrigerant circuit 28 contains oil, which flows together
with refrigerant. After flowing into the oil separation chamber 36
through the port 403, refrigerant flows toward the bottom of the
oil separation chamber 36 while swirling in the direction of arrow
R along the circumferential surface 363 of the oil separation
chamber 36. This separates misted oil from the refrigerant. After
being separated from the refrigerant, the oil is sent to the oil
reservoir chamber 37 through the port 39. The oil separated from
the refrigerant is stored in the oil reservoir chamber 37, and is
then supplied to the cam chamber 17 via the oil supply passage 112.
When supplied to the cam chamber 17, the oil lubricates parts that
require lubrication in the cam chamber 17 (sliding portions of the
swash plate 16 and the shoes 22, the sealing device 15, the radial
bearings 18, 19, and the thrust bearing 44).
[0037] The first embodiment provides the following advantages.
[0038] (1) The longer the oil separation chamber 36 (in the
direction from the muffler forming member 33 toward the cylinder
block 11), the longer the swirling distance of refrigerant swirling
in the oil separation chamber 36. Accordingly, the oil separation
performance in the oil separation chamber 36 is improved. Since the
oil separation chamber 36 extends into the cylinder block 11 and
the muffler forming member 33, which are parts of the entire
housing, the oil separation chamber 36 is longer than in the case
where an oil separation chamber is provided only in the mount 32 of
the cylinder block 11. Accordingly, the oil separation performance
of the oil separation chamber 36 is improved.
[0039] (2) The port 403 as the refrigerant inlet of the oil
separation chamber 36 is formed in the muffler forming member 33.
The discharged gas flows upward from the cylinder block 11, then
into the oil separation chamber 36 through the port 403, and swirls
around the cylinder 41 while flowing downwardly. Thereby, the
swirling distance of the refrigerant is prolonged, and the oil
separation performance is improved.
[0040] (3) If an oil reservoir chamber is located below the oil
separation chamber 36, a large amount of separated oil will be
stored in the oil separation chamber 36, too. The stored oil
significantly reduces the space of the oil separation chamber 36
for oil separation. In this case, the substantial length of the oil
separation chamber 36 (in the direction from the muffler forming
member 33 toward the cylinder block 11) will be shortened, and
thus, the oil separation performance of the oil separation chamber
36 will be significantly reduced.
[0041] Since the oil reservoir chamber 37 is divided from the oil
separation chamber 36 in the circumferential direction of the
cylinder block 11, the space of the oil separation chamber 36 for
oil separation is prevented from being significantly reduced by
stored oil.
[0042] (4) If the oil reservoir chamber 37 and the muffler chamber
42 are divided by a member other than the gasket 34, the number of
parts of the compressor will be increased, which leads to an
increased costs. Since the gasket 34 is a necessary part for
preventing refrigerant from leaking from the joint section between
the cylinder block 11 (the mount 32) and the muffler forming member
33, the structure in which the gasket 34 is used for dividing the
muffler chamber 42 and the oil reservoir chamber 37 reduces the
number of the parts.
[0043] (5) The discharge passage 40 passes through the gasket 34
and communicates with the oil separation chamber 36. The structure
in which the discharge passage 40 passes through the gasket 34 is
favorable structure for preventing refrigerant in the discharge
passage 40 from leaking through the joint section between the
cylinder block 11 (the mount 32) and the muffler forming member
33.
[0044] (6) The longer the distance of the swirling motion of
refrigerant in the oil separation chamber 36, the more improved the
oil separation performance becomes. The oil separating cylinder 41
promotes swirling of refrigerant in the oil separation chamber 36,
thereby increasing the swirling distance. The longer the oil
separating cylinder 41, the longer the distance of the swirling
motion of the refrigerant in the oil separation chamber 36. Since
the oil separation chamber 36 is longer than an oil separation
chamber that is provided only in the cylinder block 11, the oil
separation chamber 36 is advantageous in providing the prolonged
cylinder 41.
[0045] (7) As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom 365 of the oil separation
chamber 36 in the cylinder block 11 is located above the first
intervening portion 115. The bottom 375 of the oil reservoir
chamber 37 is located above the second intervening portion 116,
which is adjacent to the first intervening portion 115 in the
circumferential direction of the cylinder block 11.
[0046] Therefore, the level of oil in the oil separation chamber 36
is not raised due to the existence of the oil reservoir chamber
37.
[0047] The present invention may be embodied in the following
forms.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, the lower oil separation chamber 361 and
the oil reservoir chamber 37 in the cylinder block 11 may be
divided from each other. The bottom of the lower oil separation
chamber 361 and the oil reservoir chamber 37 may be connected to
each other by a communication passage 233 formed in the suction
valve plate 24 and a valve plate 23 (see FIG. 1A) of the cylinder
block 11.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the distal end of the oil separating
cylinder 41 may extend into the lower oil separation chamber
361.
[0050] The oil reservoir chamber 37 of the first embodiment may be
omitted, and a bottom portion of the lower oil separation chamber
361 may serve as an oil reservoir chamber.
[0051] The oil reservoir chamber 37 and the muffler chamber 42 may
be divided from each other by a member other than the gasket
34.
[0052] The oil separating cylinder 41 may not be formed integrally
with the muffler forming member 33. The cylinder 41 may be attached
to the muffler forming member 33.
[0053] A muffler forming member may be attached to the outer
periphery of the front housing member 12, and an oil separation
chamber may be formed to extend into the muffler forming member and
the front housing member 12.
[0054] A muffler forming member may be formed across the cylinder
block 11 and the front housing member 12.
[0055] A muffler forming member may be formed across the cylinder
block 11 and the rear housing member 13 may be provided.
[0056] Oil in the oil reservoir chamber 37 may be directly supplied
to the suction chamber 131.
[0057] The muffler chamber 42 may be formed between the discharge
passage 40 and the oil separation chamber 36, so that refrigerant
flows to the external refrigerant circuit 28 from the oil
separation chamber 36 without passing through a muffler
chamber.
[0058] The present invention may be applied to a compressor that
directly draws refrigerant from an external refrigerant circuit to
a suction chamber.
[0059] The present invention may be applied to a piston compressor
having a cam member other than a swash plate.
[0060] The present invention may be applied to a variable
displacement piston compressor as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open
Patent Publication No. 11-182430.
* * * * *