Abstract: A scroll type fluid handling apparatus, such as a refrigeration compressor, has co-rotating driver and idler scroll members supported for rotation about offset, generally parallel axes. The idler scroll member has a support shaft which is supported on the compressor housing by a pivot bushing having an eccentric pivot axis which permits radially compliant movement of the idler scroll along a line of action which is predetermined to provide a component of a resultant force acting between the scroll members which will urge the idler scroll wrap into engagement with the driver scroll wrap under a wide range of operating conditions to enhance the contact line seal between the scroll wraps.

Abstract: A scroll-type refrigeration compressor has a gas-liquid mixture discharge passage extending through the driver scroll drive shaft for discharging refrigerant gas and entrained lubricant into a high pressure chamber in the compressor housing. An anti-reverse rotation valve is connected to the distal end of the drive shaft and includes a valve housing with radially extending discharge ports and a closure member movable to prevent reverse flow of high pressure gas to the scroll compression chambers to prevent reverse rotation on compressor shutdown. A pressure equalization port may be formed in the valve closure member, valve housing or the distal end of the drive shaft to allow slow bleed down of pressure from the high pressure side to the low pressure side to minimize starting torque of the drive motor. The valve may be formed from a tubular metal housing and having a plug-type closure member slidably disposed therein with the housing being press fitted in a counterbore in the end of the shaft.

Abstract: A high side co-rotational scroll compressor has lubricant sumps in both the discharge and suction pressure portions of its hermetic shell as well as a pressure biasing arrangement by which the scroll members are urged together in operation to minimize internal leakage. Lubrication of the bearing in which the driven scroll member rotates as well as to the bearing in which the idler scroll member rotates, both of which are located in the suction pressure portion of the shell, is provided for. Additionally, embodiments are taught by which the interface between the tips of the wraps of each scroll member and the end plate of the opposing scroll member are lubricated and by which the seal in the axial pressure biasing arrangement is lubricated and/or shielded from debris having the potential to damage it.

Abstract: A scroll type fluid handling apparatus, such as a refrigeration compressor, has co-rotating driver and idler scroll members supported for rotation about offset, generally parallel axes. The idler scroll member has a support shaft which is supported on the compressor housing by a pivot bushing having an eccentric pivot axis which permits radially compliant movement of the idler scroll along a line of action which is predetermined to provide a component of a resultant force acting between the scroll members which will urge the idler scroll wrap into engagement with the driver scroll wrap under a wide range of operating conditions to enhance the contact line seal between the scroll wraps.

Abstract: A high side co-rotating refrigerant scroll compressor includes a motor disposed vertically above its compression mechanism. The discharge of gas from the compression mechanism is through the drive shaft of the drive scroll member which is rotatably supported at its distal end in an upper bearing. Upper bearing lubrication is accomplished by the disentrainment of oil from the mixture of compressed refrigerant gas and oil discharged from the compression mechanism in the vicinity of the bearing and by the direction of such disentrained oil to the bearing.

Abstract: A high-side co-rotating refrigerant scroll compressor defines a lubricant sump in its discharge pressure portion. Lubricant is directed from that sump, through a passage which is at least partially defined by the shell of the compressor, to the bearings in which the scroll members rotate. Heat carried in the lubricant flowing through the passage is transferred through the compressor shell to the ambient. Subsequent to having lubricated the bearing in which the drive scroll member rotates, lubricant is diverted into a passage defined by the drive scroll member drive shaft and enters the stream of compressed discharge gas flowing therethrough. The lubricant is thereby prevented from entering the suction pressure portion of the compressor where it would otherwise heat compressor suction gas prior to the entry of that gas into the compressor's compression mechanism.