BRISTOL, Va. — Bristol Compressors Intl. Inc. and Torad Engineering LLC have entered into a joint agreement for the development and commercialization of Torad’s patented spool machine technology for residential and light commercial air conditioning applications.

A joint team comprised of engineers from Bristol Compressors and Torad Engineering has been working together for the last several months and expects to have an initial prototype tested in the first quarter of 2014.

“Bristol Compressors is taking a leadership role in the development and commercialization of this exciting new compressor technology,” said Ed Gniewek, CEO and president of Bristol Compressors. “We believe the spool compressor’s attractive cost structure and operating characteristics will be a game changer for our customers.”

Torad’s spool compressor technology features a simple rotary design with four main components: rotor, main housing, vane, and bearing housing. Unlike complex scroll and screw compressors, the components can be manufactured utilizing lower-cost capital equipment and easily scaled for larger sizes. The design is uniquely durable with significant advantages in power density.

“In my 20 years of experience in the compressor industry, I have never seen a concept go from design to prototype in such a short period of time,” said Joe Orosz, president of Torad Engineering. “It is a testament to the excellent engineering team at Bristol and the simplicity of the spool machine.”

Publication date: 2/24/2014 

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