Abstract: The flow, use, interaction and separation of lubricant and gas flowing through the suction pressure portion of a low-side refrigeration scroll compressor is managed by the use of a drive motor mounting sleeve and a multi-ported frame. The mounting sleeve and frame provide for the direction of oil to surfaces within the low side of the compressor shell which require lubrication as well as the conduct of suction gas to the scroll compression mechanism in a manner which cools the compressor drive motor yet which maintains the respective flows of oil and suction gas sufficiently separate to ensure that excessive amounts of oil are not conducted out of the compressor in the gas which is compressed thereby. Lubrication is enhanced by the use of a vent passage which opens into a relatively lower pressure region within the suction pressure portion of the compressor shell.

Abstract: The flow, use, interaction and separation of lubricant and gas flowing through the suction pressure portion of a low-side refrigeration scroll compressor is managed by the use of a drive motor mounting sleeve (46) and a multi-ported frame (40). The mounting sleeve and frame provide for the direction of oil to surfaces within the low side of the compressor shell which require lubrication as well as the conduct of suction gas to the scroll compression mechanism in a manner which cools the compressor drive motor yet which maintains the respective flows of oil and suction gas sufficiently separate to ensure that excessive amounts of oil are not conducted out of the compressor in the gas which is compressed thereby. Lubrication is enhanced by the use of a vent passage (68) which opens into a relatively lower pressure region within the suction pressure portion of the compressor shell.

Abstract: A wrap element and tip seal are disclosed for use in fluid apparatus of the scroll type which include a wrap element having a groove disposed within its tip surface of spiroidal configuration generally conforming to that of the wrap element. A tip seal is disposed within the groove and comprises a relatively rigid strip of material having been wound about its longitudinal axis into a spiroidal configuration generally conforming to that of the groove, the strip of material having a cross section taken in a plane substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis wherein at least the radially outer surface thereof is convex in a radially outward direction. This configuration for the tip seal has the advantage that it may be formed using conventional winding techniques wherein a certain amount of "twist" about the longitudinal axis of the strip of material is normally encountered.

Abstract: A gas compressor of the scroll type is disclosed wherein unloader means are provided for selectively varying its capacity by effectively delaying the point at which the closed moving volumes defined between the wrap elements begin compression. To this end, passage means extend through the end plate means of the compressor from a location in communication with the closed moving volumes to a location in communication with working gas normally at suction pressure during operation of the compressor. Valve means are provided for selectively blocking flow through the aforementioned passage means, whereby the compressor operates at a relatively high capacity; and for permitting flow through the passage means, whereby gas is exhausted via the passage means to suction pressure as the closed moving volumes progress radially inwardly to a predetermined position at which compression is permitted to begin.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder reciprocating compressor is disclosed which is provided with an unloader valve for blocking the flow of suction gas to at least one of the cylinders to reduce the compressor capacity. The unloader valve is disposed at one end of a cylinder bank and comprises an unloader piston and an unloader port which is an integral part of the cylinder bank. A chamber in which the unloader piston and unloader port are located is formed in the cylinder bank with its axial center in parallel alignment with the axial center of all the cylinders in that bank. This improved efficiency, facilitates ease of manufacture, and reduces associated costs.