Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a first scroll member, a second scroll member, and an aerostatic thrust bearing. The aerostatic thrust bearing forms a layer of gas between the second scroll member and a fixed supporting member to support the second scroll member as the second scroll member rotates and/or orbits. Also disclosed is a method of supporting a rotating/orbiting scroll member in a scroll compressor. The method including supplying pressurized gas to an aerostatic thrust bearing such that a layer of gas is formed between the rotating/orbiting scroll member and a fixed supporting member.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a compressor housing, an orbiting scroll member and non-orbiting scroll member intermeshed to form a compression chamber, a discharge pressure chamber, an intermediate pressure chamber. The housing includes a lower portion, a first intermediate cap, a second intermediate cap, and an upper portion. The discharge pressure chamber configured to receiving a discharge pressure fluid from the compression chamber. The intermediate pressure chamber fluidly connecting an intermediate pressure fluid inlet port and an intermediate pressure fluid injection port of the non-orbiting scroll member. A method injecting an intermediate pressure fluid into a compression chamber of a scroll compressor includes disposing the intermediate pressure fluid in an intermediate pressure chamber. The method also includes injecting the intermediate pressure fluid in the intermediate pressure chamber through the intermediate pressure fluid injection port into the compression chamber.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a compressor housing, an orbiting scroll member and non-orbiting scroll member intermeshed to form a compression chamber, a discharge pressure chamber, an intermediate pressure chamber. The housing includes a lower portion, a first intermediate cap, a second intermediate cap, and an upper portion. The discharge pressure chamber configured to receiving a discharge pressure fluid from the compression chamber. The intermediate pressure chamber fluidly connecting an intermediate pressure fluid inlet port and an intermediate pressure fluid injection port of the non-orbiting scroll member. A method injecting an intermediate pressure fluid into a compression chamber of a scroll compressor includes disposing the intermediate pressure fluid in an intermediate pressure chamber. The method also includes injecting the intermediate pressure fluid in the intermediate pressure chamber through the intermediate pressure fluid injection port into the compression chamber.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a first scroll member, a second scroll member, and an aerostatic thrust bearing. The aerostatic thrust bearing forms a layer of gas between the second scroll member and a fixed supporting member to support the second scroll member as the second scroll member rotates and/or orbits. Also disclosed is a method of supporting a rotating/orbiting scroll member in a scroll compressor. The method including supplying pressurized gas to an aerostatic thrust bearing such that a layer of gas is formed between the rotating/orbiting scroll member and a fixed supporting member.

Abstract: A bearing housing drain in a scroll compressor and method for controlling lubrication of a thrust bearing in the scroll compressor are disclosed. The compressor includes a compressor housing; a non-orbiting scroll member and an orbiting scroll member; an orbiting scroll hub having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being disposed at a vertical elevation that is lower than the upper end; a thrust bearing; a lubricant sump; a housing drain cavity disposed within the compressor housing and configured to receive lubricant from the lubricant sump and to deliver the lubricant to the thrust bearing; and a bearing housing drain fluidly connected to the housing drain cavity and the lubricant sump.

Abstract: A scroll member for a scroll compressor is disclosed. The scroll member includes a base member and a wrap member formed on a major surface of the base member. The wrap member includes a modified portion. The modified portion includes a base, a step, and a scallop. The base extends a first distance from the major surface. The step extends a second distance from the base. The scallop extends a third distance from the scallop. The scallop is located at a wrap surface of the wrap member. The wrap surface is disposed relatively away from the major surface relative to the step.

Abstract: A scroll compressor is disclosed. The scroll compressor includes a compressor housing; an orbiting scroll member disposed within the housing; a non-orbiting scroll member disposed within the housing, wherein the orbiting scroll member and the non-orbiting scroll member are intermeshed thereby forming a compression chamber within the housing; and an endplate secured to the non-orbiting scroll member. The endplate includes a check valve surface configured to provide a stop for a check valve of the scroll compressor, a radial sealing surface configured to receive a radial seal, an unloading mechanism surface configured to provide a stop for an unloading mechanism, and a pressure chamber for controlling the unloading mechanism, the endplate also including an aperture that fluidly connects the compression chamber and a discharge chamber of the scroll compressor.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a first scroll member, a second scroll member, and an aerostatic thrust bearing. The aerostatic thrust bearing forms a layer of gas between the second scroll member and a fixed supporting member to support the second scroll member as the second scroll member rotates and/or orbits. Also disclosed is a method of supporting a rotating/orbiting scroll member in a scroll compressor. The method including supplying pressurized gas to an aerostatic thrust bearing such that a layer of gas is formed between the rotating/orbiting scroll member and a fixed supporting member.

Abstract: A bearing housing drain in a scroll compressor and method for controlling lubrication of a thrust bearing in the scroll compressor are disclosed. The compressor includes a compressor housing; a non-orbiting scroll member and an orbiting scroll member; an orbiting scroll hub having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being disposed at a vertical elevation that is lower than the upper end; a thrust bearing; a lubricant sump; a housing drain cavity disposed within the compressor housing and configured to receive lubricant from the lubricant sump and to deliver the lubricant to the thrust bearing; and a bearing housing drain fluidly connected to the housing drain cavity and the lubricant sump.

Abstract: A scroll compressor is disclosed. The scroll compressor includes a compressor housing; an orbiting scroll member disposed within the housing; a non-orbiting scroll member disposed within the housing, wherein the orbiting scroll member and the non-orbiting scroll member are intermeshed thereby forming a compression chamber within the housing; and an endplate secured to the non-orbiting scroll member. The endplate includes a check valve surface configured to provide a stop for a check valve of the scroll compressor, a radial sealing surface configured to receive a radial seal, an unloading mechanism surface configured to provide a stop for an unloading mechanism, and a pressure chamber for controlling the unloading mechanism, the endplate also including an aperture that fluidly connects the compression chamber and a discharge chamber of the scroll compressor.

Abstract: A scroll member for a scroll compressor is disclosed. The scroll member includes a base member and a wrap member formed on a major surface of the base member. The wrap member includes a modified portion. The modified portion includes a base, a step, and a scallop. The base extends a first distance from the major surface. The step extends a second distance from the base. The scallop extends a third distance from the scallop. The scallop is located at a wrap surface of the wrap member. The wrap surface is disposed relatively away from the major surface relative to the step.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes various features that promote a bifurcated flow pattern of gas through a compressor shell to reduce oil entrainment. After entering the shell, some gas travels upward, which reduces the volume of gas traveling downward toward an oil sump. To accomplish this, the compressor's motor can be surrounded by a sleeve having upper and lower apertures for directing the flow to the motor's upper and lower stator end turns. In some embodiments, a suction inlet is strategically positioned relative to two gas passageways that are between the stator and the compressor shell. The inlet's position is such that one passageway receives incoming gas and divides the flow in opposite directions: upward and downward. The other passageway only conveys the gas upward. In addition, a suction baffle, a diffuser, a streamlined counterweight and/or a suction line oil trap can also help promote gas/oil separation or minimize oil entrainment.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes various features that promote a bifurcated flow pattern of gas through a compressor shell to reduce oil entrainment. After entering the shell, some gas travels upward, which reduces the volume of gas traveling downward toward an oil sump. To accomplish this, the compressor's motor can be surrounded by a sleeve having upper and lower apertures for directing the flow to the motor's upper and lower stator end turns. In some embodiments, a suction inlet is strategically positioned relative to two gas passageways that are between the stator and the compressor shell. The inlet's position is such that one passageway receives incoming gas and divides the flow in opposite directions: upward and downward. The other passageway only conveys the gas upward. In addition, a suction baffle, a diffuser, a streamlined counterweight and/or a suction line oil trap can also help promote gas/oil separation or minimize oil entrainment.

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 multi-ported frame in conjunction with separate suction gas supply and lubricant return passages cooperatively defined by the compressor shell and the stator of the motor which drives the compressor.