Abstract: An improved Oldham coupling ring is relatively easy to manufacture. Opposed circular arc portions are connected by angled portions to opposed flat portions. The circular arc portions are centered on a common center. As such, the invention is relatively easy to manufacture when compared to prior art systems.

Abstract: An improved Oldham coupling ring is relatively easy to manufacture. Opposed circular arc portions are connected by angled portions to opposed flat portions. The circular arc portions are centered on a common center. As such, the invention is relatively easy to manufacture when compared to prior art systems.

Abstract: An improved heat shield for a scroll compressor is provided with a non-cylindrical end portion caught between the end cap and the non-orbiting scroll. In several embodiments, the portion provides a seal between the discharge chamber and a suction chamber. In one embodiment the portion of the heat shield is serpentine. In another embodiment the portion of the heat shield is generally u-shaped. In further embodiments the portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced clips. Several other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A scroll compressor assembly includes a first linear drive for driving a first scroll along a first linear axis and a second linear drive for driving the first or second scroll along a second linear axis which is non-parallel to the first linear axis. Relative orbital movement between the first and second scrolls is obtained by controlling the frequency of oscillations of the first linear motor along a first linear axis and the second linear motor along the second linear axis. Further, capacity control is achieved by varying the movement of the first and second linear motors.

Abstract: A number of embodiments are disclosed in which scroll compressor elements are actuated upon a particular condition being sensed within the scroll compressor. Upon the condition being sensed, elements are actuated which restrict the orbit radius of the orbiting scroll. In this way, conditions such as low charge, reverse rotation, and low suction pressure are encountered with little damage to the scroll compressor.

Abstract: An improved housing for scroll compressor has the end cap housing formed integrally with the fixed scroll member. The end cap housing is preferably welded to a tubular housing enclosing the scroll compressor. Most preferably, the end housing has inner and outer tubular portions and the tubular housing extends upwardly into a channel between the inner and outer tubular portions. A muffler is preferably formed integrally with the end cap and extends to a side of the end cap. The present invention further includes heat transfer fins extend from the end cap. The positioning of the muffler to the side decreases the overall length of the compressor. The use of the fins increases the efficiency of compression as heat is removed from the compression chambers. The use of the unique combined end cap and fixed scroll which is welded to the tubular housing simplifies assembly.

Abstract: A scroll compressor is positioned in a housing having an end cap defining an oil sump. A shaft extends towards the oil sump and has an oil pick-up tube. A magnet is positioned on the end cap through a number of embodiments which properly position the magnet adjacent to the oil pick-up tube. In one embodiment a protrusion extends upwardly from the end cap and into an inner periphery of the magnet to position the magnet.

Abstract: An improved housing for scroll compressor has the end cap housing formed integrally with the fixed scroll member. The end cap housing is preferably welded to a tubular housing enclosing the scroll compressor. Most preferably, the end housing has inner and outer tubular portions and the tubular housing extends upwardly into a channel between the inner and outer tubular portions. A muffler is preferably formed integrally with the end cap and extends to a side of the end cap. The present invention further includes heat transfer fins extending from the end cap. The positioning of the muffler to the side decreases the overall length of the compressor. The use of the fins increases the efficiency of compression as heat is removed from the compression chambers. The use of the unique combined end cap and fixed scroll which is welded to the tubular housing simplifies assembly.

Abstract: A vent is included into a scroll compressor for protecting a refrigerant system in the event of loss of charge. The vent selectively taps an entrapped compression chamber to a housing chamber which surrounds the motor. In the event of a low charge, the gas in the compression chamber will be at a high temperature, and will heat the motor when the vent opens. The vented heated gas will then actuate a temperature protection device on the motor, causing the motor to stop rotation. In further embodiments, the compression chamber which supplies the tapped fluid is the discharge port.

Abstract: A scroll compressor has a valve normally closed during forward operation of the scroll compressor. Upon reverse rotation, force imbalances allow the valve to open and communicate a chamber downstream of a check valve to a chamber upstream of the check valve. By communicating these two chambers, the detrimental effects of reverse rotation are reduced or eliminated. Two valve embodiments are disclosed. One embodiment also relieves unduly high discharge pressures. In a third embodiment, a pressure relief valve is provided to prevent desirably high pressure ratios or pressure differentials.

Abstract: A scroll compressor having an apparatus for minimizing oil leakage during reverse running is provided. The compressor includes a suction tube for allowing gas to enter the compressor housing. One oil minimizing apparatus is a check valve disposed at the suction tube having a spring normally biased against the inlet suction tube so as to prevent oil from exiting the suction tube during reverse running of the motor of the compressor. An alternative oil minimizing apparatus is an oil dam extending longitudinally above the suction tube on an inner surface of the compressor housing. The oil dam bends circumferentially with the inner surface for draining oil along the inner surface away from the suction tube.

Abstract: A scroll compressor is provided with structure that causes the wraps to move out of engagement when reverse rotation occurs. An eccentric pin and slider block are constructed such that when forward rotation is occurring, flat surfaces on the pin and slider block are brought into contact to drive the slider block and hold the wraps in engagement. However, when reverse rotation occurs, the flat surfaces move out of engagement. The slider block has a pivot point which moves into contact with the eccentric pin. The slider block pivots relative to the eccentric pin, and the wraps of the scroll members are brought out of engagement.

Abstract: An improved seal for use in scroll compressors incorporates a slanted coil spring. In the prior art, generally C-shaped leaf springs have been utilized. The slanted coil spring has better survivability against operational extremes than the prior art.

Abstract: An improved housing for scroll compressor has the end cap housing formed integrally with the fixed scroll member. The end cap housing is preferably welded to a tubular housing enclosing the scroll compressor. Most preferably, the end housing has inner and outer tubular portions and the tubular housing extends upwardly into a channel between the inner and outer tubular portions. A muffler is preferably formed integrally with the end cap and extends to a side of the end cap. The present invention further includes heat transfer fins extending from the end cap. The positioning of the muffler to the side decreases the overall length of the compressor. The use of the fins increases the efficiency of compression as heat is removed from the compression chambers. The use of the unique combined end cap and fixed scroll which is welded to the tubular housing simplifies assembly.

Abstract: A scroll compressor (10) is disclosed which incorporates, in the first embodiment, a floating seal (50) having an inner face seal (52) and an outer face seal (54). The floating seal also has inner and outer diametric seals (58, 60) to seal against the walls of a recess (41) in the crankcase (36). The axial thickness of the floating seal exceeds the depth of the recess. As the scroll compressor undergoes start-up, the orbiting scroll element (14) is forced against the face seals (52, 54) to create a sealed chamber (40). Intermediate pressure from a compression pocket between the scroll elements pressurizes chamber (40) defined between the seals to force the orbiting scroll element (14) into engagement with the fixed scroll element (12). In a second embodiment, a floating seal (80) uses actuator piston (88) which is urged into continuous sealing contact with the orbiting scroll element (14) by an actuator spring (92) to create a sealed chamber.

Abstract: A scroll compressor of the type having a cantilever mounted shaft is provided with a carbon crankcase bearing. Further, the bearing mounting the eccentric pin within the orbiting scroll is also formed of a carbon material. The bearing mounting the lower end of the shaft is further formed of the carbon material. The carbon bearing insures that the shaft will be quickly worn away should there be shaft misalignment.

Abstract: A scroll compressor of the type having a cantilever mounted shaft is provided with a carbon crank case bearing. The carbon bearing insures that the shaft will be quickly worn away should there be shaft misalignment.

Abstract: A sensor is provided for monitoring temperatures within a discharge tube on a scroll compressor. If the temperature is too high, this is an indication of the loss of charge situation. When the temperature on the discharge tube exceeds the temperature indicative of a loss of charge, then the motor is stopped. In one embodiment, a heat fusible link melts when the temperature is exceeded and sends a signal to a control to stop the motor. A repair person must then visit the compressor and repair the compressor before it can be restarted. In this way, the system provides a very inexpensive control for eliminating operation of the compressor and its associated refrigeration system in a loss of charge situation.

Abstract: A number of scroll compressor designs protect the back chamber seals upon reverse rotation. In the prior art, scroll compressors are sometimes miswired and inadvertent reverse rotation results. In some applications, this has caused the seals to be crushed. The present invention ensures that upon reverse rotation, the pressure within the back chamber is maintained at suction pressure rather than the very low pressure which may be found in the compression chambers. The seals are protected. In one embodiment, a relief is formed at a seal groove to ensure suction pressure does communicate into the back chamber. In other embodiments, a valve controls the pressure in the back chamber. Upon normal operation, the valve allows pressure from the back pressure tap to communicate into the back chamber. During reverse rotation, the valve allows suction pressure to communicate to the back chamber.

Abstract: A scroll compressor (10) is disclosed which incorporates a magnet (88) in a depression (90) formed in the lower shell (12) by forming a coined surface (82). The depression forms a side wall (92) which confines the magnet therein so that no additional fastening mechanism is required. The magnet is preferably a ring magnet (88) which is centered about the rotational axis of the drive shaft (40) and near the end of the oil pick-up tube (62) so that oil passes close to the magnet (88) as it enters the oil pick-up tube. The magnet separates magnetic debris, such as metal filings, from the oil. In another embodiment, a pair of magnets (112) can be positioned in multiple coined surfaces on the lower shell.