Patents by Inventor Patrice Bonnefoi

Patrice Bonnefoi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20190249682
    Abstract: The Modular turbo compressor shaft (4) comprise a tubular bearing portion (5) having a first axial end portion and a second axial end portion; an impeller portion (6) arranged at the first axial end portion of the tubular bearing portion (5); and a driving portion (7) arranged at the second axial end portion of the tubular bearing portion (5). The tubular bearing portion (5) is made of a hard material, and the impeller portion (6) and/or the driving portion (7) are made of relatively soft material compared to the hard material of the tubular bearing portion (5). The impeller portion (6) and/or the driving portion (7) are at least partially extending into the tubular bearing portion (5) and are firmly connected to the tubular bearing portion (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Patrice Bonnefoi, Arnaud Daussin, Yves Rosson
  • Publication number: 20190226489
    Abstract: The axial bearing arrangement comprises a first axial bearing plate (12) and a second axial bearing plate (13) each having an annular ring shape, the first axial bearing plate (12) having a first surface (12.1) axially facing the second axial bearing plate (13) and a second surface (12.2) opposite to the respective first surface (12.1), the second axial bearing plate (13) having a first surface (13.1) axially facing the first axial bearing plate (12) and a second surface (13.2) opposite to the respective first surface (13.1); a spacer ring (14) clamped between the first surfaces (12.1, 13.1) of the first and second axial bearing plates (12, 13), the spacer ring (14) defining an axial distance between the first and second axial bearing plates (12, 13); and a bearing sleeve (15) abutting the second surface (13.2) of the second axial bearing plate (13) and being secured to a compressor block (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Patrice Bonnefoi, Yves Rosson
  • Patent number: 10294943
    Abstract: The scroll compressor (1) includes an orbiting scroll arrangement (7), and a drive shaft (18) configured to drive the orbiting scroll arrangement (7) in an orbital movement, the drive shaft (18) including a lubrication channel (32) and a first lubrication hole (35) fluidly connected to the lubrication channel (32) and emerging in an outer wall of the drive shaft (18). The scroll compressor (1) further includes a first and a second bearings (38, 39) axially offset along a rotation axis of the drive shaft (18) and each configured to engage the drive shaft (18). The first and second bearings (38, 39) and the drive shaft (18) partially define a first annular gap (44) in which emerges the first lubrication hole (35). The first bearing (38) and the drive shaft (18) define a first oil recess fluidly connected to the first annular gap (44), and the second bearing (39) and the drive shaft (18) define a second oil recess fluidly connected to the first annular gap (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Danfoss Commercial Compressors
    Inventors: Yves Rosson, Patrice Bonnefoi, Ingrid Claudin
  • Patent number: 10281046
    Abstract: The fluid machine includes a stationary member (6), a rotary member (5) and a labyrinth seal (9) including a succession of stationary steps (11) formed on the stationary member (6), and a succession of rotary steps (14) formed on the rotary member (5). The labyrinth seal (9) further includes a plurality of stationary recesses (18) each formed in a radial wall portion (12) of a respective stationary step (11), and a plurality of rotary recesses (21) each formed in a radial wall portion (16) of a respective rotary step (14). Each stationary step (11) defines a stationary projection (19) delimited by the stationary recess (18) formed on said stationary step (11), and each rotary step (14) defines a rotary projection (22) delimited by the rotary recess (21) formed on said rotary step (14). The axial width (Wr) of each of the stationary recesses (18) and of the rotary recesses (21) substantially equals the axial width (Wp) of each of the stationary projections (19) and of the rotary projections (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Danfoss Commercial Compressors
    Inventors: Arnaud Daussin, Patrice Bonnefoi, Yves Rosson, Nicolas Nouyrigat
  • Publication number: 20180274543
    Abstract: A scroll compressor including a compression unit includes a first non-orbiting scroll having a receiving cavity and an orbiting scroll arrangement. The compression unit further includes a refrigerant suction part suitable for supplying the compression unit with a refrigerant flow, and a first anti-rotation device located in the receiving cavity and configured to prevent rotation of the orbiting scroll arrangement with respect to the first fixed non-orbiting scroll. The compression unit further includes an oil discharge device including an oil discharge passage, the oil discharge passage includes an oil inlet fluidly connected to the receiving cavity and at least one oil discharge outlet located in a refrigerant flow path and configured to supply the refrigerant flow with oil from the receiving cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Arnaud Daussin, Patrice Bonnefoi, Yves Rosson, Ingrid Claudin
  • Patent number: 10030898
    Abstract: An oil balancing apparatus is for use with a first compressor and at least two second compressors. Suction pipes of the first compressor and the second compressors are connected in parallel to a suction main pipe and discharge pipes of the first compressor and the second compressors are connected in parallel to a discharge main pipe. The first compressor is in an operating state, and the second compressors are operated intermittently. The oil balancing apparatus includes a first oil balancing pipe connecting oil sumps of the second compressors in series, and a second oil balancing pipe connecting an oil sump of the first compressor to a bottom of the first oil balancing pipe. A refrigeration system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: DANFOSS (TIANJIN) LTD.
    Inventors: Leping Zhang, Patrice Bonnefoi, Serdar Suindykov
  • Publication number: 20180156337
    Abstract: The fluid machine includes a stationary member (6), a rotary member (5) and a labyrinth seal (9) including a succession of stationary steps (11) formed on the stationary member (6), and a succession of rotary steps (14) formed on the rotary member (5). The labyrinth seal (9) further includes a plurality of stationary recesses (18) each formed in a radial wall portion (12) of a respective stationary step (11), and a plurality of rotary recesses (21) each formed in a radial wall portion (16) of a respective rotary step (14). Each stationary step (11) defines a stationary projection (19) delimited by the stationary recess (18) formed on said stationary step (11), and each rotary step (14) defines a rotary projection (22) delimited by the rotary recess (21) formed on said rotary step (14). The axial width (Wr) of each of the stationary recesses (18) and of the rotary recesses (21) substantially equals the axial width (Wp) of each of the stationary projections (19) and of the rotary projections (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Arnaud Daussin, Patrice Bonnefoi, Yves Rosson, Nicolas Nouyrigat
  • Publication number: 20180142694
    Abstract: The centrifugal compressor includes an hermetic housing; a drive shaft (4); a first and a second compression stage (8, 9) configured to compress a refrigerant, the first and second compression stages (8, 9) respectively including a first and a second impeller (18, 19), the first and second impellers (18, 19) being connected to the drive shaft (4) and being arranged in a back-to-back configuration; a radial annular groove (27) formed between the back-sides (25, 26) of the first and second impellers (18, 19); an inter-stage sealing arrangement (35) provided between the first and second compressor stages (8, 9) and in the radial annular groove (27); a radial bearing arrangement configured to rotatably support the drive shaft (4); and a thrust bearing arrangement configured to limit an axial movement of the drive shaft (4) during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Arnaud Daussin, Patrice Bonnefoi, Nicolas Nouyrigat
  • Publication number: 20170241420
    Abstract: This scroll compressor includes a scroll compression unit including a first fixed scroll including a first fixed base plate and a first fixed spiral wrap, an orbiting scroll arrangement (7) including a first orbiting spiral wrap (14), the first fixed spiral wrap and the first orbiting spiral wrap (14) forming a plurality of first compression chambers. The scroll compressor further includes a refrigerant suction part suitable for supplying the scroll compression unit with refrigerant to be compressed. The orbiting scroll arrangement (7) further includes a first orbiting guiding portion (21) extending from an outer end portion of the first orbiting spiral wrap (14) and configured to guide, in use, at least a part of the refrigerant supplied to the scroll compression unit towards the first compression chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Nicolas Nouyrigat, Patrice Bonnefoi, Yves Rosson, Ingrid Claudin, Arnaud Daussin
  • Patent number: 9657738
    Abstract: This scroll compressor (2) includes a first fixed scroll (4), an orbiting scroll arrangement (7), a drive shaft (18) adapted for driving the orbiting scroll arrangement (7) in an orbital movement, a driving unit coupled to the drive shaft (18) and arranged for driving in rotation the drive shaft (18) about a rotation axis, and guide elements for guiding in rotation the drive shaft (18), the guide elements comprising at least a first guide bearing (29) and a second guide bearing (30) arranged to respectively guide a first portion (26) and a second portion (27) of the drive shaft (18). The drive shaft (18) extends across the orbiting scroll arrangement (7) such that the first and second portions (26, 27) of the drive shaft (18) are located on either side of the orbiting scroll arrangement (7), the first and second guide bearings (29, 30) being located on either side of the orbiting scroll arrangement (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Danfoss Commercial Compressors
    Inventors: Patrice Bonnefoi, Yves Rosson, Ingrid Claudin
  • Patent number: 9644633
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor unit includes a driving means for rotatably driving a rotor, and at least one compressor including a statoric body and an arrangement of blade wheels mounted on a shaft which is rotatably driven by the rotor in the statoric body. The group formed by the motor and/or each compressor being mounted in a common housing is sealed from the gas used by the compressor. The compressor unit also includes an arrangement of active bearings for axially and radially guiding the rotor and the driven shaft, and a means for cooling the driving means and the guiding bearings by withdrawing the gas used by the compressor at the outlet of a first compression stage. The cooling means includes a set of internal conduits for supplying the driving means and the bearings with cooling gas. The cooling gas flow in the motor and the cooling gas flow in the bearing is separated and then converge upstream of the first compression stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Thermodyn
    Inventors: Pierre Laboube, Patrick Friez, Jean-Marc Pugnet, Patrice Bonnefoi
  • Publication number: 20170074267
    Abstract: The scroll compressor (1) includes an orbiting scroll arrangement (7), and a drive shaft (18) configured to drive the orbiting scroll arrangement (7) in an orbital movement, the drive shaft (18) including a lubrication channel (32) and a first lubrication hole (35) fluidly connected to the lubrication channel (32) and emerging in an outer wall of the drive shaft (18). The scroll compressor (1) further includes a first and a second bearings (38, 39) axially offset along a rotation axis of the drive shaft (18) and each configured to engage the drive shaft (18). The first and second bearings (38, 39) and the drive shaft (18) partially define a first annular gap (44) in which emerges the first lubrication hole (35). The first bearing (38) and the drive shaft (18) define a first oil recess fluidly connected to the first annular gap (44), and the second bearing (39) and the drive shaft (18) define a second oil recess fluidly connected to the first annular gap (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Yves Rosson, Patrice Bonnefoi, Ingrid Claudin
  • Patent number: 9551351
    Abstract: A compression device includes a first compressor and a second compressor mounted in parallel, each compressor including a leakproof enclosure including a low pressure portion containing a motor and an oil sump, an oil level equalization conduit putting into communication the oil sumps of the first and second compressors, and control means adapted for controlling the starting and the stopping of the first and second compressors. The first compressor includes first detection means coupled with the control means and adapted for detecting an oil level in the oil sump of the first compressor. The control means are adapted for controlling the stopping of the second compressor when the oil level detected by the first detection means falls below a first predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: DANFOSS COMMERCIAL COMPRESSORS
    Inventors: Jean De Bernardi, Patrice Bonnefoi, Xavier Durand, Fabien Gall, Jean-Francois Le Coat
  • Patent number: 9534599
    Abstract: This scroll compressor includes first and second fixed scroll members, first and second orbiting scroll members, a first Oldham coupling provided between the first orbiting scroll member and the first fixed scroll member and configured to prevent rotation of the first orbiting scroll member with respect to the first fixed scroll member, and a second Oldham coupling provided between the second orbiting scroll member and the second fixed scroll member and configured to prevent rotation of the second orbiting scroll member with respect to the second fixed scroll member. The first Oldham coupling is slidably mounted with respect to the first fixed scroll member along a first displacement direction, and the second Oldham coupling is slidably mounted with respect to the second fixed scroll member along a second displacement direction parallel with respect to first displacement direction. First and second orbiting scroll members are configured to operate in phase opposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: DANFOSS COMMERCIAL COMPRESSORS
    Inventors: Yves Rosson, Patrice Bonnefoi, Ingrid Claudin
  • Publication number: 20160238006
    Abstract: This scroll compressor (2) includes a first and second fixed scrolls (4, 5) comprising first and second fixed spiral wraps (9, 12), an orbiting scroll arrangement (7) comprising first and second orbiting spiral wraps (14, 15), the first fixed spiral wrap (9) and the first orbiting spiral wrap (14) forming a plurality of first compression chambers (16) and the second fixed spiral wrap (5) and the second orbiting spiral wrap (15) forming a plurality of second compression chambers (17). The scroll compressor further includes a drive shaft (23) adapted for driving the orbiting scroll arrangement (7) in an orbital movement, and a driving motor (24) arranged for driving in rotation the drive shaft (23) about a rotation axis, the driving motor (24) being located nearby the first fixed scroll (4). The first fixed scroll (4) includes at least one first discharge passage (21) arranged to conduct the refrigerant compressed in the first compression chambers (16) towards the driving motor (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Yves Rosson, Patrice Bonnefoi, Ingrid Claudin
  • Patent number: 9377013
    Abstract: The oil injection device according to the invention includes an oil pump designed to be rotationally coupled to the electric motor of a compressor and including inlet and outlet ports, an oil injection duct connected to the first outlet port and designed to supply a compression stage of the compressor with oil, and an oil return duct connected to the first outlet port and designed to return the oil into an oil sump of the compressor. The pressure losses in the oil injection duct are primarily singular pressure losses proportional to the square of the oil flow rate passing through the oil injection duct. The pressure losses in the oil return duct are primarily pressure losses due to friction proportional to the oil flow rate passing through the oil return duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: DANFOSS COMMERCIAL COMPRESSORS
    Inventors: Patrice Bonnefoi, Dong Wang, Pierre Ginies, Ingrid Claudin
  • Publication number: 20160108917
    Abstract: This scroll compressor (2) includes a first fixed scroll (4), an orbiting scroll arrangement (7), a drive shaft (18) adapted for driving the orbiting scroll arrangement (7) in an orbital movement, a driving unit coupled to the drive shaft (18) and arranged for driving in rotation the drive shaft (18) about a rotation axis, and guide elements for guiding in rotation the drive shaft (18), the guide elements comprising at least a first guide bearing (29) and a second guide bearing (30) arranged to respectively guide a first portion (26) and a second portion (27) of the drive shaft (18). The drive shaft (18) extends across the orbiting scroll arrangement (7) such that the first and second portions (26, 27) of the drive shaft (18) are located on either side of the orbiting scroll arrangement (7), the first and second guide bearings (29, 30) being located on either side of the orbiting scroll arrangement (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Patrice Bonnefoi, Yves Rosson, Ingrid Claudin
  • Patent number: 9273678
    Abstract: The compression device according to the invention includes first and second compressors mounted in parallel and an oil level equalization line arranged to fluidly connect the oil sumps of the first and second compressors. The oil level equalization line includes at least one oil level regulating portion positioned near one of the first and second compressors and including a dam wall extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of said oil level regulating portion and a flow opening arranged such that, when the oil level in the oil sump of the compressor situated near the oil level regulating portion extends above the upper level of the dam wall, oil flows through the flow opening toward the other compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: DANFOSS COMMERCIAL COMPRESSORS
    Inventors: Patrice Bonnefoi, Kongkham Lo Van, Alexandre Landre, David Genevois
  • Patent number: 9217589
    Abstract: The refrigeration compressor according to the invention comprises a sealed enclosure containing a compression stage (7) and provide with a refrigerant inlet and outlet (6, 18), the compressor being configured such that under usage conditions, a flow of refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant inlet, the compression stage, and the refrigerant outlet. The compressor has an oil pan (24) and oil recirculation means arranged to orient the oil contained in the oil pan into the flow of refrigerant when the oil in the oil pan exceeds a predetermined oil level (34). The recirculation means include a recirculation line (35) housed in the sealed enclosure and comprising an inlet port (36) situated at a height substantially corresponding to the predetermined oil level, an outlet port (37) emerging in the refrigerant flow, and an intermediate part (38) connecting the inlet and outlet ports. The intermediate part (38) includes a first portion (38a) extending below the predetermined oil level (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: DANFOSS COMMERCIAL COMPRESSORS
    Inventors: Patrice Bonnefoi, Philippe Dugast
  • Patent number: 9207005
    Abstract: The separating device according to the invention comprises a body delimiting a separating chamber, at least one inlet orifice emerging in the separating chamber and intended to be connected to a discharge orifice of the refrigerant compressor so as to allow a lubricant-refrigerating gas mixture to be introduced into the separating chamber, at least one lubricant outlet orifice emerging in the separating chamber and intended to be connected to a lubricant pan formed in the refrigerant compressor. The separating device comprises a first measuring means arranged to measure the temperature of the lubricant contained in the lubricant pan formed in the refrigerant compressor, and a regulating means arranged to regulate the temperature of the lubricant separated in the separating chamber as a function of the temperature of the lubricant measured by said first measuring means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: DANFOSS COMMERCIAL COMPRESSORS
    Inventors: Philippe Dugast, Patrice Bonnefoi, Jean De Bernardi, Philippe Dewitte