Abstract: A scroll compressor orbiting scroll bearing lubrication system includes a scroll compressor crankshaft having a lubricating fluid gallery extending therethrough between a first stage orbiting scroll and a second stage orbiting scroll. The first stage employs an orbiting scroll radial bearing and an orbiting scroll hydrodynamic thrust bearing, while the second stage employs an orbiting scroll radial bearing and an orbiting scroll hydrostatic thrust bearing. Lubricating fluid is supplied to the second stage orbiting scroll radial bearing via the lubricating fluid gallery.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes one or more stage of compression disposed within a compressor housing. One or more of the stages includes a stationary scroll member including a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from the base of the stationary scroll member. One or more of the stages further includes an orbiting, scroll member including a substantially circular base and a substantially spiral wrap extending from the base of the orbiting scroll member. A coupling is disposed between the first scroll member base and the second scroll member base and in surrounding relationship to the first and second scroll member spiral wraps. At least one stabilizing pad is disposed between the first scroll member base and the second scroll member base and in axial thrust force relationship with the coupling to at least partially prevent tipping of the second scroll member.

Abstract: An oil lubrication system for a multi-stage compressor separates oil from a refrigerant at an intermediate pressure following the first stage of compression and then routes the separated oil at the intermediate pressure to the compressor suction cavity bearings at the intermediate pressure, thus avoiding further compression of oil in subsequent stages of compression. The efficiency of the multi-stage compressor can be increased by not raising the pressure of the oil through the subsequent stages of compression.

Abstract: An Oldham coupling structure for a scroll compressor decreases Oldham coupling pressure loading without increasing compressor diameter or significantly increasing orbiting scroll or Oldham coupling inertia. The Oldham coupling key height and area are increased by recessing the key face into the ring portion of the Oldham coupling, increasing the key height and adding pads to the involute side of the orbiting scroll base plate to extend the key slot, potentially resulting in reduced compressor diameter and/or reduced orbiting scroll and Oldham coupling inertia.

Abstract: A compressor crankshaft assembly includes a crankshaft and an eccentric drive pin extending from one end of the crankshaft. The shape of the drive pin viewed into the exposed end of the drive pin is defined by the intersection of a first cylinder that is coaxial with the axis of a substantially cylindrical orbital bearing journaled and installed to receive the eccentric drive pin and a second cylinder that is coaxial with the axis of a substantially cylindrical main bearing journaled and installed to rotatably receive the crankshaft, such that the area defined by the intersecting portion is less than the area defined by either cylinder.

Abstract: A scroll compressor orbiting scroll bearing lubrication system includes a scroll compressor crankshaft having a lubricating fluid gallery extending therethrough between a first stage orbiting scroll and a second stage orbiting scroll. The first stage employs an orbiting scroll radial bearing and an orbiting scroll hydrodynamic thrust bearing, while the second stage employs an orbiting scroll radial bearing and an orbiting scroll hydrostatic thrust bearing. Lubricating fluid is supplied to the second stage orbiting scroll radial bearing via the lubricating fluid gallery.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes an orbiting scroll member disposed within a compressor housing. The orbiting scroll member has a substantially circular baseplate and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base. A first seal is disposed proximal to the outer periphery of the orbiting scroll baseplate to provide an external seal between the baseplate and the housing. A second seal is disposed radially inward from the first seal to provide an internal seal between the baseplate and the housing. A space between the internal seal and the external seal defines a balance piston chamber. The balance piston chamber is pressurized via a high or intermediate pressure oil source to reduce thrust loading on the baseplate caused by an axial pressure differential across the baseplate.

Abstract: A scroll compressor orbiting scroll bearing lubrication system includes a scroll compressor crankshaft having a lubricating fluid gallery extending therethrough between a first stage orbiting scroll and a second stage orbiting scroll. The first stage employs an orbiting scroll radial bearing and an orbiting scroll hydrodynamic thrust bearing, while the second stage employs an orbiting scroll radial bearing and an orbiting scroll hydrostatic thrust bearing. Lubricating fluid is supplied to the second stage orbiting scroll radial bearing via the lubricating fluid gallery.

Abstract: A compressor crankshaft assembly includes a crankshaft and an eccentric drive pin extending from one end of the crankshaft. The shape of the drive pin viewed into the exposed end of the drive pin is defined by the intersection of a first cylinder that is coaxial with the axis of a substantially cylindrical orbital bearing journaled and installed to receive the eccentric drive pin and a second cylinder that is coaxial with the axis of a substantially cylindrical main bearing journaled and installed to rotatably receive the crankshaft, such that the area defined by the intersecting portion is less than the area defined by either cylinder.

Abstract: An oil lubrication system for a multi-stage compressor separates oil from a refrigerant at an intermediate pressure following the first stage of compression and then routes the separated oil at the intermediate pressure to the compressor suction cavity bearings at the intermediate pressure, thus avoiding further compression of oil in subsequent stages of compression. The efficiency of the multi-stage compressor can be increased by not raising the pressure of the oil through the subsequent stages of compression.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes one or more stage of compression disposed within a compressor housing. One or more of the stages includes a stationary scroll member including a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from the base of the stationary scroll member. One or more of the stages further includes an orbiting, scroll member including a substantially circular base and a substantially spiral wrap extending from the base of the orbiting scroll member. A coupling is disposed between the first scroll member base and the second scroll member base and in surrounding relationship to the first and second scroll member spiral wraps. At least one stabilizing pad is disposed between the first scroll member base and the second scroll member base and in axial thrust force relationship with the coupling to at least partially prevent tipping of the second scroll member.

Abstract: An Oldham coupling structure for a scroll compressor decreases Oldham coupling pressure loading without increasing compressor diameter or significantly increasing orbiting scroll or Oldham coupling inertia. The Oldham coupling key height and area are increased by recessing the key face into the ring portion of the Oldham coupling, increasing the key height and adding pads to the involute side of the orbiting scroll base plate to extend the key slot, potentially resulting in reduced compressor diameter and/or reduced orbiting scroll and Oldham coupling inertia.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes an orbiting scroll member disposed within a compressor housing. The orbiting scroll member has a substantially circular baseplate and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base. A first seal is disposed proximal to the outer periphery of the orbiting scroll baseplate to provide an external seal between the baseplate and the housing. A second seal is disposed radially inward from the first seal to provide an internal seal between the baseplate and the housing. A space between the internal seal and the external seal defines a balance piston chamber. The balance piston chamber is pressurized via a high or intermediate pressure oil source to reduce thrust loading on the baseplate caused by an axial pressure differential across the baseplate.

Abstract: A scroll compressor orbiting scroll bearing lubrication system includes a scroll compressor crankshaft having a lubricating fluid gallery extending therethrough between a first stage orbiting scroll and a second stage orbiting scroll. The first stage employs an orbiting scroll radial bearing and an orbiting scroll hydrodynamic thrust bearing, while the second stage employs an orbiting scroll radial bearing and an orbiting scroll hydrostatic thrust bearing. Lubricating fluid is supplied to the second stage orbiting scroll radial bearing via the lubricating fluid gallery.