Overview of the various types of refrigeration compressors
Refrigerating machines theory - Mechanical compression machines. Single-stage cycles

The successive operations of sucking in steam at low pressure p_F, compressing this steam from p_F to p_C, and then discharging it into the condenser are achieved by variations in the volume of the compressor's internal capacities, connected first to the low-pressure space and then, after these volumes have been reduced, to the high-pressure space. Compression ratios, p_C /p_F, must remain moderate if the machine is to operate efficiently. There are several types of compressor in this category.

Reciprocating piston compressors are...