Oil-less Compressors

Mainstream Engineering Corporation designs, tests and produces oil-less refrigeration compressors for space-based thermal control applications. The unique compressors require no oil for lubrication. Conventional refrigeration compressors have gravity-assisted oil lubricating systems that would not adequately lubricate in a microgravity environment.

The original-version of Mainstream's compressor, developed for Lockheed-Martin Space Operations and NASA's refrigerated centrifuge program, was transported to the International Space Station aboard Space Shuttle Mission STS-114 to overcome the gravity-assisted lubrication of conventional refrigeration compressors.

Press Release