There are a number of service shops that promote their ability to rebuild or service FULLER & RoFlo Rotary Vane Compressors. We continually see their work, and we also repair their errors. All too often, the customer accepts poor performance or excessive maintenance costs and down time and attributes it to the compressor instead of improper assembly, improper machining, and substandard parts.
Continually upon inspection, we find and report to the customer the following discrepancies in workmanship or parts (partial list, see part 1 in our News section). If you are experiencing any of the following, we have decades of experience to help you not only repair your issues but save you money, too. Learn more HERE.
*Dowel pins
There is a reason for the compressor dowel pin’s size and their hollow design. It was engineered to break at specific stress levels in order to protect the heads or causing the rotor to bend. Solid billets are supplied by most repair shops and add to the cost of repair or cause total destruction of the compressor instead of eliminating it per their design.
*Machining of the cylinder and heads to nonstandard tolerances
There are specific deviations from standard that are allowable before that part is no longer acceptable. This is due to the exacting tolerances to the final construction for proper performance and longevity. All too often a compressor’s failure in service is a result of ignoring these specifications. Proper dimensional integrity and responsible compliance to the factory standards are mandatory in order to repair the compressor correctly.
*Cylinder repair
The cylinder wall is designed to work in conjunction with both the forces exerted while in compression, heat transfer to the water jacket, and to maintain proper tolerance with respect to the rest of the cylinder and rotor due to thermal growth differing rates of expansion, therefore incorrect tolerances while in operation.
As a cylinder wears through operation, it diameter increases causing a change in clearances within the cylinder and between the rotor and the cylinder. Excessive clearance causes a decrease in volumetric efficiency and an increase in operating temperatures. Most of the rotary vane compressors have some acceptable tolerance allowed for boring a damaged cylinder. But, these are limited and must not be exceeded. When a cylinder has wear and has been re-bored, it is extremely important that the bottom clearances are reestablished. All to often we find excessive bottom end clearances that cause the compressor to overheat and fail in short order.
The rotary vane compressors did not just happen. They were designed by engineers. They have evolved through hundreds of different applications of service, and many different industries by engineers. They have been in production for over 75 years and been produced in tens of thousands by a number of manufacturers. They are continually updated and upgraded by new technologies and materials. The exacting tolerances for the proper rebuild and their replacement parts are a result of engineers that specialize in compressor design and application. TESCORP has invested millions of dollars in the equipment, engineering, and components to remanufacture, repair, and continue the evolution of the rotary vane compressors and their parts.
For more information and to correspond with one of our senior sales reps, contact us HERE.