TriStar has always had a close relationship with compressor technologies. From our earliest days supporting air and inert gas systems with Rulon® piston seals and bearing components, we’ve continued to expand our reach into both classic and unconventional compressor applications. Whether it’s a straightforward air compressor or a complex multi-stage unit for alternative fuels, we’ve met the challenge with reliable, cost-effective solutions.
Boosting Bearing Performance for a Refrigeration Giant
One of our recent success stories involves one of the largest piston compressor manufacturers in the world. Their team approached TriStar looking for ways to extend bearing life and control costs for a high-volume refrigeration application. After evaluating the requirements and thoroughly testing several promising materials, our own TriSteel™ bi-metal bearings were selected for use in the crankshaft connecting rods.
Precision manufacturing techniques delivered longer wear life and tighter tolerances for a superior fit and finish, resulting in a more durable, lower-cost solution. We offer several different bi-metal liner choices for engines, compressors, transmissions, gearboxes, and hydraulic pumps.
Innovation in Natural Gas Compression
Another challenging application came from the world of compressed natural gas (CNG). These compressors, used for home and field refueling of CNG-powered vehicles, required a four-stage system. Stages 1 through 3 operated under similar conditions and relied on proven Rulon® piston and wear rings. But the 4th stage, facing higher speeds, pressures, and temperatures due to its significantly smaller diameter, demanded a custom solution.
TriStar’s engineering team responded with a hybrid seal design inspired by legacy technologies and updated with modern materials. The result was a compact, high-performance package featuring a spring-energized primary seal, mixed chevron rings, long-life secondary seals, and a high modulus anti-extrusion ring. The unique performance demands of this final stage called for a truly unique design—and we delivered.
Proven Engineering for High-Performance Compressor Applications
These are just two examples of recent compressor applications we’ve worked on. TriStar components are hard at work across a wide range of compressor types: cryogenic compressors for MRI machines, CO₂ and oxygen compressors for military use, and inert gas units in industrial systems. Across all of these, the story is the same — challenging operating conditions that demand the kind of advanced materials and application engineering TriStar is known for.
And it’s not just compressors. TriStar supports manufacturers in over 70 industries. If you are looking for an innovative solution to a complex engineering challenge or are just looking for something that will simply reduce costs and downtime, we encourage you to reach out to our engineering team.
Consultative Engineering for Optimal Material Selection
