Scroll Technologies

Greg Hahn

Zili Sun

Thomas R Barito

Jason J Hugenroth

John Robert Williams

Joe T Hill

Carlos Armando Zamudio

James William Bush

William Bush

A compressor diagnostic system incorporates a control which receives a plurality of data streams about various operational features of the compressor. As an example, both temperature and pressure of the suction and discharge refrigerant are taken and sent to the control. Moreover, information with regard to the power being supplied to the motor is taken and stored. All of this information is utilized at a control which compares the information to expected values and determines a fault based upon the evaluation. Moreover, in another feature of this invention, much of this data is stored, and maintained at the compressor. In the event of a compressor failure, this stored information will provide a maintenance worker with a good indication of why the compressor failed.

Compressor diagnostic and recording system

Low voltage electrical power is supplied to a diagnostic control device in a sealed compressor. Electrical power is tapped from a high voltage power line and transformed to low voltage power that in turn operates the diagnostic control device. The diagnostic control device and the electric voltage transforming system are housed within the sealed compressor shell, thus eliminating the need for additional openings in the compressor shell. Other low voltage devices can be powered in this way.

Compressor utilizing low volt power tapped from high volt power

A number of improvements increase the flow of lubricant within a scroll compressor. A centrifugal oil separator is mounted on the discharge port to remove oil from the refrigerant. The oil is returned through a leak path such that the oil can easily return back to a suction pressure chamber. The leak path is preferably upstream of a check valve. Thus, at shutdown, the leak path will not allow upstream components to also equalize in pressure with the suction pressure chamber of the compressor. Further, a number of embodiments include ways of resisting flow of refrigerant through the leak path, while still allowing oil flow. A number of valve elements are described which perform this function. Alternatively, labyrinth flow paths, or positioning of the return paths such that it will be closed when the compressor is shut down are disclosed.

Scroll compressor with improved oil flow

A scroll compressor has a non-orbiting scroll axially secured within an end cap without being mechanically fixed to the end cap. The compressor is of the sort wherein the back pressure chamber is defined behind the orbiting scroll. In one embodiment a spring biases the non-orbiting scroll toward the orbiting scroll. In other embodiments the non-orbiting scroll is force fit within the end cap.

Scroll compressor with unique mounting of non-orbiting scroll

A scroll compressor has a non-orbiting scroll axially secured within an end cap. The compressor is of the sort wherein the back pressure chamber is defined behind the orbiting scroll. In one embodiment a spring biases the non-orbiting scroll toward the orbiting scroll. In other embodiments the non-orbiting scroll is force fit within the end cap.

An improved scroll compressor having an axially movable non-orbiting scroll eliminates the need for a separator plate. With the elimination of the separator plate, a back pressure chamber is provided to resist the discharge pressure which will be directed against a rear face of the non-orbiting scroll. In other embodiments, a seal on the rear of the non-orbiting scroll contacts the inner periphery of the end cap. Various ways of increasing the discharge pressure volume, or eliminating undesirable noise are also disclosed. Further, several ways of connecting the end cap to the center shell are also disclosed.

Scroll compressor with axially floating non-orbiting scroll and no separator plate

A scroll compressor is provided that has greater control over the compressed volume by having a plurality of sequentially spaced unloader valves and associated holes. By providing the plurality of valves, a control achieves greater variation over the final compressed volume. The present invention is most preferably utilized in the type of scroll compressor having a hybrid wrap geometry to provide an increased volume of refrigerant adjacent the suction area of the compressor.

Variable capacity modulation for scroll compressor

A refrigerant cycle is provided with an expansion device that is movable between a normal mode of operation and a low charge mode of operation. In the low charge mode of operation, the expansion device does not lower the pressure of the refrigerant as much as it does in its normal mode of operation. In this way, the relatively high pressure ratios that are experienced by a compressor during a low charge operation will not be experienced. Instead, the pressure ratio across the compressor is reduced during low charge operation, and the compressor will be better protected.

Modified expansion device for refrigerant cycle low charge operation

A scroll compressor is provided with a clutch to minimize or eliminate the detrimental effects of reverse rotation. Generally, the clutch prevents rotation of the shaft during both powered and unpowered reverse rotation. The clutch could be subject to damage during powered reverse rotation, and thus a clutch protection mechanism is incorporated that will prevent the clutch from moving to an actuated position if powered reverse rotation occurs.

Scroll compressor having clutch with powered reverse rotation protection

An improved motor protection switch incorporates a parallel feedback component mounted in parallel to a heater in a motor protection circuit. The parallel feedback component senses the temperature of a compressor component. If tie temperature increases then the current flow through the heater increases. This causes a motor protector switch to open. In this way, the feedback component provides feedback from the compressor pump unit to the motor protection circuit more quickly than in the prior art.

Sealed compressor with temperature feedback to motor protector unit

A low noise scroll compressor assembly has an orbiting scroll supported for movement about an axis, and a non-orbiting scroll mounted to the crankcase housing along the axis. The non-orbiting scroll is mounted to the crankcase housing by at least one guide bushing that allows axial movement of the non-orbiting scroll relative to the orbiting scroll. A plurality of openings are arranged radially within mounting flanges projecting outward from the non-orbiting scroll. Each opening includes a guide bushing and a dampening bushing. The dampening bushing comprises a material that will absorb an impact force between the non-orbiting scroll and the guide bushing. Absorption of impact forces by the dampening bushing prevents the transmission of vibrations, thereby minimizing or preventing noise.

Growing community of inventors

Arkadelphia, AR, United States of America

Greg Hahn