Patent ID: 6419049
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
A reciprocating compressor comprising:a rotatable rotor; a shaft connected to and rotatable with the rotor in a direction of rotation about an axis of the shaft; a main shaft bearing in which the shaft is rotatably supported; a crank mounted on the shaft; a cylinder; a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder and operably connected to the crank to be reciprocated thereby within the cylinder to compress fluid; a thrust washer disposed axially between a front end face of the main shaft bearing and a surface of the rotor; and a lubrication system for circulating liquid lubricant along the shaft to the front end face of the main shaft bearing; the front end face of the main shaft bearing including grooves formed therein, each groove extending from an inlet disposed at a radially inner periphery of the front end face to an outlet disposed at a radially outer periphery thereof; the inlet lying on a first radius of the front end face, and the outlet lying on a second radius of the front end face; the second radius forming an angle with the first radius and disposed ahead of the first radius with reference to the direction of rotation; a cross-section of each groove becoming smaller in a direction toward the outlet.