Air conditioning compressor

A compressor for use in an air conditioning system and comprising

• a housing,
• a housing cover mounted to the housing and defining a refrigerant intake and a refrigerant discharge,
• a compressor unit arranged in the housing for taking in and compressing a refrigerant flowing into the housing via the intake and then discharging the compressed refrigerant through the discharge,
• said housing cover being joined to the housing at a connecting area which includes a plurality of connecting members which interconnect the cover and the housing, with said connecting area being at least substantially separated from the high pressure which develops in the housing by at least one internal seal arranged between the connecting area and the interior of the housing,
• wherein said connecting area includes an outer peripheral wall formed on said housing, and said connecting members extend through said cover and into said peripheral wall,
• further comprising a cylinder block which has a mounting flange clamped between said peripheral wall and said cover, with said connecting members extending through bores in said mounting flange, and
• further comprising a valve plate arranged between the mounting flange of the cylinder block and said cover, with said connecting members extending through bores in said valve plate.