Example Of A Tecumseh Hermetic Compressor - Tecumseh AH5540E Service Handbook

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SERVICE HANDBOOK

Example of a Tecumseh Hermetic Compressor

A Tecumseh hermetic compressor is a direct-connected motor compressor assembly enclosed
within a steel housing and designed to pump low pressure refrigerant gas to a higher pressure.
The major internal parts of a Tecumseh hermetic compressor are shown in Figure A-2 and are
listed in the same sequence as that of the refrigerant gas flow through the compressor. First, the
suction is drawn into the compressor housing, then to and through the electric motor which pro-
vides power to the crankshaft. The crankshaft revolves in its bearings, driving the piston(s) in the
cylinder(s). The crankshaft is designed to carry oil from the oil pump in the bottom of the compres-
sor to all bearing surfaces. Refrigerant gas surrounds the compressor crankcase and motor as it
is drawn through the compressor housing and into the cylinder(s) through the suction muffler and
suction valves. As the gas is pressured by the moving piston, it is released through the discharge
valves, discharge muffler and compressor discharge tube.
Some Tecumseh hermetic compressors are low pressure housing compressors. These compres-
sor housings are not normally subjected to discharge pressure—operating instead at relatively
low suction pressures. These Tecumseh compressors are general installed on equipment where
it is impractical to disconnect or isolate the compressor from the system during pressure testing;
therefore, do no exceed a field leak test pressure of 150 Psig when pressurizing such a complete
system.
Many Tecumseh hermetic compressors contain internal motor protectors—the details of these are
covered under "Hermetic Compressor Thermal Protectors" on pages 19-20.