Scroll Technologies

American Standard Inc.

Bristol Compressors, Inc.

Bristol Compressors, International Inc.

Alliance Compressors Inc.

Other

Danfoss Scroll Technologies, LLC

John Robert Williams

Joe T Hill

Thomas R Barito

Jason J Hugenroth

Zili Sun

Carlos Armando Zamudio

James William Bush

Tracy Lanier Milliff

Greg Hahn

Gene Michael Fields

Gregory William Hahn

Robert E Utter

Gene M Fields

Joseph Frank Loprete

Michael R Young

Scott Garrison Hix

Todd W Dewar

Terry Lynn Lyons

Bruce A Moody

Richard C Denzau

John Willard Tolbert, Jr

David Rex Gilliam

Jerry D Edwards

Eugene Karl Chumley

Mark Randall Trent

Tim M Wampler

Justin M Toner

David Turner Monk

Daniel R Crum

Peter A Kotlarek

David M Fenocchi

Edward A Tomayko

Timothy Michael Wampler

John Kenneth Wollitz

Charles A Singletary

Jay Andrew Herbert

George W Brandt

Joseph T Hill

Paul Edward Murphy

John M Hunnicutt

S Boyd Wall

Scott A Schultz

Thomas R Barlto

Joe Todd Hill

Darrell G Murray

William Bush

Gregory V Hahn

A system and method for determining a fault condition in a compressor is provided. The current of a motor drive powering the compressor and the outdoor ambient temperature are measured and used to determine if a fault condition or a potential fault condition is present in the compressor. If a fault condition is determined to be present, the compressor can be shutdown to avoid damage to the compressor. If a potential fault condition is determined, remedial action can be taken to attempt to prevent the fault condition from occurring and shutting down the compressor.

System and method for detecting a fault condition in a compressor

A system and method for starting a compressor is provided. An amount of liquid refrigerant that is located in an oil sump of the compressor is determined. Using the determined amount of liquid refrigerant, a starting algorithm for the compressor is selected. The selected starting algorithm is configured to remove the determined amount of liquid refrigerant from the oil sump before the compressor reaches a preselected operating speed. The selected starting algorithm is then executed to start the compressor.

System and method for starting a compressor

A valve for selectively allowing the return of oil from a discharge plenum to a suction plenum includes a passage which is selectively opened or blocked by a valve spool. The valve spool sees a pressure from a discharge pressure location upstream of a discharge check valve on one face, and a discharge pressure from a discharge plenum on an opposed face. While the compressor is running, the two pressures should be relatively equal. The face which sees the pressure from the chamber upstream of the check valve is larger than the face which sees the pressure from the discharge plenum. Thus, when the compressor is running, the valve spool is biased to a first position at which it allows oil return from the discharge plenum to the suction plenum. However, upon shutdown of the compressor, the pressure in the chamber upstream of the discharge valve drops. The valve spool will be driven to a second position at which it blocks communication for oil return.

Oil return valve for a scroll compressor

A system to equalize pressure connected to a compressor for use in HVAC&R system is provided. The system includes a component in fluid communication between a high pressure side and an intermediate pressure side of the compressor. The component is configured to permit flow of refrigerant between the high pressure side and the intermediate pressure side at least when the compressor is not in operation.

Pressure equalization component for a compressor

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.

Scroll compressor with motor control for capacity modulation

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

An improved method of aligning the bearing components within a scroll compressor includes the step of mounting the crankcase to be an interference fit within the center shell, and having a surface abutting a true upper surface of the shell. This ensures that the axis of the bearing in the crankcase is idealized and centered on the center axis of the center shell. At the same time, the lower bearing is mounted on the lower end cap, and is also cut to be concentric with a force fit outer surface of the end cap. This ensures the lower bearing is also centered on the inner periphery of the center shell. Once it is ensured the center shell is true, then it is also thus ensured the upper and lower bearings are aligned on a common axis. An improved lower bearing structure with a reverse taper is also disclosed. In some embodiments, the outer surface to be machined to be concentric with the inner surface is provided by a separate part which is welded to the lower end cap.

Method of aligning scroll compressor components

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.

Simplified stamped counterweight

A scroll compressor includes a non-orbiting scroll having a plurality of radially extending ribs on its rear face. The non-orbiting scroll preferably provides a separating function separating the interior of the sealed housing of the compressor into the discharge and suction pressure chambers. The ribs extend from a central portion of the base of the non-orbiting scroll to its outer peripheral surface. A circumferentially extending rib also connects the plural radially extending ribs.

Load bearing ribs for fixed scroll

A low cost protective clutch member is positioned adjacent an end of the drive shaft in a scroll compressor. The device is a thin washer having a tab which is selectively driven against the housing stop when the compressor is driven in a forward direction, but is movable into a notch in the shaft when the shaft is driven in a reverse direction. The tab prevents rotation of the shaft when in the notch.

Scroll compressor with anti-reverse rotation clutch

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

Growing community of inventors

Bristol, VA, United States of America

John Robert Williams