U.S. patent application number 09/776823 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-08 for horizontal scroll compressor having an oil injection fitting.
Invention is credited to Butler, Brian R., Elson, John P..
Application Number | 20020106295 09/776823 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25108474 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020106295 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Elson, John P. ; et
al. |
August 8, 2002 |
HORIZONTAL SCROLL COMPRESSOR HAVING AN OIL INJECTION FITTING
Abstract
A horizontal scroll-type compressor is provided with an oil
injection fitting that extends through the compressor shell and
communicates lubricating oil to a lubrication passage in the
crankshaft for providing lubricant to the compressor and other
components. The oil injection fitting is supplied with lubricant
from an externally disposed.
Inventors: |
Elson, John P.; (Sidney,
OH) ; Butler, Brian R.; (Centerville, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C.
P. O. Box 828
Bloomfield Hills
MI
48303
US
|
Family ID: |
25108474 |
Appl. No.: |
09/776823 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
418/55.6 ;
418/58; 418/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04C 23/008 20130101;
F04C 18/0215 20130101; F04C 2240/30 20130101; Y10S 418/01 20130101;
F04C 29/025 20130101; F04C 23/001 20130101; F04C 2240/603
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
418/55.6 ;
418/58; 418/94 |
International
Class: |
F04C 018/04; F04C
029/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A horizontal scroll machine comprising: a shell; a first scroll
member disposed within said shell, said first scroll member having
a port and a first spiral wrap; a second scroll member disposed
within said shell and having a second spiral wrap, said first and
second spiral wraps being mutually intermeshed; a crankshaft
drivingly attached to one of said scroll members, said crankshaft
including a lubrication passage extending therethrough; a motor
drivingly connected to said crankshaft for causing said one of
second scroll members to orbit with respect to the other of said
scroll members, whereby said first and second spiral wraps create
at least one enclosed space of progressively changing volume
between a peripheral zone defined by said scroll members and said
port; and an oil injection fitting extending through said shell and
communicating with said lubrication passage in said crankshaft.
2. The scroll machine according to claim 1, wherein said oil
injection fitting receives lubrication oil from an oil passage
connected to an oil separator.
3. The scroll machine according to claim 1, further comprising a
second fitting attached to an interior side of said end cap and
having an internally threaded portion for threaded engagement with
an externally threaded portion of said injection oil fitting.
4. The scroll machine according to claim 1, further comprising a
disk member, having a hole therein, said disk member being disposed
against an end of said crankshaft such that said hole defines a
chamber for receiving lubricant from said fitting.
5. The scroll machine according to claim 4, wherein said disk
member is secured in place by a snap ring disposed in a bearing
housing, said snap ring having an opening for receiving an end of
said oil injection fitting.
6. The scroll machine according to claim 4, wherein said fitting
includes an end portion received in said hole in said disk member
and is provided with a clearance between said end portion and said
disk member.
7. The scroll machine according to claim 1, wherein said oil
injection fitting includes a tool engaging portion and first and
second nipple portions extending in opposite directions from said
tool engaging portion.
8. The scroll machine according to claim 7, wherein said first
nipple portion communicates with said lubrication passage in said
crankshaft and said second nipple portion is engaged with an
exterior lubricant source.
9. The scroll machine according to claim 8, wherein said first
nipple portion is received in a hole in a disk member disposed
against an end of said crankshaft with a clearance between said
nipple portion and said disk member.
10. The scroll machine according to claim 1 wherein said oil
injection fitting includes a reduced diameter passage which
restricts oil flow to said lubricant passage in said
crankshaft.
11. The scroll machine according to claim 2 wherein said oil
passage includes a capillary tube for restricting oil flow to said
oil injection fitting.
12. A compressor, comprising: a shell; a compressor disposed in
said shell; a motor connected to said compressor by a crankshaft,
said crankshaft including a lubricant passage extending from one
end thereof toward a second end for providing lubrication for said
crankshaft and said compressor; an oil injection fitting extending
through said shell and in communication with said lubricant passage
in said crankshaft; and an external source of lubrication connected
to said oil injection fitting.
13. A compressor system, comprising: a first compressor and a
second compressor each including a shell, a first scroll member
disposed within said shell, said first scroll member having a port
and a first spiral wrap, a second scroll member disposed within
said shell and having a second spiral wrap, said first and second
spiral wraps being mutually intermeshed, a crankshaft drivingly
attached to one of said scroll members, said crankshaft including a
lubrication passage extending therethrough, a motor drivingly
connected to said crankshaft for causing said one of second scroll
members to orbit with respect to the other of said scroll members,
whereby said first and second spiral wraps create at least one
enclosed space of progressively changing volume between a
peripheral zone defined by said scroll members and said port, and
an oil injection fitting extending through said shell and
communicating with said lubrication passage in said crankshaft; an
oil separator connected to a discharge of said first and second
compressors; and an oil return passage connected between said oil
separator and said oil injection fitting of each of said first and
second compressors.
14. The compressor system according to claim 13, further comprising
an electronic solenoid in said oil return passage.
15. The compressor system according to claim 13, further comprising
a capillary tube in said oil return passage.
16. The compressor system according to claim 13, wherein said oil
injection fitting includes an oil restriction passage therein.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to scroll-type
machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
horizontal scroll-type compressor uniquely converted from a
vertical compressor by providing an oil injection fitting for
providing lubricating oil from an external source to the oil
passage in the crankshaft.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Scroll machines in general, and particularly scroll
compressors, are often disposed in a hermetic shell which defines a
chamber within which is disposed a working fluid. A partition
within the shell often divides the chamber into a discharge
pressure zone and a suction pressure zone. In a low-side
arrangement, a scroll assembly is located within the suction
pressure zone for compressing the working fluid. Generally, these
scroll assemblies incorporate a pair of intermeshed spiral wraps,
one or both of which are caused to orbit relative to the other so
as to define one or more moving chambers which progressively
decrease in size as they travel from an outer suction port towards
a center discharge port. An electric motor is normally provided
which operates to cause this relative orbital movement.
[0003] The partition within the shell allows compressed fluid
exiting the center discharge port of the scroll assembly to enter
the discharge pressure zone within the shell while simultaneously
maintaining the integrity between the discharge pressure zone and
the suction pressure zone. This function of the partition is
normally accomplished by a seal which interacts with the partition
and with the scroll member defining the center discharge port.
[0004] The discharge pressure zone of the hermetic shell is
normally provided with a discharge fluid port which communicates
with a refrigeration circuit or some other type of fluid circuit.
In a closed system, the opposite end of the fluid circuit is
connected with the suction pressure zone of the hermetic shell
using a suction fluid port extending through the shell into the
suction pressure zone. Thus, the scroll machine receives the
working fluid from the suction pressure zone of the hermetic shell,
compresses the working fluid in the one or more moving chambers
defined by the scroll assembly, and then discharges the compressed
working fluid into the discharge pressure zone of the compressor.
The compressed working fluid is directed through the discharge port
through the fluid circuit and returns to the suction pressure zone
of the hermetic shell through the suction port.
[0005] Typically, scroll-type compressors have been designed as
either a vertical or a horizontal scroll compressor. A primary
difference between the vertical and horizontal scroll compressor
designs stems from the fact that the lubrication sump and delivery
systems have needed to be specifically adapted for a vertical or
horizontal configuration. The present invention resides in the
discovery that a typical vertical-type scroll compressor can be
modified to be a horizontal-type scroll compressor by providing a
unique oil injection fitting for delivering oil to the existing
lubricant passage in the crank shaft of the compressor system from
an external oil source.
[0006] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood however that the detailed description and
specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only, since
various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of
the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view through the center of a
horizontal scroll compressor which incorporates an oil injection
fitting in accordance with the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the oil
injection fitting in accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a system layout utilizing the
horizontal scroll compressor with an oil injection fitting
according to the principles of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a system layout according to a
second embodiment of the present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a system layout according to a
third embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] While the present invention is suitable for incorporation
with many different types of scroll machines, for exemplary
purposes, it will be described herein incorporated in a scroll
compressor of the general structure illustrated in FIG. 1 (the
vertical-type. compressor shown prior to conversion to a horizontal
compressor is a ZB45 compressor commercially available from
Copeland Corporation, Sidney, Ohio.) Referring now to the drawings,
and in particular to FIG. 1, a compressor 10 is shown which
comprises a generally cylindrical hermetic shell 12 having welded
at one end thereof a cap 14. Cap 14 is provided with a discharge
fitting 18 which may have the usual discharge valve therein. Other
major elements affixed to the shell include an inlet fitting 21, a
transversely extending partition 22 which is welded about its
periphery at the same point that cap 14 is welded to cylindrical
shell 12. A discharge chamber 23 is defined by cap 14 and partition
22.
[0014] A main bearing housing 24 and a second bearing housing 26
having a plurality of radially outwardly extending legs are each
secured to the cylindrical shell 12. A motor 28 which includes a
rotor 30 is supported within the cylindrical shell 12 between main
bearing housing 24 and second bearing housing 26. A crank shaft 32
having an eccentric crank pin 34 at one end thereof is rotatably
journaled in a bearing 36 in main bearing housing 24 and a second
bearing 38 in second bearing housing 26.
[0015] Crank shaft 32 has, at a second end, a relatively large
diameter concentric bore 40 which communicates with a radially
outwardly smaller diameter bore 41 extending therefrom to the first
end of crankshaft 32.
[0016] Crank shaft 32 is rotatably driven by electric motor 28
including rotor 30 and stator windings 48 passing therethrough. The
rotor 30 is press fitted on crank shaft 32 and includes first and
second counterweights 52 and 54, respectively.
[0017] A first surface of the main bearing housing 24 is provided
with a flat thrust bearing surface 56 against which is disposed an
orbiting scroll 58 having the usual spiral vane or wrap 60 on a
first surface thereof. Projecting from the second surface of
orbiting scroll 58 is a cylindrical hub 61 having a journal bearing
62 therein in which is rotatably disposed a drive bushing 36 having
an inner bore 66 in which crank pin 34 is drivingly disposed. Crank
pin 34 has a flat on one surface which drivingly engages a flat
surface (not shown) formed in a portion of bore 66 to provide a
radially compliant driving arrangement, such as shown in assignee's
U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,382, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
[0018] An oldham coupling 68 is disposed between orbiting scroll 58
and bearing housing 24. Oldham coupling 68 is keyed to orbiting
scroll 58 and a non-orbiting scroll 70 to prevent rotational
movement of orbiting scroll member 58. Oldham coupling 68 is
preferably of the type disclosed in assignee's U.S. Pat. No.
5,320,506, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference. A floating seal 71 is supported by the non-orbiting
scroll 70 and engages a seat portion 73 mounted to the partition 22
for sealingly dividing the intake and discharge chambers 75 and 23,
respectively.
[0019] Non-orbiting scroll member 70 is provided having a wrap 72
positioned in meshing engagement with wrap 60 of orbiting scroll
58. Non-orbiting scroll 70 has a centrally disposed discharge
passage 74 defined by a base plate portion 76. Non-orbiting scroll
70 also includes an annular hub portion 77 which surrounds the
discharge passage 74. A dynamic discharge valve or read valve can
be provided in the discharge passage 74.
[0020] An oil injection fitting 80, as best shown in FIG. 2, is
provided through the bottom cap 82 which is connected to the shell
12. The oil injection fitting 80 is threadedly connected to a
fitting 84 which is welded within an opening 86 provided in the
bottom cap 82. The fitting 84 includes an internally threaded
portion 88 which is threadedly engaged by an externally threaded
portion 90 provided at one end of the oil injection fitting 80. A
nipple portion 92 extends from the externally threaded portion 90
of the oil injection fitting 80. The nipple portion 92 extends
within an opening provided in a snap ring 94 which is disposed in
the lower bearing 26. The snap ring 94 holds a disk member 96 in
contact with the lower end of the crankshaft 32. Disk member 96
includes a hole 98 which receives, with a clearance, the end of the
nipple portion 92 therein. The oil injection fitting includes an
internal oil passage 100 extending longitudinally therethrough
which serves as a restriction on the oil flow. The oil injection
fitting 80 includes a main body portion 102 which is provided with
a tool engaging portion 104 (such as a hex shaped portion which
facilitates the insertion and removal of the fitting 80 by a
standard wrench). The oil injection fitting 80 further includes a
second nipple portion 106 extending from the main body 102 in a
direction opposite to the first nipple portion 92. The second
nipple portion 106 is adapted to be engaged with a hose or tube 108
which supplies oil to the fitting 80.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 3, a system layout is shown including
two compressors 10A, 10B which are both preferably of the type
shown in FIG. 1. The system is provided with an oil separator 112
which receives compressed gases from the discharge fittings 18 of
compressors 10A, 10B. The oil separator 112 can be of any type
known in the art. The oil separator 112 separates the oil from the
discharge gases and provides the discharged gases via passage 114
to a desired system. A return oil passage 116 is connected to the
oil separator and communicates with a pair of electronic solenoids
118, 120. The electronic solenoids 118, 120 prevent loss of oil to
the compressors from the separator after the compressors 10A, 10B
are shut down. Capillary tubes 119 are provided to restrict flow to
provide oil control to prevent excessive oil flow over the full
operating range of the compressors 10A, 10B. The capillary tubes
119 can be used in addition to or as an alternative to the
restriction oil passage 100 provided in the oil injection fitting
80. Oil is delivered through the fittings 80 and into the
concentric bore 40 provided in the crankshafts 32 of the
compressors 10A, 10B. The concentric bore 40 communicates with a
radially outward smaller diameter bore 41 extending therefrom to
the second end of the crankshaft 32. From the second end of the
crankshaft 32, oil is distributed to the bearings and to the scroll
members 58, 70.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a system layout according to a second
embodiment of the present invention. The system layout of FIG. 4
includes first and second compressors 10A, 10B which are provided
with their own oil separators 130A, 130B, respectively. Each of the
oil separators 130A, 130B are connected to a passage 114 for
supplying discharge gases thereto. The oil separators 130A, 130B
are connected to an oil sump 132 for providing the separated oil
thereto. A return oil passage 116 is connected to the oil sump 132
for returning oil to the first and second compressors 10A, 10B.
Electronic solenoids 118, 120 are provided in the respective return
oil passages connected to the compressors 10A, 10B. Again,
capillary tubes 119 can be provided to restrict the oil flow to the
oil injection fittings 80 of the compressors 10A, 10B. The system
layout of FIG. 4 allows the use of standard oil separators and can
be utilized with an air compressor or a natural gas compressor
system.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a single compressor system including a
compressor 10 having a discharge passage 18 connected to an oil
separator 112. An oil return passage 116 is connected to the oil
separator 112 for returning oil to the oil injection fitting 80 of
the compressor 10. A capillary tube 119 is provided in the oil
return passage 116 for restricting oil flow to the compressor. The
capillary tube 119 can be used as an alternative or in addition to
the restriction passage 100 provided in the oil injection fitting
80.
[0024] According to the present invention, a vertical-type
compressor can be modified to become a horizontal compressor by
adding an oil injection fitting and an external oil separator
system. In addition, the modification to the vertical-type
compressor to a horizontal compressor has a very low additional
cost and has virtually the same performance as the vertical
compressor being modified.
[0025] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are intended to be included within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *