Abstract: Several discharge check valve arrangements for scroll compressors move the check valve closer to the discharge port and the compression chambers. This reduces the amount of discharge pressure backflow, and thus reduces the amount of reverse rotation at shutdown. In one type of check valve arrangement, a plug is mounted within a check valve chamber to provide a stop for the check valve. The plug allows the check valve to seat against its valve seat while the compressor is operating to allow gas to flow around the check valve into a discharge plenum. At shutdown, the check valve arrangement is constructed to cause the check valve to rapidly close the discharge port. In other arrangements, the discharge check valve assembly may be mounted in a separator plate as a separate valve plug. This embodiment is similar to an earlier embodiment in the basic operation of the check valve.

Abstract: A scroll compressor back pressure chamber seal protector is operable to prevent the seal from moving away from a separator plate during reverse rotation. During reverse rotation, a check valve associated with the seal communicates a higher pressure fluid into the back pressure chamber such that a low pressure from an intermediate pressure chamber will not pull the seal away from the separator plate. In this way, the seal is maintained in contact with the separator plate during reverse rotation.

Abstract: A two-stage reciprocating compressor is provided. The compressor includes a reversible motor that rotates a crankshaft. The crankshaft is connected to a piston by a mechanical system. The mechanical system drives the piston at a full stroke between a bottom position and a top dead center position when the motor is operated in a forward direction. The mechanical system drives the piston at a reduced stroke between an intermediate position and the top dead center position when the motor is operated in the reverse direction. The compressor also includes a control for selectively operating the motor in either the forward direction at a first preselected, fixed speed or in the reverse direction at a second preselected fixed speed.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes structure between an eccentric and a slider block that separates the scroll wraps when the orbiting scroll is driven in a reverse direction by entrapped fluid. In the prior art, entrapped fluid sometimes has driven the orbiting scroll in a reverse direction at shutdown, resulting in undesirable noise. The present invention stops movement of the orbiting scroll relative to the fixed scroll during reverse rotation by opening the fluid chambers dissipating that pressure.

Abstract: A scroll compressor is provided with structure that allows a reduction or modulation in mass flow capacity. Structure is provided for controlling the back pressure force tending to bias one scroll into other. This structure defines two distinct back pressure chambers. Pressure fluid is not supplied to at least one of the back pressure chambers during modulated operation.

Abstract: A two stage reciprocating compressor and associated HVAC systems and methods are disclosed. The reciprocating compressor includes a crankshaft having an eccentric crankpin, a reversible motor for rotating the crankshaft in a forward and a reverse direction, and an eccentric, two position cam rotatably mounted over the crankpin. The crankshaft and cam combine to cause the piston to have a first stroke when the motor operates in the forward direction and a second stroke when the motor operates in the reverse direction. The cam and crankpin also include stabilization means to restrict the relative rotation of the cam about the crankpin. A lubrication system is provided to lubricate the engaging surfaces of the crankshaft and cam and between the cam and the bearing surface of the connecting rod. There is also provided a control for selectively operating the motor either in the forward direction at a first power load or in the reverse direction at a reduced second power load.

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: For a refrigerant compressor having two capacities, a camming structure operable in different manners depending on direction of crankshaft rotation, to achieve each capacity while providing top dead center piston operation thru the use of a circular cam bushing which is eccentrically, rotatably mounted on the crankshaft eccentric and within the connecting rod bearing wherein the combined eccentricities of the bushing and the eccentric equal the primary stroke of the piston. A first stop mechanism is provided for stabilizing the bushing on the eccentric upon rotation of the crankshaft in one direction whereby the eccentricities of the eccentric and bushing become aligned and remain so during synchronous rotational orbiting motion of the eccentric and bushing during rotation of the crankshaft for producing full stroke and full capacity.

Abstract: A stabilizing structure for a throw adjusting eccentric cam in a two-stage reciprocating compressor is provided. The compressor includes a block that has at least one cylinder with an associated compression chamber and piston, a crankshaft that includes an eccentric crankpin, and a reversible motor for rotating the crankshaft in a forward and a reverse direction. An eccentric, two position cam is rotatably mounted over the crankpin. The cam rotates to and operates at a first position relative to said crankpin when the motor is running in the forward direction and rotates to and operates at a second position relative to said crankpin when the motor is running in the reverse direction. The combined eccentricities of the crankpin and the cam cause the piston to have a first stroke when the motor operates in the forward direction and a second stroke when the motor operates in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A scroll compressor is mounted at an angle between vertical and horizontal. In this way, the overall height of the compressor is reduced compared to a vertical compressor. Thus, when only a smaller vertical size is available for mounting, the compressor will be useable. On the other hand, if the compressor were mounted directly horizontally, problems would arise with regard to providing proper lubrication. Since the compressor housing is angled, oil collects at an end of the housing remote from the pump unit. An oil delivery system is also provided including an oil slinger to deliver oil into an oil reservoir. An oil pickup tube associated with the shaft is received in the oil reservoir and delivers lubricant to locations along the shaft as needed.

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: An electrical control system for a variable capacity compressor having an A/C motor is provided. The control system includes a first circuit that has a start winding in series with a capacitor, a second circuit that has a main winding. The control system also includes a third circuit that includes the start winding and a fourth circuit that includes the main winding in series with the capacitor. There is also provided a power supply line that provides power to each of the circuits. The control system further includes a first switch and a second switch, both of which are responsive to loading conditions. The first switch operates to connect the first and second circuits with the power supply line to run the compressor for high load operation and the second switch operates to connect the third and fourth circuits with the power supply line to run the compressor for partial load operation.

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 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 and an orbiting scroll nested with each other to provide a pressure continuum of suction, intermediate and high pressure regions between said scrolls during compressor operation, the base of the orbiting scroll being axially slidably mounted on a thrust plate for allowing only axial motion of the orbiting scroll with respect thereto, a coupling device on the housing or fixed scroll and associated with cooperating coupling elements on one or both of the thrust plate or the orbiting scroll for preventing angular motion of the orbiting scroll with respect to the housing or fixed scroll, an axial compliance seal between and contacting the base of the orbiting scroll and the thrust member and defining an axial compliance pressure chamber, and one or more conduits connecting the chamber with one or more pressure regions.

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-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 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 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.