Swash-plate compressor and its housing

Abstract

This swash-plate compressor ( 10 ) has a housing ( 12 ). The housing comprises a top portion ( 26 ) defining a passage ( 32 ) for a mixed gas of a refrigerant and lubricating oil to be introduced into its interior, and a valve ( 45 ) such as a solenoid valve attached to the top portion. The top portion ( 26 ) has at least one barrier ( 42 ) which is provided within the passage and with which the mixed gas can collide, a recess ( 44 ) for reserving the lubricating oil in the mixed gas which flows down, and a hole ( 46 ) communicating between the recess and the inner space of the housing. The valve opens and closes this hole.

What we claim is:  
     
         1 . A housing for a swash-plate compressor, comprising: 
 a top portion defining a passage for a mixed gas of a refrigerant and lubricating oil to be introduced into said swash-plate compressor; and    a valve attached to said top portion;    wherein said top portion has at least one barrier which is provided within said passage and with which said mixed gas can collide; a recess for reserving said lubricating oil within said mixed gas adhered to said barrier by the collision and flowing down along said barrier; and a hole communicating with said recess and an inner space of said housing, and    wherein said valve performs opening and closing of said hole.    
     
     
         2 . A housing according to  claim 1  wherein said valve is formed from a solenoid valve.  
     
     
         3 . A compressor comprising: 
 a housing described in  claim 1;     a cylinder block accommodated in the inner space of said housing, said cylinder block including a plurality of cylinders at intervals from each other about its axis and an opening communicating with each cylinder;    a shaft supported rotatably on said cylinder block;    a swash plate secured to said shaft and rotatable with said shaft; and    a piston disposed within each cylinder of said cylinder block and having a cavity for receiving a part of said swash plate.    
     
     
         4 . A housing according to  claim 3  wherein said valve is formed from a solenoid valve.  
     
     
         5 . A compressor according to  claim 3  wherein one of the openings of said cylinder block and the hole on said top portion of said housing confront each other.