U.S. patent application number 13/005762 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-19 for retainer for a stator of an electric compressor.
This patent application is currently assigned to VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Aurelian Bahmata.
Application Number | 20120183422 13/005762 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46490902 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120183422 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bahmata; Aurelian |
July 19, 2012 |
RETAINER FOR A STATOR OF AN ELECTRIC COMPRESSOR
Abstract
A compressor including a hollow housing having a compression
mechanism and an electric motor disposed therein. The electric
motor is coupled to the compression mechanism for facilitating a
compression of a fluid received in the compressor. The electric
motor including a rotor and a stator, wherein a position of the
stator within the housing is maintained by a retainer removeably
disposed between the stator and the housing.
Inventors: |
Bahmata; Aurelian; (South
Lyon, MI) |
Assignee: |
VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES,
INC.
Van Buren Twp.
MI
|
Family ID: |
46490902 |
Appl. No.: |
13/005762 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/423.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02K 1/187 20130101;
H02K 5/1732 20130101; H02K 1/185 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/423.15 |
International
Class: |
F04B 17/03 20060101
F04B017/03 |
Claims
1. A compressor comprising: a hollow housing; a compression
mechanism disposed in the housing, the compression mechanism
receiving a fluid therein to be compressed; an electric motor
removeably disposed in the housing, the electric motor including a
stator and a rotor coupled to the compression mechanism for
facilitating a movement of the compression mechanism, wherein the
movement of the compression mechanism causes a compression of the
fluid therein; and a retainer removably disposed between the stator
and the housing, the retainer configured to maintain a position of
the stator within the housing and to dampen a noise and a vibration
produced by the electric motor.
2. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the rotor surrounds
the stator.
3. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the stator
surrounds the rotor.
4. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the housing
includes a wall having an annular hub extending outwardly
therefrom, the annular hub configured to receive the retainer
thereon.
5. The compressor according to claim 4, wherein the retainer is
disposed in an interstice formed between the stator and the annular
hub of the housing.
6. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the retainer is
disposed adjacent at least one annular shoulder formed in the
housing to maintain an axial position thereof.
7. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the retainer is a
strip of material having retaining features formed therein.
8. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the retainer is
tuned to dampen the noise and the vibration produced by the
electric motor by adjusting a physical property of the
retainer.
9. The compressor according to claim 4, wherein the annular hub is
tuned to dampen the noise and the vibration produced by the
electric motor by adjusting a physical property of the annular hub
of the housing.
10. A compressor comprising: a hollow housing; a compression
mechanism disposed in the housing, the compression mechanism
receiving a fluid therein to be compressed; an electric motor
removably disposed in the housing, the electric motor including a
stator surrounding a rotor, the rotor coupled to the compression
mechanism for facilitating a movement of the compression mechanism,
wherein the movement of the compression mechanism causes a
compression of the fluid therein; and an elastic retainer removably
disposed between the stator and the housing, the retainer
configured to maintain a position of the stator within the housing
and to dampen a noise and a vibration produced by the electric
motor.
11. The compressor according to claim 10, wherein the retainer is
disposed adjacent at least one annular shoulder formed in a wall of
the housing to maintain an axial position thereof.
12. The compressor according to claim 10, wherein the retainer is
an annular strip of material having retaining features formed
therein.
13. The compressor according to claim 10, wherein the retainer is
tuned to dampen the noise and the vibration produced by the
electric motor by adjusting a physical property of the
retainer.
14. A compressor comprising: a hollow housing; a compression
mechanism disposed in the housing, the compression mechanism
receiving a fluid therein to be compressed; an electric motor
removably disposed in the housing, the electric motor including a
rotor surrounding a stator, the rotor coupled to the compression
mechanism for facilitating a movement of the compression mechanism,
wherein the movement of the compression mechanism causes a
compression of the fluid therein; and a retainer disposed between
the stator and the housing, the retainer configured to maintain a
position of the stator within the housing and to dampen a noise and
a vibration produced by the electric motor.
15. The compressor according to claim 14, wherein the retainer is
disposed in an interstice formed between the stator and an annular
hub formed in a wall of the housing.
16. The compressor according to claim 14, wherein the retainer is
removably disposed between the stator and the housing.
17. The compressor according to claim 14, wherein the retainer is
integrally formed with the housing.
18. The compressor according to claim 14, wherein the retainer is a
strip of material having retaining features formed therein.
19. The compressor according to claim 14, wherein the retainer is
tuned to dampen the noise and the vibration produced by the
electric motor by adjusting a physical property of the
retainer.
20. The compressor according to claim 15, wherein the annular hub
is tuned to dampen the noise and the vibration produced by the
electric motor by adjusting a physical property of the annular hub
of the housing.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a compressor. More
particularly, the invention is directed to a compressor including
an electric motor and a retainer for maintaining a position of a
stator of the electric motor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Presently known hybrid vehicles utilize a combination of an
electric drive motor and an internal combustion engine to power and
propel the vehicle. Typically, the hybrid vehicles use an electric
air conditioning compressor including a compression mechanism such
as a scroll compression mechanism, for example, driven by an
electric motor. The electric motor and the compression mechanism
are mounted within a housing of the compressor. Packaging of the
electric motor and the compression mechanism within the housing
requires satisfying numerous design constraints such as weight,
size, noise and vibration control, manufacturability,
serviceability, and electric isolation. Current electric compressor
designs satisfy only a few of the constraints.
[0003] The electric motor typically includes two primary
components: a stator and a rotor. The stator is typically retained
in the housing of the compressor by press-fitting the stator in the
housing, attaching the stator to the housing fasteners, or
capturing the stator by compressing the housing after installing
the stator within the housing. The interface between the housing
and the stator requires an accurate angular and axial positioning
of the stator, a retention of the stator at low and high
temperatures, a minimum stress on laminations of the stator, and an
ease of assembly and serviceability.
[0004] It would be desirable to develop an electric compressor
including a retainer for maintaining a position of a stator of the
electric motor which facilitates a satisfaction of the design
constraints of the packaging of the compressor and the requirements
of the interface between the housing and the stator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In concordance and agreement with the present invention, an
electric compressor including a retainer for maintaining a position
of a stator of the electric motor which facilitates a satisfaction
of the design constraints of the packaging of the compressor and
the requirements of the interface between the housing and the
stator, has surprisingly been discovered.
[0006] In one embodiment, the compressor comprises: a hollow
housing; a compression mechanism disposed in the housing, the
compression mechanism receiving a fluid therein to be compressed;
an electric motor removably disposed in the housing, the electric
motor including a stator and a rotor coupled to the compression
mechanism for facilitating a movement of the compression mechanism,
wherein the movement of the compression mechanism causes a
compression of the fluid therein; and a retainer removably disposed
between the stator and the housing, the retainer configured to
maintain a position of the stator within the housing and to dampen
a noise and a vibration produced by the electric motor.
[0007] In another embodiment, the compressor comprises: a hollow
housing; a compression mechanism disposed in the housing, the
compression mechanism receiving a fluid therein to be compressed;
an electric motor removably disposed in the housing, the electric
motor including a stator surrounding a rotor, the rotor coupled to
the compression mechanism for facilitating a movement of the
compression mechanism, wherein the movement of the compression
mechanism causes a compression of the fluid therein; and an elastic
retainer removably disposed between the stator and the housing, the
retainer configured to maintain a position of the stator within the
housing and to dampen a noise and a vibration produced by the
electric motor.
[0008] In another embodiment, the compressor comprises: a hollow
housing; a compression mechanism disposed in the housing, the
compression mechanism receiving a fluid therein to be compressed;
an electric motor removably disposed in the housing, the electric
motor including a rotor surrounding a stator, the rotor coupled to
the compression mechanism for facilitating a movement of the
compression mechanism, wherein the movement of the compression
mechanism causes a compression of the fluid therein; and a retainer
disposed between the stator and the housing, the retainer
configured to maintain a position of the stator within the housing
and to dampen a noise and a vibration produced by the electric
motor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The above, as well as other advantages of the present
invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment
when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electric compressor
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side perspective view,
partially in section, of the compressor illustrated in FIG. 1
having a driveshaft of the compressor and a rotor of an electric
motor removed;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view,
partially in section, of a portion of the compressor within the
circled area of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded fragmentary side perspective
view of the compressor illustrated in FIG. 1 having the driveshaft
of the compressor and the rotor of the electric motor removed;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an electric compressor
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side perspective view,
partially in section, of the compressor illustrated in FIG. 5
having a driveshaft of the compressor and a rotor of an electric
motor removed;
[0016] FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view,
partially in section, of a portion of the compressor within the
circled area of FIG. 6; and
[0017] FIG. 8 is a partially exploded fragmentary side perspective
view of the compressor illustrated in FIG. 5 having the driveshaft
of the compressor and the rotor of the electric motor removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The following detailed description and appended drawings
describe and illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art
to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the
scope of the invention in any manner.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a motor driven fluid compressor 10 according to
an embodiment of the invention. It is understood that the motor
driven compressor 10 can be any type of motor driven compressor as
desired such as a motor driven scroll type fluid compressor, for
example. The compressor 10 includes a compressor housing 12 having
a compression mechanism 14, an electric motor 16, and an electric
circuit 18 for controlling the electric motor 16 disposed therein.
It is understood that the compression mechanism 14 can be any
compression mechanism as desired such as a scroll type fluid
compression mechanism, for example.
[0020] The compressor housing 12 comprises cylindrical portions
20a, 20b, 20c, a first end portion 22, and second end portion 24.
An open side 26 of the first end portion 22 is releaseably and
hermetically connected to an open side 28 of the cylindrical
portion 20c. An open side 32 of the second end portion 24 is
releaseably and hermetically connected to an open side 34 of
cylindrical portion 20a. It is understood that the cylindrical
portions 20a, 20b, 20c and the end portions 22, 24 can be connected
by any means as desired such as adhesives, pins, clips, and the
like, for example. A cavity 36 formed by the connected portions 24,
20a of the compressor housing 12 houses the electric circuit 18
therein. The electric circuit 18 is electrically connected with an
external electric power source (not shown) via a terminal 38
disposed on the compressor housing 12.
[0021] In the embodiment shown, the compression mechanism 14
includes a fixed scroll 40 and a moveable scroll 42. The fixed
scroll 40 includes an end plate 44 and a spiral element 46
extending laterally outwardly from the end plate 44. The moveable
scroll 42 includes an end plate 48 and a spiral element 50
extending laterally outwardly from the end plate 48. The spiral
element 46 of the fixed scroll 40 cooperates with the spiral
element 50 of moveable scroll 42, which is angularly and radially
offset therefrom, to form a plurality of sealed fluid pockets
43.
[0022] The end plate 44 of the fixed scroll 40 and the first end
portion 22 of the compressor housing 12 define a discharge chamber
52 therebetween. A valved outlet port 54 axially formed through the
end plate 44 of the fixed scroll 40 fluidly connects the discharge
chamber 52 to a central fluid pocket 56 defined by the scrolls 40,
42. A discharge port (not shown) is formed in the first end portion
22 of the compressor housing 12. The discharge port fluidly
connects the discharge chamber 52 to an inlet of another component
(not shown) such as a condenser of a heating, ventilating, and air
conditioning system, for example.
[0023] As illustrated, the moveable scroll 42 is mechanically
coupled to the electric motor 16 by a rotatable driveshaft 60. A
rotation preventing mechanism 61 is disposed between the
cylindrical portion 20b of the compressor housing 12 and a face of
the end plate 48 of the moveable scroll 42 opposite the spiral
element 50. The rotation preventing mechanism 62 includes a
ring-shaped member 104 having a central opening 105 formed therein
and a plurality of bearing members 106. During a rotational
movement of the driveshaft 60, the moveable scroll 42 is caused to
revolve. As the moveable scroll 42 revolves, the bearing members
106 cooperate with the ring-shaped member 104 to militate against a
rotational movement of the moveable scroll 42 and facilitate an
orbital movement thereof.
[0024] A first end 62 of the driveshaft 60 is supported by a
bearing 63 seated adjacent an annular shoulder 64 formed in an
inner surface of the cylindrical portion 20b of the compressor
housing 12. A second end 65 of the driveshaft 60 is disposed in a
first cavity 66 formed by an annular hub 67. The annular hub 67
extends laterally outwardly from an interior wall 68 of the
cylindrical portion 20a of the compressor housing 12. An end
portion 96 of the annular hub 67 includes an inner annular shoulder
69 and an outer annular shoulder 97 formed therein. A bearing 70
for supporting the driveshaft 60 in the first cavity 66 is seated
adjacent the inner annular shoulder 69 of the end portion 96 of the
annular hub 67.
[0025] The driveshaft 60 includes an axial bore 71 extending
therethrough. The axial bore 71 fluidly connects a second cavity 73
formed in the compressor housing 12 to the first cavity 66. An
aperture 72 formed in the annular hub 67 fluidly connects the first
cavity 66 to a suction chamber 74. The suction chamber 74 shown is
formed by the interior wall 68 and an outer peripheral wall 76 of
the cylindrical portion 20a of the compressor housing 12. A suction
port 78 is formed in the outer peripheral wall 76 of the
cylindrical portion 20a of the compressor housing 12. The suction
port 76 fluidly connects the suction chamber 74 to an outlet of
another component (not shown) such as an evaporator of a heating,
ventilating, and air conditioning system, for example.
[0026] The electric motor 16 includes a rotor 80 and a stator 82.
In the embodiment shown, the rotor 80 is generally campanular
shaped having a substantially closed end 83 and a substantially
open end 85. The closed end 83 includes an aperture 84 formed
therein and a neck portion 87 circumscribing and drivingly
connected to the driveshaft 60. The open end 85 of the rotor 80
receives the stator 82 therein, wherein an outer peripheral surface
86 of the stator 82 is surrounded by the rotor 80. An air gap 88 is
formed between the rotor 80 and the outer peripheral surface 86 of
the stator 82 to permit rotational movement of the rotor 80 around
the stator 82. Windings 89 of the stator 82 are in electrical
communication with the electric circuit 18 via a wiring harness
(not shown) extending outwardly from a coil end of the stator 82
adjacent the open end 85 of the rotor 80.
[0027] The stator 82 is removeably positioned on the annular hub 67
of the cylindrical portion 20a of the compressor housing 12. As
illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, an inner surface 90 of the stator 82
abuts an outer surface of an intermediate portion 94 of the annular
hub 67. The inner surface 90 of the stator 82 and the outer annular
shoulder 97 of the end portion 96 of the annular hub 67 are spaced
apart forming an annular interstice 98 therebetween. A retainer 100
is removeably disposed in the interstice 98 to maintain an axial
position and a radial position of the stator 82. As shown in FIG.
4, the retainer 100 is a thin elastic strip or annular band 101
having an array of spaced apart retaining features 102 extending
radially outwardly therefrom. It is understood that the retaining
features 102 can be detents, waves, corrugations, or protuberances
formed therein. It is further understood that the retaining
features 102 can be formed to face inwardly or outwardly to
accommodate different physical properties of the stator 82, the
compressor housing 12, and the retainer 100. The retaining features
102 exert a holding force on the stator 82 and the compressor
housing 12, while facilitating an ease of assembly therebetween.
The holding force of the retainer 100 results from a force produced
by the retaining features 102 being elastically deflected during
the assembly of the retainer 100 between the stator 82 and the
compressor housing 12. A holding capability of the retainer 100 is
determined by the retaining features 102 and a coefficient of
friction between the retainer 100 and the stator 82, and the
compressor housing 12. The holding capability of the retainer 100
can be varied by adjusting a thickness of the strip 101, a pitch of
the retaining features 102, a height of the retaining features 102,
and a number of the retaining features 102, for example. It is
understood that the retainer 100 can be produced from any suitable
material such as a metallic material, a non-metallic material, an
elastomeric material, or any combination thereof, for example.
[0028] The retainer 100 is configured to maintain the axial and
radial position of the stator 82 within the compressor housing 12
without requiring additional assembly means or processes such as
fasteners, a press-fitting process, a compression of the compressor
housing 12 process, and the like, for example. The retainer 100 is
also configured to permit the electric motor 16 to be easily
installed in the compressor housing 12, removed from the compressor
housing 12, or replaced by another electric motor. The retainer 100
can be any retainer as desired such as a tolerance ring, a bushing,
a sleeve, and the like, for example. It is understood that the
retainer 100 can be integrally formed with the annular hub 67 of
the compressor housing 12 if desired. The retainer 100 can be tuned
to dampen noise and vibration frequencies produced by the electric
motor 16. The retainer 100 shown is tuned by modifying physical
properties of the retainer 100 such as a material composition, a
thickness, a width, and a shape and configuration thereof, for
example. It is understood that the annular hub 67 can also be tuned
to dampen noise and vibration frequencies of the electric motor 16
such as by modifying physical properties of the annular hub 67 such
as a diameter thereof, for example.
[0029] During operation of the compressor 10, a fluid such as a
refrigerant gas, for example, flows from an external fluid source
through the suction port 78 into the suction chamber 74 of the
compressor 10. A first portion of the fluid in the suction chamber
74 flows through the aperture 72 formed in the annular hub 67 into
the first cavity 66. The first portion of the fluid then flows from
the first cavity 66 into and through the bore 71 of the driveshaft
60 into the second cavity 73. A second portion of the fluid in the
suction chamber 74 flows through the aperture 72 formed in the
annular hub 67 into the first cavity 66. From the first cavity 66,
the second portion of the fluid flows through the bearing 70 and
the stator 82, and through the aperture 84 of the closed end 83 of
the rotor 80. After flowing through the aperture 84, the second
portion of the fluid then flows through the bearing 63 and into the
second cavity 73. A third portion of the fluid in the suction
chamber 74 flows around an outside of the electric motor 16 through
the bearing 63 and into the second cavity 73. All portions of the
fluid in the second cavity 73 then flow through the rotation
preventing mechanism 161 via the central opening 105 of the
ring-shaped member 104, and into the outer sealed fluid pockets 43
of the compression mechanism 14. Once in the sealed fluid pockets
43, the fluid undergoes a resultant volume reduction and
compression, and is caused to flow towards the central fluid pocket
56. Finally, the compressed fluid is discharged through the outlet
port 54 into the discharge chamber 52. The fluid then flows from
the discharge chamber 52 through the discharge port to an external
component.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows a motor driven fluid compressor 110 according
to an embodiment of the invention. It is understood that the motor
driven compressor 110 can be any type of motor driven compressor as
desired such as a motor driven scroll type fluid compressor, for
example. The compressor 110 includes a compressor housing 112
having a compression mechanism 114 and an electric motor 116
disposed therein. It is understood that the compression mechanism
114 can be any compression mechanism as desired such as a scroll
type fluid compression mechanism, for example.
[0031] The compressor housing 112 comprises a cylindrical portion
120, a first end portion 122, and second end portion 124. An open
side 126 of the first end portion 122 is releaseably and
hermetically connected to a first open side 128 of the cylindrical
portion 120. An open side 132 of the second end portion 124 is
releaseably and hermetically connected to a second open side 134 of
the cylindrical portion 120. It is understood that the cylindrical
portion 120 and the end portions 122, 124 can be connected by any
means as desired such as adhesives, pins, clips, and the like, for
example. A terminal 138 for controlling and providing electrical
communication to the electric motor 116 is disposed in the second
end portion 124 of the compressor housing 112. The terminal 138 is
in electrical communication with an external electric power source
(not shown).
[0032] In the embodiment shown, the compression mechanism 114
includes a fixed scroll 140 and a moveable scroll 142. The fixed
scroll 140 includes a spiral element 146 extending laterally
outwardly therefrom. The moveable scroll 142 includes an end plate
148 and a spiral element 150 extending laterally outwardly from the
end plate 148. The spiral element 146 of the fixed scroll 140
cooperates with the spiral element 150 of moveable scroll 142,
which is angularly and radially offset therefrom, to form a
plurality of sealed fluid pockets 143.
[0033] The fixed scroll 140 and the first end portion 122 of the
compressor housing 112 define a discharge chamber 152 therebetween.
A valved outlet port (not shown) axially formed through the fixed
scroll 140 fluidly connects the discharge chamber 152 to a central
fluid pocket (not shown) defined by the scrolls 140, 142. A
discharge port (not shown) is formed in the first end portion 122
of the compressor housing 112. The discharge port fluidly connects
the discharge chamber 152 to an inlet of another component (not
shown) such as a condenser of a heating, ventilating, and air
conditioning system, for example.
[0034] As illustrated, the moveable scroll 142 is mechanically
coupled to the electric motor 116 by a rotatable driveshaft 160. A
rotation preventing mechanism 161 is disposed between the
cylindrical portion 120 of the compressor housing 112 and a face of
the end plate 148 of the moveable scroll 142 opposite the spiral
element 150. The rotation preventing mechanism 161 includes a
ring-shaped member 204 having a central opening 205 formed therein
and a plurality of bearing members 206. During a rotational
movement of the driveshaft 160, the moveable scroll 142 is caused
to revolve. As the moveable scroll 142 revolves, the bearing
members 206 cooperate with the ring-shaped member 204 to militate
against a rotational movement of the moveable scroll 142 and
facilitate an orbital movement thereof.
[0035] A first end 162 of the driveshaft 160 is supported by a
bearing 163 seated adjacent an annular shoulder 164 formed in an
inner surface of the cylindrical portion 120 of the compressor
housing 112. A second end 165 of the driveshaft 160 is disposed in
a first cavity 166 formed by an annular hub 167. The annular hub
167 extends laterally outwardly from an end wall 168 of the second
end portion 124 of the compressor housing 112. The annular hub 167
includes an inner annular shoulder 169 formed therein. A bearing
170 seated adjacent the inner annular shoulder 169 of the annular
hub 167 supports the driveshaft 160 in the first cavity 166.
[0036] The driveshaft 160 includes an axial bore 171 extending
therethrough. The axial bore 171 fluidly connects a second cavity
173 formed in the cylindrical portion 120 to the first cavity 166.
An aperture 172 formed in the annular hub 167 fluidly connects the
first cavity 166 to a suction chamber 174. The suction chamber 174
shown is formed by the end wall 168 and an outer peripheral wall
176 of the second end portion 124 of the compressor housing 112. A
suction port 178 is formed in the outer peripheral wall 176 of the
second end portion 124 of the compressor housing 112. The suction
port 178 fluidly connects the suction chamber 174 to an outlet of
another component (not shown) such as an evaporator of a heating,
ventilating, and air conditioning system, for example.
[0037] The electric motor 116 includes a rotor 180 and a stator
182. In the embodiment shown, the rotor 180 is generally annular
shaped circumscribing and drivingly connected to the driveshaft
160. The rotor 180 is received in a central passage of the
annular-shaped stator 182, wherein the stator 182 surrounds an
outer peripheral surface of the rotor 180. An air gap 188 is formed
between the rotor 180 and the stator 182 to permit rotational
movement of the rotor 180 within the central passage of the stator
182. Windings 189 of the stator 182 are in electrical communication
with the terminal 138 via a wiring harness (not shown) extending
outwardly from a coil end of the stator 182.
[0038] The stator 182 is removeably positioned between a shoulder
190 formed in an inner peripheral surface 192 of the second end
portion 124 of the compressor housing 112 and an annular shoulder
194 formed in the open side 134 of the cylindrical portion 120 of
the compressor housing 112. As illustrated in FIGS. 6-7, an outer
surface 196 of the stator 182 and the inner peripheral surface 192
of the second end portion 124 are spaced apart forming an annular
interstice 198 therebetween. A retainer 200 is removeably disposed
in the interstice 198 to maintain an axial position and a radial
position of the stator 182. The retainer 200 may be disposed
adjacent the shoulder 190 formed in the inner peripheral surface
192 of the second end portion 124 of the compressor housing 112 and
the annular shoulder 194 formed in the open side 134 of the
cylindrical portion 120 of the compressor housing 112 to maintain
an axial position thereof.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, the retainer 200 is a thin elastic strip
or annular band 201 having an array of spaced apart retaining
features 202 extending radially outwardly therefrom. It is
understood that the retaining features 202 can be detents, waves,
corrugations, or protuberances formed therein. It is further
understood that the retaining features 202 can be formed to face
inwardly or outwardly to accommodate different physical properties
of the stator 182, the compressor housing 112, and the retainer
200. The retaining features 202 exert a holding force on the stator
182 and the compressor housing 112, while facilitating an ease of
assembly therebetween. The holding force of the retainer 200
results from a force produced by the retaining features 202 being
elastically deflected during the assembly of the retainer 200
between the stator 182 and the compressor housing 112. A holding
capability of the retainer 200 is determined by the retaining
features 202 and a coefficient of friction between the retainer 200
and the stator 182, and the compressor housing 112. The holding
capability of the retainer 200 can be varied by adjusting a
thickness of the strip 201, a pitch of the retaining features 202,
a height of the retaining features 202, and a number of the
retaining features 202, for example. It is understood that the
retainer 200 can be produced from any suitable material such as a
metallic material, a non-metallic material, an elastomeric
material, or any combination thereof, for example. It is understood
that the retainer 200 can be produced from any suitable material
such as a metallic material, a non-metallic material, an
elastomeric material, or any combination, for example.
[0040] The retainer 200 is configured to maintain the axial and
radial position of the stator 182 within the compressor housing 112
without requiring additional assembly means or processes such as
fasteners, a press-fitting process, a compression of the compressor
housing 112 process, and the like, for example. The retainer 200 is
also configured to permit the electric motor 116 to be easily
installed in the compressor housing 112, removed from the
compressor housing 112, or replaced by another electric motor. The
retainer 200 can be any retainer as desired such as a bushing, a
sleeve, and the like, for example. It is understood that the
retainer 200 can be integrally formed with the second end portion
124 of the compressor housing 112 if desired. The retainer 200 can
be tuned to dampen noise and vibration frequencies produced by the
electric motor 116. The retainer 200 shown is tuned by modifying
physical properties of the retainer 200 such as a material
composition, a thickness, a width, and a shape and configuration
thereof, for example.
[0041] During operation of the compressor 100, a fluid such as a
refrigerant gas, for example, flows from an external fluid source
through the suction port 178 into the suction chamber 174 of the
compressor 110. A first portion of the fluid flows through the
aperture 172 formed in the annular hub 167 into the first cavity
166. The first portion of the fluid then flows from the first
cavity 166 into and through the bore 171 of the driveshaft 160 into
the second cavity 173. A second portion of the fluid in the suction
chamber 174 flows through the central passage of the stator 182 and
around the rotor 180 of the electric motor 116. The second portion
of the fluid in the central passage of the stator 182 then flows
through the bearing 163 and into the second cavity 173. Both of the
portions of the fluid in the second cavity 173 then flow through
the rotation preventing mechanism 161 via the central opening 205
of the ring-shaped member 204, and into the outer sealed fluid
pockets 143 of the compression mechanism 114. Once in the sealed
fluid pockets 143, the fluid undergoes a resultant volume reduction
and compression, and is caused to flow towards the central fluid
pocket. Finally, the compressed fluid is discharged through the
outlet port into the discharge chamber 152. The fluid then flows
from the discharge chamber 152 through the discharge port to an
external component.
[0042] From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in
the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this
invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof,
make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it
to various usages and conditions.
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