CA2049878C - Scroll apparatus with enhanced lubricant flow - Google Patents
Scroll apparatus with enhanced lubricant flowInfo
- Publication number
- CA2049878C CA2049878C CA002049878A CA2049878A CA2049878C CA 2049878 C CA2049878 C CA 2049878C CA 002049878 A CA002049878 A CA 002049878A CA 2049878 A CA2049878 A CA 2049878A CA 2049878 C CA2049878 C CA 2049878C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- scroll
- lubricant
- scroll member
- set forth
- compressor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 239000000314 lubricant Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 328
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 53
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 52
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 45
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 claims description 39
- 230000001050 lubricating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 22
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 26
- 238000005461 lubrication Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 4
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229910000906 Bronze Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010974 bronze Substances 0.000 description 2
- KUNSUQLRTQLHQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N copper tin Chemical compound [Cu].[Sn] KUNSUQLRTQLHQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 240000002791 Brassica napus Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000272470 Circus Species 0.000 description 1
- 101150110503 END3 gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silver Chemical compound [Ag] BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003750 conditioning effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- CEJLBZWIKQJOAT-UHFFFAOYSA-N dichloroisocyanuric acid Chemical compound ClN1C(=O)NC(=O)N(Cl)C1=O CEJLBZWIKQJOAT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000005187 foaming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000019988 mead Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C29/00—Component parts, details or accessories of pumps or pumping installations, not provided for in groups F04C18/00 - F04C28/00
- F04C29/02—Lubrication; Lubricant separation
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Rotary Pumps (AREA)
- Applications Or Details Of Rotary Compressors (AREA)
Abstract
Title SCROLL APPARATUS
WITH ENHANCED LUBRICANT FLOW
Inventors Robert E. Utter Daniel R. Crum Peter A. Kotlarek Abstract In a co-rotational scroll apparatus having two interleaving scroll wraps secured to end plates rotating about parallel, non-concentric axes to produce a relative orbital motion, a means for enhancing lubricant flow through the scroll wraps. One or more passages are provided in one or both of the scroll end plates, each passage disposed to discharge lubricant between the scroll end plates, discharging adjacent the outer end of the scroll wraps immediately before the point where the scroll wraps form the first compression chamber to provide lubricant to the entire scroll wrap length. Lubricant is provided to the passages by a combination of pickup tubes affixed to the scroll end plates and inlet openings in the scroll end plates. The inlet openings accept lubricant discharged from the bearings in the apparatus. The pickup tubes rotate with the scroll end plates and remove lubricant from a sump adjacent the scroll end plates.
WITH ENHANCED LUBRICANT FLOW
Inventors Robert E. Utter Daniel R. Crum Peter A. Kotlarek Abstract In a co-rotational scroll apparatus having two interleaving scroll wraps secured to end plates rotating about parallel, non-concentric axes to produce a relative orbital motion, a means for enhancing lubricant flow through the scroll wraps. One or more passages are provided in one or both of the scroll end plates, each passage disposed to discharge lubricant between the scroll end plates, discharging adjacent the outer end of the scroll wraps immediately before the point where the scroll wraps form the first compression chamber to provide lubricant to the entire scroll wrap length. Lubricant is provided to the passages by a combination of pickup tubes affixed to the scroll end plates and inlet openings in the scroll end plates. The inlet openings accept lubricant discharged from the bearings in the apparatus. The pickup tubes rotate with the scroll end plates and remove lubricant from a sump adjacent the scroll end plates.
Description
~, ..," .. ., ,"
D E rS C R I P 'I I O N
~t~e - i ~
SCROLL APPARATUS - - -WITH ENHANCED LUBRICAN~' FLOW ~ `
~eGhni,caL_Fi~
This invention generally pertains to scroll apparatus and specifically to co-rotRting scroll-type fluid ` ~;
apparatus having means for enhancing the flow of lubricant ~` `through the scroll wraps, ~
Bnck~UP!~ ~ '''' "' ' "'"`
Scroll apparatus for fluid compression or e~pansion are typically co~pris~d of two upstanding interfitting in~olute spirodal wraps which are generated about rQspective axes. Each respective involute wrap is ~ounted upon an end plate and has a ~`
tip disposed in contact or near-contace with the end plate oi the other respective scroll wrap. Each scroll wrap further has flank surfaces which adjoin in moving line contact, or near ~ -contact, the flank surfaces of the other resp0cti~e scroll wrap to form a plurality of ~o~ing ~ha~bers. Depending upon the relatiYe orbital motion of the scroll ~raps, the chambers move from ~he radial exterior end o~ the scrolI wraps to the radially interior ends of the scroll wraps for ~luid co~pression, or from the radially interior end of the respective scroll wraps for 1uid expansion. The scroll wraps, to accomplish the formstion of the cha~bers, are put in relative orbital motion~by a drive mechanism which constrains the scrolls to non-rotational relativa ~otion. The general prineiples of scroll wrap generation and operation are `~
disc~s~ed in nu~erous patents, such as U.S. Patent Nu~ber ,~ 35 801,182.
,,,,,,,;,: ,~.,, ",.,,-"
Numerous attempts have been made to develop co~
rotational scroll apparatus. Such apparatus provides for : ¦
concurrent rotary motion of both scroll wraps on parallel, offset axis to generate the requisite orbital motion between the respective scroll wrap ele~ents. However, most . --commercially successful scroll apparatus to date have been of the fixed scroll-orbiting scroll type due to ~arious difficulties in achieving success with co-rotating scroll ;~ ;
apparatus.
Typically, a number of rotsry bearings are required ~ ~
in a co-rotational scroll apparatus, which decreases the ~ ; -reliability and efficiency of the machine. Furthermore, the ;~
typical co-rotating scroll apparatus have required a thrust bearing acting upon each of the scroll ~nd plates to prevent axial scroll separation, thus substantially increasing the power requirements of the ~achine as well as substantially reducing the reliability of the ~achinç.
In addition to the energy consumed by the additional bearing surfaces typically found, other energy losses can occur. As the scrolls rotate, fluid around and in the ~icinity of the scrolls is "fanned" by the scroll members.
Af~er the scrolls ha~e been rotating for a period of time, the fluid adjacent the scrolls develops a swirling or centrifugal flow field around the periphery of the scrolls due to the motion of the scroll ~e~bers. This presents a substantial `~
¦ difficulty when the scroll members are contained in a shell or ~ .
enclosure, with respect to obtaining and controlling adequate lubricant flow through ths scroll wraps of a co-rotational scroll apparatus.
~.: ~ ,.
', ;-'"'`'' In many applications such as refrigeration ~nd air conditioning, the scroll appa~atus is employed as a gas compressor in a closed circuit system. Lubrication of ehe compresso~ in such systems is typically acco~plished by -~;
providing a lubricant which is miscible in the gas to b~
compressed, and circulating all or a portion of this lubricant in the closed system. The effect of the centrifugal flow field is to precipitate this miscible lubricant out of the gas, leaving effectively no lubricant available to flow through the scroll wraps of the scroll apparatus and ~illing the containelr in which the scrolls rotate with lubricant. This lubricant accumulating in the container also tends to be swirled by the scrolls, requiring additional energy input to the scrolls.
In certain co-rotational scroll apparatus, lubricant is also provided to the bc~rin~s supporting the scroll elements. This lubrioa~t also contributes ~o the lubricant accu~ulation in the container as it flows from the bearings after ha~ing lubricated them. ~ :
There~ore it is an object of the present invention tc provide a co-rotational scroll apparatus which is efficient in operation. -It is another object of the present invention to provide such a scroll apparatus as will be suitable for use in closed circuit syste~s such as rafrigeration syste~s.
I~ is yet another object of the present invention ,.
to provide ~ co-rotational scroll apparatus as will maintain a con~rolled, effective and adequate flow of lubricant therethrough. ~ ;
~' `~ ~'`''`", ::.:
---- , , . .,: .
It is yet another ob~ect of the present invention to provide such a scroll apparatus as will be simple and inexpensive and suitable for mass production.
These and other ob~ects of the present invention will bs apparent from the at~ached drawings and the description of the preferred embodiment that follows hereinbelow.
The subject invention is a co-rotational scroll apparatus having two concurrently rotating scrolI elements accing as a compressor, each havin~ a scroll wrap thereon for interleaving engagement with the othar respective scroll wrap. ;~
The scroll elements operate in a container or shell which is `
provided with an inlet for fluld and are orianted so that the axes of the scroll elements are generally vertical. One or more of the scroll elements are provided with passages which communicate through the scroll element to discharge lubricant betwe~n the scroll end plates, discharging through outlets or j~ :
openings ad~acent the outer end of the scroll wraps adjacent `~
the point ~here ~he scroll wraps form ~he first compression chamber to provide lubricant to the entire scroll wrap length.
The discharge outlets can be disposed in ths scroll end plate at any location ad;acent the outer end3 of the scroll wraps which permit lubricant flow into the first compression chamber as it is formed.
` ~ Lubrica~t may be pr~vided bo the passages by pickup tubes generally extending from the scroll element or elements `~
having ehe passages into the su~p for~ed in the bottom portion of the container. Such pickup tubes rotate with the scroll end .`.,.; ~. -,.
D E rS C R I P 'I I O N
~t~e - i ~
SCROLL APPARATUS - - -WITH ENHANCED LUBRICAN~' FLOW ~ `
~eGhni,caL_Fi~
This invention generally pertains to scroll apparatus and specifically to co-rotRting scroll-type fluid ` ~;
apparatus having means for enhancing the flow of lubricant ~` `through the scroll wraps, ~
Bnck~UP!~ ~ '''' "' ' "'"`
Scroll apparatus for fluid compression or e~pansion are typically co~pris~d of two upstanding interfitting in~olute spirodal wraps which are generated about rQspective axes. Each respective involute wrap is ~ounted upon an end plate and has a ~`
tip disposed in contact or near-contace with the end plate oi the other respective scroll wrap. Each scroll wrap further has flank surfaces which adjoin in moving line contact, or near ~ -contact, the flank surfaces of the other resp0cti~e scroll wrap to form a plurality of ~o~ing ~ha~bers. Depending upon the relatiYe orbital motion of the scroll ~raps, the chambers move from ~he radial exterior end o~ the scrolI wraps to the radially interior ends of the scroll wraps for ~luid co~pression, or from the radially interior end of the respective scroll wraps for 1uid expansion. The scroll wraps, to accomplish the formstion of the cha~bers, are put in relative orbital motion~by a drive mechanism which constrains the scrolls to non-rotational relativa ~otion. The general prineiples of scroll wrap generation and operation are `~
disc~s~ed in nu~erous patents, such as U.S. Patent Nu~ber ,~ 35 801,182.
,,,,,,,;,: ,~.,, ",.,,-"
Numerous attempts have been made to develop co~
rotational scroll apparatus. Such apparatus provides for : ¦
concurrent rotary motion of both scroll wraps on parallel, offset axis to generate the requisite orbital motion between the respective scroll wrap ele~ents. However, most . --commercially successful scroll apparatus to date have been of the fixed scroll-orbiting scroll type due to ~arious difficulties in achieving success with co-rotating scroll ;~ ;
apparatus.
Typically, a number of rotsry bearings are required ~ ~
in a co-rotational scroll apparatus, which decreases the ~ ; -reliability and efficiency of the machine. Furthermore, the ;~
typical co-rotating scroll apparatus have required a thrust bearing acting upon each of the scroll ~nd plates to prevent axial scroll separation, thus substantially increasing the power requirements of the ~achine as well as substantially reducing the reliability of the ~achinç.
In addition to the energy consumed by the additional bearing surfaces typically found, other energy losses can occur. As the scrolls rotate, fluid around and in the ~icinity of the scrolls is "fanned" by the scroll members.
Af~er the scrolls ha~e been rotating for a period of time, the fluid adjacent the scrolls develops a swirling or centrifugal flow field around the periphery of the scrolls due to the motion of the scroll ~e~bers. This presents a substantial `~
¦ difficulty when the scroll members are contained in a shell or ~ .
enclosure, with respect to obtaining and controlling adequate lubricant flow through ths scroll wraps of a co-rotational scroll apparatus.
~.: ~ ,.
', ;-'"'`'' In many applications such as refrigeration ~nd air conditioning, the scroll appa~atus is employed as a gas compressor in a closed circuit system. Lubrication of ehe compresso~ in such systems is typically acco~plished by -~;
providing a lubricant which is miscible in the gas to b~
compressed, and circulating all or a portion of this lubricant in the closed system. The effect of the centrifugal flow field is to precipitate this miscible lubricant out of the gas, leaving effectively no lubricant available to flow through the scroll wraps of the scroll apparatus and ~illing the containelr in which the scrolls rotate with lubricant. This lubricant accumulating in the container also tends to be swirled by the scrolls, requiring additional energy input to the scrolls.
In certain co-rotational scroll apparatus, lubricant is also provided to the bc~rin~s supporting the scroll elements. This lubrioa~t also contributes ~o the lubricant accu~ulation in the container as it flows from the bearings after ha~ing lubricated them. ~ :
There~ore it is an object of the present invention tc provide a co-rotational scroll apparatus which is efficient in operation. -It is another object of the present invention to provide such a scroll apparatus as will be suitable for use in closed circuit syste~s such as rafrigeration syste~s.
I~ is yet another object of the present invention ,.
to provide ~ co-rotational scroll apparatus as will maintain a con~rolled, effective and adequate flow of lubricant therethrough. ~ ;
~' `~ ~'`''`", ::.:
---- , , . .,: .
It is yet another ob~ect of the present invention to provide such a scroll apparatus as will be simple and inexpensive and suitable for mass production.
These and other ob~ects of the present invention will bs apparent from the at~ached drawings and the description of the preferred embodiment that follows hereinbelow.
The subject invention is a co-rotational scroll apparatus having two concurrently rotating scrolI elements accing as a compressor, each havin~ a scroll wrap thereon for interleaving engagement with the othar respective scroll wrap. ;~
The scroll elements operate in a container or shell which is `
provided with an inlet for fluld and are orianted so that the axes of the scroll elements are generally vertical. One or more of the scroll elements are provided with passages which communicate through the scroll element to discharge lubricant betwe~n the scroll end plates, discharging through outlets or j~ :
openings ad~acent the outer end of the scroll wraps adjacent `~
the point ~here ~he scroll wraps form ~he first compression chamber to provide lubricant to the entire scroll wrap length.
The discharge outlets can be disposed in ths scroll end plate at any location ad;acent the outer end3 of the scroll wraps which permit lubricant flow into the first compression chamber as it is formed.
` ~ Lubrica~t may be pr~vided bo the passages by pickup tubes generally extending from the scroll element or elements `~
having ehe passages into the su~p for~ed in the bottom portion of the container. Such pickup tubes rotate with the scroll end .`.,.; ~. -,.
2 0 4 9 ~ 7 8 .."`,.. ............
,- .-`
plates with end openin~s oriented in the direction ~f travel and generate a pressure differeneial due t~ the velocity of the pickup tubes within the lubric~nt sump to remove lubricant from the sump and force the lubricant into the passages. An additional force contributing to the lubricant pickup is centrifugal force, the resule of disposing the pickup tubes radially inward of the dlscharge outlet of the passa~e.
In co-rotational scroll apparatus having lubricated bearings, additional lubricant m~y be provided to the discharge openings from inlet openings disposed ad;acent the bearings. A
seal is provided between the scroll member and the selected bearing to form a collection chamber for lubricant discharged from the bearing. The inlet openings are located radially inward of the discharge openings and centrifugal force developed by th~ rotation of the scroll ~ember moves the collected lubricant from the collection cha~ber to the discharge opening.
According to an aspect of the present invention,there is provided a scroll compressor comprised of: a first scroll member having a first scroll end plate and a first scroll wrap dlsposed on said first scroll end plate; a second scroll member having a second scroll end plate and a second scroll wrap disposed thereon, said second scroll wrap cooperating with 6aid ~- -,~ ' ''~ ; `' ;
~ .,,'" `
: - ' , .. . .. .
.
5a '~`' " 2 0 4 q 8 7 8 '~
first scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed first chamber between the respec~ive scroll wraps and said second scroll -end plate defining a lubricant passage having an outlet in flow .`~
communication with said firs~ chamber; a lubricant pickup tube, affixed to said second scroll member and in flow communication with - :: :
said lubricant passage, for delivering lubricant ~o said lubricant passage; and means for rotating said first and said second scrall ~ :
members. : :~
According to another aspect of the present invention, there ls provided a scroll apparatus comprised of: a shell defining ; ~
a suction pressure portion and a sump7 a first scroll member disposed .
:: ,:,. j:, in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft and a first scroll wrap, said first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate; a .~
second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said ~
second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and a second scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap disposed on said second scroll end plate in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap cooperating with ;
said first scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed first chamber, said second scroll end plate further defining a first lubricant passage in flow com~unication with said first chamber; a ~`. .
lubricant pickup tube affixed to said second scroll member for picking up lubricant from said sump and delivering it to said first lubricant passage; bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll ~ember and said second scroll member; and means for i~
concurrently rotating said first and second scroll members~
; ~'~.''``,`", : " . -`' `- `
5b 2 0 4 9 ~ 7 8 i- ~
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, - ~
there is provided a scroll apparatus comprising: a shell defining a ;~ ::
suction pressure portion and a sump; a first scroll member disposed - ~ -in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft, and a first scroll wrap, said first scroll wrap being disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member defining a lubricant passage having an outlet; a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and a second scroll wrap disposed on said second scroll end plate ln interleaving engagement with said first .
scroll wrap, sald second scroll wrap cooperatlng with said flrst scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed first chamber, sald first chamber belng in flow communicatlon with said outlet of sald lubricant passage in said first scroll member; a lubricant pickup tube extending into said sump, said pickup tube being in flow communication with said lubricant passage defined by said first scroll member; bearing means for rotatably supporting said first ..
scroll member and said second scroll member; and means for ~0 concurrently rotating said first and second scroll members. i ". ~''`'-'''''''' According to an aspect of the present invention, there is -~
provided a scroll compressor apparatus comprised of: a hermetic shell defining a suction pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, said hermetic shell defining a sump in said suction pressure portion; a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure :~
portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a ::
first scroll shaft and an oppositely directed first scroll wrap ,`' ''~
5c 20~9~78 : ~
disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member defining a luhricant passage having an outlet defined in said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member including a lubricant pickup tube cooperating with said lubricant passage to define a flow path between said sump and said outlet; a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, sald second soroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and an oppositely directed second scroll wrap disposed on said second scroll end plate in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap cooperating with said first scroll wrap to '~
form an alternately open and closed compression chamber, said ;~
compression chamber being in flow communication with said outlet .
defined ln said first scroll member; bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member; bearing means for rotatably supportlng said second scroll member~ means for lubricating said ;`~
first and said second scroll member bearing means; a motor driveably ~ ~.
connected to said first scroll member shaft ~or rotating said first ~ ~-scroll member; and means for concurrently rotating said second scroll .
member with said first scroll member.
~ ; :
According to another aspect of the present invention, ~:
there is provided a refrigeration system for circulating refrigerant in closed loop connection comprised of: a condenser for condensing refrigerant to liquid form; an expansion device for receiving liquid refrigerant from said condenser and expanding the refrigerant; an evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from satd expansion device and evaporating the refrigerant to vapor form; a compressor for ':~ ' . ,.~ :`
A
~
~d 2049878 -:
.: ~
receiving the refrigerant ~rom the evaporator, compressing the refrigerant and delivering the re~rigerant to the condenser, said compressor including~ (i) a hermetic shell defining al suction :~
. pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, salid hermetic :~
shell defining a sump in said suction pressure portic,n; (ii) a first ;~
scroll member disposed in said suction pressure porti.on, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft ;~
and an oppositely directed first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member defining a lubricant .
passage and lncluding a lubricant pickup tube in ~low communication with said lubricant passage and said sump; (iii) a second scroll ~ :;
member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and an oppositely dlrected second scroll wrap dlsposed thereon in interleavlng engagement with said first scrol} wrap, said second scroll wrap cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an ~ r -~
altexnately open and closed compression chamber in flow communication wlth said lubricant passage defined in said ~irst scroll member~ (iv) bearing means for rotatably supporting said ~irst scxoll member; (v~
bearing means for rotatably suppoxting said second scroll member;
(vi~ means for lubricating said second scroll member bearing means~
and (vii) a motor driveably connected to said firs~ scroll member shaft.
' :' :~' 5e ''` `'- 2 0 4 q ~ 7 8 . ' ~
Accordlng to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scroll compressor apparatus comprised of: a hermetic shell defining a suction pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, said hermetlc shell further defining a sump in sald suction ~.~ ;;.;;~
portion; a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll and pla~e, a ~-first scroll shaft, and an oppositely directed first scroll wrap .... ~, i: ~, disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll wrap .-~having an outer end; a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft, and an oppositely dlrected second scroll wrap disposed thereon in interleaving engagement with said :
. first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap having an outer end, said ;
second scroll outer end cooperating with said first scroll wrap to .
form an alternatively open and closed first compression chamber . ~
between the respective scroll wraps, said second scroll member ~ . `
further defining a lubricant passage having a lubricant passage outlet, said lubricant passage outlet defined in said second scroll end plate ad~acent said second scroll outer end for flow communication with said first compression chamber, said second scroll `~
member further including a lubricant pickup tube extending from said second scroll member to said sump for flow communication between said sump and said lubricant passage outlet, said pickup tube defining a lubricant passage first inlet, said second scroll member further deflning a lubricant passage second inlet adjacent said second scroll ::
shaft~ bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member; ~earing means for rotatably supporting said second scroll - ,'~'; "' 204q878 -~
member in said suction pressure portion, said bearing means fur~her defining an annular lubricant collection chamber disposed about said second scroll shaft; means for lubricating said second scroll member ~ p;~
bearing means; and a motor driveably connected to said first scroll member shaft for rotating said first scroll member; and means for concurrently ro~ating said second scroll member with said first scroll member. ~ -.;"~ , ., According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigeration system for circulating re~rigerant in alosed loop connection comprised of: a condenser for condensing .
refrigerant to liquld form; an expanslon device for receiving liquid . "~
refrigerant from said condenser and expanding the refrigerant; an .
evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from said expansion device and evaporating the refrigerant to vapor form; a compressor for ;
receiving the refrigerant from the evaporator, compressing the refrigerant, and sending the refrigerant to the condenser, said : :
compressor comprised of: a hermetic shell de~ining a suction pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, said hermetic - :
shell further defining a sump in said suction pressure portion; a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure po tion, said ; :~
first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft, and an oppositely direc~ed first scroll wrap disposed on said ~:
first scroll end plate~ said first scroll wrap having an outer end; a :
second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, ~-second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft, and an oppositely directed second scroll wrap disposed ~.":, 5g 2049878 thereon in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap having an outer end, said second scroll outer end cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternatively open and closed first compression chamber between the respective scroll S wraps, said second scroll member further defining a ]ubricant passage having a lubricant passage outlet, said lubricant passage outlet defined in said second scroll end plate adjacent said second scroll outer end for flow communication with said first compression chamber, said second scroll member further including a lubricant pickup tube extending from said second scroll member to said sump for flow communication between said sump and said lubricant passage outlet, , said pickup tube defining a lubricant passage first inlet, said second scroll member further defining a lubricant passage second inlet adjacent said second scroll shaft; bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member; beariny means for rotatably `~
supporting said second scroll member in said suction pressure portion, said bearing means further defining an annular lubricant collection chamber disposed about said second scroll shaft; means for : -lubricating said second scroll member bearing means; and a motor driveably connected to said first scroll memher shaft for rotating : ;
said second scroll member concurrently with said first scroll member.
::: -: ~ ..
, .
5h ~f~,f~ qf~
: -Brief Description of the Drawinqs Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a co-~f:~
rotational scroll apparatus embodying the subject invention.
- 5 Elgure 2 shows in schematic a closed circuit system such as a refrigeration or air conditioning system in which the subject inven-tion could suitably be employed.
Figure 3 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional ~;
view of the scroll apparatus of Figure 1.
;, ,' ' :~ .
, ~
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'` '~',.
,- .
7 ~
6 ~ ~ ~
~ ;,'~''' Figure 4 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a first alternative embodi~ent of the scroll apparatus e~bodying the subJect invention. ~ ~-Figure 5 shows an enlarged partial cr~ss-sectional view of a second alternatiYe embodiment of the subject invention.
Figure 6 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a third altern~tive embodiment of the subject invention.
Figure 6A shows a preferred embodiment of the lubricant pickup tube.
Flgure 6B shows an alternative embodiment of the , ~ .
lubricant pickup tube.
Figure 6C shows yet another alternative embodi~ent of the lubricaDt pickup tube. -`` i~
Figure 7 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a fourth alternative e~b~timent of the subject invention.
Figure 8 shows an enl~rged partial cross-sectional ~ f' view of a fifth alternative embodiment of the subject invention.
Figure 9 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a sixth alternative embodiment of the scroll apparatus.
, ~
Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the drive scroll, taken along section liné 10-10 of Figure 5 with the preferred disposition of the lubricant passage outlets highligheed thQreon. ~ .
. . .
, ~
,..,,.",.. ..
: : ~ :,. ..
7~
7 :~ ~
: `'' ~' '' Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional ~iew of the idler scroll, taken along section line 11-11 of Figu:re 4 with the preferred disposition of the lubricant passage outlets highlighted thereon.
Figure 12 shows an enlarged partia:L cross-sectional :~
~iew of a seventh slternative embodiment of the scroll apparatus.
DescriptiQ~.pf the Pre~erred Embod~Lent ~
,. ................................................................................ ..
A scroll type fluid apparatus generally shown in ~.!,, Figure 1 as a scroll compres~or assembly is referred to by reference nu~eral 20. As the preferred embodimPnt of the subject in~ention is a hermetic scroll compressor ss3embly, the scroll compressor assembly is shown and described as a hermetic scroll compressor assembly. The scroll compressor assembly 20 is interchangeably referred to as a scroll apparatus or as a compressor assembly 20. It will be readily apparent to those ~ . c-skilled in the art that the features of the subject invention may readily be employed in scroll apparatus which are used as fluid pumps or expanders, and in scroll apparatus which are not .
of the hermetic type.
In the preferred embodiment, the compressor assembly 20 includes a hermetic shell 22 having an upper portion 24, a lower portion 26, a centra} exterior shell 27 extending between the upper portion 24 and lower portion 26, .~
and an intermediate, central frame portion 28 affixed within .~.. . .
the central e~terior shell 27. The exterior shell 27 is a generally cylindrical body, while the central frame portion 28 --.
.. .~'': ::
is deined by a generally cylindrical or annular exterior portion 30 and a central portion 32 disposed across one end ehereof. The ~nnular exterior portion 30 of the central frame portion 28 is sized to sealingly fit within the exterior shell 27 so that it may be mated thereco by a press fit, by welding, or by other suitable means.
Integral with the central fra~e portion 28 is a generally cylindrical upper bearing housing 34, which is substantially coaxial with the axis of the annular exterior portion 30. A drive shaft aperture 36 extends axially through the center of the upper bearing housing 34, and an upper main bearing 38 is disposed radially within the drive shaft receiving aperture 36. Preferably, the upper main bearing 38 is a rotation bearing made, for e~ample, of sintered bronze or similar material. The upper main bearing 38 may also be of the roller or ball bearing type.
A motor 40 is disposed within ehe upper portion 24 and shell portion 27 of the hermetio shell 22. The motor 40 is preferably a single phsse or three phase electric motor comprlsed of a stator 42 which is circumferentially disposed about a rotor 44, with an annular space therebetween permitting free rotation of the rotor ~4 within the stator 42 as well as .
the flow of lubricant or refrigerant fluid. The stator 42 may be affixed within the ex~erior shell 27 by press fit ;~
therebetween, by a plurality of bolts or screws (not shown), by r: .
weldments between appropriate mounting surfaces on the stator 42 and the exterior shell 27 (not shown), or by other means~
It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that - `
al~ernative types of motors 40 and means of mounting the motor 40, and alternative types of drive means, would be equally suitable for app}ication in the subject in~ention.
. . ...
2 ~
9 ; :~
A discharge aperture 50 is shown i~ the upper shell --portion 24 for discharging high pressure fluid from the scroll apparatus 20, and a shell suction aperture 52 is shown disposed in the lower shell portion 26 for receiving low pressure fluid into the scroll apparatus 20 This permits connection of the scroll apparatus 20 to a suitable fluid system. Preferably, ~ :
the scroll compressor apparatus 20 wou}d be connected to a ~ ;
refrigeration or air conditioning system. Such a system is shown generally in schematic representation in Figure 2. The representative system includes a discharge line 54 connected between the shell dischar~e aperture 50 and a condenser 60 for expelling heat from the refrigeration system and condensing the refrigerant. A line 62 connects the oondenser to an expansion device 64. The expansion device ~ay be a thermally actuated or lS an electrically actuated valve controlled by a suitable controller (not shown), or may be one or more capillary tubes.
Another line 66 connects the expansion device 64 to an evaporstor 68 for transferring expanded refrigerant from the expansion device 64 to the evaporator 68 for acceptance of .
::: ~ .~, . .
heat. Finally, a refrigeration system suction line 70 transfers the evaporated refrigerant ~rom the evaporator 6~ to . ~' the co~pressor assembly 20, wherein the refrigerant is ~ ; ., compressed and returned to the refrigeration systsm.
It is believad that the general principles of refrigeration systems capable of using such a compressor system ; 20 are well understood in the art, and that detailed explanation of the devices and mechanisms suitable for - -`
constructing such a refrigeration system nead not be discussed in detail herein. It is believed that it will also be apparent to thos~ skilled in the art that such a refrigeration or air ~ ~"~
;. : ~ . : .
conditioning system may include multiple units of the ;~
compressor assembly 20 in parallel or series connec~ions, as well as Multiple condensers or e~apora~ors and Dther components, hence such embodiments of refrigeration syste~s 5 need not be discussed here in detail.
Ha~ing described the general construction of the compressor assembly 20, the features of the present invention ~
are now described in more detail. Referring again to Figure l ~ -and more particularly to Figure 3, a scroll apparatus ha~ing a drive scroll member, arbitrarily designated the first scroll me~ber 76, and an idler scroll member, arbitrarily designated the second scroll ~ember 78, is disclosed. The first scroll member 76 includes an upstanding first involute scroll wrap 80 which is integral with a generally planar dri-~e scroll end plate 82. The drive scroll end plate 82 includes a generally ~ `
... ..,~. ...
centrally disposed first scroll ~ember drive shaft 84 extending oppositely from the upstanding involute scroll wrap 80. A -~
discharge gallery 86 is defin~d by a bore extendin~ through the axis of the drive shaft 84. The discharge gallery 86 is in - flow communication with a discharge aperture 88 defined by a generally central bore through the drive scroll end plate 82. `The drive shaft 84 includes a first, relatively larger diameter bearing portion 90 extending axially through the upper main -bearing 38 for a free rotational fit therein, and a second relati~ely smaller diameter rotor portion 92 which extends ~ `, axially through the rotor 44 and is affixed thereto. The rotor ~ ;
44 may be afiixed to the rotor portion 92 by such means as a power ~ransmitting key in juxtaposed keyways, a press fit therebetween, or other suitable means.
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The second or idler scroll member 78 includes a second, idler scroll wrap 100 which is disposed in interfitting and interlea~ing engagement with the first scroll wrap 80. ~he second scroll member 78 also includes a substantially planar second or idler end plaee 102. The idler scroll wrap 100 is generally an ups~anding involute extending from the idler ~nd plate 102. A second scroll shaft or idler shaft stub 104 extends from the idler end plate 102 oppositely from the id}er scroll wrap portion 100. The designation of the idler scroll member 78 as the second scroll member and the drive scroll member 76 as the first scroll mamber is arbitrary and may be made interchangeably without affecting the character of the .;
invention. .:: ;
An annular bearing 110, which may be a sleeve bearing msde of sintered bronze material, for example, or may be of the roller or ball type, is disposed within Rn annular :~
wall defining a second shaft or idler bearing housing 112. The .
second shaft or lower bearing housing 112 is inte~ral with the - .
lower hermeti~ shell portion 26 for rotationally supporting the .
second scroll member 78.
The first scroll end plate 82 also includes two ~ -extension members 120 extending from the first scroll end plate :~
82 parallel the drive scroll wrap 80. The extension ~embers . ..
120 ar~ disposed at radially oppo5ed positions near the outer edge of the first scroll end plate 82 and are of greater length than the h~ight of the involute scroll wraps 80 and 100,. - '; .
respecti~ely, plus the thickness of the second scroll end plate 102. The extension members 120 are affixed to an annular first scroll member compression plate 150. The compression plate 150 ~ .
is generally cup shaped, having an annular generally planar `-; ~'~
... . .....
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-.. . ..
12 ~ 7 ~
, "
circumferential portion 152 about the radial outward end thereof. The sadially outward portion includes a recess 154 for each extension member 120. The extension member 120 may be ~ 6 affixed in the recess 154 by such means as threaded fastener, welding or press fit. A depressed planar central portion 156 is parallel to and downwardly spaced a distance from the outer i end portion 152 of the compression plate 150. This central portion 156 includes a second, slightly more downwardly spaced -~
area describing an annular retaining shoulder 158 and a biasing i --surface 160. A central aperture 162 is described by a bore through the axial center of the depressed portion 156. The central aperture 162 is of substantially greater diameter than the lower bearlng housing 112 so that there is sufficient ~i "~
clearance between the compression plate 150 and the lower ~,.. '~`'`' !.~';
bearing housing 112 to permit the co~pression plate 150 to . ~ .
rotate freely about the lower bearing housing 112.
A compression and driv~ spring 170 i5 disposed .
between the biasing surface 160 and the second scroll end plate :.
102. The compression spring 170 ser~es as a biasing means to -force the respective scroll end pl~tes 82 and 102 toward each oth~r by exerting a orce upon ~he second scroll end plate 102 and an opposite force upon ehe first scroll end plate 82 through the co~pression plate 150 and extensian members 120. . '~
In the preferred embodiment, the spring 170 is retained within .
an annular channel 114 formed in the second scroll end plate .. u : , 102. This permits the spring 170 also tq act as a torque transmitting elemcnt. In this embodiment, the extension members, the compression plate 150 and the spring 170 together comprise a drive means for causing concurrent rotation of the ~ .
first scroll member 76 and second scroll member 78. :~
," ~ ".
An annular thrust bearing 176 is disposed on an upper shoulder 178 of the lower bearing housing 112 for accepting the weight of che first and second scroll members 76 .
and 78 as well as the drive shaft 90 and the rotor 44. It will be appr~ciated by ~hose skilled in the art that although the scroll appar~tus 20 is shown ha~ing its axis ~enerally .
vertically aligned, that the apparatus 20 will function equally well in non~ertical orientations. It is desirable, however, to maintain a vertical or near vertical position (for example, .;~ .. ;
within 45 degrees of vertical~ so that the mass of the rotor 44 and the scrolls 76 and 78 will bias the second scroll member 78 .~:.
against the thrust bearing 176.
Finally, a reservoir 180 for containing lubricant is provided in the central portion 32 of the frame portion 28. . .
The lubricant therein is provided to the upper main bearing 38 .-.
through an upper bearin~ lubricant bore 182 in the upper bearing housing 34. Lubricant is provided to the lower bearing 110 through a bore 184 which provides flow communication through the central frame 30 ~or Iubricant from the reservoir 180 into a lubricant feed tube 186 and thence through a passage `~
188 in the lower bearing housing 112. The uppsr ~ain beari~g :~i 38 and the lower bearing 110 are sized with respect to their . .;~
housings 34 and 112 so that the flow of lubricant discharged ~ . J,~
into the suction pressure portion of the hermetic shell defined .
by the lower porticn 26 and ccntr~l fra~e 30 is controlled in : quantity. : ;, A lubricant passage 200 extends radially outward in .~.;. ~. .
the second scroll end plate 102. A lubricant passage outlet . :.. -202 permits fluid flow from the lubricant passage 200 to the .`~ . -first chamber 204 fo~ed by the outer ends 206 and 208 of the ~ ~
~ ; '` ' ~''``' :` `` .
14 ~ 0 4 q ~ 7 8 . ~ . ~ ....
scroll wraps 76 and 78, respeGtively. It wlll be noted that while the first chamber 204 in a cnmpression device is a compression chamber, the flrst cha~ber 204 iis i~ fact also a suction chamber since it is open to suction pressure during at .
5 least a portion of the rotation of the scroll apparatu~, so that the t~r~ is used interchangeably herein.
Since ehe pressure of the }ubrioant in the "
lubricant passage 200 is at or slightly abo~e the suction pre3sure, it will be appreciated that lubricant flow into the .
first chamber can occur only when che pressur~ in the iirst chamber i5 at or only slightly above ehe suction pressure. ..
Therefore, the lubrlcant passage outlet 202 must be definsd in ;. .. `~
the first scroll end plata 82 at a location adJacen~ the outer tips 206 or ~08 of the scroll end plates 82 or 102 to permit :~
lubricant to flow into the first compression chamber 204 ~hen . . .:~
the first chamber 204 is op~n to the suction pressure cha~ber ...
defined by the lower shell 26 and the central frame 30. It will be apparene to those skillad in the ar~ that because of the minimal pressure difference between the Lubricant flowin~ r-in the lubricant psssaee 200 and the press~re of the fluid ` ~ -accepted into the first chamber when the first chambQr is open, `~
that the lubricant passage outlet 202 must be disposed to permit lubricant flow into the first chamber 204 before there has be~n any ~ubstantial co~pression therein, as such . ~ -compression could result in a pressure exceeding the pressure .. ,i.-of the lubricant and preventing lubricane flow. The preferable 1 `
disposition of locations of the lubricant passage outlet 202 is more clearly ~hown in Fi~ures 10 and 11, discussed hereinafter. ~ u ~' :
;
A lubricant passage inlet 216 is provided at the ~ ~
radially inner end ~f the lubricant passage 200 ior receiving .- : ~;
lubricant ~ro~ a collection chamber 217 disposed between the ~ ; m second scroll end plate 102 and the thrust bearing 176, which S comprises a means for delivering lubricant fro~ the bearing 110 to the lubricant passage inlet 216. Another lubricant passage inlet comprised of a lubricant pickup tube 220 ha~ing an inlet 232 is provided at a location slightly radially outward of the inlet 216. The inlet portion 232 of the lubricant pickup tube 220 extends into a su~p 222 defined in the suction pressure portion of the scroll apparatus 20. Either the lubricant passage inle~ 216 or the pickup tube inlet 232 ~ay arbitrarily : :~
be referred to as a first or second inlet to the lubricant .. . i passage 200.
A plug 218 is provided in the outer radial end of ~. .
the lubricant passage 200. Th~s plug 218 is necessitated by - :
the fact that the lubricant passage 200 as shown is drilled into the second scroll end plate 102. Alternative means of construceing the second scroll end plate 102 might render th~
plug 218 unnece3sary, as the passage 200 would be fully .. .., .., j ... . ~
contained within the second scroll end plate 102. Those -;. ::~
skilled in the art will recogni~e that alternative means of f~rming the passage 200 or of replacing the plug 218 are available.
It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while two radially opposed lubr$cant passages 200 are shown in the second scroll end plate 102 as disclosed, it would be possible to provide threo, four or =ore lubricsnt passages . ~ ` ` ~ ' "-' - .: . -: -: .~
200, and such passages 200 need not be either radially opposed or equally radially or angularly spaced. Furthermore, it would also be possible to provide a single lubricant passage 200, ~hich in some applications may be desirable for improving the dynamic balance of the scroll member in which the passage 200 is provided. Tberefore, the pro~ision of two identical means of providing the lubricant flow are shown in each e~bodiment ``
and figure of the specification for descriptive purposes only.
Figures 10 and 11 contain cross-section views of ~; `
the scroll members 76 and 78, taken from Figures 5 and 4, ~ ;
respectively, for convenience. In Figures 10 and 11, outllned ~
areas Dl and D2 represent exe~plary portions of the scroll end ` ': .
plate in which the lubricant passage outlets 202 may preferably `~
be disposed. In Figure 10, Dl represents the area adja~ent the `
end 206 of the scro}l wrap 80, while D2 represents the area adjacent the end 208 of the opposing scroll wrap 100. In Figure 11, Dl represents the arsa adjacent the end 208 of the scroll wrap 100, while D2 represents the area ad;acent the end 206 of the opposing scroll wrap 80. The areas Dl and D2 should - -~
be considered exemplary raeher than limiting, as variations in ~ - ;
scroll profiles and other similar factors and the desirability of using a gre~ter or lesser number of lubricant passages 200 or outlets 202 may alter the actual disposition thereof.
It will be appreciated that the outlet 202 is preferably disposed close to the scroll wrap in each case ~o ~aximize lubricant flow prior to closure of the first chamber 204. Likewi~e, the outlet 202 will preferably be disposed as closely as possible to the end of the scroll wrap 80 or 100 to -~ ~
which the outlet 202 i9 disposed 90 as to maxLmize lubricant - ~-flow. As the outlet 202 is disposed at a point increasingly :
, 7 ~
17 . ~
~''`~ '''',. '.~,' removed circu~ferentially from the scroll wrap end 206 and 208 ~-or removed radially from the scroll wrap 80 an~l 100, the length of time during which ehe outlet 202 will be exposed to the -pressurized fluid within the first chamber 204 durin~ a portion of each oompression cycle increases. This pressure could overcome the relatively low pressure in the lubricant passage - ;~
200, causing a flow reversal and undesirable flow of the pressurized fluid from the first chamber 204 into the lubricant ; ;passage 200, and lt is therefore generally desirable to reduce ; , ;
the length of time during which the outlet 202 will be exposed to the pressurized fluid within the first chamber 204 in order to prevent the potential 1OW reversal. -Turning now to Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, several alternative embodiments of the subject invention will be ~. -described. In Figures 4 through 8, the scroll apparatus 20 is :
shown without an interconnecting drive means between the first scroll member 76 and the second scroll member 78. Those ~ . .
skilled in the art will recognize that Figures 4 through 8 are intended to teach specifically the ~lternatives of the sub~ect ;
invention, while Figures 1, 3 and 9 teach the application of ~;
the subject invention in the scroll apparatus 20 as described ~ `
herein, and such application should be understood to be exemplary rather than limiting in nature.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative means of causing concurrent rotation between the -~
first scroll me~ber 76 and second scroll member 78 are readily available. These include the use of flexible members affixed to the respective scroll end plates or the use of the extension members and dri~e keys to operate a ring or Oldha~ coupling .
. -,', '., ~
-, ., ~
C~ J ~ r~/ 3 18 ~ - -~"''.''"'''.';'.'; ' between the respective scroll end pla~es. As there are v~rious alternative drive means for rendering operational the co~
rotational scroll apparatus 20, the drive ~eans is omitted for the sake of clarity in these figures. g It should be noted thae when the sa~e item or feature is shown in more tha~ o~e of the fi~,ures, it will be ~- -labeled with the corresponding reference numeral to aid in the unders~anding of the subject invention. Furthermore, reference should be had to all of the figures necessary to aid in the understanding of the specification even where a particular figure is referred to, as all reference numerals are ~ot displayed in all figures in order to minimi~e confusion and aid in clarifying the subje~t invention. ~hen the same item or feature does appear in a figure representing or disclosing an alternati~e embodiment of that part or feature, it is again labeled with the same reference numeral, followed by a numeric suffix to correspond with the designation of that alternative ~ ~ ;
e~bodiment in the specification. The numeric desi~nation of the alternative embodiment does not correspond to its preference but rather is intended to aid in the understanding of the sub~ect invention.
As shown in Figures 4 and 8, a baffle 233-1 may be provided to control the lubricant within the sump 222-1 to minimize undesirable foaming or splashing due to the movement ~ ;~
of the pickup tubes 220-1 therein. The baffle 233-1 also ser~es as meaDs for reducing the rotational velocity of the lubricant induced by the centrifugal flow field. This in turn ~;
increases the relative velocity of the pickup tube inlet 232-1 i with respect to the lubricant and therefore increases the rate of lubricant flow into the pickup tube inlet 232-1. Preferably '~' . ' -.`, :
~s. ~., ,` 19 ~o4q878 the baffle 233 is in ~he form of an annular disk, extending about the lower bearing housin~ 112, and is spacad from the `-. -lower hermetic shell 26 to form a quiesc~nt p~ol of lubricant swept by the pic~up tube 220. Means for s~upporting the ba~fle - . `
at the selected spacing include fDrmed or welded tab~ extendin~
from the baffle or supports extendin~ fro~ the lower hermtic shell 26. It is believed that other such means will be ob~ious ` .~.
to those skilled in the ar~
Turning now to Figure 5, the second alternative :.:`.
embodiment of the subject invention i9 disclosed. In Figu:re 5, the irst scroll member end plate 82-2 tefines a radlally ; :~
extending lubricant passage 200-2. The lubricant passage 200-2.
is provided with a lubricant passag~ ou~let 202-2 for flow communication from the lubricant passage 200-2 to the first ~: ~'`,!.,chamber 204-2 defined by th~ scrol} wraps 80-2 and 100-2. This first chamber 204-2 is defin~d by the ac~ion of the outer tip -~
portions 206-2 and 208-2 of the first and s~cond scroll wraps 80-2 and 100~2, respectively. As th0 first scroll ~ember 76-2 and the second scroll member 78-2 rotate on parallel but non-allgned axis, the first chamb~r alternatively open~ and closes, actlng as a suction inlet when the scroll apparatuq 20-2 is funct~oning as a compression device. An annular seal 210-2 is provided in a groove 212-2 in the fac~ of the central frame 30-2. Pref~rably, the seal 210-2 i~ forced into contact with the first scroll end plate 82-2 by an annular spring 214-2. The annular spring 214-2 cooperat~s with the annular seal 210-2 to prevent flow of lubricant rad~ally outward fro~ the collection chamber defined by the annular seal 210-2, the first scroll end "0 . .. .
`''-. ~
7 $
pla~e 82-2, and the central portion 32-2. Lubricant thus collected in this collection chamber 217-2 flows to a first scroll lubricant passage inlet 216-2 and thence into the lubricant passage 200-2 which provides flow communication from the first scroll inlet 216-2 to the lubric~nt passage outlet -~
202-2. ~ ?
In operation, therefore, during the rotation of the scro}l members 76-2 and 78-2, lubricant flows into the oil -passage 182-2 to lubricate the upper m~in bearing 38-2. .
Typically this lubricant is at dischsrge pressure, although i~
may be throttled to a lower pressure. After having lubricated the upper main bearing 38-2, ~he lubricant is typically discharged at or slightly above the suction pressure and is ~ ~ .collected in the upper collection chamber 217-2 as noted above.
The lubric~nt then flows into the first scroll lubricant passage inlet 216-2, through the first scroll lubricsnt passage 200-2, exiting into the first chamber 204-2 through the first scroll lubricant passage outlet 202-2.
~urning now to ~igure 6, third alternative embodiment of the subject invencion is shown. In this alternative embodiment, a lubricant passage 200-3 is drilled from the outer peripheral end of the scroll end p~ate 82 3 in the first scroll member 76-3 radially inward to join a first scroll lubricant passage outlet 202-3. A lubricant pickup tube 220-3 is provided. The pickup tube 220-3 extends from the `~
first scroll end plate 82-3 into a sump 222-3 defined by the lower portion 26-3 of the hermetic shell 22-3. In this sump 222-3 collects the lubricant from the bearings of the scroll appsratus 20 as well as that which is precipitated frDm the incoming suc~ion pre6sure fluids by the centrifugal action '.'``,~'~
S~ 5~
- . ., '~,:
resulting from the centrifu~al flow field generated ln the incoming suction pressure fluids by the rotation of the scroll members 76-3 and 78-3 during operation of the scroll apparat~s -~ -20-3. The pickup tube 220-3 includes at its lowest end an S aperture 232-3 which is oriented so that lubricant collected in the sump 222-3 is ~orced into the aperture 232-3 during rotation of the pickup tube 220-3. The pickup tube 220-3 is formed with the requisite bends to place the lubricant intake aperture 232-3 substancially within the radius of the lubricant 10 passage outlet 202-3, as defined by the axis upon which the first scroll members 76-3 rotates. This permits the lubricant pickup tube 220-3 to effect a centrifugal pu~ping action wh~ch forces the lubricant into the tube 220-3, through the lubricant ~ -`
passage 200 3 and the lubricant outlet 202-3 into the first 15 chamber 204-3. ~ :
The lubricant intake aperture end portion 234-3 in -which the lubricant i~take aperture 232-3 is disposed is shown more clearly in Figures 6A, 6B and 6C. In these figures, the direction of travel is indicated by the arrow adjacent the 20 inlet aperture 232-3. In PiF,ure 6A, the lubricant intake ` .
portion 234-3A is provided with a perpendicular end in which an aperture 232-3A is disposed. In Figure 6B, the lubricant intake aperture portion 234-3B is provided with an angled tip ~ -`
in which the lubricant intake aperture 232-3B is disposed. In ~ a 25 Figure 6C, the lubricant intake aperture portion is enlarged relative to the intake portion 234-3C so ~hat a relatively larger area is swept by the pickup tube 220-3C and thereby ensure an adequate flow of lubricant. In each embodiment, the lubricant intake aperture 232-3 is directed into the lubricant ;`~
~' ` ,''`, 7~
'~'.,,.' '~',.' so that lubricant is forced into the lubricant pickup tube 220 3A, 220-3B or 220-3C respectively. - Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize thac the fore~oi~g is exemplary in nature only, and that there ~ould be many equally suitable alternative embodiments of the pickup tube 220.
The pressure head on the lubricant which is developed by the relative velocity o ehe pickup tube 220-3 to the lubricant and any centrifugal pu~ping action due to the relative positioning of the outlet 202-3 a~d the inlet tip portion 234-3 will vary considerably accordin~ to the scroll apparatus in which it is employed. . ::. , In operation of the alternative embodiment of Figure 6, during rotation of the scroll apparatus 20, the . ~;
pickup tubes 220-3 are rotated about the axis of the first ~ :
scroll member 76-3 in the sump 222-3, forcing fluid into the lubricant inlet 232-3 by virtue of the pressure differential gener~ted by the relative velocity of the pickup tube to the ~ ` .
lubricant in the sump 222-3, through the pickup tube 220-3, the lubricant passage 200-3, the lubricant outlet 202-3 and in~o the first chamber 204-3. :~
A ~ourth alternati~e preferred embodiment of the sub~ect inventi~n is disclosed in Figure 7. In ~igure 7, a second scroll member lubricant passage 200-4 is provided in the end plate 102-4 of the second scroll member 78-4. A second lubricant passage outlet 202-4 is provided for flow communication from the lubricant passage 200-4 to the first compression chamber 204-4. As with the alterna~ive embodiment disclosed in Figure 5, the lubricant passage 200-4 is drilled and sealed at the outer end thereof by a plu~ 218-4. A
lubrioant passage inlet 216-4 is provided at ~he inner radial ~,~
. .: : .
23 ~
. .,, .: . ~ .
end of the lubricant passage 200-4 for accepting oil from a ~;ii-collection chamber 217-4 defined by the thrust bearing 176-4, the lower bearing housing 112-4 and the second scroll ~ember 78-4. In operation, lubricant is provided to the lower bsaring 110-4 from the reservoir 180-4 through the assembly comprised of the lubricant passage 184-4, the lubricant supply tube 186-4 : ~:
and the passage 188-4. After lubricating the lower bearing 110-4, the lubricant flows into the above described collection chamber 217-4 and then into the lubricant passage 200~4 by way of the lubricant passage inlet 216-4, whereupon it flows into the first chamber 204-4 via the lubricant passage outlet 202-4.
Another, fifth alternative embodiment of the : .
subject invention is disclosed in Figure 8. In this alternative embodiment, the lubricant passage 200-5 is pro~ided through the end plate 102-5 of ~he second scroll member 78-5.
A lubricant pickup tube 220-5 is provided for flow communication from the sump 222-5 in the lower shell portion 26-5 to the first chamber 204-5 through the lubricant passage 200-5. As with the lubricant pickup tubes described in Figure 6, an inlet aperture 232-5 is provided for causing a pressure head and centrifugal pumping action of the lubricant collected : ~`~
in the sump 222-5. Therefore, in operation, the pickup tube `~
220-5 is rotated with the second scroll member 78-5, causing . :`:
fluid to be accepted throu~h the inlet aperture 232-5 and forced through the lubricant pickup tube 220-5 and the lub~icant passage 200-5 into the first chamber 204-5.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that various combinations of the e~bodiments shown in Figures 5 through 8 are readily possib}e, and that these alternative embodiments may be combined ~ith ~arious drive means for operating the scroll member 76 and 78.
' ~`~: ',,`.''`' An example of one possible combination is disclosed in Figure 9 as a sixch alternative embodiment. In this example of the scroll apparatus 20, ehe first scroll member 76 is provided with a lubricant psssage 200 which i~ in flow communication with the first chamber 204 thro~lgh a lubricant outlet 202 of the lubricant passage 200. The lubricant passage is provided with a first inlet which is co~prised of a ~-~
lubricant pickup tube 220 which extends into the compression ;
plate 150. A compression plate lubricant passage is provided for flow communica~ion from the lubricant pickup tube to a lubricant crans~er tube 280. The lubricant pickup tube ~20, ~ ;
the compression plate transfer passage 270 and the lubricant .
transfer tube 280 are ~aken together to co~prise a firs~ scroll lubricant passage first inlet. The scroll apparatus 20 in this exemplary embodiment is also provided with the annular seal 210 s~
operating in the annular groove 212 and secured therein by th~
spring 214 to comprise the collection chamber for directing oil into a lubricant passage second inlet 216. In operation, this alternative e~bodiment of the scr~ll apparatus 20 provides lubricant to the first chamber 204 from both the sump 222 through the pickup tube 220 and from the collection chamber through lubricant passage second inlet 216.
Yet another alternative e~bodiment is disclosed in Figure 12. In this embodiment, the means for rotationally supporting the second scroll ~ember 78 are interchanged. The `
lower bearing housing 112 and the second scroll member shaft 104 are functionally reversed in that the lower bearing housing is smaller in diameter than the second scroll member shaft 104, which is cylindrical. As wi~h the preferred embodiment, a bearing llO is provided to ~ournal the ro~ation of the second ~ S~, -`
8 ; ~
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': ~.'.',','' : :: . ~ -scroll member shaft 104. No detailed description is believ~d necessary of the particulars of such a design, as they are believed generally known to those skilled in the art. However, the second scroll member shaft 104 is provided with lubricant passages 200 for flow connection with pickup tubes 220 extending from the end of the shaft 104 adjaoent the hermetic shell portion 26. This embodiment is operationally equivalent to that described in Figure 8, but provides for a more compact embodiment useful in smaller capacity scroll appartus.
Returning again to Figures 1 and 3 for reference, the operation of the exemplary scroll appara~us 20 can be described. In operation, the motor 40 of the compressor assembly 20 is connected to an appropriate electrical supply ~ ~;
(not shown) and actuated to cause rotation of ~he rotor 44.
The rotor 44 in turn rotates the drive shaft 84, driving ~he driven end plate 82. The extension members 120 and the compression member 150 cause rotation of the biasing element spring 170 and thereby the lower or second scroll element 78.
Because the axis of the first scroll member 7~ and the second scroll member 78 are not aligned, a relative orbital ~otion is set up between the driven scroll wrap 80 and the idler scroll wrap 100, cau~ing a plurality of chambers to be formed, with the first chamber as defined by the outer scroll portions 206 and 208 to form a first chamber which is alternatively open to :~
the suction space and closed therefrom t~ be formed. The . ` -~.
chambers thus for~ed are of decreasing volume toward the radially inward ends of the respective scroll wraps 80 and 100, a such that fluid drawn into ehe first chamber is compr~ssed as it is ~oved toward the radially inward ends of the respective scroll wraps 80 and 100.
. "
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26 ~
~ ' '~ ,' ''~',' The compressed fluid is then disch,arged from ~he scroll wraps 80 and 100 through the discharge aperture 88 ineo the discharge gallery 86 and thereafter into the dischaxge pressure portion of the hermetic shell 22 defined in the upper i~
shell portion 24. Lubrication of ~he bearin~s 38 and 110, as well as the other components of the compressor assembly 20, is accomplished by the action of pressure upon the fluid contained in the reservoir 180. Lubricant is forced through the bearing lubrication aperture 182 to lubricant the upper ~ain bearing 38, and is discharged into the suction pressure space thereafter. Lubrication of the lower main bearing 110 occurs through the passage 184, the lubricant supplied to 186 and the -;
passage 188, with lubricant entering the collection chamber 217 as described above thereafter. This lubricant then flows into the second scroll lubricant passage 200 ehrough the lubricant passage second inlat 216. Lubricant separated from inlet suction fluid flows into the sump 222 and accwmulates therein with thst dLscharged fro~ the upper main bearing 38. Lubricant accumulating wlthin the sump ~22 is forced into the lubricant ~ s~`~
pickup tube inlet aperture 232 by the rotation of the second scroll element 78 and thereafter is pumped through the lubricant passage first inlet for~ed by the pickup tube 220 .
into the lubricant passage 200 and thereafter into the first chamber 204.
Those skilled in the art wlll appreciate the fact that the pickup tubes 220 will maintain the level of the sump 222 at a desired level, preventing an undesirable sccumulation of fluid, whether the fluid is lubricant alone or condensed from the gases to be compressed or other unpumped fluid. The various lubricant passa~es 200 provide the desired effect of -, : ~: :
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maintaining adequate lubrication of the scroll wraps 80 and lO0 without undue consumption of power in the pu~in~ of lubri~ant.
The lubricant within the scroll wraps provides the additional benefit of improving the sealing of the compression cha~bers as well. Furthermore, the subject invention of lubrican~ passages ~ ..
is readily implemen~ed in the scroll apparatus 20 without subsrantial modificaeion thereto, while the prov$sion of constant desirable lubrication prevents unnecessary wear in the scroll wraps and assures adequate lubrication of all mo~ing components, reducing unnecessary wear and undue maintenance in the compressor assembly 20. It will beiappreciated, thercfore, that the compre~sor assembly 20 provides improved reliability and a longer operatlng life as compared to the previous scroll ;~
apparatus.
Modifications to the preferred and alternate embodiments of the subject invention will be apparent to those :-skilled in the art within the scope of the claims that follow hereinbelow.
What is claimed is: -~','';. " "' ' .' '`''''~'''"'~'"'''"''"'~
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plates with end openin~s oriented in the direction ~f travel and generate a pressure differeneial due t~ the velocity of the pickup tubes within the lubric~nt sump to remove lubricant from the sump and force the lubricant into the passages. An additional force contributing to the lubricant pickup is centrifugal force, the resule of disposing the pickup tubes radially inward of the dlscharge outlet of the passa~e.
In co-rotational scroll apparatus having lubricated bearings, additional lubricant m~y be provided to the discharge openings from inlet openings disposed ad;acent the bearings. A
seal is provided between the scroll member and the selected bearing to form a collection chamber for lubricant discharged from the bearing. The inlet openings are located radially inward of the discharge openings and centrifugal force developed by th~ rotation of the scroll ~ember moves the collected lubricant from the collection cha~ber to the discharge opening.
According to an aspect of the present invention,there is provided a scroll compressor comprised of: a first scroll member having a first scroll end plate and a first scroll wrap dlsposed on said first scroll end plate; a second scroll member having a second scroll end plate and a second scroll wrap disposed thereon, said second scroll wrap cooperating with 6aid ~- -,~ ' ''~ ; `' ;
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first scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed first chamber between the respec~ive scroll wraps and said second scroll -end plate defining a lubricant passage having an outlet in flow .`~
communication with said firs~ chamber; a lubricant pickup tube, affixed to said second scroll member and in flow communication with - :: :
said lubricant passage, for delivering lubricant ~o said lubricant passage; and means for rotating said first and said second scrall ~ :
members. : :~
According to another aspect of the present invention, there ls provided a scroll apparatus comprised of: a shell defining ; ~
a suction pressure portion and a sump7 a first scroll member disposed .
:: ,:,. j:, in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft and a first scroll wrap, said first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate; a .~
second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said ~
second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and a second scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap disposed on said second scroll end plate in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap cooperating with ;
said first scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed first chamber, said second scroll end plate further defining a first lubricant passage in flow com~unication with said first chamber; a ~`. .
lubricant pickup tube affixed to said second scroll member for picking up lubricant from said sump and delivering it to said first lubricant passage; bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll ~ember and said second scroll member; and means for i~
concurrently rotating said first and second scroll members~
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According to yet another aspect of the present invention, - ~
there is provided a scroll apparatus comprising: a shell defining a ;~ ::
suction pressure portion and a sump; a first scroll member disposed - ~ -in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft, and a first scroll wrap, said first scroll wrap being disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member defining a lubricant passage having an outlet; a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and a second scroll wrap disposed on said second scroll end plate ln interleaving engagement with said first .
scroll wrap, sald second scroll wrap cooperatlng with said flrst scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed first chamber, sald first chamber belng in flow communicatlon with said outlet of sald lubricant passage in said first scroll member; a lubricant pickup tube extending into said sump, said pickup tube being in flow communication with said lubricant passage defined by said first scroll member; bearing means for rotatably supporting said first ..
scroll member and said second scroll member; and means for ~0 concurrently rotating said first and second scroll members. i ". ~''`'-'''''''' According to an aspect of the present invention, there is -~
provided a scroll compressor apparatus comprised of: a hermetic shell defining a suction pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, said hermetic shell defining a sump in said suction pressure portion; a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure :~
portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a ::
first scroll shaft and an oppositely directed first scroll wrap ,`' ''~
5c 20~9~78 : ~
disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member defining a luhricant passage having an outlet defined in said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member including a lubricant pickup tube cooperating with said lubricant passage to define a flow path between said sump and said outlet; a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, sald second soroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and an oppositely directed second scroll wrap disposed on said second scroll end plate in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap cooperating with said first scroll wrap to '~
form an alternately open and closed compression chamber, said ;~
compression chamber being in flow communication with said outlet .
defined ln said first scroll member; bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member; bearing means for rotatably supportlng said second scroll member~ means for lubricating said ;`~
first and said second scroll member bearing means; a motor driveably ~ ~.
connected to said first scroll member shaft ~or rotating said first ~ ~-scroll member; and means for concurrently rotating said second scroll .
member with said first scroll member.
~ ; :
According to another aspect of the present invention, ~:
there is provided a refrigeration system for circulating refrigerant in closed loop connection comprised of: a condenser for condensing refrigerant to liquid form; an expansion device for receiving liquid refrigerant from said condenser and expanding the refrigerant; an evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from satd expansion device and evaporating the refrigerant to vapor form; a compressor for ':~ ' . ,.~ :`
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~d 2049878 -:
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receiving the refrigerant ~rom the evaporator, compressing the refrigerant and delivering the re~rigerant to the condenser, said compressor including~ (i) a hermetic shell defining al suction :~
. pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, salid hermetic :~
shell defining a sump in said suction pressure portic,n; (ii) a first ;~
scroll member disposed in said suction pressure porti.on, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft ;~
and an oppositely directed first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member defining a lubricant .
passage and lncluding a lubricant pickup tube in ~low communication with said lubricant passage and said sump; (iii) a second scroll ~ :;
member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and an oppositely dlrected second scroll wrap dlsposed thereon in interleavlng engagement with said first scrol} wrap, said second scroll wrap cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an ~ r -~
altexnately open and closed compression chamber in flow communication wlth said lubricant passage defined in said ~irst scroll member~ (iv) bearing means for rotatably supporting said ~irst scxoll member; (v~
bearing means for rotatably suppoxting said second scroll member;
(vi~ means for lubricating said second scroll member bearing means~
and (vii) a motor driveably connected to said firs~ scroll member shaft.
' :' :~' 5e ''` `'- 2 0 4 q ~ 7 8 . ' ~
Accordlng to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scroll compressor apparatus comprised of: a hermetic shell defining a suction pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, said hermetlc shell further defining a sump in sald suction ~.~ ;;.;;~
portion; a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll and pla~e, a ~-first scroll shaft, and an oppositely directed first scroll wrap .... ~, i: ~, disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll wrap .-~having an outer end; a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft, and an oppositely dlrected second scroll wrap disposed thereon in interleaving engagement with said :
. first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap having an outer end, said ;
second scroll outer end cooperating with said first scroll wrap to .
form an alternatively open and closed first compression chamber . ~
between the respective scroll wraps, said second scroll member ~ . `
further defining a lubricant passage having a lubricant passage outlet, said lubricant passage outlet defined in said second scroll end plate ad~acent said second scroll outer end for flow communication with said first compression chamber, said second scroll `~
member further including a lubricant pickup tube extending from said second scroll member to said sump for flow communication between said sump and said lubricant passage outlet, said pickup tube defining a lubricant passage first inlet, said second scroll member further deflning a lubricant passage second inlet adjacent said second scroll ::
shaft~ bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member; ~earing means for rotatably supporting said second scroll - ,'~'; "' 204q878 -~
member in said suction pressure portion, said bearing means fur~her defining an annular lubricant collection chamber disposed about said second scroll shaft; means for lubricating said second scroll member ~ p;~
bearing means; and a motor driveably connected to said first scroll member shaft for rotating said first scroll member; and means for concurrently ro~ating said second scroll member with said first scroll member. ~ -.;"~ , ., According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigeration system for circulating re~rigerant in alosed loop connection comprised of: a condenser for condensing .
refrigerant to liquld form; an expanslon device for receiving liquid . "~
refrigerant from said condenser and expanding the refrigerant; an .
evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from said expansion device and evaporating the refrigerant to vapor form; a compressor for ;
receiving the refrigerant from the evaporator, compressing the refrigerant, and sending the refrigerant to the condenser, said : :
compressor comprised of: a hermetic shell de~ining a suction pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, said hermetic - :
shell further defining a sump in said suction pressure portion; a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure po tion, said ; :~
first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft, and an oppositely direc~ed first scroll wrap disposed on said ~:
first scroll end plate~ said first scroll wrap having an outer end; a :
second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, ~-second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft, and an oppositely directed second scroll wrap disposed ~.":, 5g 2049878 thereon in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap having an outer end, said second scroll outer end cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternatively open and closed first compression chamber between the respective scroll S wraps, said second scroll member further defining a ]ubricant passage having a lubricant passage outlet, said lubricant passage outlet defined in said second scroll end plate adjacent said second scroll outer end for flow communication with said first compression chamber, said second scroll member further including a lubricant pickup tube extending from said second scroll member to said sump for flow communication between said sump and said lubricant passage outlet, , said pickup tube defining a lubricant passage first inlet, said second scroll member further defining a lubricant passage second inlet adjacent said second scroll shaft; bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member; beariny means for rotatably `~
supporting said second scroll member in said suction pressure portion, said bearing means further defining an annular lubricant collection chamber disposed about said second scroll shaft; means for : -lubricating said second scroll member bearing means; and a motor driveably connected to said first scroll memher shaft for rotating : ;
said second scroll member concurrently with said first scroll member.
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: -Brief Description of the Drawinqs Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a co-~f:~
rotational scroll apparatus embodying the subject invention.
- 5 Elgure 2 shows in schematic a closed circuit system such as a refrigeration or air conditioning system in which the subject inven-tion could suitably be employed.
Figure 3 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional ~;
view of the scroll apparatus of Figure 1.
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~ ;,'~''' Figure 4 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a first alternative embodi~ent of the scroll apparatus e~bodying the subJect invention. ~ ~-Figure 5 shows an enlarged partial cr~ss-sectional view of a second alternatiYe embodiment of the subject invention.
Figure 6 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a third altern~tive embodiment of the subject invention.
Figure 6A shows a preferred embodiment of the lubricant pickup tube.
Flgure 6B shows an alternative embodiment of the , ~ .
lubricant pickup tube.
Figure 6C shows yet another alternative embodi~ent of the lubricaDt pickup tube. -`` i~
Figure 7 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a fourth alternative e~b~timent of the subject invention.
Figure 8 shows an enl~rged partial cross-sectional ~ f' view of a fifth alternative embodiment of the subject invention.
Figure 9 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a sixth alternative embodiment of the scroll apparatus.
, ~
Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the drive scroll, taken along section liné 10-10 of Figure 5 with the preferred disposition of the lubricant passage outlets highligheed thQreon. ~ .
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: `'' ~' '' Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional ~iew of the idler scroll, taken along section line 11-11 of Figu:re 4 with the preferred disposition of the lubricant passage outlets highlighted thereon.
Figure 12 shows an enlarged partia:L cross-sectional :~
~iew of a seventh slternative embodiment of the scroll apparatus.
DescriptiQ~.pf the Pre~erred Embod~Lent ~
,. ................................................................................ ..
A scroll type fluid apparatus generally shown in ~.!,, Figure 1 as a scroll compres~or assembly is referred to by reference nu~eral 20. As the preferred embodimPnt of the subject in~ention is a hermetic scroll compressor ss3embly, the scroll compressor assembly is shown and described as a hermetic scroll compressor assembly. The scroll compressor assembly 20 is interchangeably referred to as a scroll apparatus or as a compressor assembly 20. It will be readily apparent to those ~ . c-skilled in the art that the features of the subject invention may readily be employed in scroll apparatus which are used as fluid pumps or expanders, and in scroll apparatus which are not .
of the hermetic type.
In the preferred embodiment, the compressor assembly 20 includes a hermetic shell 22 having an upper portion 24, a lower portion 26, a centra} exterior shell 27 extending between the upper portion 24 and lower portion 26, .~
and an intermediate, central frame portion 28 affixed within .~.. . .
the central e~terior shell 27. The exterior shell 27 is a generally cylindrical body, while the central frame portion 28 --.
.. .~'': ::
is deined by a generally cylindrical or annular exterior portion 30 and a central portion 32 disposed across one end ehereof. The ~nnular exterior portion 30 of the central frame portion 28 is sized to sealingly fit within the exterior shell 27 so that it may be mated thereco by a press fit, by welding, or by other suitable means.
Integral with the central fra~e portion 28 is a generally cylindrical upper bearing housing 34, which is substantially coaxial with the axis of the annular exterior portion 30. A drive shaft aperture 36 extends axially through the center of the upper bearing housing 34, and an upper main bearing 38 is disposed radially within the drive shaft receiving aperture 36. Preferably, the upper main bearing 38 is a rotation bearing made, for e~ample, of sintered bronze or similar material. The upper main bearing 38 may also be of the roller or ball bearing type.
A motor 40 is disposed within ehe upper portion 24 and shell portion 27 of the hermetio shell 22. The motor 40 is preferably a single phsse or three phase electric motor comprlsed of a stator 42 which is circumferentially disposed about a rotor 44, with an annular space therebetween permitting free rotation of the rotor ~4 within the stator 42 as well as .
the flow of lubricant or refrigerant fluid. The stator 42 may be affixed within the ex~erior shell 27 by press fit ;~
therebetween, by a plurality of bolts or screws (not shown), by r: .
weldments between appropriate mounting surfaces on the stator 42 and the exterior shell 27 (not shown), or by other means~
It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that - `
al~ernative types of motors 40 and means of mounting the motor 40, and alternative types of drive means, would be equally suitable for app}ication in the subject in~ention.
. . ...
2 ~
9 ; :~
A discharge aperture 50 is shown i~ the upper shell --portion 24 for discharging high pressure fluid from the scroll apparatus 20, and a shell suction aperture 52 is shown disposed in the lower shell portion 26 for receiving low pressure fluid into the scroll apparatus 20 This permits connection of the scroll apparatus 20 to a suitable fluid system. Preferably, ~ :
the scroll compressor apparatus 20 wou}d be connected to a ~ ;
refrigeration or air conditioning system. Such a system is shown generally in schematic representation in Figure 2. The representative system includes a discharge line 54 connected between the shell dischar~e aperture 50 and a condenser 60 for expelling heat from the refrigeration system and condensing the refrigerant. A line 62 connects the oondenser to an expansion device 64. The expansion device ~ay be a thermally actuated or lS an electrically actuated valve controlled by a suitable controller (not shown), or may be one or more capillary tubes.
Another line 66 connects the expansion device 64 to an evaporstor 68 for transferring expanded refrigerant from the expansion device 64 to the evaporator 68 for acceptance of .
::: ~ .~, . .
heat. Finally, a refrigeration system suction line 70 transfers the evaporated refrigerant ~rom the evaporator 6~ to . ~' the co~pressor assembly 20, wherein the refrigerant is ~ ; ., compressed and returned to the refrigeration systsm.
It is believad that the general principles of refrigeration systems capable of using such a compressor system ; 20 are well understood in the art, and that detailed explanation of the devices and mechanisms suitable for - -`
constructing such a refrigeration system nead not be discussed in detail herein. It is believed that it will also be apparent to thos~ skilled in the art that such a refrigeration or air ~ ~"~
;. : ~ . : .
conditioning system may include multiple units of the ;~
compressor assembly 20 in parallel or series connec~ions, as well as Multiple condensers or e~apora~ors and Dther components, hence such embodiments of refrigeration syste~s 5 need not be discussed here in detail.
Ha~ing described the general construction of the compressor assembly 20, the features of the present invention ~
are now described in more detail. Referring again to Figure l ~ -and more particularly to Figure 3, a scroll apparatus ha~ing a drive scroll member, arbitrarily designated the first scroll me~ber 76, and an idler scroll member, arbitrarily designated the second scroll ~ember 78, is disclosed. The first scroll member 76 includes an upstanding first involute scroll wrap 80 which is integral with a generally planar dri-~e scroll end plate 82. The drive scroll end plate 82 includes a generally ~ `
... ..,~. ...
centrally disposed first scroll ~ember drive shaft 84 extending oppositely from the upstanding involute scroll wrap 80. A -~
discharge gallery 86 is defin~d by a bore extendin~ through the axis of the drive shaft 84. The discharge gallery 86 is in - flow communication with a discharge aperture 88 defined by a generally central bore through the drive scroll end plate 82. `The drive shaft 84 includes a first, relatively larger diameter bearing portion 90 extending axially through the upper main -bearing 38 for a free rotational fit therein, and a second relati~ely smaller diameter rotor portion 92 which extends ~ `, axially through the rotor 44 and is affixed thereto. The rotor ~ ;
44 may be afiixed to the rotor portion 92 by such means as a power ~ransmitting key in juxtaposed keyways, a press fit therebetween, or other suitable means.
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The second or idler scroll member 78 includes a second, idler scroll wrap 100 which is disposed in interfitting and interlea~ing engagement with the first scroll wrap 80. ~he second scroll member 78 also includes a substantially planar second or idler end plaee 102. The idler scroll wrap 100 is generally an ups~anding involute extending from the idler ~nd plate 102. A second scroll shaft or idler shaft stub 104 extends from the idler end plate 102 oppositely from the id}er scroll wrap portion 100. The designation of the idler scroll member 78 as the second scroll member and the drive scroll member 76 as the first scroll mamber is arbitrary and may be made interchangeably without affecting the character of the .;
invention. .:: ;
An annular bearing 110, which may be a sleeve bearing msde of sintered bronze material, for example, or may be of the roller or ball type, is disposed within Rn annular :~
wall defining a second shaft or idler bearing housing 112. The .
second shaft or lower bearing housing 112 is inte~ral with the - .
lower hermeti~ shell portion 26 for rotationally supporting the .
second scroll member 78.
The first scroll end plate 82 also includes two ~ -extension members 120 extending from the first scroll end plate :~
82 parallel the drive scroll wrap 80. The extension ~embers . ..
120 ar~ disposed at radially oppo5ed positions near the outer edge of the first scroll end plate 82 and are of greater length than the h~ight of the involute scroll wraps 80 and 100,. - '; .
respecti~ely, plus the thickness of the second scroll end plate 102. The extension members 120 are affixed to an annular first scroll member compression plate 150. The compression plate 150 ~ .
is generally cup shaped, having an annular generally planar `-; ~'~
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circumferential portion 152 about the radial outward end thereof. The sadially outward portion includes a recess 154 for each extension member 120. The extension member 120 may be ~ 6 affixed in the recess 154 by such means as threaded fastener, welding or press fit. A depressed planar central portion 156 is parallel to and downwardly spaced a distance from the outer i end portion 152 of the compression plate 150. This central portion 156 includes a second, slightly more downwardly spaced -~
area describing an annular retaining shoulder 158 and a biasing i --surface 160. A central aperture 162 is described by a bore through the axial center of the depressed portion 156. The central aperture 162 is of substantially greater diameter than the lower bearlng housing 112 so that there is sufficient ~i "~
clearance between the compression plate 150 and the lower ~,.. '~`'`' !.~';
bearing housing 112 to permit the co~pression plate 150 to . ~ .
rotate freely about the lower bearing housing 112.
A compression and driv~ spring 170 i5 disposed .
between the biasing surface 160 and the second scroll end plate :.
102. The compression spring 170 ser~es as a biasing means to -force the respective scroll end pl~tes 82 and 102 toward each oth~r by exerting a orce upon ~he second scroll end plate 102 and an opposite force upon ehe first scroll end plate 82 through the co~pression plate 150 and extensian members 120. . '~
In the preferred embodiment, the spring 170 is retained within .
an annular channel 114 formed in the second scroll end plate .. u : , 102. This permits the spring 170 also tq act as a torque transmitting elemcnt. In this embodiment, the extension members, the compression plate 150 and the spring 170 together comprise a drive means for causing concurrent rotation of the ~ .
first scroll member 76 and second scroll member 78. :~
," ~ ".
An annular thrust bearing 176 is disposed on an upper shoulder 178 of the lower bearing housing 112 for accepting the weight of che first and second scroll members 76 .
and 78 as well as the drive shaft 90 and the rotor 44. It will be appr~ciated by ~hose skilled in the art that although the scroll appar~tus 20 is shown ha~ing its axis ~enerally .
vertically aligned, that the apparatus 20 will function equally well in non~ertical orientations. It is desirable, however, to maintain a vertical or near vertical position (for example, .;~ .. ;
within 45 degrees of vertical~ so that the mass of the rotor 44 and the scrolls 76 and 78 will bias the second scroll member 78 .~:.
against the thrust bearing 176.
Finally, a reservoir 180 for containing lubricant is provided in the central portion 32 of the frame portion 28. . .
The lubricant therein is provided to the upper main bearing 38 .-.
through an upper bearin~ lubricant bore 182 in the upper bearing housing 34. Lubricant is provided to the lower bearing 110 through a bore 184 which provides flow communication through the central frame 30 ~or Iubricant from the reservoir 180 into a lubricant feed tube 186 and thence through a passage `~
188 in the lower bearing housing 112. The uppsr ~ain beari~g :~i 38 and the lower bearing 110 are sized with respect to their . .;~
housings 34 and 112 so that the flow of lubricant discharged ~ . J,~
into the suction pressure portion of the hermetic shell defined .
by the lower porticn 26 and ccntr~l fra~e 30 is controlled in : quantity. : ;, A lubricant passage 200 extends radially outward in .~.;. ~. .
the second scroll end plate 102. A lubricant passage outlet . :.. -202 permits fluid flow from the lubricant passage 200 to the .`~ . -first chamber 204 fo~ed by the outer ends 206 and 208 of the ~ ~
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14 ~ 0 4 q ~ 7 8 . ~ . ~ ....
scroll wraps 76 and 78, respeGtively. It wlll be noted that while the first chamber 204 in a cnmpression device is a compression chamber, the flrst cha~ber 204 iis i~ fact also a suction chamber since it is open to suction pressure during at .
5 least a portion of the rotation of the scroll apparatu~, so that the t~r~ is used interchangeably herein.
Since ehe pressure of the }ubrioant in the "
lubricant passage 200 is at or slightly abo~e the suction pre3sure, it will be appreciated that lubricant flow into the .
first chamber can occur only when che pressur~ in the iirst chamber i5 at or only slightly above ehe suction pressure. ..
Therefore, the lubrlcant passage outlet 202 must be definsd in ;. .. `~
the first scroll end plata 82 at a location adJacen~ the outer tips 206 or ~08 of the scroll end plates 82 or 102 to permit :~
lubricant to flow into the first compression chamber 204 ~hen . . .:~
the first chamber 204 is op~n to the suction pressure cha~ber ...
defined by the lower shell 26 and the central frame 30. It will be apparene to those skillad in the ar~ that because of the minimal pressure difference between the Lubricant flowin~ r-in the lubricant psssaee 200 and the press~re of the fluid ` ~ -accepted into the first chamber when the first chambQr is open, `~
that the lubricant passage outlet 202 must be disposed to permit lubricant flow into the first chamber 204 before there has be~n any ~ubstantial co~pression therein, as such . ~ -compression could result in a pressure exceeding the pressure .. ,i.-of the lubricant and preventing lubricane flow. The preferable 1 `
disposition of locations of the lubricant passage outlet 202 is more clearly ~hown in Fi~ures 10 and 11, discussed hereinafter. ~ u ~' :
;
A lubricant passage inlet 216 is provided at the ~ ~
radially inner end ~f the lubricant passage 200 ior receiving .- : ~;
lubricant ~ro~ a collection chamber 217 disposed between the ~ ; m second scroll end plate 102 and the thrust bearing 176, which S comprises a means for delivering lubricant fro~ the bearing 110 to the lubricant passage inlet 216. Another lubricant passage inlet comprised of a lubricant pickup tube 220 ha~ing an inlet 232 is provided at a location slightly radially outward of the inlet 216. The inlet portion 232 of the lubricant pickup tube 220 extends into a su~p 222 defined in the suction pressure portion of the scroll apparatus 20. Either the lubricant passage inle~ 216 or the pickup tube inlet 232 ~ay arbitrarily : :~
be referred to as a first or second inlet to the lubricant .. . i passage 200.
A plug 218 is provided in the outer radial end of ~. .
the lubricant passage 200. Th~s plug 218 is necessitated by - :
the fact that the lubricant passage 200 as shown is drilled into the second scroll end plate 102. Alternative means of construceing the second scroll end plate 102 might render th~
plug 218 unnece3sary, as the passage 200 would be fully .. .., .., j ... . ~
contained within the second scroll end plate 102. Those -;. ::~
skilled in the art will recogni~e that alternative means of f~rming the passage 200 or of replacing the plug 218 are available.
It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while two radially opposed lubr$cant passages 200 are shown in the second scroll end plate 102 as disclosed, it would be possible to provide threo, four or =ore lubricsnt passages . ~ ` ` ~ ' "-' - .: . -: -: .~
200, and such passages 200 need not be either radially opposed or equally radially or angularly spaced. Furthermore, it would also be possible to provide a single lubricant passage 200, ~hich in some applications may be desirable for improving the dynamic balance of the scroll member in which the passage 200 is provided. Tberefore, the pro~ision of two identical means of providing the lubricant flow are shown in each e~bodiment ``
and figure of the specification for descriptive purposes only.
Figures 10 and 11 contain cross-section views of ~; `
the scroll members 76 and 78, taken from Figures 5 and 4, ~ ;
respectively, for convenience. In Figures 10 and 11, outllned ~
areas Dl and D2 represent exe~plary portions of the scroll end ` ': .
plate in which the lubricant passage outlets 202 may preferably `~
be disposed. In Figure 10, Dl represents the area adja~ent the `
end 206 of the scro}l wrap 80, while D2 represents the area adjacent the end 208 of the opposing scroll wrap 100. In Figure 11, Dl represents the arsa adjacent the end 208 of the scroll wrap 100, while D2 represents the area ad;acent the end 206 of the opposing scroll wrap 80. The areas Dl and D2 should - -~
be considered exemplary raeher than limiting, as variations in ~ - ;
scroll profiles and other similar factors and the desirability of using a gre~ter or lesser number of lubricant passages 200 or outlets 202 may alter the actual disposition thereof.
It will be appreciated that the outlet 202 is preferably disposed close to the scroll wrap in each case ~o ~aximize lubricant flow prior to closure of the first chamber 204. Likewi~e, the outlet 202 will preferably be disposed as closely as possible to the end of the scroll wrap 80 or 100 to -~ ~
which the outlet 202 i9 disposed 90 as to maxLmize lubricant - ~-flow. As the outlet 202 is disposed at a point increasingly :
, 7 ~
17 . ~
~''`~ '''',. '.~,' removed circu~ferentially from the scroll wrap end 206 and 208 ~-or removed radially from the scroll wrap 80 an~l 100, the length of time during which ehe outlet 202 will be exposed to the -pressurized fluid within the first chamber 204 durin~ a portion of each oompression cycle increases. This pressure could overcome the relatively low pressure in the lubricant passage - ;~
200, causing a flow reversal and undesirable flow of the pressurized fluid from the first chamber 204 into the lubricant ; ;passage 200, and lt is therefore generally desirable to reduce ; , ;
the length of time during which the outlet 202 will be exposed to the pressurized fluid within the first chamber 204 in order to prevent the potential 1OW reversal. -Turning now to Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, several alternative embodiments of the subject invention will be ~. -described. In Figures 4 through 8, the scroll apparatus 20 is :
shown without an interconnecting drive means between the first scroll member 76 and the second scroll member 78. Those ~ . .
skilled in the art will recognize that Figures 4 through 8 are intended to teach specifically the ~lternatives of the sub~ect ;
invention, while Figures 1, 3 and 9 teach the application of ~;
the subject invention in the scroll apparatus 20 as described ~ `
herein, and such application should be understood to be exemplary rather than limiting in nature.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative means of causing concurrent rotation between the -~
first scroll me~ber 76 and second scroll member 78 are readily available. These include the use of flexible members affixed to the respective scroll end plates or the use of the extension members and dri~e keys to operate a ring or Oldha~ coupling .
. -,', '., ~
-, ., ~
C~ J ~ r~/ 3 18 ~ - -~"''.''"'''.';'.'; ' between the respective scroll end pla~es. As there are v~rious alternative drive means for rendering operational the co~
rotational scroll apparatus 20, the drive ~eans is omitted for the sake of clarity in these figures. g It should be noted thae when the sa~e item or feature is shown in more tha~ o~e of the fi~,ures, it will be ~- -labeled with the corresponding reference numeral to aid in the unders~anding of the subject invention. Furthermore, reference should be had to all of the figures necessary to aid in the understanding of the specification even where a particular figure is referred to, as all reference numerals are ~ot displayed in all figures in order to minimi~e confusion and aid in clarifying the subje~t invention. ~hen the same item or feature does appear in a figure representing or disclosing an alternati~e embodiment of that part or feature, it is again labeled with the same reference numeral, followed by a numeric suffix to correspond with the designation of that alternative ~ ~ ;
e~bodiment in the specification. The numeric desi~nation of the alternative embodiment does not correspond to its preference but rather is intended to aid in the understanding of the sub~ect invention.
As shown in Figures 4 and 8, a baffle 233-1 may be provided to control the lubricant within the sump 222-1 to minimize undesirable foaming or splashing due to the movement ~ ;~
of the pickup tubes 220-1 therein. The baffle 233-1 also ser~es as meaDs for reducing the rotational velocity of the lubricant induced by the centrifugal flow field. This in turn ~;
increases the relative velocity of the pickup tube inlet 232-1 i with respect to the lubricant and therefore increases the rate of lubricant flow into the pickup tube inlet 232-1. Preferably '~' . ' -.`, :
~s. ~., ,` 19 ~o4q878 the baffle 233 is in ~he form of an annular disk, extending about the lower bearing housin~ 112, and is spacad from the `-. -lower hermetic shell 26 to form a quiesc~nt p~ol of lubricant swept by the pic~up tube 220. Means for s~upporting the ba~fle - . `
at the selected spacing include fDrmed or welded tab~ extendin~
from the baffle or supports extendin~ fro~ the lower hermtic shell 26. It is believed that other such means will be ob~ious ` .~.
to those skilled in the ar~
Turning now to Figure 5, the second alternative :.:`.
embodiment of the subject invention i9 disclosed. In Figu:re 5, the irst scroll member end plate 82-2 tefines a radlally ; :~
extending lubricant passage 200-2. The lubricant passage 200-2.
is provided with a lubricant passag~ ou~let 202-2 for flow communication from the lubricant passage 200-2 to the first ~: ~'`,!.,chamber 204-2 defined by th~ scrol} wraps 80-2 and 100-2. This first chamber 204-2 is defin~d by the ac~ion of the outer tip -~
portions 206-2 and 208-2 of the first and s~cond scroll wraps 80-2 and 100~2, respectively. As th0 first scroll ~ember 76-2 and the second scroll member 78-2 rotate on parallel but non-allgned axis, the first chamb~r alternatively open~ and closes, actlng as a suction inlet when the scroll apparatuq 20-2 is funct~oning as a compression device. An annular seal 210-2 is provided in a groove 212-2 in the fac~ of the central frame 30-2. Pref~rably, the seal 210-2 i~ forced into contact with the first scroll end plate 82-2 by an annular spring 214-2. The annular spring 214-2 cooperat~s with the annular seal 210-2 to prevent flow of lubricant rad~ally outward fro~ the collection chamber defined by the annular seal 210-2, the first scroll end "0 . .. .
`''-. ~
7 $
pla~e 82-2, and the central portion 32-2. Lubricant thus collected in this collection chamber 217-2 flows to a first scroll lubricant passage inlet 216-2 and thence into the lubricant passage 200-2 which provides flow communication from the first scroll inlet 216-2 to the lubric~nt passage outlet -~
202-2. ~ ?
In operation, therefore, during the rotation of the scro}l members 76-2 and 78-2, lubricant flows into the oil -passage 182-2 to lubricate the upper m~in bearing 38-2. .
Typically this lubricant is at dischsrge pressure, although i~
may be throttled to a lower pressure. After having lubricated the upper main bearing 38-2, ~he lubricant is typically discharged at or slightly above the suction pressure and is ~ ~ .collected in the upper collection chamber 217-2 as noted above.
The lubric~nt then flows into the first scroll lubricant passage inlet 216-2, through the first scroll lubricsnt passage 200-2, exiting into the first chamber 204-2 through the first scroll lubricant passage outlet 202-2.
~urning now to ~igure 6, third alternative embodiment of the subject invencion is shown. In this alternative embodiment, a lubricant passage 200-3 is drilled from the outer peripheral end of the scroll end p~ate 82 3 in the first scroll member 76-3 radially inward to join a first scroll lubricant passage outlet 202-3. A lubricant pickup tube 220-3 is provided. The pickup tube 220-3 extends from the `~
first scroll end plate 82-3 into a sump 222-3 defined by the lower portion 26-3 of the hermetic shell 22-3. In this sump 222-3 collects the lubricant from the bearings of the scroll appsratus 20 as well as that which is precipitated frDm the incoming suc~ion pre6sure fluids by the centrifugal action '.'``,~'~
S~ 5~
- . ., '~,:
resulting from the centrifu~al flow field generated ln the incoming suction pressure fluids by the rotation of the scroll members 76-3 and 78-3 during operation of the scroll apparat~s -~ -20-3. The pickup tube 220-3 includes at its lowest end an S aperture 232-3 which is oriented so that lubricant collected in the sump 222-3 is ~orced into the aperture 232-3 during rotation of the pickup tube 220-3. The pickup tube 220-3 is formed with the requisite bends to place the lubricant intake aperture 232-3 substancially within the radius of the lubricant 10 passage outlet 202-3, as defined by the axis upon which the first scroll members 76-3 rotates. This permits the lubricant pickup tube 220-3 to effect a centrifugal pu~ping action wh~ch forces the lubricant into the tube 220-3, through the lubricant ~ -`
passage 200 3 and the lubricant outlet 202-3 into the first 15 chamber 204-3. ~ :
The lubricant intake aperture end portion 234-3 in -which the lubricant i~take aperture 232-3 is disposed is shown more clearly in Figures 6A, 6B and 6C. In these figures, the direction of travel is indicated by the arrow adjacent the 20 inlet aperture 232-3. In PiF,ure 6A, the lubricant intake ` .
portion 234-3A is provided with a perpendicular end in which an aperture 232-3A is disposed. In Figure 6B, the lubricant intake aperture portion 234-3B is provided with an angled tip ~ -`
in which the lubricant intake aperture 232-3B is disposed. In ~ a 25 Figure 6C, the lubricant intake aperture portion is enlarged relative to the intake portion 234-3C so ~hat a relatively larger area is swept by the pickup tube 220-3C and thereby ensure an adequate flow of lubricant. In each embodiment, the lubricant intake aperture 232-3 is directed into the lubricant ;`~
~' ` ,''`, 7~
'~'.,,.' '~',.' so that lubricant is forced into the lubricant pickup tube 220 3A, 220-3B or 220-3C respectively. - Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize thac the fore~oi~g is exemplary in nature only, and that there ~ould be many equally suitable alternative embodiments of the pickup tube 220.
The pressure head on the lubricant which is developed by the relative velocity o ehe pickup tube 220-3 to the lubricant and any centrifugal pu~ping action due to the relative positioning of the outlet 202-3 a~d the inlet tip portion 234-3 will vary considerably accordin~ to the scroll apparatus in which it is employed. . ::. , In operation of the alternative embodiment of Figure 6, during rotation of the scroll apparatus 20, the . ~;
pickup tubes 220-3 are rotated about the axis of the first ~ :
scroll member 76-3 in the sump 222-3, forcing fluid into the lubricant inlet 232-3 by virtue of the pressure differential gener~ted by the relative velocity of the pickup tube to the ~ ` .
lubricant in the sump 222-3, through the pickup tube 220-3, the lubricant passage 200-3, the lubricant outlet 202-3 and in~o the first chamber 204-3. :~
A ~ourth alternati~e preferred embodiment of the sub~ect inventi~n is disclosed in Figure 7. In ~igure 7, a second scroll member lubricant passage 200-4 is provided in the end plate 102-4 of the second scroll member 78-4. A second lubricant passage outlet 202-4 is provided for flow communication from the lubricant passage 200-4 to the first compression chamber 204-4. As with the alterna~ive embodiment disclosed in Figure 5, the lubricant passage 200-4 is drilled and sealed at the outer end thereof by a plu~ 218-4. A
lubrioant passage inlet 216-4 is provided at ~he inner radial ~,~
. .: : .
23 ~
. .,, .: . ~ .
end of the lubricant passage 200-4 for accepting oil from a ~;ii-collection chamber 217-4 defined by the thrust bearing 176-4, the lower bearing housing 112-4 and the second scroll ~ember 78-4. In operation, lubricant is provided to the lower bsaring 110-4 from the reservoir 180-4 through the assembly comprised of the lubricant passage 184-4, the lubricant supply tube 186-4 : ~:
and the passage 188-4. After lubricating the lower bearing 110-4, the lubricant flows into the above described collection chamber 217-4 and then into the lubricant passage 200~4 by way of the lubricant passage inlet 216-4, whereupon it flows into the first chamber 204-4 via the lubricant passage outlet 202-4.
Another, fifth alternative embodiment of the : .
subject invention is disclosed in Figure 8. In this alternative embodiment, the lubricant passage 200-5 is pro~ided through the end plate 102-5 of ~he second scroll member 78-5.
A lubricant pickup tube 220-5 is provided for flow communication from the sump 222-5 in the lower shell portion 26-5 to the first chamber 204-5 through the lubricant passage 200-5. As with the lubricant pickup tubes described in Figure 6, an inlet aperture 232-5 is provided for causing a pressure head and centrifugal pumping action of the lubricant collected : ~`~
in the sump 222-5. Therefore, in operation, the pickup tube `~
220-5 is rotated with the second scroll member 78-5, causing . :`:
fluid to be accepted throu~h the inlet aperture 232-5 and forced through the lubricant pickup tube 220-5 and the lub~icant passage 200-5 into the first chamber 204-5.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that various combinations of the e~bodiments shown in Figures 5 through 8 are readily possib}e, and that these alternative embodiments may be combined ~ith ~arious drive means for operating the scroll member 76 and 78.
' ~`~: ',,`.''`' An example of one possible combination is disclosed in Figure 9 as a sixch alternative embodiment. In this example of the scroll apparatus 20, ehe first scroll member 76 is provided with a lubricant psssage 200 which i~ in flow communication with the first chamber 204 thro~lgh a lubricant outlet 202 of the lubricant passage 200. The lubricant passage is provided with a first inlet which is co~prised of a ~-~
lubricant pickup tube 220 which extends into the compression ;
plate 150. A compression plate lubricant passage is provided for flow communica~ion from the lubricant pickup tube to a lubricant crans~er tube 280. The lubricant pickup tube ~20, ~ ;
the compression plate transfer passage 270 and the lubricant .
transfer tube 280 are ~aken together to co~prise a firs~ scroll lubricant passage first inlet. The scroll apparatus 20 in this exemplary embodiment is also provided with the annular seal 210 s~
operating in the annular groove 212 and secured therein by th~
spring 214 to comprise the collection chamber for directing oil into a lubricant passage second inlet 216. In operation, this alternative e~bodiment of the scr~ll apparatus 20 provides lubricant to the first chamber 204 from both the sump 222 through the pickup tube 220 and from the collection chamber through lubricant passage second inlet 216.
Yet another alternative e~bodiment is disclosed in Figure 12. In this embodiment, the means for rotationally supporting the second scroll ~ember 78 are interchanged. The `
lower bearing housing 112 and the second scroll member shaft 104 are functionally reversed in that the lower bearing housing is smaller in diameter than the second scroll member shaft 104, which is cylindrical. As wi~h the preferred embodiment, a bearing llO is provided to ~ournal the ro~ation of the second ~ S~, -`
8 ; ~
-::
': ~.'.',','' : :: . ~ -scroll member shaft 104. No detailed description is believ~d necessary of the particulars of such a design, as they are believed generally known to those skilled in the art. However, the second scroll member shaft 104 is provided with lubricant passages 200 for flow connection with pickup tubes 220 extending from the end of the shaft 104 adjaoent the hermetic shell portion 26. This embodiment is operationally equivalent to that described in Figure 8, but provides for a more compact embodiment useful in smaller capacity scroll appartus.
Returning again to Figures 1 and 3 for reference, the operation of the exemplary scroll appara~us 20 can be described. In operation, the motor 40 of the compressor assembly 20 is connected to an appropriate electrical supply ~ ~;
(not shown) and actuated to cause rotation of ~he rotor 44.
The rotor 44 in turn rotates the drive shaft 84, driving ~he driven end plate 82. The extension members 120 and the compression member 150 cause rotation of the biasing element spring 170 and thereby the lower or second scroll element 78.
Because the axis of the first scroll member 7~ and the second scroll member 78 are not aligned, a relative orbital ~otion is set up between the driven scroll wrap 80 and the idler scroll wrap 100, cau~ing a plurality of chambers to be formed, with the first chamber as defined by the outer scroll portions 206 and 208 to form a first chamber which is alternatively open to :~
the suction space and closed therefrom t~ be formed. The . ` -~.
chambers thus for~ed are of decreasing volume toward the radially inward ends of the respective scroll wraps 80 and 100, a such that fluid drawn into ehe first chamber is compr~ssed as it is ~oved toward the radially inward ends of the respective scroll wraps 80 and 100.
. "
- ' ~`'' ~ ~.
26 ~
~ ' '~ ,' ''~',' The compressed fluid is then disch,arged from ~he scroll wraps 80 and 100 through the discharge aperture 88 ineo the discharge gallery 86 and thereafter into the dischaxge pressure portion of the hermetic shell 22 defined in the upper i~
shell portion 24. Lubrication of ~he bearin~s 38 and 110, as well as the other components of the compressor assembly 20, is accomplished by the action of pressure upon the fluid contained in the reservoir 180. Lubricant is forced through the bearing lubrication aperture 182 to lubricant the upper ~ain bearing 38, and is discharged into the suction pressure space thereafter. Lubrication of the lower main bearing 110 occurs through the passage 184, the lubricant supplied to 186 and the -;
passage 188, with lubricant entering the collection chamber 217 as described above thereafter. This lubricant then flows into the second scroll lubricant passage 200 ehrough the lubricant passage second inlat 216. Lubricant separated from inlet suction fluid flows into the sump 222 and accwmulates therein with thst dLscharged fro~ the upper main bearing 38. Lubricant accumulating wlthin the sump ~22 is forced into the lubricant ~ s~`~
pickup tube inlet aperture 232 by the rotation of the second scroll element 78 and thereafter is pumped through the lubricant passage first inlet for~ed by the pickup tube 220 .
into the lubricant passage 200 and thereafter into the first chamber 204.
Those skilled in the art wlll appreciate the fact that the pickup tubes 220 will maintain the level of the sump 222 at a desired level, preventing an undesirable sccumulation of fluid, whether the fluid is lubricant alone or condensed from the gases to be compressed or other unpumped fluid. The various lubricant passa~es 200 provide the desired effect of -, : ~: :
2~ 7~
'' ' ~ '; "'''-"
maintaining adequate lubrication of the scroll wraps 80 and lO0 without undue consumption of power in the pu~in~ of lubri~ant.
The lubricant within the scroll wraps provides the additional benefit of improving the sealing of the compression cha~bers as well. Furthermore, the subject invention of lubrican~ passages ~ ..
is readily implemen~ed in the scroll apparatus 20 without subsrantial modificaeion thereto, while the prov$sion of constant desirable lubrication prevents unnecessary wear in the scroll wraps and assures adequate lubrication of all mo~ing components, reducing unnecessary wear and undue maintenance in the compressor assembly 20. It will beiappreciated, thercfore, that the compre~sor assembly 20 provides improved reliability and a longer operatlng life as compared to the previous scroll ;~
apparatus.
Modifications to the preferred and alternate embodiments of the subject invention will be apparent to those :-skilled in the art within the scope of the claims that follow hereinbelow.
What is claimed is: -~','';. " "' ' .' '`''''~'''"'~'"'''"''"'~
'' " `'''''"`'`'"`'`'' '`,:'"..`''
Claims (63)
1. A scroll compressor comprised of:
a first scroll member having a first scroll end plate and a first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate;
a second scroll member having a second scroll end plate and a second scroll wrap disposed thereon, said second scroll wrap cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed first chamber between the respective scroll wraps and said second scroll end plate defining a lubricant passage having an outlet in flow communication with said first chamber;
a lubricant pickup tube, affixed to said second scroll member and in flow communication with said lubricant passage, for delivering lubricant to said lubricant passage; and means for rotating said first and said second scroll members.
a first scroll member having a first scroll end plate and a first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate;
a second scroll member having a second scroll end plate and a second scroll wrap disposed thereon, said second scroll wrap cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed first chamber between the respective scroll wraps and said second scroll end plate defining a lubricant passage having an outlet in flow communication with said first chamber;
a lubricant pickup tube, affixed to said second scroll member and in flow communication with said lubricant passage, for delivering lubricant to said lubricant passage; and means for rotating said first and said second scroll members.
2. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising means for pressure biasing said second scroll member toward said first scroll member, said means for pressure biasing having a pressure responsive surface and defining an aperture, said pickup tube rotating within said aperture.
3. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said scroll apparatus further includes baffle means for increasing the relative velocity of lubricant with respect to said lubricant pickup tube.
4. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said compressor defines a sump and said means for delivering lubricant depends from said second scroll member into said sump, said scroll apparatus further comprising:
means for rotatably supporting said second scroll member; and means for lubricating said second scroll member rotation support means.
means for rotatably supporting said second scroll member; and means for lubricating said second scroll member rotation support means.
5. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second scroll member includes:
means for rotatably supporting said second scroll member; and means for lubricating said second scroll member rotation support means.
means for rotatably supporting said second scroll member; and means for lubricating said second scroll member rotation support means.
6. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first scroll member further defines a lubricant passage having an outlet, said lubricant passage outlet defined in said first scroll end plate for flow communication with said first chamber.
7. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first scroll member further includes a lubricant passage inlet to said first scroll lubricant passage including a lubricant pickup tube affixed to said first scroll member in flow communication with the lubricant passage of said first scroll member.
8. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said scroll apparatus further includes:
means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member;
means for lubricating said first scroll member rotation support means; and means for delivering said lubricant to said lubricant passage.
means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member;
means for lubricating said first scroll member rotation support means; and means for delivering said lubricant to said lubricant passage.
9. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first scroll member further includes:
a lubricant passage first inlet including a lubricant pickup tube affixed to said first scroll member, and a lubricant passage second inlet;
means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member;
means for lubricating said first scroll member rotation support means; and means for delivering said lubricant to said first scroll lubricant passage comprising said lubricant passage second inlet.
a lubricant passage first inlet including a lubricant pickup tube affixed to said first scroll member, and a lubricant passage second inlet;
means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member;
means for lubricating said first scroll member rotation support means; and means for delivering said lubricant to said first scroll lubricant passage comprising said lubricant passage second inlet.
10. A scroll apparatus comprised of:
a shell defining a suction pressure portion and a sump;
a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft and a first scroll wrap, said first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate;
a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and a second scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap disposed on said second scroll end plate in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed first chamber, said second scroll end plate further defining a first lubricant passage in flow communication with said first chamber;
a lubricant pickup tube affixed to said second scroll member for picking up lubricant from said sump and delivering it to said first lubricant passage;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member and said second scroll member; and means for concurrently rotating said first and second scroll members.
a shell defining a suction pressure portion and a sump;
a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft and a first scroll wrap, said first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate;
a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and a second scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap disposed on said second scroll end plate in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed first chamber, said second scroll end plate further defining a first lubricant passage in flow communication with said first chamber;
a lubricant pickup tube affixed to said second scroll member for picking up lubricant from said sump and delivering it to said first lubricant passage;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member and said second scroll member; and means for concurrently rotating said first and second scroll members.
11. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said lubricant pickup tube has an inlet orifice disposed in said sump.
12. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said scroll apparatus further includes baffle means for increasing the relative velocity of lubricant with respect to said lubricant pickup tube.
13. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said lubricant pickup tube is L shaped.
14. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for picking up lubricant from said sump and delivering to said first lubricant passage depends from said second scroll member into said sump and defines a flow path from said sump to said first lubricant passage, said scroll apparatus further comprising means for lubricating said second scroll member bearing means.
15. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said scroll apparatus defines a lubricant collection chamber adjacent said second scroll shaft, said second scroll member further defining a second lubricant passage from said lubricant collection chamber to said first lubricant passage.
16. Scroll apparatus comprising:
a shell defining a suction pressure portion and a sump;
a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft, and a first scroll wrap, said first scroll wrap being disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member defining a lubricant passage having an outlet;
a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and a second scroll wrap disposed on said second scroll end plate in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed first chamber, said first chamber being in flow communication with said outlet of said lubricant passage in said first scroll member;
a lubricant pickup tube extending into said sump, said pickup tube being in flow communication with said lubricant passage defined by said first scroll member;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member and said second scroll member; and means for concurrently rotating said first and second scroll members.
a shell defining a suction pressure portion and a sump;
a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft, and a first scroll wrap, said first scroll wrap being disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member defining a lubricant passage having an outlet;
a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and a second scroll wrap disposed on said second scroll end plate in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed first chamber, said first chamber being in flow communication with said outlet of said lubricant passage in said first scroll member;
a lubricant pickup tube extending into said sump, said pickup tube being in flow communication with said lubricant passage defined by said first scroll member;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member and said second scroll member; and means for concurrently rotating said first and second scroll members.
17. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said first scroll member defines an inlet to said first scroll lubricant passage, said lubricant pickup tube being affixed to said first scroll member and in flow communication with said inlet to said first scroll lubricant passage.
18. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said scroll apparatus further includes:
means for lubricating said first scroll member bearing means; and means for delivering said lubricant to said first scroll lubricant passage.
means for lubricating said first scroll member bearing means; and means for delivering said lubricant to said first scroll lubricant passage.
19. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein said means for delivering lubricant to said first scroll lubricant passage is further comprised of a lubricant passage inlet defined in said first scroll member and a lubricant collection chamber adjacent said first scroll shaft.
20. A scroll compressor apparatus comprised of:
a hermetic shell defining a suction pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, said hermetic shell defining a sump in said suction pressure portion;
a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft and an oppositely directed first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member defining a lubricant passage having an outlet defined in said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member including a lubricant pickup tube cooperating with said lubricant passage to define a flow path between said sump and said outlet;
a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and an oppositely directed second scroll wrap disposed on said second scroll end plate in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed compression chamber, said compression chamber being in flow communication with said outlet defined in said first scroll member;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said second scroll member;
means for lubricating said first and said second scroll member bearing means;
a motor driveably connected to said first scroll member shaft for rotating said first scroll member; and means for concurrently rotating said second scroll member with said first scroll member.
a hermetic shell defining a suction pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, said hermetic shell defining a sump in said suction pressure portion;
a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft and an oppositely directed first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member defining a lubricant passage having an outlet defined in said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member including a lubricant pickup tube cooperating with said lubricant passage to define a flow path between said sump and said outlet;
a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and an oppositely directed second scroll wrap disposed on said second scroll end plate in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed compression chamber, said compression chamber being in flow communication with said outlet defined in said first scroll member;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said second scroll member;
means for lubricating said first and said second scroll member bearing means;
a motor driveably connected to said first scroll member shaft for rotating said first scroll member; and means for concurrently rotating said second scroll member with said first scroll member.
21. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first scroll member further defining a first scroll lubricant passage second inlet adjacent said first scroll shaft.
22. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 21 wherein said hermetic shell further includes a central shell portion for separating said suction pressure portion and said discharge pressure portion.
23. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 22 wherein said scroll compressor further includes means for lubricating said first scroll bearing means.
24. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 23 wherein said scroll compressor further includes an annular seal disposed between said central shell portion and said first scroll end plate for defining a collection chamber for collecting said lubricant from said lubricating means for said first scroll bearing means.
25. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 20 wherein said first scroll member includes a compression plate.
26. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 25 wherein said first scroll member lubricant pickup tube is secured to said compression plate.
27. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 26 wherein said compression plate further defines a lubricant transfer passage therethrough in flow communication with said first scroll lubricant pickup tube.
28. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 27 wherein said first scroll member further includes a lubricant transfer tube extending between said first scroll end plate and said first scroll compression plate for flow communication between said lubricant transfer passage and said first scroll lubricant passage.
29. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 28 wherein said suction pressure portion of said hermetic shell further includes baffle means for increasing the relative velocity of lubricant with respect to said lubricant pickup tube.
30. A refrigeration system for circulating refrigerant in closed loop connection comprised of:
a condenser for condensing refrigerant to liquid form;
an expansion device for receiving liquid refrigerant from said condenser and expanding the refrigerant;
an evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from said expansion device and evaporating the refrigerant to vapor form;
a compressor for receiving the refrigerant from the evaporator, compressing the refrigerant and delivering the refrigerant to the condenser, said compressor including;
(i) a hermetic shell defining a suction pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, said hermetic shell defining a sump in said suction pressure portion;
(ii) a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft and an oppositely directed first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member defining a lubricant passage and including a lubricant pickup tube in flow communication with said lubricant passage and said sump;
(iii) a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and an oppositely directed second scroll wrap disposed thereon in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed compression chamber in flow communication with said lubricant passage defined in said first scroll member;
(iv) bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member;
(v) bearing means for rotatably supporting said second scroll member;
(vi) means for lubricating said second scroll member bearing means; and (vii) a motor driveably connected to said first scroll member shaft.
a condenser for condensing refrigerant to liquid form;
an expansion device for receiving liquid refrigerant from said condenser and expanding the refrigerant;
an evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from said expansion device and evaporating the refrigerant to vapor form;
a compressor for receiving the refrigerant from the evaporator, compressing the refrigerant and delivering the refrigerant to the condenser, said compressor including;
(i) a hermetic shell defining a suction pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, said hermetic shell defining a sump in said suction pressure portion;
(ii) a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft and an oppositely directed first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll member defining a lubricant passage and including a lubricant pickup tube in flow communication with said lubricant passage and said sump;
(iii) a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft and an oppositely directed second scroll wrap disposed thereon in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternately open and closed compression chamber in flow communication with said lubricant passage defined in said first scroll member;
(iv) bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member;
(v) bearing means for rotatably supporting said second scroll member;
(vi) means for lubricating said second scroll member bearing means; and (vii) a motor driveably connected to said first scroll member shaft.
31. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 30 wherein said hermetic shell further includes a central shell portion for separating said suction pressure portion and aid discharge pressure portion.
32. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 31 wherein said scroll compressor further includes means for lubricating said first scroll bearing means.
33. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 30 wherein said first scroll member includes a compression plate.
34. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 33 wherein said first scroll member lubricant pickup tube is secured to said compression plate.
35. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 34 wherein said compression plate further defines a lubricant transfer passage therethrough in flow communication with said first scroll lubricant pickup tube.
36. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 35 wherein said first scroll member further includes a lubricant transfer tube extending between said first scroll end plate and said first scroll compression plate for flow communication between said lubricant transfer passage and said first scroll lubricant passage.
37. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first scroll member further defines a lubricant passage having an outlet, said lubricant passage outlet defined in said first scroll end plate for flow communication with said first chamber.
38. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 37 wherein said first scroll member further includes a lubricant passage inlet to said first scroll lubricant passage including a lubricant pickup tube affixed to said first scroll member.
39 39 The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 37 wherein said scroll apparatus further includes:
means for lubricating said first scroll member bearing means; and means for delivering said lubricant to said first scroll lubricant passage.
means for lubricating said first scroll member bearing means; and means for delivering said lubricant to said first scroll lubricant passage.
40. The scroll apparatus as set forth in claim 39 wherein said means for delivering lubricant to said first scroll lubricant passage is further comprised of a lubricant passage inlet defined in said first scroll member and a lubricant collection chamber adjacent said first scroll shaft.
41. A scroll compressor apparatus comprised of:
a hermetic shell defining a suction pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, said hermetic shell further defining a sump in said suction portion;
a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft, and an oppositely directed first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll wrap having an outer end;
a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft, and an oppositely directed second scroll wrap disposed thereon in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap having an outer end, said second scroll outer end cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternatively open and closed first compression chamber between the respective scroll wraps, said second scroll member further defining a lubricant passage having a lubricant passage outlet, said lubricant passage outlet defined in said second scroll end plate adjacent said second scroll outer end for flow communication with said first compression chamber, said second scroll member further including a lubricant pickup tube extending from said second scroll member to said sump for flow communication between said sump and said lubricant passage outlet, said pickup tube defining a lubricant passage first inlet, said second scroll member further defining a lubricant passage second inlet adjacent said second scroll shaft;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said second scroll member in said suction pressure portion, said bearing means further defining an annular lubricant collection chamber disposed about said second scroll shaft;
means for lubricating said second scroll member bearing means; and a motor driveably connected to said first scroll member shaft for rotating said first scroll member; and means for concurrently rotating said second scroll member with said first scroll member.
a hermetic shell defining a suction pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, said hermetic shell further defining a sump in said suction portion;
a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft, and an oppositely directed first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll wrap having an outer end;
a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft, and an oppositely directed second scroll wrap disposed thereon in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap having an outer end, said second scroll outer end cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternatively open and closed first compression chamber between the respective scroll wraps, said second scroll member further defining a lubricant passage having a lubricant passage outlet, said lubricant passage outlet defined in said second scroll end plate adjacent said second scroll outer end for flow communication with said first compression chamber, said second scroll member further including a lubricant pickup tube extending from said second scroll member to said sump for flow communication between said sump and said lubricant passage outlet, said pickup tube defining a lubricant passage first inlet, said second scroll member further defining a lubricant passage second inlet adjacent said second scroll shaft;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said second scroll member in said suction pressure portion, said bearing means further defining an annular lubricant collection chamber disposed about said second scroll shaft;
means for lubricating said second scroll member bearing means; and a motor driveably connected to said first scroll member shaft for rotating said first scroll member; and means for concurrently rotating said second scroll member with said first scroll member.
42. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 41 wherein said first scroll member further defines a lubricant passage having an outlet, said lubricant passage outlet disposed in said first scroll end plate for flow communication with said first compression chamber.
43. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 42 wherein said first scroll member further includes a lubricant pickup tube extending into said sump for flow communication between said sump and said lubricant passage outlet, said lubricant tube comprising a first scroll lubricant passage first inlet.
44. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 43 wherein said first scroll member further defining a first scroll lubricant passage second inlet adjacent said first scroll shaft.
45. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 44 wherein said hermetic shell further includes a central shell portion for separating said suction pressure portion and said discharge pressure portion.
46. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 45 wherein said scroll compressor further includes means for lubricating said first scroll bearing means.
47. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 46 wherein said scroll compressor further includes an annular seal disposed between said central shell portion and said first scroll end plate for defining a collection chamber for collecting said lubricant from said lubricating means for said first scroll bearing means.
48. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 47 wherein said first scroll member further includes a compression plate extending about said second scroll bearing means.
49. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 48 wherein said first scroll member lubricant pickup tube is secured to said compression plate.
50. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 49 wherein said compression plate further defines a lubricant transfer passage therethrough in flow communication with said first scroll lubricant pickup tube.
51. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 50 wherein said first scroll member further includes a lubricant transfer tube extending between said first scroll end plate and said first scroll compression plate for flow communication between said lubricant transfer passage and said first scroll lubricant passage outlet.
52. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 51 wherein said suction pressure portion of said hermetic shell further includes baffle means for increasing the relative velocity of lubricant with respect to said lubricant pickup tube.
53. A refrigeration system for circulating refrigerant in closed loop connection comprised of:
a condenser for condensing refrigerant to liquid form;
an expansion device for receiving liquid refrigerant from said condenser and expanding the refrigerant;
an evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from said expansion device and evaporating the refrigerant to vapor form;
a compressor for receiving the refrigerant from the evaporator, compressing the refrigerant, and sending the refrigerant to the condenser, said compressor comprised of:
a hermetic shell defining a suction pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, said hermetic shell further defining a sump in said suction pressure portion;
a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft, and an oppositely directed first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll wrap having an outer end;
a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft, and an oppositely directed second scroll wrap disposed thereon in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap having an outer end, said second scroll outer end cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternatively open and closed first compression chamber between the respective scroll wraps, said second scroll member further defining a lubricant passage having a lubricant passage outlet, said lubricant passage outlet defined in said second scroll end plate adjacent said second scroll outer end for flow communication with said first compression chamber, said second scroll member further including a lubricant pickup tube extending from said second scroll member to said sump for flow communication between said sump and said lubricant passage outlet, said pickup tube defining a lubricant passage first inlet, said second scroll member further defining a lubricant passage second inlet adjacent said second scroll shaft;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said second scroll member in said suction pressure portion, said bearing means further defining an annular lubricant collection chamber disposed about said second scroll shaft;
means for lubricating said second scroll member bearing means; and a motor driveably connected to said first scroll member shaft for rotating said second scroll member concurrently with said first scroll member.
a condenser for condensing refrigerant to liquid form;
an expansion device for receiving liquid refrigerant from said condenser and expanding the refrigerant;
an evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from said expansion device and evaporating the refrigerant to vapor form;
a compressor for receiving the refrigerant from the evaporator, compressing the refrigerant, and sending the refrigerant to the condenser, said compressor comprised of:
a hermetic shell defining a suction pressure portion and a discharge pressure portion, said hermetic shell further defining a sump in said suction pressure portion;
a first scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, said first scroll member having a first scroll end plate, a first scroll shaft, and an oppositely directed first scroll wrap disposed on said first scroll end plate, said first scroll wrap having an outer end;
a second scroll member disposed in said suction pressure portion, second scroll member having a second scroll end plate, a second scroll shaft, and an oppositely directed second scroll wrap disposed thereon in interleaving engagement with said first scroll wrap, said second scroll wrap having an outer end, said second scroll outer end cooperating with said first scroll wrap to form an alternatively open and closed first compression chamber between the respective scroll wraps, said second scroll member further defining a lubricant passage having a lubricant passage outlet, said lubricant passage outlet defined in said second scroll end plate adjacent said second scroll outer end for flow communication with said first compression chamber, said second scroll member further including a lubricant pickup tube extending from said second scroll member to said sump for flow communication between said sump and said lubricant passage outlet, said pickup tube defining a lubricant passage first inlet, said second scroll member further defining a lubricant passage second inlet adjacent said second scroll shaft;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said first scroll member;
bearing means for rotatably supporting said second scroll member in said suction pressure portion, said bearing means further defining an annular lubricant collection chamber disposed about said second scroll shaft;
means for lubricating said second scroll member bearing means; and a motor driveably connected to said first scroll member shaft for rotating said second scroll member concurrently with said first scroll member.
54. The scroll compressor as see forth in claim 53 wherein said first scroll member further defines a lubricant passage having an outlet, said lubricant passage outlet disposed in said first scroll end plate for flow communication with said first compression chamber.
55. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 54 wherein said first scroll member further includes a first scroll lubricant passage first inlet including a lubricant pickup tube extending into said sump for flow communication between said sump and said lubricant passage outlet.
56. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 55 wherein said first scroll member further defining a first scroll lubricant passage second inlet adjacent said first scroll shaft.
57. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 56 wherein said hermetic shell further includes a central shell portion for separating said suction pressure portion and said discharge pressure portion.
58. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 57 wherein said scroll compressor further includes means for lubricating said first scroll bearing means.
59. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 58 wherein said scroll compressor further includes an annular seal disposed between said central shell portion and said first scroll end plate for defining a collection chamber for collecting said lubricant from said lubricating means for said first scroll bearing means.
60. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 59 wherein said first scroll member further includes a compression plate extending about said second scroll bearing means.
61. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 60 wherein said first scroll member lubricant pickup tube is secured to said compression plate.
62. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 61 wherein said compression plate further defines a lubricant transfer passage therethrough in flow communication with said first scroll lubricant pickup tube.
63. The scroll compressor as set forth in claim 62 wherein said first scroll member further includes a lubricant transfer tube extending between said first scroll end plate and said first scroll compression plate for flow communication between said lubricant transfer passage and said first scroll lubricant passage outlet.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US60559990A | 1990-10-29 | 1990-10-29 | |
| US07/605,599 | 1990-10-29 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2049878A1 CA2049878A1 (en) | 1992-04-30 |
| CA2049878C true CA2049878C (en) | 1994-07-26 |
Family
ID=24424386
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002049878A Expired - Fee Related CA2049878C (en) | 1990-10-29 | 1991-08-26 | Scroll apparatus with enhanced lubricant flow |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH04265401A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2049878C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE4134939C2 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2668550B1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2249351B (en) |
| HK (1) | HK88894A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1250791B (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5449279A (en) * | 1993-09-22 | 1995-09-12 | American Standard Inc. | Pressure biased co-rotational scroll apparatus with enhanced lubrication |
| CN108457857B (en) * | 2018-05-30 | 2024-01-05 | 广东美芝制冷设备有限公司 | Scroll compressor and refrigeration cycle device with same |
| WO2021076143A1 (en) * | 2019-10-18 | 2021-04-22 | Hitachi-Johnson Controls Air Conditioning, Inc. | Stability in co-rotating scroll compressors |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS58170871A (en) * | 1982-03-31 | 1983-10-07 | Toshiba Corp | Scroll compressor |
| JPS5993987A (en) * | 1982-11-19 | 1984-05-30 | Hitachi Ltd | Scroll fluid machine |
| DE3344015A1 (en) * | 1983-12-06 | 1985-06-13 | Pierburg Gmbh & Co Kg, 4040 Neuss | Spiral or annular piston pump |
| US4568256A (en) * | 1984-05-21 | 1986-02-04 | Sundstrand Corporation | Lubricant separation in a scroll compressor |
| JPS6275091A (en) * | 1985-09-30 | 1987-04-06 | Toshiba Corp | Scroll compressor |
| US4927339A (en) * | 1988-10-14 | 1990-05-22 | American Standard Inc. | Rotating scroll apparatus with axially biased scroll members |
-
1991
- 1991-08-26 CA CA002049878A patent/CA2049878C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-08-29 GB GB9118458A patent/GB2249351B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-10-23 DE DE4134939A patent/DE4134939C2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-10-28 FR FR9113264A patent/FR2668550B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-10-28 JP JP3307226A patent/JPH04265401A/en active Pending
- 1991-10-28 IT ITRM910817A patent/IT1250791B/en active IP Right Grant
-
1994
- 1994-08-25 HK HK88894A patent/HK88894A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| HK88894A (en) | 1994-09-02 |
| JPH04265401A (en) | 1992-09-21 |
| GB2249351A (en) | 1992-05-06 |
| ITRM910817A1 (en) | 1993-04-28 |
| DE4134939A1 (en) | 1992-04-30 |
| DE4134939C2 (en) | 1996-05-30 |
| GB2249351B (en) | 1994-05-25 |
| GB9118458D0 (en) | 1991-10-16 |
| IT1250791B (en) | 1995-04-21 |
| FR2668550A1 (en) | 1992-04-30 |
| FR2668550B1 (en) | 1995-04-21 |
| CA2049878A1 (en) | 1992-04-30 |
| ITRM910817A0 (en) | 1991-10-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |