Rotary compressor with reduced lubrication sensitivity

Claim 1

A high side rotary compressor for compressing HFC refrigerant which is lubricated by polyol ester oil lubricant comprising: shell means having a first end and a second end; cylinder means containing pump means including a vane and a piston coacting with said cylinder means to define suction and compression chambers; said cylinder means being fixedly located in said shell means near said first end and defining with said first end a first chamber which has an oil sump containing said oil lubricant; first bearing means secured to said cylinder means and extending towards said oil sump; second bearing means secured to said cylinder means and extending towards said second end; motor means including rotor means and stator means; said stator means fixedly located in said shell means between said cylinder means and said second end and axially spaced from said cylinder means and said second bearing means; eccentric shaft means supported by said first and second bearing means and including eccentric means operatively connected to said piston; said rotor means secured to said shaft means so as to be integral therewith and located within said stator so as to define therewith an annular gap; suction means for supplying gas to said pump means; discharge means fluidly connected to said shell means; said vane having a tip coacting with said piston; said tip having a diamond-like-carbon coating thereon made up of a series of alternating hard and lubricious layers whereby the coefficient of friction between said tip and piston is reduced and said tip has reduced wear even in the absence of sufficient oil lubricant as compared to a tip without said diamond-like-coating.