The present disclosure relates to compressors, and more specifically to compressor retaining mechanisms.
Scroll compressors may typically include orbiting and non-orbiting scroll members meshingly engaged with one another. The non-orbiting scroll member may generally be rotationally fixed to a bearing housing using a fastener. The use of the fastener may require machining a bore in a flange of the non-orbiting scroll member to receive the bolt. An additional sleeve guide may be used in combination with the bolt to provide for limited axial travel of the non-orbiting scroll member relative to the main bearing housing. The machining of the bore and the addition of a sleeve guide may provide additional cost and assembly times for a compressor assembly.
A compressor may include a shell and a housing fixed within the shell. A compression mechanism may be supported by the housing and may include an orbiting scroll member and a non-orbiting scroll member that are meshingly engaged to form a series of compression pockets. A retaining assembly may include an axial retention member and a rotational retention member, each of which is engaged with the non-orbiting scroll member to limit axial translation and rotation of the non-orbiting scroll member relative to the housing.
The axial retention member may include a retaining ring fixed to the housing and disposed around a perimeter of the non-orbiting scroll member. The non-orbiting scroll member may include a protrusion extending radially outwardly relative to the perimeter and located axially between the housing and the retaining ring to limit axial translation of the non-orbiting scroll member relative to the housing. The compressor of may additionally include a fastener extending through the retaining ring and the housing to fix the retaining ring relative thereto.
The rotational retention member may include a pin engaged with the non-orbiting scroll member and the housing. The non-orbiting scroll member may be slidably engaged with the pin. The non-orbiting scroll member may be axially displaceable relative to the shell and the pin may generally extend in the direction of axial displacement of the non-orbiting scroll member.
The compressor may additionally include an Oldham coupling engaged with the orbiting and non-orbiting scroll members to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The non-orbiting scroll member may include a keyway extending into an inlet pocket of the compression mechanism and receiving a portion of the Oldham coupling therein. The Oldham coupling may form a rotational retention member and may include a key extending into a slot in the housing to prevent relative rotation between the non-orbiting scroll member and the housing.
The housing may include a main bearing housing. The main bearing housing may include a radially extending portion having arms extending axially therefrom. The axial retention member may be engaged with the arms and the rotational retention member may be engaged with the radially extending portion.
The axial retention member may limit radial translation of the non-orbiting scroll member relative to the housing.
The rotational retention member may include a pin engaged with the non-orbiting scroll member and the axial retention member.
The shell may include a partition overlying the non-orbiting scroll member and engaged with the housing to form the axial retention member. The partition may include an axially extending protrusion engaged with and forming a first axial guide for the non-orbiting scroll member. The housing may include an axially extending arm engaged with and a forming a second axial guide for the non-orbiting scroll member.
A compressor may alternatively include a shell, a housing fixed within the shell, a compression mechanism supported by said housing and including an orbiting scroll member and a non-orbiting scroll member meshingly engaged to form a series of compression pockets, and a retaining assembly. The retaining assembly may include an axial retention member and a rotational retention member. The axial retention member may include a retaining ring fixed to the housing and disposed around a perimeter of the non-orbiting scroll member. The non-orbiting scroll member may include a protrusion extending radially outwardly relative to the perimeter and located axially between the housing and the retaining ring to limit axial translation of the non-orbiting scroll member relative to the housing. The rotational retention member may be engaged with the non-orbiting scroll member to limit axial translation and rotation of the non-orbiting scroll member relative to the housing.
The rotational retention member may include a pin engaged with the non-orbiting scroll member and the housing.
A compressor may alternatively include a shell, a housing fixed within the shell, a compression mechanism supported by the housing and including an orbiting scroll member and a non-orbiting scroll member meshingly engaged to form a series of compression pockets, and a retaining assembly. The retaining assembly may include an axial retention member and a rotational retention member. The axial retention member may be engaged with the non-orbiting scroll member to limit axial translation of the non-orbiting scroll member relative to the housing. The rotational retention member may include a pin engaged with the non-orbiting scroll member and the housing. The non-orbiting scroll member may be slidably engaged with the pin.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
The present teachings are suitable for incorporation in many different types of scroll compressors, including hermetic machines, open drive machines and non-hermetic machines. For exemplary purposes, a compressor 10 is shown as a hermetic scroll refrigerant-compressor of the low-side type, i.e., where the motor and compressor are cooled by suction gas in the hermetic shell, as illustrated in the vertical section shown in
With reference to
Motor assembly 18 may generally include a motor stator 36, a rotor 38, and a drive shaft 40. Windings 41 may pass through stator 36. Motor stator 36 may be press fit into shell 12. Drive shaft 40 may be rotatably driven by rotor 38. Rotor 38 may be press fit on drive shaft 40.
Drive shaft 40 may include an eccentric crank pin 42 having a flat 44 thereon and upper and lower counter-weights 46, 48. Drive shaft 40 may include a first journal portion 50 rotatably journaled in a first bearing 52 in main bearing housing 16 and a second journal portion 54 rotatably journaled in a second bearing 56 in lower bearing housing 58. Drive shaft 40 may include an oil-pumping concentric bore 60 at a lower end. Concentric bore 60 may communicate with a radially outwardly inclined and relatively smaller diameter bore 62 extending to the upper end of drive shaft 40. The lower interior portion of shell 12 may be filled with lubricating oil. Concentric bore 60 may provide pump action in conjunction with bore 62 to distribute lubricating fluid to various portions of compressor 10.
Compression mechanism 14 may generally include an orbiting scroll 64 and a non-orbiting scroll 66. With additional reference to
With additional reference to
Housing 67 may include a radially outwardly extending flange 85 defining a radially outwardly extending protrusion to limit axial displacement of non-orbiting scroll 66 relative to main bearing housing 16, as discussed below. Flange 85 may be located at an end of housing 67 that is distal from end plate 80 and may include a series of discrete flanges 87, 89, 91 extending radially outwardly therefrom. Flanges 87, 89 may extend generally opposite one another with flange 91 disposed circumferentially therebetween. Flanges 87, 89, 91 may include recesses 93, 95, 97 therein for preventing rotation and orbital movement of non-orbiting scroll 66 relative to main bearing housing 16. Recess 95 may extend radially through radially inner and outer portions of flange 85 and into inlet pocket 84.
Non-orbiting scroll 66 may include a discharge passageway 96 in communication with outlet pocket 94 and upwardly open recess 98 which may be in fluid communication with discharge muffler 30 via an opening 100 in partition 26. Recess 98 may include first and second portions 102, 104. First portion 102 may have a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of second portion 104. Discharge passageway 96 may be offset relative to a center of recess 98.
Non-orbiting scroll 66 may include an annular recess 106 in the upper surface thereof defined by parallel coaxial inner and outer side walls 108, 110. Annular recess 106 may provide for axial biasing of non-orbiting scroll 66 relative to orbiting scroll 64, as discussed below. More specifically, a passage 112 may extend through end plate 80 of non-orbiting scroll 66, placing recess 106 in fluid communication with intermediate pocket 90. While passage 112 is shown extending into intermediate pocket 90, it is understood that passage 112 may alternatively be placed in communication with any of the other intermediate pockets 86, 88, 92.
Seal assembly 15 may include first and second seals 138, 140. First and second seals 138, 140 may each include an L-shaped cross-section and may sealingly engage partition 26, as described in “Compressor Sealing Arrangement”, filed Sep. 9, 2008, U.S. application Ser. No. 12/207,051, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Discharge valve assembly 21 may generally prevent a reverse flow of fluid during compressor shut-down, as described in “Compressor Having a Shutdown Valve”, filed Sep. 9, 2008, U.S. application Ser. No. 12/207,089, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
With additional reference to
Retaining assembly 17 may include an Oldham coupling 182, an orientation pin 184, and a retaining ring 186. Oldham coupling 182 may be a four-up Oldham coupling including a ring 188 and first, second, third, and fourth keys 190, 192, 194, 196. Third and fourth keys 194, 196 may each include first portions 198, 200 and second portions 202, 204. Oldham coupling 182 may be disposed on and abut body portion 162. Oldham coupling 182 may be located within arms 164, 166, 168, 170. Orbiting scroll 64 may abut thrust bearing surface 74 and may be disposed adjacent Oldham coupling 182.
First and second keys 190, 192 may extend into recesses 83 of orbiting scroll 64, slidably coupling orbiting scroll 64 relative thereto and generally preventing rotation of orbiting scroll 64 relative thereto. Second portions 202, 204 of third and fourth keys 194, 196 may be slidably engaged with recesses 93, 95 in non-orbiting scroll 66, generally preventing rotation of non-orbiting scroll 66 relative to Oldham coupling 182. Since recess 95 may extend into inlet pocket 84, a travel of Oldham coupling 182 within recess 95 may be maintained while reducing the radially outward extent of flange 89 relative to a configuration of flange 89 where recess 95 does not extend into inlet pocket 84.
Orientation pin 184 may extend into recess 97 in non-orbiting scroll 66 and aperture 180 in main bearing housing 16. At least a portion of the orientation in 184 may be located radially inward relative to an outer circumference of a key 190, 192, 194, 196 of the Oldham coupling 182. Orientation pin 184 may further limit orbital and rotational movement of non-orbiting scroll 66. More specifically, orientation pin 184 may prevent rotation of non-orbiting scroll 66 relative to main bearing housing 16. Orientation pin 184 may be a generally cylindrical member and may be located within aperture 180 in main bearing housing 16 and slidably disposed within recess 97 in non-orbiting scroll 66. While shown as an independent member, orientation pin 184 may be integrally formed on main bearing housing 16. Since third and fourth keys 194, 196 fix non-orbiting scroll 66 against rotation relative to Oldham coupling 182, orientation pin 184 also prevents rotation of Oldham coupling 182 relative to main bearing housing 16.
Axial displacement of non-orbiting scroll 66 may be limited by retaining ring 186. Retaining ring 186 may include a generally annular body 206 having a series of apertures 208, 210, 212, 214 corresponding to apertures 172, 174, 176, 178 in arms 164, 166, 168, 170 of main bearing housing 16. Body 206 may include first and second portions 216, 218. First portion 216 may have apertures 208, 210, 212, 214 passing therethrough. Second portion 218 may extend axially outwardly from first portion 216 toward body portion 162 of main bearing housing 16. Second portion 218 may have an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of first portion 216. Second portion 218 may have an outer diameter that is slightly less than an inner diameter defined by an upper portion 217 of arms 164, 166, 168, 170 of main bearing housing 16.
The inner diameter of retaining ring 186 may be slightly greater than the outer diameter of end plate 80 of non-orbiting scroll 66 and less than the outer diameter of flange 85 of non-orbiting scroll 66. Non-orbiting scroll 66 may be supported within main bearing housing 16 such that flange 85 is disposed axially between retaining ring 186 and body portion 162 of main bearing housing 16. Second portion 218 of retaining ring 186 may extend into arms 164, 166, 168, 170 of main bearing housing 16 and first portion 216 may abut upper surfaces of arms 164, 166, 168, 170. Second portion 218 may include a tapered surface to facilitate placing retaining ring 186 over non-orbiting scroll 66 during assembly. Fasteners 222 may extend into apertures 208, 210, 212, 214 of retaining ring 186 and may threadingly engage apertures 172, 174, 176, 178 in arms 164, 166, 168, 170 of main bearing housing 16, fixing retaining ring 186 relative thereto. Axial displacement of non-orbiting scroll 66 may therefore be limited to an axial clearance between flange 85 and retaining ring 186.
With reference to
Retaining ring 386 may be generally similar to retaining ring 186 with the exception of aperture 302 and protrusions 304. Aperture 302 may extend axially through retaining ring 386 an opening 306 may extend into flange 389 of non-orbiting scroll 366. Orientation pin 384 may extend through aperture 302 and opening 304. Since retaining ring 386 is fixed to main bearing housing 316 (similar to retaining ring 186), relative rotation between non-orbiting scroll 366 and main bearing housing may be prevented by orientation pin 384.
Protrusions 304 may be spaced around an axially outer surface of retaining ring 386 and may extend axially outwardly relative to an axial end of non-orbiting scroll 366. With reference to
With reference to
Retaining ring 486 may be generally similar to retaining rings 186, 386, except retaining ring 486 may having an axially outward extent generally equal to protrusions 304 around an entire circumferential extent thereof. As such, an engagement between retaining ring 486 and a partition (not shown) may be generally similar to the engagement between retaining ring 386 and partition 326. Additionally, rather than being bolted to main bearing housing 416, retaining ring 486 may be press fit into the compressor shell (not shown).
While retaining assemblies 17, 317, 417 have been individually described with various features, it is understood that the features of retaining assemblies 17, 317, 417 may be interchanged and used with one another in a variety of combinations.
With reference to
Main bearing housing 516 may form a pilot ring for flange 585 of non-orbiting scroll 566. More specifically, a radially inner surface 502 of arm 564 may generally surround and form a first guide for axial displacement of flange 585. An axially outer end of arm 564 may additionally form locating region for partition 526. Arm 564 may include a stepped region 504 forming a locating region for partition 526. Therefore, partition 526 may be located relative to main bearing housing 516 independent of the position of main bearing housing 516 within shell 512.
Partition 526 may include first and second annular protrusions 506, 508 extending axially toward main bearing housing 516. First protrusion 506 may extend axially within shell 512 and may abut stepped region 504 to locate partition 526 relative to main bearing housing 516. Second protrusion 508 may be located radially inwardly relative to first protrusion 506 and may form a second guide for axial displacement of an upper portion of non-orbiting scroll 566. More specifically, a radially inner surface of second protrusion 508 may generally surround and may be generally parallel to an outer surface of non-orbiting scroll 566.
Partition 526 may additionally include first and second sealing portions 588, 590. First and second sealing portions 588, 590 may include axially inwardly extending ramped surfaces engaging first and second annular seals 538, 540. First and second sealing portions 588, 590 may generally inhibit radially inward displacement of first and second annular seals 538, 540.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/993,451, 60/993,452, 60/993,464 and 60/993,465, each filed on Sep. 11, 2007 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/038,162, filed Mar. 20, 2008. The entire disclosures of each of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4431388 | Eber et al. | Feb 1984 | A |
4846633 | Suzuki et al. | Jul 1989 | A |
4877382 | Caillat et al. | Oct 1989 | A |
4911620 | Richardson, Jr. et al. | Mar 1990 | A |
5080566 | Sakata et al. | Jan 1992 | A |
5102316 | Caillat et al. | Apr 1992 | A |
5188520 | Nakamura et al. | Feb 1993 | A |
5215451 | Hara et al. | Jun 1993 | A |
5241495 | Sasaki | Aug 1993 | A |
5280230 | Mahoney | Jan 1994 | A |
5281114 | Bush | Jan 1994 | A |
5336058 | Yokoyama | Aug 1994 | A |
5407335 | Caillat et al. | Apr 1995 | A |
5411384 | Bass et al. | May 1995 | A |
5447418 | Takeda et al. | Sep 1995 | A |
5451148 | Matsuzaki et al. | Sep 1995 | A |
5462418 | Shimizu et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
5470213 | Iguchi et al. | Nov 1995 | A |
5478223 | Yamamoto et al. | Dec 1995 | A |
5487653 | Lee | Jan 1996 | A |
5511959 | Tojo et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
5527166 | Chang et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
5580230 | Keifer et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
5683236 | Harrison et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5863191 | Motegi et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
5897306 | Beck | Apr 1999 | A |
5921761 | Eckels | Jul 1999 | A |
6017203 | Sugawa et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6056524 | Williams et al. | May 2000 | A |
6095764 | Shibamoto et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6113373 | Fukuhara et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
6132191 | Hugenroth et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6142754 | Hsiao et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6193485 | Ueda et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6241495 | Chang | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6307356 | Dwelley | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6419457 | Seibel et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6494688 | Barito et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6537044 | Chang et al. | Mar 2003 | B2 |
6679683 | Seibel et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6821092 | Gehret et al. | Nov 2004 | B1 |
6884046 | Matsukawa et al. | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6896497 | Kuo | May 2005 | B2 |
6953330 | Muto | Oct 2005 | B1 |
6984115 | Tarng et al. | Jan 2006 | B1 |
7074013 | Seibel et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7140851 | Tarng | Nov 2006 | B2 |
7300265 | Stover | Nov 2007 | B2 |
7553140 | Stover | Jun 2009 | B2 |
7914268 | Su | Mar 2011 | B2 |
20050201883 | Clendenin et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20060198748 | Grassbaugh et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060204379 | Seibel et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060204380 | Seibel et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060245968 | Gopinathan et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20070059192 | Stover | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070134117 | Liang et al. | Jun 2007 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
1103932 | Jun 1995 | CN |
1196776 | Oct 1998 | CN |
1197892 | Nov 1998 | CN |
1349053 | May 2002 | CN |
62225793 | Oct 1987 | JP |
63173884 | Jul 1988 | JP |
63239391 | Oct 1988 | JP |
1130082 | May 1989 | JP |
5180175 | Jul 1993 | JP |
6140473 | May 1994 | JP |
6307356 | Nov 1994 | JP |
07027063 | Jan 1995 | JP |
07063173 | Mar 1995 | JP |
08261176 | Oct 1996 | JP |
09317667 | Dec 1997 | JP |
11022660 | Jan 1999 | JP |
11182462 | Jul 1999 | JP |
2001082354 | Mar 2001 | JP |
2003065255 | Mar 2003 | JP |
1019950006252 | Mar 1995 | KR |
100186867 | May 1999 | KR |
1019990060803 | Jul 1999 | KR |
1020010035761 | Jul 2001 | KR |
1020020030018 | Apr 2002 | KR |
1020050008475 | Jan 2005 | KR |
1020070030111 | Mar 2007 | KR |
Entry |
---|
International Search Report regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/010604 dated Feb. 24, 2009. |
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/010604 dated Feb. 24, 2009. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/010604 dated Mar. 16, 2010. |
International Search Report regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/010623 dated Feb. 26, 2009. |
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/010623 dated Feb. 26, 2009. |
International Search Report regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/010597 dated Feb. 19, 2009. |
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/010597 dated Feb. 19, 2009. |
Chinese Office Action regarding Application No. 200880106347, dated Dec. 13, 2011. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys At Law. |
International Search Report regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/010622 dated Feb. 24, 2009. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/010622 dated Mar. 16, 2010. |
Declaration of Non-Establishment of International Search Report regarding PCT/US2008/010624, dated Apr. 24, 2009; ISA/KR. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability (Chapter II) regarding PCT/US2008/010624 dated Jan. 14, 2010, IPEA/KR, 10 pages. |
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/010622 dated Feb. 24, 2009, 4 pages. |
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority regarding PCT/US2008/010624, dated Apr. 24, 2009; ISA/KR, 3 pages. |
Second Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office for People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880106347.7, dated Aug. 30, 2012. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law. |
First Chinese Office Action regarding Application No. 200880115902.2, dated Dec. 1, 2011. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law. |
Second Chinese Office Action regarding Application No. 200880115902.2, dated May 15, 2012. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law. |
First Chinese Office Action regarding Application No. 200880106340.5, dated Feb. 24, 2012. Partial translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law. |
U.S. Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/207,051, mailed Feb. 9, 2011. |
U.S. Notice of Allowance regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/207,051, mailed Jul. 15, 2011. |
U.S. Notice of Allowance regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/207,036, mailed Dec. 9, 2010. |
First Chinese Office Action regarding Application No. 200880106311.9, dated Dec. 9, 2011. Partial translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law. |
U.S. Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/207,016, mailed Jan. 31, 2011. |
U.S. Notice of Allowance regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/207,016, mailed Jul. 11, 2011. |
U.S. Notice of Allowance regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/207,089, mailed Feb. 3, 2011. |
First Chinese Office Action regarding Application No. 200880106327, dated Nov. 10, 2011. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20090068044 A1 | Mar 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60993452 | Sep 2007 | US |