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 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 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: 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.

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.

Abstract: A scroll compressor has a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll nested with one another within a shell. The orbiting scroll has a base plate with a pair of opposed slots formed therein, and a spiral wrap extending axially from the base plate. The fixed scroll has a base plate and a spiral wrap extending axially from the fixed scroll base plate nested with the spiral wrap of the orbiting scroll. A pair of towers extends axially downwardly from the fixed scroll base plate, each tower having a slot formed therein, diametrically opposed from the slot formed in the other tower. An Oldham coupling has an annular ring with an irregular oval profile which closely follows the outermost radial surface of the spiral wraps as the scroll compressor operates. The Oldham coupling also has an asymmetric shape with respect to any vertical plane bisecting a central axis of the Oldham coupling. A pair of opposed keys extend axially from a first surface of the Oldham coupling slidingly engaging the slots in the towers.

Abstract: A scroll compressor housing has a center shell having an upper end defining an opening, and a top cap covering the opening and secured to the center shell. A crankcase is positioned within the housing. An orbiting scroll has a base plate and a spiral wrap extending axially from the orbiting scroll base plate. A fixed scroll has a base plate and a spiral wrap extending axially from the fixed scroll base plate nested with the spiral wrap of the orbiting scroll. A riser extends axially upwardly from the crankcase to provide a support surface for the fixed scroll. A radially extending flange on the crankcase is supported by an upper edge of the center shell and the fixed scroll is pinned between the top cap and the center shell. A fixed scroll seal sealingly engages the fixed scroll and the top cap to form a muffler chamber. A rabbet on the fixed scroll matingly engages a shoulder on the crankcase in order to fixedly align the fixed scroll and the crankcase.

Abstract: A scroll compressor having a housing containing an orbiting scroll and a non-orbiting scroll each having a base formed with a free side and a compression side and having an involute extending generally normally from the compression side, each the involute terminating in an axially outer, substantially planar edge and having a radially outer inlet end and a radially inner discharge end, the scrolls being mounted within the housing in mating arrangement about a center axis of the involutes for relative orbital motion for compressing gas between the base and adjacent side portions of the involutes, the orbiting scroll having special bearing structure for eliminating the laterally directed tipping forces which are generally experienced by the orbiting scrolls of conventional scroll compressors, the bearing structure having a bearing hub integral with the discharge end of the involute of the orbiting scroll, the hub having a cylindrical bore oriented substantially normal to the compression side of the orbiting scr

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 compressor having a housing, a fixed scroll stationary on said housing, an orbiting scroll nested with the fixed scroll and being mounted on the eccentric of the compressor crankshaft for orbital motion about the longitudinal axis of the compressor, the base of the orbiting scroll having an annular groove formed in the outside or low pressure side thereof, a passage formed through the base of the orbiting scroll and placing the groove in fluid communication with an intermediate section of the pressure continuum for providing an axial compliance force against the base of the orbiting scroll and urging the wrap tips thereof into sealing engagement with the adjacent base of the fixed scroll, an annular seal positioned in the groove and having an annular web provided with a substantially planar contact side positioned in sliding, sealing contact with a sealing surface of housing and having annular elastomeric sealing components slidingly sealed against the walls of the groove to provide an axial complian

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.

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: In a co-rotational scroll apparatus having two interleaving scroll wraps secured to end plates rotating concurrently about parallel, non-concentric axes to produce a relative orbital motion, a scroll member including an annular biasing chamber formed in one scroll member end plate opposite the scroll wrap and a passage from one of the chambers formed by the scroll wraps for providing fluid to the chamber. The fluid exerts a force upon a pressure plate secured to the opposing scroll end plate and thereby acts to bias the scroll wraps into contact with the opposing scroll end plate. Seals are provided in the biasing chamber of the scroll end plate to ensure contact with the pressure plate of the opposing scroll member.

Abstract: A scroll member is formed using a scroll profile cutter including a first portion generating a diameter equal to the desired width between scroll involute flanks, where the first portion also is of a length determined by a distance between the tip of the cutter and a second portion of greater diameter. The length of the first portion determines the scroll wrap height. Radii are provided at both ends of the first portion of the scroll profile cutter so that a fillet is generated at the base of the corresponding scroll wrap and a radius is generated at the edges of the scroll wrap tip to improve the strength of the scroll wrap and to remove sharp corners which could burr or interfere with the base of the opposing scroll wrap.