Research and development of energy-efficient high back-pressure compressor

Improved-efficiency compressors were developed in four capacity sizes. Changes to the baseline compressor were made to the motors, valve plates, and mufflers. The adoption of a slower running speed compressor required larger displacements to maintain the desired capacity. This involved both bore and stroke modifications. All changes that were made to the compressor are readily adaptable to manufacture. Prototype compressors were built and tested. The largest capacity size (4000 Btu/h) was selected for testing in a vending machine. Additional testing was performed on the prototype compressors in order to rate them on an alternate refrigerant. A market analysis was performed to determine the potential acceptance of the improved-efficiency machines by a vending machine manufacturer, who supplies a retail sales system of a major soft drink company.