Abstract: At least one bypass opening is formed in a base of a scroll member, and communicates with at least one compression chamber. The bypass opening communicates with a passage leading to a suction pressure chamber within a compressor shell. A valve includes an element electrically powered to move between a first position at which it blocks flow of refrigerant from the bypass port to the passage leading to the suction pressure chamber, and a second position at which it allows flow of refrigerant between the bypass port and the passage leading to the suction pressure chamber. A portion of the valve, which is electrically powered, is mounted outside of the compressor shell.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A scroll compressor comprises a first scroll member having a generally spiral wrap and a second scroll member having a generally spiral wrap. The generally spiral wraps interfit to define compression chambers. A pair of ports leads from the compression chambers. A pair of valves selectively blocks flow of refrigerant from the ports leaving the compression chambers. The valves selectively control the flow such that flow may pass from neither of the two ports, from both of the two ports, or from only one of the two ports to provide three levels of capacity control.

Abstract: A sealed compressor includes a cylindrical shell extending along an axis. A compressor pump unit is mounted within a housing defined by the cylindrical shell. An electric motor has an inner rotor and an outer stator. The stator has an outer peripheral surface of a first dimension. The center shell has a nominal inner diameter, greater than the first dimension of the stator. The rotor drives a driveshaft about the axis. The driveshaft is associated with the compressor pump unit. A suction port extends through the center shell to deliver a suction fluid to be compressed by the compressor pump unit. Some of the suction fluid flows into a gap defined between the nominal inner diameter of the center shell and the outer periphery of the stator. The center shell has portions deformed radially inwardly to contact the outer periphery of the stator.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a compressor shell having first and second scroll members. The scroll members each have a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base. The generally spiral wraps of the first and second scroll members interfit to define compression chambers. A shaft causes the second scroll member to orbit relative to the first scroll member. At least one bypass port is formed in a base of one scroll member, and communicates with at least one of the compression chambers. The bypass port communicates with a passage leading to a suction pressure chamber within the compressor shell. A solenoid valve is movable between a reduced capacity position and a full capacity position, and selectively supplies a pressurized fluid to a fluid valve associated with the bypass port, such that movement of the solenoid can control whether the bypass port is open or closed.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a compressor shell having first and second scroll members. The scroll members each have a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base. The generally spiral wraps of the first and second scroll members interfit to define compression chambers. A shaft causes the second scroll member to orbit relative to the first scroll member. At least one bypass port is formed in a base of one scroll member, and communicates with at least one of the compression chambers. The bypass port communicates with a passage leading to a suction pressure chamber within the compressor shell. A solenoid valve is movable between a reduced capacity position and a full capacity position, and selectively supplies a pressurized fluid to a fluid valve associated with the bypass port, such that movement of the solenoid can control whether the bypass port is open or closed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A sealed compressor includes a cylindrical shell extending along an axis. A compressor pump unit is mounted within a housing defined by the cylindrical shell. An electric motor has an inner rotor and an outer stator. The stator has an outer peripheral surface of a first dimension. The center shell has a nominal inner diameter, greater than the first dimension of the stator. The rotor drives a driveshaft about the axis. The driveshaft is associated with the compressor pump unit. A suction port extends through the center shell to deliver a suction fluid to be compressed by the compressor pump unit. Some of the suction fluid flows into a gap defined between the nominal inner diameter of the center shell and the outer periphery of the stator. The center shell has portions deformed radially inwardly to contact the outer periphery of the stator.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: At least one bypass opening is formed in a base of a scroll member, and communicates with at least one compression chamber. The bypass opening communicates with a passage leading to a suction pressure chamber within a compressor shell. A valve includes an element electrically powered to move between a first position at which it blocks flow of refrigerant from the bypass port to the passage leading to the suction pressure chamber, and a second position at which it allows flow of refrigerant between the bypass port and the passage leading to the suction pressure chamber. A portion of the valve, which is electrically powered, is mounted outside of the compressor shell.

Abstract: A scroll compressor comprises a first scroll member having a generally spiral wrap and a second scroll member having a generally spiral wrap. The generally spiral wraps interfit to define compression chambers. A pair of ports leads from the compression chambers. A pair of valves selectively blocks flow of refrigerant from the ports leaving the compression chambers. The valves selectively control the flow such that flow may pass from neither of the two ports, from both of the two ports, or from only one of the two ports to provide three levels of capacity control.

Abstract: A simple, stamped counterweight is formed from a flat sheet of metal. The counterweight is attached to an uppermost portion of the end ring of the motor rotor. In this way, the counterweight requires little axial space, and is a very simple item to produce and assemble.

Abstract: An improved method of aligning the bearing components within a scroll compressor includes the step of mounting the crankcase to be an interference fit within the center shell, and having a surface abutting a true upper surface of the shell. This ensures that the axis of the bearing in the crankcase is idealized and centered on the center axis of the center shell. At the same time, the lower bearing is mounted on the lower end cap, and is also cut to be concentric with a force fit outer surface of the end cap. This ensures the lower bearing is also centered on the inner periphery of the center shell. Once it is ensured the center shell is true, then it is also thus ensured the upper and lower bearings are aligned on a common axis. An improved lower bearing structure with a reverse taper is also disclosed. In some embodiments, the outer surface to be machined to be concentric with the inner surface is provided by a separate part which is welded to the lower end cap.

Abstract: A simple, stamped counterweight is formed from a flat sheet of metal. The counterweight is attached to an uppermost portion of the end ring of the motor rotor. In this way, the counterweight requires little axial space, and is a very simple item to produce and assemble.

Abstract: A scroll compressor has lubricant flow which communicates lubricant onto a motor protector causing the motor protector to trip the motor and stop further rotation when a predetermined lubricant temperature is reached. The motor protector is surrounded by a reservoir which maintains contact between the motor protector and the lubricant, thus facilitating heat transfer between the motor protector and the lubricant. The lubricant is returned to an oil sump remote from the compressor pump set when the reservoir is filled.

Abstract: A scroll compressor has lubricant flow which communicates lubricant onto a motor protector causing the motor protector to trip the motor and stop further rotation when a predetermined lubricant temperature is reached. The motor protector is surrounded by a reservoir which maintains contact between the motor protector and the lubricant, thus facilitating heat transfer between the motor protector and the lubricant. The lubricant is returned to an oil sump remote from the compressor pump set when the reservoir is filled.

Abstract: An improved method of aligning the bearing components within a scroll compressor includes the step of mounting the crankcase to be an interference fit within the center shell, and having a surface abutting a true upper surface of the shell. This ensures that the axis of the bearing in the crankcase is idealized and centered on the center axis of the center shell. At the same time, the lower bearing is mounted on the lower end cap, and is also cut to be concentric with a force fit outer surface of the end cap. This ensures the lower bearing is also centered on the inner periphery of the center shell. Once it is ensured the center shell is true, then it is also thus ensured the upper and lower bearings are aligned on a common axis. An improved lower bearing structure with a reverse taper is also disclosed. In some embodiments, the outer surface to be machined to be concentric with the inner surface is provided by a separate part which is welded to the lower end cap.

Abstract: An improved check valve for a scroll compressor has a stop body which has a contact face which is reduced in surface area to reduce the stiction or holding force holding the valve at shut down. In this way, the valve is allowed to move to its closed position more rapidly.

Abstract: An improved scroll compressor having a full thrust surface at which a face of the non-orbiting scroll is in contact with the base of the orbiting scroll is provided with two suction passages. The suction passages extend along circumferential directions at which a substantial portion of the direction of the suction port is tangential. The two suction passages are circumferentially spaced to each be associated with independent compression chambers within the scroll compressor. Due to the tangential component, the refrigerant leaving the ports tends to merge into the compression chambers more rapidly. This results in improved flow, and a reduction in heat transfer.