Abstract: A compression mechanism can include a first scroll member, a second scroll member, and an Oldham coupling. The first scroll member can include a base plate. The second scroll member can meshingly engaged with the first scroll member, and include a first radially extending slot. The Oldham coupling can include a ring portion disposed about the base plate and a first radially extending key portion disposed in the first radially extending slot. The ring portion and the key portion can include a pair of upper surfaces and a pair of lower surfaces. At least one pair of upper surfaces or lower surfaces can be substantially coplanar.

Abstract: A compressor may include non-orbiting scroll, an orbiting scroll, and a bearing housing. The non-orbiting scroll may include a recess. The orbiting scroll may be intermeshed with the non-orbiting scroll to from a plurality of compression pockets therebetween. The orbiting scroll may include first and second apertures. The first aperture may communicate with one of the compression pockets. The second aperture may communicate with the recess. The bearing housing may support the orbiting scroll and cooperate with the orbiting scroll to define a chamber therebetween. The chamber may communicate with the first and second apertures.

Abstract: A compression mechanism can include a first scroll member, a second scroll member, and an Oldham coupling. The first scroll member can include a base plate. The second scroll member can meshingly engaged with the first scroll member, and include a first radially extending slot. The Oldham coupling can include a ring portion disposed about the base plate and a first radially extending key portion disposed in the first radially extending slot. The ring portion and the key portion can include a pair of upper surfaces and a pair of lower surfaces. At least one pair of upper surfaces or lower surfaces can be substantially coplanar.

Abstract: A compressor may include non-orbiting scroll, an orbiting scroll, and a bearing housing. The non-orbiting scroll may include a recess. The orbiting scroll may be intermeshed with the non-orbiting scroll to from a plurality of compression pockets therebetween. The orbiting scroll may include first and second apertures. The first aperture may communicate with one of the compression pockets. The second aperture may communicate with the recess. The bearing housing may support the orbiting scroll and cooperate with the orbiting scroll to define a chamber therebetween. The chamber may communicate with the first and second apertures.

Abstract: A compressor may include a shell assembly, a first scroll member located within the shell assembly and including a first end plate and a first spiral wrap extending from the first end plate, and a second scroll member located within the shell assembly, supported for orbital movement relative to the first scroll member and including a second end plate and a second spiral wrap extending from the second end plate and meshingly engaged with the first spiral wrap to form compression pockets. The first scroll member may define a fluid injection port and the second scroll member may define a passage in communication with the fluid injection port and at least one of the compression pockets to provide pressurized vapor from the fluid injection port to the at least one of the compression pockets.

Abstract: A compressor may include a shell assembly, a first scroll member located within the shell assembly and including a first end plate and a first spiral wrap extending from the first end plate, and a second scroll member located within the shell assembly, supported for orbital movement relative to the first scroll member and including a second end plate and a second spiral wrap extending from the second end plate and meshingly engaged with the first spiral wrap to form compression pockets. The first scroll member may define a fluid injection port and the second scroll member may define a passage in communication with the fluid injection port and at least one of the compression pockets to provide pressurized vapor from the fluid injection port to the at least one of the compression pockets.

Abstract: A scroll compressor an orbiting scroll member including a second end plate, a second wrap extending from the second end plate and meshingly engaged with the first wrap to form a suction pocket in fluid communication with a suction pressure region of the compressor, intermediate compression pockets, and a discharge pocket in fluid communication with the discharge passage. An auxiliary passage is in fluid communication with one of the intermediate compression pockets to provide pressurized fluid to the chamber to deflect the first end plate and the first wrap axially toward the orbiting scroll member.

Abstract: A scroll compressor an orbiting scroll member including a second end plate, a second wrap extending from the second end plate and meshingly engaged with the first wrap to form a suction pocket in fluid communication with a suction pressure region of the compressor, intermediate compression pockets, and a discharge pocket in fluid communication with the discharge passage. An auxiliary passage is in fluid communication with one of the intermediate compression pockets to provide pressurized fluid to the chamber to deflect the first end plate and the first wrap axially toward the orbiting scroll member.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes an orbiting scroll member having an orbiting end plate defining a discharge port and an orbiting spiral wrap extending from the orbiting end plate. The compressor also includes a non-orbiting scroll member having a non-orbiting end plate and a non-orbiting spiral wrap extending from the non-orbiting end plate. The non-orbiting spiral wrap is intermeshed with the orbiting spiral wrap. Furthermore, a bearing housing extends from the non-orbiting end plate opposite from the non-orbiting spiral wrap, and a drive member causes the orbiting scroll member to orbit relative to the non-orbiting scroll member whereby said spiral wraps create pockets of progressively changing volume between a suction pressure zone and a discharge pressure zone. The drive member extends through the bearing housing, the non-orbiting scroll member and the orbiting scroll member. Also, the scroll compressor includes a discharge valve for controlling fluid flow through the discharge port.

Abstract: A scroll compressor utilizes scroll wrap profiles which are designed with a rapid compression scroll wrap profile. This profile utilizes a shorter wrap and lower vane aspect ratios during the compression process. The non-orbiting scroll member is integrated with the main bearing housing. The drive shaft extends through the main bearing housing, through the non-orbiting scroll member and through the orbiting scroll member. In one embodiment, a counterweight is disposed adjacent the orbiting scroll member. In another embodiment, and upper bearing housing is disposed adjacent the orbiting scroll member. In yet another embodiment, an upper bearing housing is disposed adjacent the orbiting scroll member with a counterweight disposed adjacent the upper bearing housing.

Abstract: A scroll compressor utilizes scroll wrap profiles which are designed with a rapid compression scroll wrap profile. This profile utilizes a shorter wrap and lower vane aspect ratios during the compression process. The non-orbiting scroll member is integrated with the main bearing housing. The drive shaft extends through the main bearing housing, through the non-orbiting scroll member and through the orbiting scroll member. In one embodiment, a counterweight is disposed adjacent the orbiting scroll member. In another embodiment, and upper bearing housing is disposed adjacent the orbiting scroll member. In yet another embodiment, an upper bearing housing is disposed adjacent the orbiting scroll member with a counterweight disposed adjacent the upper bearing housing.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a first scroll member and a second scroll member with intermediate spiral wraps. A drive member causes the scroll member to orbit relative to one another to create pockets of progressively changing volume between a discharge pressure zone and a suction pressure zone. One of the scroll members defines a chamber which contains fluid, a pressure intermediate the discharge pressure and suction pressure of the compressor. A temperature responsive valve is located within the chamber to release the intermediate pressure fluid to the suction pressure zone of the compressor when an excessive temperature is sensed.

Abstract: A scroll type compressor has both a high pressure lubricant sump and a low pressure lubricant sump. Lubricant from the low pressure lubricant sump is supplied to the various bearings, thrust surfaces and other moving components of the compressor. It is then rested in such a way that it can absorb heat from the motor windings thus maintaining the operating temperature of the motor. Lubricant from the high pressure sump is supplied to the moving compression chambers defined by the scrolls at a point intermediate suction and discharge. The lubricant supplied from the high pressure sump is first cooled and then used to cool the low pressure sump prior to being supplied to the moving compression chambers. The compressed gas is routed through two lubricant separators and a gas cooler prior to being supplied for its intended use.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a capacity modulation system. The capacity modulation system has a piston that is connected to the non-orbiting scroll that disengages the non-orbiting scroll from the orbiting scroll when a pressure chamber is placed in communication with the suction chamber of the compressor. The non-orbiting scroll member moves into engagement with the orbiting scroll when the chamber is placed in communication with the discharge chamber. The engagement between the two scrolls is broken when the pressure chamber is placed in communication with fluid from the suction chamber. A solenoid valve controls the communication between the pressure chamber and the suction chamber. By operating the valve in a pulsed width modulated mode, the capacity of the compressor can be infinitely varied between zero and one hundred percent.

Abstract: A scroll-type compressor is disclosed which includes both a high pressure lubricant sump and a low pressure lubricant sump. Lubricant from the low pressure lubricant sump is supplied to the various bearing, thrust surfaces and other moving parts to lubricate same and a portion thereof is also supplied to the suction gas entering the compressor to replenish the lubricant in the high pressure sump. An oil separator is disposed in a discharge chamber to separate entrained oil from the compressed gas. A level control assembly is also provided in the discharge chamber and serves to return excessive accumulations of oil from the high pressure sump to the low pressure sump. In one embodiment, the compressor is specifically designed for compression of helium while in a second embodiment, the compressor is adapted for use as an air compressor.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a liquid injection system. The liquid injection system receives liquid refrigerant from the refrigeration system at a point between the condenser and the evaporator. This liquid refrigerant is then injected into at least one enclosed space defined by the scrolls of the scroll compressor. The liquid injection system includes a valve which selectively controls the flow of liquid refrigerant to the enclosed space. The valve is responsive to the discharge pressure of the compressor.

Abstract: A scroll type machine is disclosed which incorporates an improved mounting arrangement for the non-orbiting scroll member which mounting arrangement greatly facilitates manufacturing and assembly, effectively prevents radial displacement of the non-orbiting scroll member, and offers the advantages of axial compliance. In one embodiment, the non-orbiting scroll is axially movably secured to a bearing housing by means of a plurality of bolts or bolts and sleeves. In another embodiment a rigid annular ring serves to axially movably secure the non-orbiting scroll to the bearing housing while in a third embodiment a stamped ring is secured to both the non-orbiting scroll and the bearing housing. In another embodiment a two piece main bearing housing includes an integral ring for radially positioning the non-orbiting scroll member and means for securing anti-rotation and axial stop means thereto.

Abstract: A scroll type machine is disclosed which incorporates an improved mounting arrangement for the non-orbiting scroll member which mounting arrangement greatly facilitates manufacturing and assembly, effectively prevents radial displacement of the non-orbiting scroll member, and offers the advantages of axial compliance. In one embodiment, the non-orbiting scroll is axially movably secured to a bearing housing by means of a plurality of bolts or bolts and sleeves. In another embodiment a rigid annular ring serves to axially movably secure the non-orbiting scroll to the bearing housing while in a third embodiment a stamped ring is secured to both the non-orbiting scroll and the bearing housing. In another embodiment a two piece main bearing housing includes an integral ring for radially positioning the non-orbiting scroll member and means for securing anti-rotation and axial stop means thereto.

Abstract: A refrigerant compressor system utilizing a plurality of motor-compressors in a single shell in order to provide capacity modulation, wherein each motor-compressor is of the welded hermetic type having a minimum of modification, in order to take advantage of the low cost and optimized efficiency of such motor-compressors. Several related embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a capacity modulation system. The capacity modulation system has a piston that is connected to the non-orbiting scroll that disengages the non-orbiting scroll from the orbiting scroll when a pressure chamber is placed in communication with the suction chamber of the compressor. The non-orbiting scroll member moves into engagement with the orbiting scroll when the chamber is placed in communication with the discharge chamber. The engagement between the two scrolls is broken when the pressure chamber is placed in communication with fluid from the suction chamber. A solenoid valve controls the communication between the pressure chamber and the suction chamber. By operating the valve in a pulsed width modulated mode, the capacity of the compressor can be infinitely varied between zero and one hundred percent.