Mark Vender
Ron Conry, L.AIRAH, has been awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the HVAC&R industry, in particular the development of the high-speed and oil-free centrifugal compressor.
A refrigeration technician by trade, Conry started in the industry in the 1960s. He worked for around 25 years with traditional HVAC&R equipment, before setting out to create a better compressor.
Conry believed that the Achilles heel of the industry was the compressors’ need for lubrication, so his primary goal was to eliminate oil from the design. At the same time he also looked at energy efficiency, refrigerant type, size, noise, vibration, weight, and cost.
Drawing inspiration from a turbo charger he had seen in 1984, Conry decided the new compressor, dubbed the Turbocor compressor, would be a small micro turbine machine. Although the technology did not at that time exist, he thought that advances in electronics and other industries would make it possible. In 1994, Conry formed a team to work on the design.
The development process took about seven years, during which time Conry drew on his own extensive experience in the field of chiller and compressor rebuilding and maintenance. He also developed other technologies to overcome design challenges. Finally, the team produced the oil-free, magnetic bearing Turbocor compressor.
Conry’s concept was successfully developed in Australia, later commercialised in Canada, and is now produced in the United States and China.
Following the backing of a joint venture with Danfoss, the product has since achieved global recognition with more than 100,000 Turbocor compressors in operation worldwide.
Conry has also developed a range of renewable energy generation products. In recent years, he has returned to Australia where he has co-founded Conry Tech, based in Melbourne.
The company is focused on research and development, and the creation of products driving energy efficiency and sustainability within the HVAC industry.
In 2009, Conry received the James Harrison Medal, the highest honour of AIRAH. He was also included in AIRAH’s 100 Faces.
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