Helical Pumping Member Having Planetary Movement (e.g., Scroll) Patents (Class 417/410.5)
  • Patent number: 6874996
    Abstract: The hybrid compressor apparatus is composed of a compressor in which fluid is compressed by varying a volumetric capacity of a compression space provided between a first compression member and a second compression member, which are movable independently of each other, according to rotation of the first compression member relative to the second compression member, a motor rotatable upon receipt of power of an external electric source, and a driven member rotatably driven by motive force transmitted from an external driving source. The first compression member is connected with the driven member and the second compressor is connected with the motor. If maximum discharge amount is required for the compressor, the motor is driven separately by a control device when the driven member drives the first compression member so that the second compression member is rotated in a direction opposite to that of the first compression member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeki Iwanami
  • Patent number: 6866487
    Abstract: An installation flange of a terminal along with a sealing member is pressed between a connection opening and an independent member engaged with the connection opening. The connection opening may be part of the terminal, and is provided on a part of a container. Consequently, the installation flange is fixed, and the connection opening is sealed. The terminal with an iron flange can be attached to an aluminum container without increasing the weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Abe, Tsutomu Sakurabayashi, Masahiko Makino
  • Patent number: 6863510
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum preventing device for a scroll compressor comprising: a chamber formed at one side of a fixed scroll and having a suction hole, a compression hole, and a discharge hole at an inner circumference surface thereof; an open/close member installed in the chamber and having a seal oil groove at an outer circumference surface thereof for selectively connecting the discharge hole to the suction hole; and an elasticity member installed in the chamber for providing an elasticity force to the open/close member. The device can enhance a compression efficiency of the compressor by preventing gas leakage efficiently and reduce a fabricating cost by improving a design of a clearance and enhancing a tolerance limit range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yang-Hee Cho
  • Patent number: 6846168
    Abstract: A pump includes an impeller, a stator, and a plurality of magnets forming bearing poles coupled to a selected one of the stator or the impeller. The pump further includes a plurality of shorted coils coupled to the other of the stator and the impeller. The plurality of bearing poles and shorted coils co-operate to form an electrodynamic bearing during rotation of the impeller. The electrodynamic bearing supports the impeller either axially or radially during operation of the pump. Hydrodynamic bearing surfaces are provided for generating a hydrodynamic bearing between the impeller and stator. The plurality of magnets may comprise a plurality of distinct magnetic elements or a single element comprising a plurality of distinct magnetic domains. The plurality of distinct magnetic elements or domains may be arranged to form a Halbach array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventors: William D. Davis, David M. Lancisi
  • Publication number: 20040265143
    Abstract: A hybrid compressor includes a first compression mechanism, which is driven by a first drive source, and a second compression mechanism, which is driven by a second drive source, and a second radial axis of a second housing of the second compression mechanism is offset relative to a first radial axis of a first housing of the first compression mechanism, or a second diameter of the second housing of the second compression mechanism is less than a first diameter of the first housing of the first compression mechanism, or both. When a significant external force is applied to the front end of a vehicle containing the compressor, most of the external force may be absorbed by the first compression mechanism portion of the compressor, thereby reducing or avoiding damage to the second compression mechanism. In particular, when the second drive source is an incorporated electric motor, damage to the electric motor may be reduced or avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Takayuki Kawahara, Hiromitsu Adachi, Shinichirou Wakou, Hideki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20040258539
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to minimize energy loss to be generated at a driving shaft and a shaft seal device, when an electric rotating device is driven by an expansion-and-compressor device. According to a feature of the invention, a first driving shaft is rotationally supported by a housing and transmits a driving force from an engine to a second shaft of the expansion-and-compressor device, wherein a shaft seal device is provided on the first driving shaft for air-tightly sealing the inside of the housing from the outside of the housing. A power transmission control device (electromagnetic clutch or one way clutch) is operatively provided in a path between the first driving shaft and the second shaft, so that power transmission from the second shaft to the first driving shaft is cut off, to suppress any energy loss to be generated between the first driving shaft and the shaft seal device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN
    Inventors: Shigeki Iwanami, Yasushi Suzuki, Keiichi Uno, Kazuhide Uchida, Tadashi Hotta
  • Publication number: 20040258542
    Abstract: A compressor system includes a pair of compressors located in a common shell. A common drive shaft drives both compressors and the drive shaft is powered by a single motor. One or both of the compressors can be equipped with a pulse width modulated capacity control system and a vapor injection system. When one compressor is equipped with these systems, the capacity can be varied between 50% and 110%. When both compressors are equipped with these systems, the capacity can be varied between 0% and 120%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Guido Wiertz, Robert Iserentante, Didier Doutrepont, Johann Dobrescu, Francis Pirenne, Gary Anderson, Philippe Ernst, Clyde Verhoff, Pierre Poysat
  • Publication number: 20040253133
    Abstract: A scroll compressor has a suction chamber, a stationary scroll and a movable scroll. The stationary scroll has a circumferential wall and a stationary volute portion. The movable scroll has a movable base plate and a movable volute portion. A circumferential surface of the movable base plate and an inner surface of the circumferential wall form a sealing portion at sections located close to each other with a narrow clearance. The sealing portion moves along the inner surface of the circumferential wall as the movable scroll orbits. Lubricating oil in a bottom portion of a suction chamber is supplied to a compression chamber defined by the volute portions from the suction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Gennami, Ken Suitou, Kazuya Kimura, Kazuhiro Kuroki
  • Publication number: 20040247458
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid machine, more particularly to a hybrid compressor for a motor vehicle and has an object to reduce vibration and noises thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Shigeki Iwanami, Kazuhide Uchida
  • Publication number: 20040223862
    Abstract: A scroll compressor has lubricant flow which communicates lubricant onto a motor protector when adverse conditions are present causing the motor protector to trip the motor and stop further rotation. The lubricant is returned to an oil sump through a normal return path. The normal return path outlet may be positioned above the motor protector such that lubricant will contact the motor protector when adverse conditions are present, or the outlet may be remote from the protector. When the outlet is remote from the protector, a funnel and tubing divert the oil to the motor protector under adverse conditions. Alternatively, a passage communicating with the normal return path is selectively blocked when an adverse condition is present. At that time, lubricant is forced into an alternative oil path, which is positioned above the motor protector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Jason Hugenroth
  • Patent number: 6808372
    Abstract: In a compressor, an inverter control device that performs an inverter control on an electric motor is integrally provided on a body portion of a container which houses a compression mechanism and the electric motor which are axially arranged in a line. The inverter control device is connected to the electric motor to shorten the distance of wiring from the inverter device to the motor to allow the reduction in weight, the reduction in a space to be required for the installation, and the reduction in the amount of noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Makino, Yoshifumi Abe, Tsutomu Sakurabayashi
  • Publication number: 20040179959
    Abstract: A motor driven compressor having a motor for driving a compression mechanism includes a connecting portion for connecting between an external terminal for supplying electricity to the motor and a wire end portion of a stator of the motor. The connecting portion is located above the motor and the compression mechanism. Further, the connecting portion is formed on the stator housing which accommodates the motor and the stator. The connecting portion is disposed in a hollow projection portion, which extends upward from the housing. Accordingly, the motor driven compressor which is readily manufactured, may avoid a leakage current by insulating a terminal portion of the motor from the housing of compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Takehiro Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20040170509
    Abstract: A scroll compressor includes various features that promote a bifurcated flow pattern of gas through a compressor shell to reduce oil entrainment. After entering the shell, some gas travels upward, which reduces the volume of gas traveling downward toward an oil sump. To accomplish this, the compressor's motor can be surrounded by a sleeve having upper and lower apertures for directing the flow to the motor's upper and lower stator end turns. In some embodiments, a suction inlet is strategically positioned relative to two gas passageways that are between the stator and the compressor shell. The inlet's position is such that one passageway receives incoming gas and divides the flow in opposite directions: upward and downward. The other passageway only conveys the gas upward. In addition, a suction baffle, a diffuser, a streamlined counterweight and/or a suction line oil trap can also help promote gas/oil separation or minimize oil entrainment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Chris A. Wehrenberg, Brian T. Sullivan, Scott J. Smerud
  • Publication number: 20040126252
    Abstract: A refrigerant go-around passage is provided in a housing of a compressor. The passage takes in refrigerant discharged from a compression mechanism into the housing, makes the refrigerant go around an axial line of the compressor and finally returns the refrigerant to the discharge-port side of the housing while separating liquid contained in the refrigerant from the refrigerant by centrifugation or by centrifugation and collision. In the mid portion of the refrigerant go-around passage, a liquid returning port is provided for returning the separated liquid to the housing in such a manner that the liquid returning port has an orientation that has a component in a direction of gravity and that is deviated from a traveling direction of the refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Abe, Tatsuhisa Taguchi, Minoru Kajitani, Yukihiro Fujiwara, Yasuhiro Asaida
  • Publication number: 20040109771
    Abstract: A enclosed-configuration electrically powered compressor has an electric motor with a segment-type stator coil that is directly cooled by a flow of refrigerant from an intake aperture in the casing, directed onto one or both of the coil end portions of the stator coil. Each coil segment is formed of a U-shaped conductor having rectangular cross-section, with each coil end portion having regular spaces formed between the conductors such as to present low resistance to the flow of refrigerant, with the refrigerant also flowing through the rotor/stator air gap of the motor. Effective cooling of the motor with resultant increased efficiency and higher shaft output power are thereby achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyasu Ioi, Shinichi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20040109772
    Abstract: In an electric compressor, an inverter case of an inverter is externally attached to an end wall of a housing in an axial direction on the side of a suction port to a compression mechanism. An intake passage for leading fluid returned from the outside into the suction port is provided in the inverter case. The intake passage has a thermal binding portion for thermally binding the intake passage to the inverter. According to the above structure, an exclusive part in the housing is eliminated even though the inverter is installed in the electric compressor, and the inverter is cooled efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Ogawa, Yukihiro Fujiwara, Masahiko Makino, Makoto Yoshida, Yasuhiro Asaida
  • Patent number: 6746216
    Abstract: An oil pump for a scroll compressor has a bearing hub with a vent disposed between at least one fluid inlet in the bearing hub and a thrust washer. The vent provides an additional fluid flow path to equalize fluid pressure underneath the thrust washer. By minimizing or eliminating low fluid pressure zones with the bearing hub, fluid flow through the oil pump can be maintained at a constant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventor: Zili Sun
  • Patent number: 6739833
    Abstract: A compressor in which an electric motor and a compressing mechanism are accommodated in a case, a main shaft and an auxiliary shaft of a rotating shaft of the motor are supported by a radial plain bearing and a rolling bearing with a predetermined clearance given to the rotating shaft in an axial direction, a flange portion that contacts with a main-shaft receiving member of the radial plain bearing to align the rotating shaft with the compressing mechanism is provided on the main shaft, and preload toward the side of the rolling bearing is given to the rotating shaft. In this constitution, a prevention member for preventing contact and/or collision of the rotating shaft with the main-shaft receiving member is provided between opposing faces of the flange portion and the main-shaft receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Makino, Yoshifumi Abe, Tatsuhisa Taguchi
  • Patent number: 6733251
    Abstract: A compressor with a built-in electric motor has a compression mechanism and the built-in electric motor which are housed in a container. A suction port, a discharge port, inner and outer electric connection parts, and mounting legs of the container are provided on the same side of a body of the container. A bearing part for supporting an end of a driving shaft for driving the compression mechanism is formed on an end wall integral to -the body of the container, where the end of the driving shaft to be supported by the bearing part is located in the direction opposite to the compression mechanism and the driving shaft is connected to the built-in electric motor. In addition, a pumping mechanism is provided in a pumping chamber opened to an external surface of the end wall and is connected to the end of the driving shaft in the direction opposite to the compression mechanism. The opening of the pumping chamber is closed by a closing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sakurabayashi, Masahiko Makino, Yoshifumi Abe
  • Patent number: 6722861
    Abstract: Several transmission embodiments selectively communicate rotary drive to an orbiting scroll to achieve capacity modulation. In these embodiments, when the motor is driven in a first direction, the orbiting scroll is driven at a rate which is equal to the motor speed. However, if the motor is driven in a reverse direction, the orbit rate of the orbiting scroll is reduced. The transmission ensures that the orbiting scroll member itself is driven in the proper forward direction regardless of whether the motor is being driven in forward or reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventors: Joseph F. Loprete, John R. Williams, Gene Michael Fields, Joe T. Hill
  • Publication number: 20040071571
    Abstract: A scroll compressor providing a ring-shaped groove in an end plate of a movable scroll to form a backpressure chamber with a surface of a middle housing supporting the end plate and introducing a high-pressure fluid through the same so as to cancel out a thrust load generated by the compression reaction force. Inner and outer seal rings are provided to prevent leakage of the high-pressure fluid from the backpressure chamber. In this case, the seal rings are designed to be able to incline in the ring-shaped groove or O-rings are made joint use of to form a ring-shaped region of a higher contact pressure at a portion contacting the opposing surface, so a high sealing effect is obtained while suppressing mechanical loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Kazuhide Uchida, Yoshitaka Akiyama, Haruo Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6715999
    Abstract: In a compressor at least one bypass valve is arranged in a low-pressure zone inside a casing of the compressor. The bypass valve defines a chamber connected by a first duct to at least one compression pocket situated in the peripheral zone of the compression stage and by a second duct to the low-pressure zone, the two ducts opening near one another so that they can be shut off by a shutter which can move in the chamber, being guided by the walls that delimit this chamber, a third duct intended for conveying a shutter-control fluid opening into the lower wall of the chamber of the valve. The shutter is opened by gravity when no control fluid is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Danfoss Maneurop S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe Ancel, Yves Rosson, Jean De Bernardi
  • Patent number: 6712589
    Abstract: Scroll compressors (1) may include a housing (2, 3) having an inlet port (3a) and an outlet port (3b). A drive scroll (10) may be rotatably disposed within the housing and may have a rotational axis. A driven scroll (20) may be rotatably disposed within the housing and may have a rotational axis. The driven scroll rotational axis preferably is offset to the drive scroll rotational axis. Further, at least one compression chamber (30) is preferably defined between the drive scroll and the driven scroll. A first bearing (14) may rotatably support the drive scroll in a cantilever manner and a second bearing (24, 115) may rotatably support the driven scroll in a cantilever manner. A transmission (31, 131, 231 and 331) or other device may be provided to rotate the drive scroll in synchronism with the driven scroll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Tatsushi Mori, Masao Iguchi, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Yasuharu Odachi, Hirohito Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20040057849
    Abstract: A compressor assembly having a housing with a first inlet. A compressor mechanism within the housing has a second inlet leading to a working space wherein gas is compressed. A baffle surface is extends from proximate the first inlet to proximate the second inlet and is impactable by gas entering the housing through the first inlet. The baffle surface directs gas in a flow path from the first inlet toward the second inlet and defines a baffle opening positioned between the first and second inlets. The length of the baffle opening extends substantially transverse to the flow path and is substantially greater than its width. The baffle opening diverts a portion of the gas directed along the flow path through the opening and intercepts fluid, such as lubricating oil, collected on the baffle surface whereby the fluid is separable by passage through the opening from gas entering the second inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Robin G. Skinner, Richard C. Haney
  • Publication number: 20040057843
    Abstract: A compressor having a discharge valve. The discharge valve is mounted to the fixed scroll of a scroll compressor using a C-shaped clamp. The clamp is secured using a threaded fastener which extends through the clamp at a position between the two legs of the clamp. The valve member is positioned within a recess on the scroll member and sealingly covers a discharge outlet through which compressed refrigerant is discharged from the working space of the compressor. The thickness of the scroll member at the location of the discharge outlet is less than the thickness of the scroll member at the location where the threaded fastener attached the clamp to the scroll member. The valve member is larger than the discharge outlet and the recess is dimensioned to limit the movement of the valve member such that it remains positioned over the discharge outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: David K. Haller, Robin G. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20040057848
    Abstract: A scroll compressor having crankcase with an integral shroud. The shroud includes an aperture and defines a partial enclosure. A counterweight mounted on the shaft of the compressor is disposed within the partial enclosure defined by the shroud. The aperture is positioned above the shaft and the shroud shields an oil sump within the compressor housing from the fanning action of the counterweight. A scroll compressor having a baffle extending from an inlet to the compressor housing to an inlet of the working space of the compressor is also provided. The baffle is secured to the crankcase of the compressor and may include an opening that functions as an oil stripper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: David K. Haller, Robin G. Skinner, Richard C. Haney
  • Publication number: 20040057845
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for a compressor. The mounting bracket includes a mounting member and an elongate bracing member. The mounting member is secured to the housing of the compressor has a central support section in substantial registry with the housing. The mounting member includes two legs which extend from opposite ends of the central support section. The first and second legs respectively include first and second distal portions. The bracing member may be secured to the mounting member with two swaged connections. The swaged connections each define an aperture through the bracing member and the mounting member. A method of mounting a compressor is also provided. The method utilizes a mounting bracket having a bracing member which is secured to a mounting member by deforming at least one of the bracing member and the mounting member into engagement with the other of the bracing member and the mounting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Robin G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 6709244
    Abstract: A scroll type machine incorporates a unique system for monitoring the status of a valve which is used to control the capacity of the compressor. The valve functions to open and close a fluid passage between two areas of the compressor for capacity modulation. By monitoring the temperature of the fluid after the valve, it can be determined whether or not the valve is functioning. If the temperature fluctuates, the valve is functioning. If the temperature is constant, the valve is not operating properly. Another embodiment monitors the pressure within the fluid line controlled by the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventor: Hung Pham
  • Patent number: 6710483
    Abstract: A revolution type actuator having a movable member performing a revolution motion includes a movable member capable of revolving with respect to a fixed member, a plurality of conducting paths which are provided on a face parallel to a trajectory face of the above-mentioned revolution motion and through which currents flow in mutually intersecting directions, power supply which flows currents having different phases through the above-mentioned plurality of conducting paths, and a magnetic field generator which forms a magnetic field perpendicular to the above-mentioned conducting path, in which the above-mentioned movable member revolves due to an electromagnetic force generated by an interaction between a current flowing through said conducting path and a magnetic field generated by the above-mentioned magnetic field generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ota, Katsuhiro Hirata, Hitoshi Kitano, Yoshikazu Shikata
  • Publication number: 20040042917
    Abstract: Disclosed is a scroll compressor enabling a significant height reduction to use a space of a system efficiently when the scroll compressor is applied to such systems as a refrigerator, an air conditioner, and the like. A compressor housing forms an exterior, a crankcase is fixed inside the compressor housing, a boss is formed at a central portion thereof to protrude downward, and a bearing hole is formed in a center thereof. A stator having a hollow shape is fixed to a lower side of the crankcase, and a rotor is provided to maintain a clearance between an outer circumferential surface of the stator and an inner circumferential surface thereof. A crankshaft is provided to pass through the bearing hole and is fixed to the rotor to revolve together with the rotor, wherein an eccentric pin is formed on an upper side thereof. A orbiting scroll is connected to the eccentric pin, and a fixed scroll fixed to an upper side of the crankcase to form a compression chamber together with the orbiting scroll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Il Chang, Yang Hee Cho, Myung Kyun Kim, Yoo Chol Ji
  • Patent number: 6682323
    Abstract: A simple, stamped counterweight is formed from a flat sheet of metal. The counterweight is attached to an uppermost portion of the end ring of the motor rotor. In this way, the counterweight requires little axial space, and is a very simple item to produce and assemble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventors: Tracy L. Milliff, John R. Williams
  • Patent number: 6682322
    Abstract: In an electromotive compressor of an air-conditioner for use in an automobile, an interior space of a container of a compressor is divided into a space including a compression mechanism portion and an electric motor portion, and an oil storage space, wherein an oil passage is provided in a lower portion while a partition having a gas passage in an upper portion thereof, and a gas emission pipe is provided in one of the two (2) spaces at the oil storage portion side, being divided by the partition plate, while an oil supply pipe in the other, thereby making an opening of the oil supply pipe dipped within the lubricating oil even when a car declines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sunao Funakoshi, Hidenori Yokoyama, Masao Imanari, Masatsugu Chikano
  • Publication number: 20040013543
    Abstract: An electric compressor has a compressor housing, a compression mechanism, an electric motor, an accommodating portion and a motor drive circuit. The compressor housing has a circumferential wall and a central axis. The compression mechanism is arranged in the compressor housing for compressing fluid. The electric motor is operatively connected to the compression mechanism for driving the compression mechanism. The accommodating portion is provided on an outer surface of the compressor housing and defines an accommodating space. The inner surface of the accommodating space includes a bottom surface and a side surface. The bottom surface is defined as a radially inward surface of the inner surface relative to the central axis. The side surface surrounds a periphery of the bottom surface. The bottom and side surfaces are defined by the compressor housing. The motor drive circuit is arranged in the accommodating space for driving the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Kazuya Kimura, Ken Suitou, Hiroyuki Gennami, Kazuhiro Kuroki
  • Publication number: 20040013542
    Abstract: An oil pump for a scroll compressor has a bearing hub with a vent disposed between at least one fluid inlet in the bearing hub and a thrust washer. The vent provides an additional fluid flow path to equalize fluid pressure underneath the thrust washer. By minimizing or eliminating low fluid pressure zones with the bearing hub, fluid flow through the oil pump can be maintained at a constant level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Zili Sun
  • Publication number: 20040013544
    Abstract: An electric compressor has a compressor housing, a compression mechanism, an electric motor, a circuit cover and a motor drive circuit. The compression mechanism is arranged in the compressor housing for compressing fluid. The electric motor is arranged in the compressor housing for driving the compression mechanism. The circuit cover is connected to an outer surface of the compressor housing. The circuit cover and the compressor housing define an accommodating space. The motor drive circuit is arranged in the accommodating space for driving the electric motor and includes a substrate and a switching device that is mounted on the substrate on the far side relative to the circuit cover. The switching device is pressed against the compressor housing as the motor drive circuit is fastened between the compressor housing and the circuit cover in the accommodating space due to connection of the circuit cover to the compressor housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Kazuya Kimura, Masanori Sonobe, Kitaru Iwata, Ken Suitou, Hiroyuki Gennami, Kazuhiro Kuroki
  • Publication number: 20040009078
    Abstract: A motor drive circuit for driving an electric motor in an electric compressor has a substrate and a plurality of electrical components. The compressor includes a compressor housing having a circumferential wall around a central axis of the compressor. The circumferential wall has a substantially cylindrical surface. The substrate is arranged outside the circumferential wall and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is closer to the central axis than the second portion. The electrical components are mounted on the substrate on the near side relative to the central axis and include short electrical components that have relatively short height from the substrate and tall electrical components that have relatively tall height from the substrate. The electrical components line the cylindrical surface of the circumferential wall in such a manner that the short and tall electrical components are respectively arranged at the first and second portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Kazuya Kimura, Ken Suitou, Hiroyuki Gennami, Kazuhiro Kuroki, Kitaru Iwata, Masanori Sonobe
  • Patent number: 6672846
    Abstract: A compressor system includes a pair of compressors located in a common shell. A common drive shaft drives both compressors and the drive shaft is powered by a single motor. One or both of the compressors can be equipped with a pulse width modulated capacity control system and a vapor injection system. When one compressor is equipped with these systems, the capacity can be varied between 50% and 110%. When both compressors are equipped with these systems, the capacity can be varied between 0% and 120%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Rajan Rajendran, John P. Sheridan, Carl H. Knapke
  • Patent number: 6659738
    Abstract: A dynamotor capable of operating as either a motor or a generator is used with both the armature portion and the field portion thereof capable of being rotated. In the case where a pulley operatively interlocked with the output shaft of the prime mover is mounted on the rotary shaft of the armature portion, the drive shaft of the compressor is mounted on the rotating field portion. Once the dynamotor is operated in motor mode, the rotational speed of the compressor is increased to the sum of the input rotational speed and the rotational speed of the dynamotor. The compressor is stopped by disconnecting a power feed circuit. When the input rotational speed is too high, the dynamotor is operated in generator mode. In this way, the rotational speed is reduced in accordance with the generated electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigeki Iwanami, Yukio Ogawa, Takashi Inoue, Hironori Asa
  • Publication number: 20030219349
    Abstract: A simple, stamped counterweight is formed from a flat sheet of metal. The counterweight is attached to an uppermost portion of the end ring of the motor rotor. In this way, the counterweight requires little axial space, and is a very simple item to produce and assemble.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Tracy L. Milliff, John R. Williams
  • Patent number: 6648616
    Abstract: A sealed compressor assembly includes a compressor pump driven by a motor mounted within a sealed housing. The sealed housing comprises a center shell extending between first and second ends and a lower shell attached to the center shell. The lower shell is generally square shaped with mounting feet extending diagonally from each corner. The lower shell includes a predetermined amount of material removed to shift the resonance frequency of the sealed housing outside the operating frequency range of the motor and compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventors: Tapesh Patel, Sudarshan K. Narasipura, Wei Zhou
  • Patent number: 6641378
    Abstract: A pump includes an impeller, a stator, and a plurality of permanent magnets forming bearing poles coupled to a selected one of the stator or the impeller. The pump further includes a plurality of shorted coils coupled to the other of the stator and the impeller. The plurality of bearing poles and shorted coils co-operate to form an electrodynamic bearing during rotation of the impeller. The electrodynamic bearing supports the impeller either axially or radially during operation of the pump. Currents induced into each coil by a single bearing pole or by a plurality of bearing poles substantially simultaneously produce an electrodynamically generated magnetic field that repels the inducing bearing pole(s) when the impeller is rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventors: William D. Davis, David M. Lancisi
  • Publication number: 20030194334
    Abstract: Several transmission embodiments selectively communicate rotary drive to an orbiting scroll to achieve capacity modulation. In these embodiments, when the motor is driven in a first direction, the orbiting scroll is driven at a rate which is equal to the motor speed. However, if the motor is driven in a reverse direction, the orbit rate of the orbiting scroll is reduced. The transmission ensures that the orbiting scroll member itself is driven in the proper forward direction regardless of whether the motor is being driven in forward or reverse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph F. Loprete, John R. Williams, Gene Michael Fields, Joe T. Hill
  • Patent number: 6623244
    Abstract: A scroll compressor is provided with a thermostat selectively closing when predetermined temperatures are reached to deliver current to a heater associated with a motor protector switch. The thermostat is able to more quickly close in response to undesirable conditions in the compressor, than would be the case with the motor protector switch typically found at the motor. The circuit associated with the motor protector switch preferably includes at least two heaters, with the normal heater associated with the power lines leading to the motor performing its normal function. The thermostat is preferably associated with an auxiliary heater. In another feature, a heater is preferably formed with a thick film technology directly onto an insulator element within the motor protector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventor: Jason Hugenroth
  • Patent number: 6619934
    Abstract: Several transmission embodiments selectively communicate rotary drive to an orbiting scroll to achieve capacity modulation. In these embodiments, when the motor is driven in a first direction, the orbiting scroll is driven at a rate which is equal to the motor speed. However, if the motor is driven in a reverse direction, the orbit rate of the orbiting scroll is reduced. The transmission ensures that the orbiting scroll member itself is driven in the proper forward direction regardless of whether the motor is being driven in forward or reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventors: Joseph F. Loprete, John R. Williams, Gene Michael Fields, Joe T. Hill
  • Publication number: 20030156954
    Abstract: A compressor unit has a compressor main body, an electrical circuit device and a connector. The electrical circuit device is electrically connected to the compressor main body through a cable. The cable has a proximal end and a distal end. One of the compressor main body and the electrical circuit device is integrally connected to the cable at the proximal end of the cable, and the other has a terminal thereon. The connector is provided at the distal end of the cable and is detachably connected to the terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Kazuya Kimura, Kazuhiro Kuroki, Hiroyuki Gennami, Ken Suitou
  • Patent number: 6607367
    Abstract: A fixed scroll (2) and a movable scroll (4) form a compression chamber (16). A first back pressure chamber (14) is formed on the back surface of the movable scroll (4). The first back pressure chamber receives a fluid of a discharge pressure. An unloader mechanism (11) is provided for guiding refrigerant gas from the compression chamber (16a) in the process of compression toward a suction port (13). A control part (31) is provided for controlling the unloader mechanism (11). When separating force is to exceed pressing force, the control part detects this and operates the unloader part for guiding the fluid from the compression chamber in the process of compression toward the suction part. Thus obtained is a scroll compressor attaining relatively sufficient pressing force by reducing separating force also when pressing force is reduced and suppressing internal leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Shibamoto, Mikio Kajiwara, Hiroshi Kitaura, Suguru Ishiguro
  • Publication number: 20030143090
    Abstract: In an electrical compressor having a motor and an electrical circuit integrated with a compression portion, a part of electrical components of the electrical circuit is disposed in spaces between a cylindrical outer surface of a motor housing and an imaginary flat surface that imaginarily contacts the cylindrical outer surface. Therefore, the spaces can be used effectively, and the electrical compressor can be downsized. Further, the part of the electrical components can be effectively cooled by refrigerant in the motor housing. On the other hand, the outer surface of the motor housing is used as one surface defining an inner space of a casing for accommodating the electrical circuit. In this case, the electrical circuit can be effectively cooled by refrigerant in the motor housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Kunio Iritani, Hiroyuki Kawata, Kenji Funahashi, Yuji Takeo, Yusuke Shindo, Tsuyoshi Takemoto
  • Patent number: 6589026
    Abstract: A fluid machinery comprises a helical mechanism provided with a cylinder, a roller eccentrically disposed inside the cylinder and formed with a helical groove and a blade member fitted in the helical groove, an electric motor unit connected to the helical mechanism through a rotational shaft, the roller, which eccentrically rotates, having an engagement portion engaged with a crank portion of the rotational shaft, and a pair of bearings disposed to both axial end portions of the cylinder so as to support the rotational shaft. The engagement portion of the roller and the bearings are formed with through holes for ventilation, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Toshiba Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Takayoshi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6585496
    Abstract: A scroll compressor is provided with an oil reservoir that is self-regulating dependent on the overall lubricant level in the compressor. The reservoir is provided by a structural member having an inner rim and a bottom wall. The bottom wall is provided with a metering orifice that returns lubricant to the main sump. The metering orifice will ensure that undue amounts of lubricant are not maintained in the reservoir during low oil operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventor: Zili Sun
  • Publication number: 20030086800
    Abstract: A motor-driven compressor includes a housing having a compression portion for compressing refrigerant, a motor for driving the compression portion, and a drive circuit for controlling the motor. A connection member having a plate shape is disposed at one end of the motor. The connection member connects a plurality of coils of the motor to the drive circuit. In such motor-driven compressors, because the rolling and bundling of electrical wires extending from coils to connect the drive circuit are not necessary, the size of the motor-driven compressor may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Tadashi Kurihara, Kazumi Ohsato, Seiichi Hoshino