Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Barito
Thomas R. Barito 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).
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Patent number: 8714946Abstract: A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes an electro-magnetic spring and a casing that defines a chamber. A piston is received within the chamber of the casing. The electro-magnetic spring can apply a non-linear force to the piston such that a total spring force applied to the piston during a compression stroke is substantially linear.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas R. Barito, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Mariano Pablo Filippa, Gregory William Hahn, Srinivas Mallampalli
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Publication number: 20140072462Abstract: A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes a casing that defines a chamber and a piston slidably received within the chamber of the casing. A driving coil is configured for selectively urging the piston to slide within the chamber of the casing. An electro-magnetic spring is configured for urging the piston towards a default position when the piston is positioned away from the default position. The electro-magnetic spring can permit the linear compressor to operate at a resonant condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mariano Pablo Filippa, Thomas R. Barito, Gregory William Hahn, Srinivas Mallampalli
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Publication number: 20140072461Abstract: A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes an electro-magnetic spring and a casing that defines a chamber. A piston is received within the chamber of the casing. The electro-magnetic spring can apply a non-linear force to the piston such that a total spring force applied to the piston during a compression stroke is substantially linear.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Thomas R. Barito, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Mariano Pablo Filippa, Gregory William Hahn, Srinivas Mallampalli
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Publication number: 20110135523Abstract: A spacer is positioned between an outer periphery of a motor stator, and the inner periphery of a center shell for a sealed compressor. The spacer allows a relatively small diameter motor to be used in a relatively large diameter center shell. The spacer includes a bearing mount in a lower plate, and a plurality of axially extending fingers positioned between the stator and the center shell. The spacer also includes a stop for proper positioning of the stator within the center shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: John R. Williams, Tracy L. Milliff, Gene M. Fields, Zili Sun, Edward A. Tomayko, Gregory W. Hahn, Thomas R. Barito, Carlos Zamudio, Joe T. Hill
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Publication number: 20110091341Abstract: A scroll compressor is provided having appropriate clearance for movement of the orbiting scroll member. Clearance is provided without requiring contact between the crankcase, which supports the orbiting scroll, and the non-orbiting scroll member. Clearance is established during the assembly process using installation tooling that establishes locations of components using a reference point. Clearance is also established using spacers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventors: Carlos Zamudio, Edward A. Tomayko, Joe T. Hill, Tracy L. Milliff, Zili Sun, Gene M. Fields, Gregory W. Hahn, John R. Williams, Thomas R. Barito
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Publication number: 20110070114Abstract: A valve for selectively allowing the return of oil from a discharge plenum to a suction plenum includes a passage which is selectively opened or blocked by a valve spool. The valve spool sees a pressure from a discharge pressure location upstream of a discharge check valve on one face, and a discharge pressure from a discharge plenum on an opposed face. While the compressor is running, the two pressures should be relatively equal. The face which sees the pressure from the chamber upstream of the check valve is larger than the face which sees the pressure from the discharge plenum. Thus, when the compressor is running, the valve spool is biased to a first position at which it allows oil return from the discharge plenum to the suction plenum. However, upon shutdown of the compressor, the pressure in the chamber upstream of the discharge valve drops. The valve spool will be driven to a second position at which it blocks communication for oil return.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventors: Tracy L. Milliff, Thomas R. Barito, Edward A. Thomayko, Joe T. Hill, Carlos Zamudio, Zili Sun, Gene M. Fields, Gregory W. Hahn, John R. Williams
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Patent number: 7322806Abstract: A thermostat for sensing an unduly high temperature in a sealed compressor, which is a scroll compressor in the disclosed embodiment, extends through the housing of the sealed compressor into the body of a non-orbiting scroll. Since the thermostat extends through the housing, the wires need not be sealed as they extend from the housing. Still, the thermostat is positioned close to the compression chambers and at a location that will quickly heat when undesirable conditions exist within the sealed compressor. In this manner, the present invention is able to rapidly respond to an undesirable situation to allow a system control to have an indication of the undesired condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Scroll TechnologiesInventors: Zili Sun, Thomas R. Barito
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Patent number: 7273362Abstract: A scroll compressor assembly includes a shaft having an eccentric pin that orbits a first scroll member relative to a second scroll member. The eccentric pin has a length extending from a base end to a distal end, which defines a contact area having a slight crown that engages a slider block. The contact area is moved toward the distal end of the eccentric pin to improve the stability of at least one of the first and second scroll members.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Scroll TechnologiesInventors: Tapesh P. Patel, Zili Sun, Thomas R. Barito
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Patent number: 6969243Abstract: A scroll compressor has a recess cut into a surface of a crankcase or an orbiting scroll while there is no material removed next to the seals that seal refrigerant in the back chamber located between the orbiting scroll and crankcase. Because there is no material removed next to the seals, the gap between the orbiting scroll and crankcase remains intact in the sealing area and the seals continue to operate properly preventing the refrigerant leakage through the gap. In this case, the dimensional tolerances of the crankcase and orbiting scroll surfaces need only be tightly controlled in the area adjacent to the seals. The surface areas away from the seals do not require tight tolerance control, thus manufacturing and assembly is simplified and possibility of interference due to small gap between orbiting scroll and crankcase is avoided. In the preferred embodiment, the recess is introduced into the back chamber surface area of the crankcase.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2004Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Scroll TechnologiesInventors: Alexander Lifson, Thomas R. Barito
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Patent number: 6736621Abstract: A scroll compressor includes an adjustable actuator mount that changes the relative position of a non-orbiting scroll and an orbiting scroll to change the compressor capacity. In one embodiment, the scroll wrap and base of each scroll are manufactured as two separate components with a wrap modulator between the scroll wrap and the base of each scroll. As the mount moves the scrolls apart and together, the wrap modulators extend and retract the scroll wraps relative to their respective bases to maintain fluid-tight compression chambers.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Scroll TechnologiesInventors: Thomas R. Barito, Zili Sun, William B. Kroll, Joseph F. Loprete
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Publication number: 20040067146Abstract: A scroll compressor includes an adjustable actuator mount that changes the relative position of a non-orbiting scroll and an orbiting scroll to change the compressor capacity. In one embodiment, the scroll wrap and base of each scroll are manufactured as two separate components with a wrap modulator between the scroll wrap and the base of each scroll. As the mount moves the scrolls apart and together, the wrap modulators extend and retract the scroll wraps relative to their respective bases to maintain fluid-tight compression chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2002Publication date: April 8, 2004Inventors: Thomas R. Barito, Zili Sun, William B. Kroll, Joseph F. Loprete
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Patent number: 6634874Abstract: A low cost protective clutch member is positioned adjacent an end of the drive shaft in a scroll compressor. The device is a thin washer having a tab which is selectively driven against the housing stop when the compressor is driven in a forward direction, but is movable into a notch in the shaft when the shaft is driven in a reverse direction. The tab prevents rotation of the shaft when in the notch.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2002Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Scroll TechnologiesInventors: James W. Bush, John R. Williams, Zili Sun, Carlos Zamudio, Jason Hugenroth, Gregory W. Hahn, Thomas R. Barito, Joseph T. Hill
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Patent number: 6554592Abstract: A scroll compressor includes first and second scroll members having wraps interfitting to define compression chambers. As is known, a back pressure chamber is defined to hold the two scroll members in contact with each other. A valve is positioned to selectively block flow of refrigerant into the back pressure chamber, but is condition responsive to change the flow of refrigerant into the back pressure chamber dependent on conditions within the compressor. In one embodiment, the valve normally blocks a second tap which communicates with discharge pressure. If an elevated temperature is reached the valve moves to an open position and refrigerant can flow from the discharge pressure chamber into the back pressure chamber. In another embodiment, the valve selectively closes a lower pressure tap.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Scroll TechnologiesInventors: Zili Sun, Thomas R. Barito
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Publication number: 20030072663Abstract: A scroll compressor includes first and second scroll members having wraps interfitting to define compression chambers. As is known, a back pressure chamber is defined to hold the two scroll members in contact with each other. A valve is positioned to selectively block flow of refrigerant into the back pressure chamber, but is condition responsive to change the flow of refrigerant into the back pressure chamber dependent on conditions within the compressor. In one embodiment, the valve normally blocks a second tap which communicates with discharge pressure. If an elevated temperature is reached the valve moves to an open position and refrigerant can flow from the discharge pressure chamber into the back pressure chamber. In another embodiment, the valve selectively closes a lower pressure tap.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2001Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventors: Zili Sun, Thomas R. Barito
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Patent number: 6527528Abstract: A scroll compressor is provided with a valve plate which selectively blocks communication between a tap and the back pressure chamber. The valve plate is configured such that it blocks communication during portions of the orbiting cycle and allows communication at other portions. In this way, a scroll compressor designer is able to select the portions of the compression cycle at which refrigerant is delivered to the back pressure chamber. A more consistent and stable operation of the scroll compressor can thus be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Scroll TechnologiesInventors: Thomas R. Barito, Zili Sun
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Patent number: 6499977Abstract: An improved housing for scroll compressor has the end cap housing formed integrally with the fixed scroll member. The end cap housing is preferably welded to a tubular housing enclosing the scroll compressor. Most preferably, the end housing has inner and outer tubular portions and the tubular housing extends upwardly into a channel between the inner and outer tubular portions. A muffler is preferably formed integrally with the end cap and extends to a side of the end cap. The present invention further includes heat transfer fins extend from the end cap. The positioning of the muffler to the side decreases the overall length of the compressor. The use of the fins increases the efficiency of compression as heat is removed from the compression chambers. The use of the unique combined end cap and fixed scroll which is welded to the tubular housing simplifies assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Scroll TechnologiesInventors: Thomas R. Barito, Jason Hugenroth
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Patent number: 6494688Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a plurality of components which are force-fit together. The components include the separator plate, a pressure relief valve mounted in the separator plate, and a discharge tube. By force-fitting these components, the necessity of welding operations in the interior of the scroll member is eliminated. This will reduce the occurrence of weld splatter, which is undesirable. Further, the assembly of the scroll compressor is simplified by this invention.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1999Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Scroll TechnologiesInventors: Thomas R. Barito, Frederick L. Phillips, Zili Sun, Jay Andrew Herbert
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Publication number: 20020150490Abstract: A low cost protective clutch member is positioned adjacent an end of the drive shaft in a scroll compressor. The device is a thin washer having a tab which is selectively driven against the housing stop when the compressor is driven in a forward direction, but is movable into a notch in the shaft when the shaft is driven in a reverse direction. The tab prevents rotation of the shaft when in the notch.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Inventors: James W. Bush, John R. Williams, Zili Sun, Carlos Zamudio, Jason Hugenroth, Gregory W. Hahn, Thomas R. Barito, Joseph T. Hill
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Patent number: RE37837Abstract: In a scroll compressor, under conditions favoring reverse operation, the scroll wraps are separated so as to provide a continuous, unimpeded path through the scrolls. Spring bias, a repositioning of driving contact areas and/or force areas can be used singly or in combination to cause separation of the wraps.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1998Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Stephen L. Shoulders, Thomas R. Barito
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Patent number: RE40399Abstract: A vent is included into a scroll compressor for protecting a refrigerant system in the event of loss of charge. The vent selectively taps an entrapped compression chamber to a housing chamber which surrounds the motor. In the event of a low charge, the gas in the compression chamber will be at a high temperature, and will heat the motor when the vent opens. The vented heated gas will then actuate a temperature protection device on the motor, causing the motor to stop rotation. In further embodiments, the compression chamber which supplies the tapped fluid is the discharge port.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Scroll TechnologiesInventors: Jason J. Hugenroth, Thomas R. Barito