Swash ring compressor with spherical bearing

Abstract

A variable displacement compressor includes a housing and a rotatable shaft supported within the housing. A pin extends generally outward from the shaft and includes a generally cylindrical distal end. A sleeve is slidably mounted about the shaft and rotates with the shaft. A swash ring is pivotally supported on the sleeve by a pair of bearing pins that extend radially outward from opposite sides of the sleeve and pivotally engage the swash ring. The swash ring is rotatable with the shaft and includes a radially inwardly open spherical pocket. A spherical bearing insert is positioned within the pocket and the cylindrical distal end of the pin slidably engages the spherical bearing insert. The swash ring defines an adjustable angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. A biasing member engages the sleeve and biases the sleeve along the shaft.

1 . A variable displacement compressor comprising; 
 a housing;    a shaft supported within the housing for rotational movement about an axis running longitudinally therethrough;    a pin extending generally outward from the shaft and including a generally cylindrical distal end;    a sleeve mounted about the shaft, being slidable along the shaft and rotatable with the shaft;    a swash ring pivotally supported on the sleeve by a pair of bearing pins, the bearing pins being axially aligned with one another and extending radially outward from diametrically opposed sides of the sleeve and pivotally engaging the swash ring wherein the swash ring is pivotable about an axis running longitudinally through the bearing pins and perpendicularly through the axis of the shaft, the swash ring being rotatable with the shaft and further including a radially inwardly open spherical pocket;    a spherical bearing insert being positioned within the pocket, the cylindrical distal end of the pin slidably engaging the spherical bearing insert thereby pivotally coupling the swash ring to the distal end of the pin, the swash ring further defining an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the angle being adjustable with respect to the axis;    a piston supported within the housing, the piston coupled to the swash ring whereby rotation of the swash ring causes reciprocating axial movement of the piston; and    a biasing member engaging the sleeve and biasing the sleeve along the shaft.    
     
     
         2 . The variable displacement compressor of  claim 1  wherein the biasing member is positioned between the sleeve and a structural portion of the compressor.  
     
     
         3 . The variable displacement compressor of  claim 1  wherein the shaft includes a snap ring groove having a snap ring positioned therein and the biasing member is positioned between the sleeve and the snap ring.  
     
     
         4 . The variable displacement compressor of  claim 1  wherein the biasing member is a spring.  
     
     
         5 . The variable displacement compressor of  claim 1  wherein the spherical bearing insert includes a cylindrical orifice extending therethrough, the cylindrical distal end of the pin being received within the cylindrical orifice of the spherical bearing insert.  
     
     
         6 . The variable displacement compressor of  claim 1  wherein the spherical bearing insert is formed of a copper alloy.  
     
     
         7 . The variable displacement compressor of  claim 1  wherein the swash ring is made from a non-ferrous alloy and the spherical bearing is made from a ferrous alloy.  
     
     
         8 . A variable displacement compressor comprising; 
 a housing;    a shaft supported within the housing for rotational movement about an axis running longitudinally therethorugh;    a pin extending generally outward from the shaft and including a generally cylindrical distal end;    a sleeve mounted about the shaft, being slidable along the shaft and rotatable with the shaft;    a swash ring pivotally supported on said sleeve by a pair of bearing pins, the bearing pins being axially aligned with one another and extending radially outward from diametrically opposed sides of the sleeve and pivotally engaging the swash ring wherein the swash ring is pivotable about an axis running longitudinally through the bearing pins and perpendicularly through the axis of the shaft, the swash ring being rotatable with the shaft and further including a radially inwardly open spherical pocket;    a copper alloy spherical bearing insert being positioned within the pocket, the spherical bearing insert including a cylindrical orifice extending therethrough, the cylindrical distal end of the pin being slidably received within the cylindrical orifice, thereby pivotally coupling the swash ring to the distal end of the pin, the swash ring further defining an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the angle being adjustable with respect to the axis;    a piston supported within the housing, the piston coupled to the swash ring whereby rotation of the swash ring causes reciprocating axial movement of the piston; and    a biasing member engaging the sleeve and biasing the sleeve along the shaft.    
     
     
         9 . The variable displacement compressor of  claim 8  wherein the biasing member is positioned between the sleeve and a structural portion of the compressor.  
     
     
         10 . The variable displacement compressor of  claim 8  wherein the shaft includes a snap ring groove having a snap ring positioned therein and the biasing member is positioned between the sleeve and the snap ring.  
     
     
         11 . The variable displacement compressor of  claim 8  wherein the biasing member is a spring.