The Institute of Refrigeration has awarded the 2008 Gold Medal to Ron Conry, founder of Danfoss Turbocor Compressors Inc. Conry received the award Feb. 12 at the IOR Annual Dinner in London.

Conry designed from scratch a compressor that would meet all of the refrigeration industry’s needs for the future, based on his own extensive experience in the field of chiller and compressor rebuilding and maintenance. He assembled a world-class international team of experts with a mission to develop a centrifugal compressor that would operate at high variable speeds, be extremely efficient, oil free, lightweight, quiet and cost competitive.

The gold medal is annually awarded to an individual who has made the most noteworthy practical contribution to advance refrigeration and air conditioning technology. This international award has been sponsored for 32 years by J&E Hall International, a U.K.-based supplier to the HVAC&R industry.

“Having spent 15 years getting the compressor to where it is today, receiving this prestigious award really is ‘the icing on the cake,’” Conry said. “It is a privilege to be recognized in this way.”

In order to commercialize the compressor, in 2004 Turbocor entered into a joint venture with Danfoss and formed Danfoss Turbocor Compressor Inc. To date, over 10,000 Turbocor compressors are now in operation worldwide. Conry continues to develop this technology to achieve even further efficiencies and newer models. 

For more information visit www.turbocor.com