Scroll compressor top cover plate

A scroll-type hermetic compressor is disclosed including a compressor mechanism (46) having a fixed scroll member (48). The fixed scroll member includes a plate portion (62) that is subject to forces causing deflection thereof. A housing cover plate (14) is attached to the back surface (61) of the fixed scroll member so as to define a discharge pressure chamber (104) therebetween for exposing a partial area of the back surface to compressed refrigerant fluid. The discharge pressure chamber also serves as a discharge muffler. Also disclosed is a method of assembling a compressor wherein a compressor mechanism (46) is mounted to a top cover plate before the top cover (14) plate is attached to an open-ended shell (16, 18) to form a hermetically sealed housing (12). The compressor mechanism is suspended from the top cover plate and extends into the interior of the housing.