Patent Application
20240035463
This invention relates generally to compressors, and more particularly to a compressor assembly that includes a rigid mounting plate attached to a front head of a compressor with a plurality of mounting bolts that extend entirely through the compressor from the front head to the rear head.
Compressors used in vehicle air conditioning units are frequently constructed of aluminum. There is a need, however, for compressors that have greater strength and rigidity in the compressor housing. The present invention meets this need by providing a rigid steel mounting plate and a plurality of rigid steel case bolts that extend entirely through the mounting plate and the compressor, from the front head to the rear head. This construction has been found to meet the needs of the market in a preferred construction.
The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.
The present invention provides a compressor assembly that includes the following: a pulley assembly; compressor having a front head, a rear head, and a piston assembly operably mounted between the front head and the rear head; a mounting plate mounted between the pulley assembly and the compressor, so that the mounting plate abuts the front head; and a plurality of case bolts that extend through the mounting plate, the front head, and into the rear head.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a compressor assembly having advantages not taught by the prior art.
Another objective is to provide a compressor assembly that includes a rigid mounting plate attached to a front head of a compressor with a plurality of mounting bolts that extend entirely through the compressor from the front head to the rear head.
A further objective is to provide a compressor assembly wherein the rigid mounting plate is constructed of steel, and the front and rear heads of the compressor is constructed of aluminum.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention.
The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention, a compressor assembly that is lightweight and inexpensive due to a primarily aluminum construction, but which also includes components that are constructed of steel to provide superior strength and rigidity.
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The mounting plate 30 is mounted between the pulley assembly 20 and the compressor 40, so that the mounting plate 30 abuts the front head 42 of the compressor 40. In this embodiment, the compressor assembly 10 further comprises fasteners 43 that mount the mounting plate 30 onto the front head 42, but do not extend into the rear head 46. The fasteners 43 may be bolts, screws, or any other form of fastener known in the art. In this embodiment, the front and rear heads 42 and 46 are constructed of aluminum, and the mounting plate 30 is constructed of steel.
The plurality of case bolts 50 extend through the mounting plate 30 and the length of the compressor 40, through the front head 42, and into the rear head 46. In this embodiment, a head 52 of each bolt 50 is engaged with the mounting plate 30, and a threaded distal end 54 threadedly engages the rear head 46. The case bolts 50 of this embodiment are constructed of steel, or some other suitably strong and rigid material. The case bolts 50, in conjunction with the mounting plate 30, provide superior strength and rigidity to the compressor assembly 10.
The title of the present application, and the claims presented, do not limit what may be claimed in the future, based upon and supported by the present application. Furthermore, any features shown in any of the drawings may be combined with any features from any other drawings to form an invention which may be claimed.
As used in this application, the words “a,” “an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. The terms “approximately” and “about” are defined to mean+/−10%, unless otherwise stated. Also, the terms “have,” “include,” “contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specification provided above is hereby defined to include similar and/or equivalent terms, and/or alternative embodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the art given the teachings of the present patent application. While the invention has been described with reference to at least one particular embodiment, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather the scope of the invention is defined by claims made to the invention.
