SCROLL DEVICE WITH PARALLEL PATH COOLING

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to scroll devices such as compressors, expanders, or vacuum pumps, and more particularly to scroll devices with liquid cooling.

Scroll devices have been used as compressors, expanders, pumps, and vacuum pumps for many years. In general, they have been limited to a single stage of compression (or expansion) due to the complexity of two or more stages. In a single stage scroll vacuum pump, a spiral involute or scroll orbits within a fixed spiral or scroll upon a stationery plate. A motor turns a shaft that causes the orbiting scroll to orbit eccentrically within the fixed scroll. The eccentric orbit forces a gas through and out of pockets created between the orbiting scroll and the fixed scroll, thus creating a vacuum in a container in fluid communication with the scroll device. An expander operates with the same principle, but with expanding gas causing the orbiting scroll to orbit in reverse and, in some embodiments, to drive a generator. When referring to compressors, it is understood that a vacuum pump can be substituted for a compressor and that an expander can be an alternate usage when the scrolls operate in reverse from an expanding gas.

Scroll type compressors and vacuum pumps generate heat as part of the compression or pumping process. The higher the pressure ratio, the higher the temperature of the compressed fluid. In order to keep the compressor hardware to a reasonable temperature, the compressor must be cooled or damage to the hardware may occur. In some cases, cooling is accomplished by blowing cool ambient air over the compressor components. On the other hand, scroll type expanders experience a drop in temperature due to the expansion of the working fluid, which reduces overall power output. As a result, scroll type expanders may be insulated to limit the temperature drop and corresponding decrease in power output.

Conventional designs include oil-free reciprocating type pump compressors. These compressors are air cooled and cannot operate continuously. As such, these compressors are typically designed for intermittent use to manage temperature.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Oil-free scroll devices are not typically used for high pressure applications due to temperature limitations. Heat generated from the compression process is transferred to the bearings which are negatively impacted by high temperatures.

It is with respect to the above issues and other problems that the embodiments presented herein were contemplated.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a unique approach to increase cooling performance and reducing overall pressure drop of the coolant loop by routing the coolant flow to components in parallel is provided. Essentially, the coolant flow is split as the coolant enters the system and is routed to the components that require simultaneous cooling.

At least one advantage of the present disclosure is the reduction of pressure drop through scroll device system. When all components (e.g., including fixed scroll cooling, orbiting scroll cooling, motor cooling, etc.) are arranged in series, or in a single-path flow sequence, the coolant (e.g., cooling fluid, etc.) is required to pass through each component individually before proceeding to the next component in the system. Each component has innate restrictions that reduces the pressure of the cooling fluid as the cooling fluid flows through the system. Among other things, this negative effect compounds for each component in the series resulting in significant pressure drop overall.

In contrast to a series arrangement, the present disclosure provides a parallel arrangement where the cooling fluid flow is split into separate, or discrete, parallel paths. In this parallel arrangement the restriction of each component in the system has a lower impact on the overall pressure drop of the system than that of a series arrangement (e.g., similar to a parallel arrangement of resistors in electrical circuits). This is due at least in part to the amount of cooling fluid flow each component receives. In the series arrangement or configuration, 100% of the cooling fluid flow is routed through each component in the system. In the parallel arrangement or configuration, the cooling fluid flow is split into two or more independent paths and a majority of the cooling fluid flow is allowed to route along or via the path of least resistance. This parallel arrangement generally results in about a 70%-30% split between the two paths. Stated another way, the components with higher resistance only contribute their pressure drop to about 30% of the overall flow of the cooling fluid.

The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects, embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.

Numerous additional features and advantages are described herein and will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following Detailed Description and in view of the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of the specification to illustrate several examples of the present disclosure. These drawings, together with the description, explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings simply illustrate preferred and alternative examples of how the disclosure can be made and used and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure to only the illustrated and described examples. Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following, more detailed, description of the various aspects, embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure, as illustrated by the drawings referenced below.

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of a scroll device and parallel path cooling system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective section view of the scroll device of FIG. 1A taken through a center plane of the scroll device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is an exploded perspective view of the scroll device of FIG. 1A in a partially assembled state;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the scroll device of FIG. 1A showing the parallel path cooling circuit of the parallel path cooling system visible through the components of the scroll device;

FIG. 2B is a perspective section detail view of the scroll device of FIG. 2A viewed from a bottom side of the scroll device;

FIG. 3A shows a first perspective view of the parallel path cooling circuit as defined by the channels, conduits, and geometry of the components of the scroll device shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3B shows a second perspective view of the parallel path cooling circuit of FIG. 3A in an inverted orientation;

FIG. 3C shows a side elevation view of the parallel path cooling circuit of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of coolant flow in an example series arrangement;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of coolant flow in a parallel arrangement in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a parallel path cooling circuit of the scroll device in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Further, the present disclosure may use examples to illustrate one or more aspects thereof. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the use or listing of one or more examples (which may be denoted by “for example,” “by way of example,” “e.g.,” “such as,” or similar language) is not intended to and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

The ensuing description provides embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claims. Rather, the ensuing description will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the described embodiments. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Various aspects of the present disclosure will be described herein with reference to drawings that may be schematic illustrations of idealized configurations.

Existing scroll devices suffer from various drawbacks. In some cases, such as in tight installations or where there is too much heat to be dissipated, air cooling of a scroll device may not be effective. In semi-hermetic or hermetic applications, air cooling of a scroll device may not be an option. The use of a liquid to cool a scroll device may be beneficial because liquid has a much higher heat transfer coefficient than air. In the case of scroll expanders, the use of a liquid to heat the scroll expander may be beneficial for the same reason.

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a scroll device comprising a drive shaft with an eccentric part at one end, an orbiting scroll with an orbiting end plate having front and rear scroll wraps, a fixed front scroll comprising a fixed front end plate with a front fixed wrap, and a fixed rear scroll having a fixed rear end plate with a rear fixed wrap. An electric motor drives the drive shaft behind the fixed rear end plate. The orbiting scroll is driven by the drive shaft and rotates relative to the front and rear fixed scrolls to create front compression sections and rear expansion sections while the front and rear orbiting scroll wraps respectively engage with the front and rear fixed scroll wraps. The expanded and cooled fluid in the expansion section is used to partially cool the scroll fluid machine.

As provided in U.S. Pat. No. 11,473,572, a scroll device can comprise a fixed scroll with a first involute and a first cooling chamber; an orbiting scroll with a second involute and a second cooling chamber, the orbiting scroll being mounted on the fixed scroll via a mechanical coupling, the orbiting scroll being configured to orbit relative to the fixed scroll around an orbital axis; a flexible conduit in fluid communication with the first cooling chamber and the second cooling chamber, the flexible conduit extending around the orbital axis from one side of the scroll device to the other side of the scroll device; and an integrated intake cooler. U.S. Pat. No. 11,473,572 is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety, for all that it teaches and for all purposes.

Although the solution provided by U.S. Pat. No. 11,473,572 provides cooling for the scroll compression state, it does not provide cooling for the electric drive motor, which is directly connected to the compression stage and may degrade cooling efficiency. Moreover, the power required to drive the orbiting scroll can lead to significant heating of the electric motor.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,865,793 also relates to a scroll device comprising a casing, a motor having a shaft, an orbiting scroll connected to the shaft to move the orbiting scroll, a fixed scroll coupled to the orbiting scroll, a free shaft to align the orbiting scroll and the fixed scroll, an inlet formed in the casing and/or the fixed scroll to receive a cooling liquid, and a channel formed in the intermediate shaft to receive the cooling liquid. U.S. Pat. No. 10,865,793 is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety, for all that it teaches and for all purposes.

In general, a scroll device may comprise two spiral-shaped elements: a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll driven by a motor. The scrolls oscillate in continuous motion, without metal-to-metal contact, while air is compressed into increasingly smaller volumes in crescent-shaped air pockets, leading to volumetric compression.

The orbiting scroll is driven by a crankshaft with a reduced stroke and rotates eccentrically around the center of the fixed scroll. The movement of the orbiting scroll creates a suction that draws air through the inlet opening located at the top of the element body. The air or gas captured in the air pockets between the two scrolls is progressively compressed as it moves towards the center of the body, where the discharge port and a non-return valve are located. The compressed and pressurized gas is expelled through the discharge port at the center of the assembly. The non-return valve prevents backflow of gas, fluid, or refrigerant.

The 180° rotation or phase shift ensures the radial stability of the scroll elements. As the compression chamber becomes smaller during the compression of air or gas inside the compressor, this type of compression is generally called internal compression. During this process, leaks are minimized, as the pressure difference in the air pockets is lower than the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1A-IC, various exploded perspective views of a scroll device 1 are shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The scroll device 1 may include, but is in no way limited to, scroll compressors, scroll vacuum pumps, and similar mechanical devices. In some embodiments, the scroll device 1 may correspond to a scroll expander, with the understanding that scroll expanders absorb heat rather than generating heat, such that the various aspects and elements described herein for cooling scroll devices other than scroll expanders may be used for heating scroll expanders (e.g., using warm liquid).

The scroll device 1 may comprise a first subassembly 100, a second subassembly 200, and a third subassembly 300. The first subassembly 100 may comprise a fixed housing 110 and an orbital scroll housing 120 of the scroll device 1. The second subassembly 200 may comprise an electronics housing 250 and/or a motor housing 260. The first subassembly 100 may be interconnected to the second subassembly 200 via a third subassembly 300. In some embodiments, the third subassembly 300 may comprise an intermediate housing 310, a shaft 215 (e.g., a drive shaft, etc.), and one or more other components that interconnect an electric motor 210 to the orbiting scroll 124 of the scroll device 1.

The first subassembly 100, second subassembly 200, and the third subassembly 300 may be mechanically and fluidically (e.g., by way of a parallel cooling path circuit or system) with one another. As provided above, the first subassembly 100 comprises a compression body integrating a fixed scroll 114 and an orbiting scroll 124. The second subassembly 200 comprises the electric motor 210 and one or more electronic circuits 220 (e.g., electronics, drivers, controllers, etc.). The third subassembly 300 comprises an intermediate housing 310 positioned between the first subassembly 100 and the second subassembly 200.

The first subassembly 100 is provided with a fixed housing 110 and an orbital scroll housing 120 respectively presenting a fixed scroll 114 and an orbiting scroll 124, intercalated to form, for example, a volumetric pump stage 140. Examples of such volumetric pump stages are described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,473,572.

This first subassembly 100 is cooled by a first fluid circulation circuit 150 ensuring the cooling of the fixed scroll 114 and a second fluid circulation circuit 160 ensuring the cooling of the orbiting scroll 124. These first and second fluid circulation circuits 150, 160, described in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 3A-3C and FIG. 6, are defined by chambers, channels, and conduits that are formed in the mass of the body of the first subassembly 100, and are connected by fluid connections 115, 125 (e.g., tubing, fluid lines, flexible conduit, flexible hoses, etc.).

This first subassembly 100 also includes the seat 123 of a bearing 122 guiding the eccentric part 211 of the drive shaft 215 of the movable housing 120.

Optionally, this first subassembly 100 includes a heat exchanger 130 ensuring the cooling of the compressed air at the outlet of the volumetric pump stage 140. The first fluid circulation circuit 150 also ensures the cooling of this heat exchanger 130.

The second subassembly 200 includes a housing closed by a front cover 280 comprising a bearing 282 for guiding the end of the shaft 215, the latter being shown in two parts in FIG. 1B. This housing integrates the electric motor 210 formed in a known manner by a wound stator 213 and a rotor 212, as well as, optionally, one or more electronic circuits 220 and power electronic components. The rotor 212 is mounted on the shaft 215 driving the orbital scroll housing 120.

In one example, the housing of this second subassembly 200 is formed of a first housing, or electronics housing 250, in which the electronics 220 are housed, a second housing, or motor housing 260, in which the motor 210 is housed, the whole being frontally closed by the aforementioned cover 280. This second subassembly 200 also includes the electrical and electronic connectors 225, 226, visible in FIG. 1C.

This second subassembly 200 includes a third cooling circuit 230 surrounding the stator 213 of the motor 210, particularly described in conjunction with FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Optionally, a fourth cooling circuit 240 ensures the cooling of the electronics 220 and associated electronic circuits.

Optionally, the two aforementioned subassemblies 100, 200 are mechanically and fluidically associated by a third subassembly 300 formed by an intermediate housing 310 having on one side a sealing mating face 391 complementary to the inner face 190 of the first subassembly 100; and on the other side a sealing mating face 392 complementary to the inner face 290 of the second subassembly 200. In one embodiment, the two mating faces 391, 392 and the mating faces 190, 290 are identical, so that they are sealed with identical sealing joints. The sealing joints 393, 394 are placed in grooves formed in the sealing mating faces 391, 392. These joints ensure sealing to prevent coolant fluid leaks in the channels 311, 312 to be described below, as well as to prevent the penetration of ambient air and potential particles.

This intermediate housing 310 is also provided with a bearing 322 guiding the aforementioned shaft 215 in its central part, and one or more intermediate channels 311, 312 for the circulation of the cooling fluid between the two aforementioned subassemblies 100, 200.

In this example, the cooling fluid supply channel 311 and the cooling fluid return channel 312 are each located in the lower part of the intermediate housing 310, both extending parallel to one another in an axially longitudinal direction (e.g., parallel to the centerline 15 shown in FIG. 2B), from a point adjacent a front of the scroll device 1 to a point adjacent a rear of the scroll device 1.

In at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cooling fluid channels 311, 312 can be arranged as external channels or can be formed as flexible hoses. The cooling fluid channels 311, 312 may be arranged as individual, or discrete, axial circulation fluid supply channels that are formed by an alignment (e.g., a fluidic alignment, etc.) of cylindrical segments though the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll, and that incorporate an inlet port for connection to an external fluidic source (e.g., coolant source, etc.). The inlet port may lead directly into the fluid supply channel.

The combination of these three subassemblies 100, 200, 300 allows the cooling fluid to circulate in a closed circuit within the scroll device 1 (e.g., scroll compressor, etc.), ensuring the cooling of all its parts without requiring an external fluid supply.

Furthermore, the fluid circulates through the intermediate housing 310 connecting the two subassemblies 100, 200, which allows the heat exchange between the compression stage 100 and the motor 200 and thus optimizes the overall thermal management of the scroll device 1.

This configuration also ensures the cooling of the electronics 220 by the third cooling circuit 230 or by the optional fourth cooling circuit 240, which increases the efficiency and lifespan of the electronic components.

Additionally, the design of the intermediate housing 310 with identical scaling faces 391, 392 allows for modularity and case of assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of the scroll device 1.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the scroll device 1 of FIG. 1A with an illustration of the parallel path cooling circuit 2 of the parallel path cooling system visible through the components of the scroll device 1 (e.g., visibly superimposed on the scroll device 1). As shown in FIG. 2A, the parallel path cooling circuit 2 comprises a cooling fluid inlet 11 and multiple paths allowing the cooling fluid (e.g., coolant, etc.) to flow through stages of the scroll device 1 in a parallel arrangement until the cooling fluid exits through the cooling fluid outlet 21.

FIG. 2B shows a perspective section detail view of the scroll device 1, taken through section plane 17, which passes through both the cooling fluid inlet 11 and the cooling fluid outlet 21 of the scroll device 1. The view of FIG. 2B is taken from the bottom, or under, side of the scroll device 1 as viewed from arrow “B” shown in FIG. 2A. The section view of FIG. 2B shows the inlet connector 10 including the cooling fluid inlet 11 attached to the fixed housing 110 of the scroll device 1. The inlet connector 10 may be a hose fitting, quick connect coupler, barbed fitting, and/or some other fluid interconnection. As later described in conjunction with FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 6, cooling fluid supplied at the inlet connector 10 may travel through the cooling fluid inlet 11 until the cooling fluid reaches an inlet/housing conduit 111. At this point, the cooling fluid may split, or branch, along two parallel paths. A first path, shown at least partially in FIG. 2B, runs through the fixed housing 110 via a fixed housing cooling fluid supply conduit 101, then through the cooling fluid supply channel 311 of the third subassembly 300, and then through the cooling fluid supply channel 201 of the electronics housing 250 and/or the motor housing 260.

Upon reaching the cooling fluid supply channel 201, the supply cooling fluid may enter the electronics housing 250 via the electronics cooling fluid supply conduit 251 and/or the motor housing 260 via the motor cooling fluid supply conduit 261. The cooling fluid then circulates through the electronics housing 250 and/or the motor housing 260 and exits via the cooling fluid return channel 202. In particular, a portion of the cooling fluid may exit the electronics housing 250 via the electronics cooling fluid return conduit 252 and a different portion of the cooling fluid may exit the motor housing 260 via the motor cooling fluid return conduit 262. This return cooling fluid passes along the cooling fluid return channel 312, then through the fixed housing cooling fluid return conduit 102 and the outlet/housing conduit 112, and then finally through the cooling fluid outlet 21, where the cooling fluid is directed away from the scroll device 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, different perspective views of the parallel path cooling circuit 2 are shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The parallel path cooling circuit 2 corresponds to the parallel path cooling circuit 2 shown in FIG. 2A. The supply cooling fluid (CFS) enters the parallel path cooling circuit 2 at the cooling fluid inlet 11 and splits, or branches, along parallel paths at the supply inlet channel 151. In particular, a first portion of the supply cooling fluid (CFS) can flow along a first path from the cooling fluid inlet 11 into the first fluid circulation circuit 150 (e.g., associated with the fixed scroll 114, etc.). This first portion of the supply cooling fluid (CFS) may route to a first cooling chamber (of the fixed scroll 114, for example) and then to a second cooling chamber (of the orbiting scroll 124, for example). As the first portion of the supply cooling fluid (CFS) flows along the first path, a second portion of the supply cooling fluid (CFS) may flow along a second path from the cooling fluid inlet 11 through the fixed housing cooling fluid supply channel 18 and the cooling fluid supply channel 311 to a cooling fluid supply channel 201. In at least some embodiments of the present disclosure the fixed housing cooling fluid supply channel 18 may be sized to adjust a flow of the cooling fluid moving through the coolant supply channels (e.g., from the cooling fluid inlet 11 to the cooling fluid supply channel 311). For example, the fixed housing cooling fluid supply channel 18 may include a cross-section having a diameter that is smaller than a cross-section of the cooling fluid inlet 11. In some embodiments, one or more of the sections of the supply and return chambers/lines may have differently sized cross-sectional diameters to control the flow of cooling fluid moving throughout the parallel path cooling circuit 2. The cooling fluid supply channel 201 may correspond to the entrance of a cooling chamber for a motor and inverter and/or other electronics 220. In some embodiments, the fluid flow can be split to travel to the first cooling chamber (then the second cooling chamber) and the motor, to the first cooling chamber (then the motor) and the second cooling chamber, or any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the first portion of the supply cooling fluid (CFS) may travel through a first fluid circulation path 153 of the first fluid circulation circuit 150. The first fluid circulation path 153 may correspond to a circuitous, serpentine, or tortuous fluid flow path defined by a chamber formed in the fixed housing 110 of the scroll device 1. After traveling through the first fluid circulation path 153, the first portion of the supply cooling fluid (CFS) may continue to travel along an exit channel 154 and then through a fluid connection 125 (e.g., hose, fluid line, flexible conduit, etc.) and then into a second fluid circulation circuit 160. More specifically, the first portion of the supply cooling fluid (CFS) may enter the second fluid circulation path 165 of the second fluid circulation circuit 160 at the supply inlet channel 161. The second fluid circulation path 165 may be similar in arrangement as the first fluid circulation path 153. For instance, the second fluid circulation path 165 may correspond to a circuitous, serpentine, or tortuous fluid flow path defined by a chamber formed in the orbital scroll housing 120 of the scroll device 1. After passing through the second fluid circulation path 165, the first portion of the supply cooling fluid (CFS) may be conveyed from the second fluid circulation circuit 160 and the scroll device 1. At this point, the used supply cooling fluid (CFS) may be referred to as a return cooling fluid (CFR). The return cooling fluid (CFR) may correspond to any cooling fluid that has passed along one or more heated surfaces and, as a result, has had heat transferred to the cooling fluid increasing the temperature of the cooling fluid. In any event, the return cooling fluid (CFR) from the first portion of the supply cooling fluid (CFS) may be conveyed to travel along through an exit outlet channel 164 and a fluid connection 115 (e.g., hose, fluid line, flexible conduit, etc.) and then through a return outlet channel 152 that is fluidly interconnected with the cooling fluid outlet 21. The return cooling fluid (CFR) from the first portion of the supply cooling fluid (CFS) is then conveyed out of the scroll device 1.

The second portion of the supply cooling fluid (CFS), directed along the cooling fluid return channel 312 may travel through one or more of the third cooling circuit 230 and the fourth cooling circuit 240 of the scroll device 1.

For instance, at least some of the second portion of the supply cooling fluid (CFS) may be caused to enter the third cooling circuit 230 via the motor cooling fluid supply conduit 261 and a supply inlet channel 231. The third cooling circuit 230 may be configured as a C-shaped chamber, or split ring, that follows a majority of a periphery of an electric motor 210. In one embodiment, the third cooling circuit 230 may be configured as a split-ring cooling jacket 270. The cooling jacket 270 may surround a portion of an outer circumference or other outer surface of an electric motor 210. Additionally or alternatively, the cooling jacket 270 may include a portion that contacts an end face of the electric motor 210. In any event, as at least some of the second portion of the supply cooling fluid (CFS) passes around the third cooling circuit 230, heat is transferred from the electric motor 210, etc., to the cooling fluid and then the used portion of this supply cooling fluid (CFS) may be referred to as a return cooling fluid (CFR), which is directed out of the third cooling circuit 230 via the exit outlet channel 232, the motor cooling fluid return conduit 262, and then through the cooling fluid return channel 312, and out of the scroll device 1 via the cooling fluid outlet 21.

At least some other amount of the second portion of the supply cooling fluid (CFS) may be caused to enter the fourth cooling circuit 240 via the electronics cooling fluid supply conduit 251 and a supply inlet channel 241. Similar to the third cooling circuit 230, the fourth cooling circuit 240 may be configured as a C-shaped chamber, or split ring, that follows a majority of a periphery of an electronics housing 250. In one embodiment, the fourth cooling circuit 240 may be configured as a part of the split-ring cooling jacket 270. In any event, as at least some of the other amount of the second portion of the supply cooling fluid (CFS) passes around the fourth cooling circuit 240, heat is transferred from the electronics 220, etc., to the cooling fluid and then the used portion of this supply cooling fluid (CFS) may be referred to as a return cooling fluid (CFR), which is directed out of the fourth cooling circuit 240 via the exit outlet channel 242, the electronics cooling fluid return conduit 252, and then through the cooling fluid return channel 312, and out of the scroll device 1 via the cooling fluid outlet 21. It is an aspect of the present disclosure that two parallel paths may extend through the housings, and the components of the scroll device 1 are cooled using secondary paths that are radially connected to the parallel paths.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the cooling fluid supply channel 201 may be arranged on a first side of the cooling jacket split 235 and the cooling fluid return channel 202 may be arranged on a second opposite side of the cooling jacket split 235. Stated another way, the supply inlet channel 231 (for the third cooling circuit 230) and the supply inlet channel 241 (for the fourth cooling circuit 240), forming the supply inlet channel 271, may be disposed on a first side of the scroll device 1 and the cooling jacket split 235 (e.g., on a first side of the center plane and centerline 15 shown in FIG. 1A). In this arrangement, the exit outlet channel 232 (for the third cooling circuit 230) and the exit outlet channel 242 (for the fourth cooling circuit 240), forming the return outlet channel 272, may be arranged on a second side of the scroll device 1 and the cooling jacket split 235 (e.g., on a second side of the center plane and centerline 15 shown in FIG. 1A).

The cooling jacket split 235 may correspond to a separation between the supply inlet channel 271 and the return outlet channel 272, such that the cooling fluid is forced to move around the periphery of the third cooling circuit 230 and the fourth cooling circuit 240 rather than move directly from the supply inlet channel 271 to the return outlet channel 272. This C-shaped fluid flow path provides more time for the cooling fluid to move along the third cooling circuit 230 and the fourth cooling circuit 240 cooling a greater area, or volume, of the electric motor 210 and the electronics 220, respectively, without bypassing the periphery of the components of the scroll device 1. As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the third cooling circuit 230 may include an L-shaped cross-section that follows the C-shaped peripheral path. This arrangement allows the cooling jacket 270 to contact a portion of the circumferential surface, C, of the electric motor 210 and the end face, E, of the electric motor 210.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of coolant flow in an example series arrangement. As illustrated in FIG. 4, coolant enters a fluid inlet (IN) and passes through a first component (Component 1), then a second component (Component 2), and then through a third component (Component 3) until the coolant is conveyed out of the system via the fluid outlet (OUT). These components (Components 1-3) may correspond to a fixed scroll, an orbiting scroll, and a motor, or housings thereof, of a scroll device. When all of these components are arranged in series, or in a single-path flow sequence as shown schematically in FIG. 4, the coolant (e.g., cooling fluid, etc.) is required to pass through each component individually before proceeding to the next component in the system. Each component has innate restrictions that reduces the pressure of the cooling fluid as the cooling fluid flows through the system. Among other things, this negative effect compounds for each component in the series resulting in significant pressure drop overall.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of coolant flow in a parallel arrangement in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In contrast to a series arrangement, the present disclosure provides a parallel arrangement where the cooling fluid flow is split into separate, or discrete, parallel paths. For instance, as shown in FIG. 5, coolant enters a fluid inlet (IN) and is diverted to include a first portion that passes through a first component (Component 1) and then a second component (Component 2), and a second portion that passes through a third component (Component 3) until the coolant is conveyed out of the system via the fluid outlet (OUT). In this parallel arrangement the restriction of each component in the system has a lower impact on the overall pressure drop of the system than that of a series arrangement (e.g., similar to a parallel arrangement of resistors in electrical circuits). This is due at least in part to the amount of cooling fluid flow each component receives. In the series arrangement or configuration shown in FIG. 4, 100% of the cooling fluid flow is routed through each component in the system. In the parallel arrangement or configuration shown in FIG. 5, the cooling fluid flow is split into two or more independent paths and a majority of the cooling fluid flow is allowed to route along or via the path of least resistance. As provided above, this parallel arrangement generally results in a split pressure between the two paths (e.g., 70/30 split, etc.). Stated another way, the components in the scroll device 1 with higher resistance may only affect a portion (e.g., split amount, etc.) of the cooling fluid moving through the parallel path cooling circuit 2.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a schematic block diagram of a parallel path cooling circuit is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The schematic block diagram of FIG. 6 corresponds to the arrangement and cooling circuits for the scroll device 1 described at least in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-3B and 5 above.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, as the supply cooling fluid (CFS) enters the parallel path cooling circuit 2 at the cooling fluid inlet 11, a first portion of the cooling fluid (CF1) may be diverted to convey through the system via a first conduit in a first direction and a second portion of the cooling fluid (CF2) may be diverted to convey through the system via a second conduit in a second direction. In some embodiments, the first conduit may be sized differently from the second conduit. For instance, the first conduit may have an internal cross-sectional area that is larger than an internal cross-sectional area of the second conduit. In this arrangement, a first amount (e.g., volume, flow, etc.) of the coolant fluid flow may enter the first conduit, while a second lesser amount (e.g., volume, flow, etc.) of the coolant fluid flow may enter the second conduit. In some embodiments, the sizes (e.g., internal cross-sectional areas, etc.) of the first conduit and the second conduit may be equal, for example, allowing an equal 50/50 split of cooling fluid to flow to the first and second conduits. In one embodiment, the size (e.g., internal cross-sectional area, etc.) of the first conduit may be less than the size (e.g., internal cross-sectional area, etc.) of the second conduit allowing more fluid to flow via the second conduit than the first conduit.

The supply cooling fluid (CF) may be described as entering the parallel arrangement shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 5 via the cooling fluid inlet 11 and splitting into two separate and discrete fluid flow paths. The first fluid flow path may correspond to the path shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 5 as including Component 1 and Component 2 before exiting the parallel cooling line system at the outlet (OUT). The second fluid flow path may correspond to the path shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 5 as including Component 3 before exiting the parallel cooling line system at the outlet (OUT). In this example, the cooling fluid flowing along the first fluid path (e.g., including Component 1 and Component 2) may correspond to the first portion of the cooling fluid (CF1) flowing through the system via the first conduit and the cooling fluid flowing along the second fluid path (e.g., including Component 3) may correspond to the second portion of the cooling fluid (CF2) flowing through the system via the second conduit, as illustrated in FIG. 5. As can be appreciated, these separate cooling fluid paths are capable of reducing the overall pressure drop of the cooling fluid in the system (when compared to the in-series cooling arrangement shown in FIG. 4) and increasing the efficiency of cooling for the scroll device 1.

As the first portion of the cooling fluid (CF1) enters the parallel path cooling circuit 2, the first portion of the cooling fluid (CF1) is conveyed to the supply inlet channel 151 for the first fluid circulation circuit 150. In this first fluid circulation circuit 150, the first portion of the cooling fluid (CF1) may be caused to move along a tortuous path defined, for example, by the first fluid circulation path 153. This first fluid circulation path 153 may be a part of the fixed housing 110 and/or the fixed scroll 114. After the first portion of the cooling fluid (CF1) moves through the first fluid circulation circuit 150 (e.g., cooling the fixed scroll components), the first portion of the cooling fluid (CF1) then moves through the exit channel 154 and along a fluid connection 125 to a supply inlet channel 161 for the second fluid circulation circuit 160. The second fluid circulation circuit 160 may include the second fluid circulation path 165. This second fluid circulation path 165 may be a part of the orbital scroll housing 120 and/or the orbiting scroll 124. After the first portion of the cooling fluid (CF1) moves through the second fluid circulation circuit 160 (e.g., cooling the orbiting scroll components), the first portion of the cooling fluid (CF1) then moves through the exit outlet channel 164 and along a fluid connection 115 to a return outlet channel 152 that is interconnected to the cooling fluid outlet 21. The spent first portion of the cooling fluid (CF1) is then conveyed out of the parallel path cooling circuit 2 via the cooling fluid outlet 21.

As the second portion of the cooling fluid (CF2) enters the parallel path cooling circuit 2, the second portion of the cooling fluid (CF2) is conveyed through the fixed housing cooling fluid supply channel 18 and then to the cooling fluid supply channel 311. The second portion of the cooling fluid (CF2) then moves along the cooling fluid supply channel 311 to the cooling fluid supply channel 201 for distribution to at least one of the third cooling circuit 230 and the fourth cooling circuit 240.

For example, the second portion of the cooling fluid (CF2), or at least some amount thereof, is conveyed to the third cooling circuit 230 via the motor cooling fluid supply conduit 261. In some embodiments, the third cooling circuit 230 may be a formed in at least one portion of an electric motor 210, a motor housing 260, and a cooling jacket 270 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B). In any event, after the second portion of the cooling fluid (CF2), or at least some amount thereof, moves through third cooling circuit 230 (e.g., cooling the electric motor 210 components, etc.), the second portion of the cooling fluid (CF2) then moves through the motor cooling fluid return conduit 262, through a cooling fluid return channel 202, and along a cooling fluid return channel 312 toward the fixed housing cooling fluid return channel 28. The spent second portion of the cooling fluid (CF2), or at least a portion thereof, is then conveyed out of the parallel path cooling circuit 2 via the cooling fluid outlet 21. In at least some embodiments of the present disclosure the fixed housing cooling fluid return channel 28 may be sized to adjust a flow of the cooling fluid moving through the coolant return channels (e.g., from cooling fluid return channel 312 to the cooling fluid outlet 21, etc.). For example, the fixed housing cooling fluid return channel 28 may include a cross-section having a diameter that is smaller than a cross-section of the cooling fluid inlet 11. As provided above, one or more of the sections of the supply and return chambers, channels, or lines may have differently sized cross-sectional diameters to control the flow of cooling fluid moving throughout the parallel path cooling circuit 2.

In some examples, the second portion of the cooling fluid (CF2), or at least some amount thereof, is conveyed to the fourth cooling circuit 240 via the electronics cooling fluid supply conduit 251. The fourth cooling circuit 240 may be a formed in at least one portion of an electronics housing 250 (or other components associated with the electronics 220 of the scroll device 1) and a cooling jacket 270. In any event, after the second portion of the cooling fluid (CF2), or at least some amount thereof, moves through fourth cooling circuit 240 (e.g., cooling the electronics 220 components, etc.), the second portion of the cooling fluid (CF2) then moves through the electronics cooling fluid return conduit 252, through a cooling fluid return channel 202, and then along a cooling fluid return channel 312 toward the fixed housing cooling fluid return channel 28. In one example, the spent second portion of the cooling fluid (CF2) exiting the fourth cooling circuit 240 may mix with the spent second portion of the cooling fluid (CF2) exiting the third cooling circuit 230 at the cooling fluid return channel 202 and/or the cooling fluid return channel 312. The spent second portion of the cooling fluid (CF2), or at least a portion thereof, is then conveyed out of the parallel path cooling circuit 2 via the cooling fluid outlet 21.

As can be appreciated, the parallel path cooling circuit 2 may include more or fewer components than shown in FIG. 6. Regardless of the number of components included in the parallel path cooling circuit 2, the cooling fluid is split into discrete supply paths. As provided herein, at least one benefit of this split parallel path cooling is that components of the scroll device 1 are more efficiently cooled than those arranged in series. Moreover, using a parallel path cooling circuit, or system, allows for lower impacts in the pressure drop of the cooling system when compared to in-series arrangements.

The exemplary systems and methods of this disclosure have been described in relation to scroll devices (e.g., orbiting scroll compressors, etc.). However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure, the preceding description omits a number of known structures and devices. This omission is not to be construed as a limitation of the scope of the claimed disclosure. Specific details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. It should, however, be appreciated that the present disclosure may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the specific detail set forth herein.

A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure can be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of the disclosure without providing others.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with one embodiment, it is submitted that the description of such feature, structure, or characteristic may apply to any other embodiment unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the description. The present disclosure, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, subcombinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the systems and methods disclosed herein after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving case, and/or reducing cost of implementation.

The foregoing discussion of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects of the disclosure may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.

Moreover, though the description of the disclosure has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights, which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges, or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges, or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

Exemplary aspects are directed to a scroll device comprising: a fixed scroll cooled by a first fluid circulation circuit; an orbiting scroll cooled by a second fluid circulation circuit, the orbiting scroll performing an eccentric movement relative to the fixed scroll; a motor cooled by a third fluid circulation circuit; and an internal cooling network comprising: a single axial circulation fluid supply channel, formed by an alignment of cylindrical segments though the first fluid circulation circuit and the second fluid circulation circuit, and incorporating an inlet port for connection to an external fluidic source, the inlet port leading directly into the single axial circulation fluid supply channel; and a single axial circulating fluid discharge channel, formed by the alignment of cylindrical segments though the fixed scroll, the orbiting scroll, and incorporating an outlet port for connection to an external fluidic discharge, the outlet port leading directly into an outlet channel; wherein each of the single axial circulation fluid supply channel and the single axial circulating fluid discharge channel extend axially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the scroll device and passes by the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll, and wherein the first fluid circulation circuit, the second fluid circulation circuit, and the third fluid circulation circuit are connected to the internal cooling network.

Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein at least one of the inlet port or the outlet port leads into a front end of the scroll device in an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the scroll device. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein at least one of the inlet port or the outlet port leads into at least one of the fluid supply channel or the outlet channel in a direction perpendicular to fluid supply channel or the single axial circulating fluid discharge channel, respectively. Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising a fluidic cooling circuit to cool a power electronic circuit. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein first fluid circulation circuit and the second fluid circulation circuit are connected fluidically in series, and wherein the third fluid circulation circuit is connected fluidically in parallel to the first fluid circulation circuit and the second fluid circulation circuit. Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: at least one electronics circuit cooled by a fourth fluid circulation circuit, wherein the wherein fourth fluid circulation circuit is connected fluidically in parallel with the third fluid circulation circuit and in parallel with the first fluid circulation circuit and the second fluid circulation circuit. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein at least two of the first fluid circulation circuit, the second fluid circulation circuit, and the third fluid circulation circuit are fluidly connected in parallel with at least one flow reduction zone on at least one of the first fluid circulation circuit, the second fluid circulation circuit, and the third fluid circulation circuit or on the internal cooling network. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein a first subassembly is defined by the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll and a second subassembly is defined by motor, and wherein the scroll device further comprises an intermediate housing crossed by two parallel cylinder segments that comprises: a front connection face with the first subassembly the connection face presenting a peripheral joint and outlets for the cylindrical segments positioned in relation to fluidic outlets of a supply segment and an evacuation segment the first subassembly; and a front connection face with the housing of the second subassembly, an underside of the front connection face with the housing of the second subassembly having a peripheral joint and outlets of fluidic connections positioned opposite fluidic outlets of a second subassembly cooling circuit, wherein circulation of fluid forming a closed circuit inside the first subassembly and the second subassembly, between a single inlet port provided for on the intermediate housing, and a single outlet port provided for on the intermediate housing. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the intermediate housing has an additional cooling circuit surrounding a bearing supporting a connecting shaft between the motor and the orbiting scroll.

Exemplary aspects are directed to a scroll device, comprising: a parallel cooling line system comprising; an inlet configured to receive and convey a cooling fluid into the parallel cooling line system; an outlet configured to eject the cooling fluid exiting the parallel cooling line system; and a parallel cooling line operatively connected to the inlet and the outlet, wherein the parallel cooling line is configured to convey the cooling fluid from the inlet to the outlet via separate and discrete parallel cooling paths; wherein a first cooling path of the separate and discrete parallel cooling paths is arranged to convey a first portion of the cooling fluid along at least one component cooling area of the scroll device prior to reaching the outlet, wherein a second cooling path of the separate and discrete parallel cooling paths is arranged to convey a second portion of the cooling fluid along a different at least one component cooling area of the scroll device prior to reaching the outlet.

Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: a fixed scroll; an orbital scroll operatively connected to the fixed scroll; and a motor operatively attached to the orbital scroll. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the at least one component cooling area of the scroll device corresponds to an area adjacent the fixed scroll or the orbital scroll. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the different at least one component cooling area of the scroll device corresponds to an area adjacent the motor. Any one or more of the above aspects wherein the parallel cooling line comprises: a first split arranged at the inlet, the first split including a first conduit extending in a first direction and a second conduit extending in a second direction. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the first conduit comprises a first internal cross-sectional area, and wherein the second conduit comprises a second internal cross-sectional area. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the first internal cross-sectional area is different from the second internal cross-sectional area. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the first internal cross-sectional area is larger than the second internal cross-sectional area. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the first internal cross-sectional area is smaller than the second internal cross-sectional area. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the first internal cross-sectional area is equal to the second internal cross-sectional area.

Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: a second split arranged at the outlet, the second split including a scroll cooling conduit that receives a portion of the cooling fluid from an area adjacent at least one of the fixed scroll or the orbital scroll of the scroll device, and a motor cooling conduit that receives a portion of the cooling fluid passing from an area adjacent the motor of the scroll device.

Exemplary aspects are directed to an electric volute air compressor comprising: a first subassembly including: a fixed scroll cooled by a first fluid circulation circuit, and an orbiting scroll performing an eccentric motion relative to said fixed scroll, cooled by a second fluid circulation circuit, said orbiting scroll performing an eccentric motion coupled to an electric motor integrated in a second subassembly cooled by a third fluid circulation circuit characterized in that it comprises an internal cooling network consisting of: a single axial channel for fluid supply, formed by the alignment of cylindrical segments passing through said first subassembly and said second subassembly and incorporating a supply connector for connection to an external fluid source, said supply connector opening directly into said supply channel; a single axial channel for fluid evacuation, formed by the alignment of cylindrical segments passing through said first subassembly and said second subassembly incorporating a second connector for connection to an external fluid evacuation, said evacuation connector opening directly into said evacuation channel, said supply and evacuation channels extending axially, parallel to the longitudinal axis of said equipment and passing through said first subassembly and said second subassembly, and that said fluid cooling circuits are connected to said internal cooling network.

Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the electric volute compressor is characterized in that at least one of said connectors opens at one of the front ends of said compressor, in an axial direction aligned with the corresponding channel. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the electric volute compressor is characterized in that at least one of said connectors opens into the corresponding channel in a direction perpendicular to said corresponding channel. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the electric volute compressor is characterized in that it further comprises a fluid cooling circuit for a power electronic circuit. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the electric volute compressor is characterized in that it further comprises a fluid cooling circuit for the compressed air produced by said first subassembly. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the electric volute compressor is characterized in that all cooling circuits are fluidly connected in parallel. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the electric volute compressor is characterized in that all cooling circuits are fluidly connected in series. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the electric volute compressor is characterized in that: the cooling circuit of said fixed scroll and the cooling circuit of said orbiting scroll are fluidly connected in series, and the other cooling circuits are in parallel. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the electric volute compressor is characterized in that at least two of said cooling circuits are connected in parallel on said cooling network, with at least one flow reduction zone on one of said cooling circuits and/or on said cooling network. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the electric volute compressor is characterized in that said flow reduction zone is variable. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the electric volute compressor is characterized in that it further comprises a third subassembly consisting of an intermediate casing traversed by two parallel cylindrical segments and presenting: a front connecting face with said first subassembly, said connecting face presenting a peripheral seal and openings of said cylindrical segments positioned opposite the fluidic openings of said supply and evacuation segments of said first subassembly; and a front connecting face with the housing of said second subassembly, said connecting face presenting a peripheral seal and fluidic connection openings positioned opposite the fluidic openings of said cooling circuit of said second subassembly, the circulation of the fluid forming a closed circuit within said subassemblies, between a single entry provided on one of said housings or said intermediate casing, and a single exit provided on one of said housings or said intermediate casing.

Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the electric volute compressor is characterized in that said intermediate casing includes an additional cooling circuit surrounding a bearing supporting a shaft connecting said electric motor and said orbiting scroll.

Any one or more of the above aspects/embodiments as substantially disclosed herein.

Any one or more of the aspects/embodiments as substantially disclosed herein optionally in combination with any one or more other aspects/embodiments as substantially disclosed herein.

One or means adapted to perform any one or more of the above aspects/embodiments as substantially disclosed herein.

Any one or more of the features disclosed herein.

Any one or more of the features as substantially disclosed herein.

Any one or more of the features as substantially disclosed herein in combination with any one or more other features as substantially disclosed herein.

Any one of the aspects/features/embodiments in combination with any one or more other aspects/features/embodiments.

Use of any one or more of the aspects or features as disclosed herein.

It is to be appreciated that any feature described herein can be claimed in combination with any other feature(s) as described herein, regardless of whether the features come from the same described embodiment.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “include,” “including,” “includes,” “comprise,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably.

The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” “or,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together. When each one of A, B, and C in the above expressions refers to an element, such as X, Y, and Z, or a class of elements, such as X1-Xn, Y1-Ym, and Z1-Zo, the phrase is intended to refer to a single element selected from X, Y, and Z, a combination of elements selected from the same class (e.g., X1 and X2) as well as a combination of elements selected from two or more classes (e.g., Y1 and Zo).

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and this disclosure.

It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every lower numerical limitation as an alternative, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every higher numerical limitation as an alternative, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.

	Number	Date	Country
	63547510	Nov 2023	US
	63532160	Aug 2023	US

SCROLL DEVICE WITH PARALLEL PATH COOLING

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Applications (2)