Gas discharge arrangement for a refrigeration compressor

Abstract

The compressor comprises: a shell carrying a gas outlet tube and housing a cylinder cap having a gas outlet; and a plastic discharge tube having an inlet end and an outlet end respectively coupled to the gas outlet and to the gas outlet tube, at least one of said inlet and outlet ends being connected to a discharge part, defined at the gas outlet or at the gas outlet tube, by a connecting element having: a fixation portion, affixed inside the discharge part; an engaging portion fitted inside one end of the discharge tube and carrying a superficial indexing means acting against the discharge tube; and gripping means disposed between the indexing means and the fixation portion; and a retaining ring mounted around the discharge tube for compressing the latter, in order to spike, therein, the gripping means.

1 . A gas discharge arrangement for a refrigeration compressor, which comprises: a shell carrying a gas outlet tube and housing a gas compression mechanism including a cylinder and a cylinder cap, which defines, internally, a gas discharge chamber and has a gas outlet; and a discharge tube, in a flexible plastic material, having an inlet end, coupled to the gas outlet, and an outlet end coupled to the gas outlet tube, characterized in that at least one of the inlet end and outlet end of the discharge tube is connected to a discharge part, defined in any one of the gas outlet and the gas outlet tube, by a tubular-shaped connecting element, having:
 a fixation portion, to be affixed in the interior of the respective discharge part; 
 an engaging portion to be fitted, with interference, in the interior of one end of the discharge tube and carrying a superficial indexing means, which produces a corresponding radial deformation in the discharge tube; and at least one gripping means, superficially disposed between the superficial indexing means and the fixation portion; and 
 a retaining ring, disposed around the end of the discharge tube and radially compressing the latter in order that the gripping means of the engaging portion of the connecting element be spiked in said discharge tube. 
 
     
     
         2 . The arrangement, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the superficial indexing means is spaced away from the fixation portion and projects, radially outwardly from the engaging portion, the retaining ring being axially retained, in at least one direction, by the radial deformation of the end of the discharge tube and, in an opposite direction, by the fixation portion. 
     
     
         3 . The arrangement, according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the retaining ring has opposite end edges, which are respectively seated against the radial deformation of the end of the discharge tube and against the fixation portion of the connecting element. 
     
     
         4 . The arrangement, according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the retaining ring has an end edge axially seated and locked against the fixation portion of the connecting element, and a free opposite end edge, said retaining ring being internally provided with a circumferential groove housing and axially locking, in its interior, the radial deformation of the adjacent end of the discharge tube. 
     
     
         5 . The arrangement, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the superficial indexing means is defined by a circumferential rib with a cross section in convex arc. 
     
     
         6 . The arrangement, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the gripping means is in the form of a frusto-conical circumferential projection, with its smaller base coinciding with the contour of the engaging portion, and with its larger base defining an annular step projecting outward from the engaging portion and turned to the fixation portion. 
     
     
         7 . The arrangement, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the engaging portion has a free end and an opposite end joined to the fixation portion and carrying a stop means radially projecting outwardly from the contour of the engaging portion, spaced away from the gripping means. 
     
     
         8 . The arrangement, according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the stop means is defined by an annular flange affixed around the opposite end of the engaging portion. 
     
     
         9 . The arrangement, according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the superficial indexing means is spaced away from the free end of the engaging portion. 
     
     
         10 . The arrangement, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the connecting element is made in a single piece. 
     
     
         11 . The arrangement, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the fixation portion is cylindrical and affixed to the respective discharge part, defined in any one of the gas outlet and the gas outlet tube, by means of adhesive. 
     
     
         12 . The arrangement, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the fixation portion comprises an external thread to be affixed to the respective discharge part, defined in any one of the gas outlet and the gas outlet tube. 
     
     
         13 . The arrangement, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the retaining ring incorporates, externally, a stop element defined by a circumferential shoulder, for allowing that a tool for insertion of the retaining ring be seated on the portion of the tube surrounding the engaging portion of the connecting element.