U.S. patent application number 16/172187 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-23 for compressor having counterweight.
This patent application is currently assigned to Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Roy J. DOEPKER.
Application Number | 20190154037 16/172187 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66533879 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-23 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190154037 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DOEPKER; Roy J. |
May 23, 2019 |
Compressor Having Counterweight
Abstract
A compressor may include a compression mechanism, a motor, and a
counterweight assembly. The motor assembly is drivingly engaged to
the compression mechanism and includes a rotor driving a
driveshaft. The rotor drives the driveshaft. The counterweight
assembly is mounted axially onto the driveshaft of the motor
assembly and has a first laminated stack of plates that includes a
plurality of first plates and a plurality of second plates. Each
first plate defines a first polygonal-shaped aperture that has a
plurality of sides. Each second plate defines a second
polygonal-shaped aperture that has a plurality of second sides. The
first sides of the first polygonal-shaped apertures are
rotationally misaligned with the second sides of the second
polygonal-shaped apertures.
Inventors: |
DOEPKER; Roy J.; (Lima,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. |
Sidney |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Emerson Climate Technologies,
Inc.
Sidney
OH
|
Family ID: |
66533879 |
Appl. No.: |
16/172187 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62588953 |
Nov 21, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04C 29/0042 20130101;
F04C 2240/40 20130101; F04C 2240/70 20130101; F04C 18/0207
20130101; F04C 23/008 20130101; F04C 2240/807 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04C 29/00 20060101
F04C029/00; F04C 18/02 20060101 F04C018/02 |
Claims
1. A compressor comprising: a compression mechanism; a motor
assembly drivingly engaged to the compression mechanism, the motor
assembly including a rotor and a driveshaft, the rotor driving the
driveshaft; and a counterweight assembly mounted axially onto the
driveshaft of the motor assembly, the counterweight assembly having
a first laminated stack of plates including a plurality of first
plates and a plurality of second plates, each first plate defining
a first polygonal-shaped aperture having a plurality of first
sides, each second plate defining a second polygonal-shaped
aperture having a plurality of second sides, wherein the first
sides of the first polygonal-shaped apertures are rotationally
misaligned with the second sides of the second polygonal-shaped
apertures.
2. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first and
second plates are attached to each other by fasteners.
3. The compressor of claim 1, wherein each of the first plates is
disposed directly adjacent to at least one of the second
plates.
4. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the counterweight assembly
includes a unitary counterweight attached to the first laminated
stack of plates.
5. The compressor of claim 4, wherein the unitary counterweight is
formed from a different material than the plurality of first and
second plates.
6. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the counterweight assembly
includes a second laminated stack of plates mounted axially onto
the driveshaft and attached to the first laminated stack of plates,
and wherein a U-shaped recess is formed in the second laminated
stack of plates.
7. The compressor of claim 6, wherein a solid body is contained in
the U-shaped recess formed in the second laminated stack of
plates.
8. The compressor of claim 7, wherein the solid body is made up of
a different material than the plurality of first and second
plates.
9. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the counterweight assembly
includes a second U-shaped laminated stack of plates attached to
the first laminated stack of plates.
10. The compressor of claim 9, wherein a recess is formed in the
second U-shaped laminated stack of plates.
11. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the first laminated stack of
plates are attached to the rotor.
12. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the counterweight assembly
includes a laminated stack of rings attached to the first laminated
stack of plates.
13. A compressor comprising: a compression mechanism; a motor
assembly drivingly engaged to the compression mechanism, the motor
assembly including a rotor and a driveshaft, the rotor driving the
driveshaft; and first and second counterweight assemblies mounted
axially onto the driveshaft with the rotor disposed therebetween,
each of the first and second counterweight assemblies having a
first laminated stack of plates including a plurality of first
plates and a plurality of second plates, each first plate defining
a first polygonal-shaped aperture having a plurality of first
sides, each second plate defining a second polygonal-shaped
aperture having a plurality of second sides, wherein the first
sides of the first polygonal-shaped apertures are rotationally
misaligned with the second sides of the second polygonal-shaped
apertures.
14. The compressor of claim 13, wherein edges of the first plates
are misaligned with edges of the second plates.
15. The compressor of claim 13, wherein edges of the first plates
are aligned with edges of the second plates.
16. The compressor of claim 13, wherein each of the first plates is
disposed directly adjacent to at least one of the second
plates.
17. The compressor of claim 13, wherein the first counterweight
assembly includes a unitary counterweight attached to the first
laminated stack of plates.
18. The compressor of claim 13, wherein the first counterweight
assembly includes a second laminated stack of plates mounted
axially onto the driveshaft and attached to the first laminated
stack of plates, and wherein a U-shaped recess is formed in the
second laminated stack of plates.
19. The compressor of claim 18, wherein a solid body is contained
in the U-shaped recess formed in the second laminated stack of
plates, and wherein the solid body is made up of a different
material than the plurality of first and second plates.
20. The compressor of claim 13, wherein the first counterweight
assembly includes a second U-shaped laminated stack of plates
attached to the first laminated stack of plates, and wherein a
U-shaped recess is formed in the second U-shaped laminated stack of
plates.
21. The compressor of claim 13, wherein the first counterweight
assembly and the second counterweight assembly are attached to the
rotor.
22. The compressor of claim 13, wherein the first counterweight
assembly includes a laminated stack of rings attached to the first
laminated stack of plates.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/588,953, filed on Nov. 21, 2017. The entire
disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a compressor having a
counterweight.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] A compressor may include counterweights press fitted axially
onto a driveshaft of a motor assembly to facilitate balancing of
the motor assembly. Press-fitting conventional counterweights onto
the driveshaft requires time consuming and expensive machining of
the inner bore of the counterweights and the driveshaft, and
requires considerable assembly force. The present disclosure
provides counterweights that do not require tight tolerance
machining of the inner bore and the driveshaft. The counterweights
of the present disclosure also reduce the assembly force needed to
press fit the counterweights onto the driveshaft while providing
increased retention of the counterweights onto the driveshaft.
SUMMARY
[0005] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0006] In one form, a compressor includes a compression mechanism,
a motor, and a counterweight assembly. The motor assembly is
drivingly engaged to the compression mechanism and includes a rotor
driving a driveshaft. The rotor drives the driveshaft. The
counterweight assembly is mounted axially onto the driveshaft of
the motor assembly and has a first laminated stack of plates that
includes a plurality of first plates and a plurality of second
plates. Each first plate defines a first polygonal-shaped aperture
that has a plurality of sides. Each second plate defines a second
polygonal-shaped aperture that has a plurality of second sides. The
first sides of the first polygonal-shaped apertures are
rotationally misaligned with the second sides of the second
polygonal-shaped apertures.
[0007] In some configurations, the first and second plates are
attached to each other by fasteners.
[0008] In some configurations, each of the first plates is disposed
directly adjacent to at least one of the second plates.
[0009] In some configurations, the counterweight assembly includes
a unitary counterweight attached to the first laminated stack of
plates.
[0010] In some configurations, the unitary counterweight is formed
from a different material than the first and second plates.
[0011] In some configurations, the counterweight assembly includes
a second laminated stack of plates mounted axially onto the
driveshaft and attached to the first laminated stack of plates. A
U-shaped recess is formed in the second laminated stack of
plates.
[0012] In some configurations, a solid body is contained in the
U-shaped recess formed in the second laminated stack of plates.
[0013] In some configurations, the solid body is made up of a
different material than the first and second laminated stack of
plates.
[0014] In some configurations, the counterweight assembly includes
a second U-shaped laminated stack of plates attached to the first
laminated stack of plates.
[0015] In some configurations, a recess is formed in the second
U-shaped laminated stack of plates.
[0016] In some configurations, the first laminated stack of plates
are attached to the rotor.
[0017] In some configurations, the counterweight assembly includes
a laminated stack of rings attached to the first laminated stack of
plates.
[0018] In another form, a compressor includes a compression
mechanism, a motor assembly, and first and second counterweight
assemblies. The motor assembly is drivingly engaged to the
compression mechanism. The motor assembly includes a rotor and a
driveshaft. The rotor drives the driveshaft. The first and second
counterweight assemblies are mounted axially onto the driveshaft
with the rotor disposed therebetween. Each of the first and second
counterweight assemblies has a first laminated stack of plates that
includes a plurality of first plates and a plurality of second
plates. Each first plate defines a first polygonal-shaped aperture
that has a plurality of first sides. Each second plate defines a
second polygonal-shaped aperture that has a plurality of second
sides. The first sides of the first polygonal-shaped apertures are
rotationally misaligned with the second sides of the second
polygonal-shaped apertures.
[0019] In some configurations, edges of the first plates are
misaligned with edges of the second plates.
[0020] In some configurations, edges of the first plates are
aligned with edges of the second plates.
[0021] In some configurations, the first counterweight assembly and
the second counterweight assembly are attached to the rotor.
[0022] In some configurations, the first counterweight assembly
includes a laminated stack of rings attached to the first laminated
stack of plates.
[0023] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0024] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a compressor having
first and second counterweight assemblies according to the
principles of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one of the counterweight
assemblies shown in FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the counterweight assembly
shown in FIG. 2;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the counterweight
assembly of Figure of 3 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
[0029] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of another counterweight assembly
having a plurality of first and second plates staggered relative to
each other at an angle;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a top view of the counterweight assembly shown in
FIG. 5;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a motor assembly of the
compressor shown in FIG. 1 with the first and second counterweight
assemblies attached thereto;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another one of the laminated
counterweight assemblies shown in FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another motor assembly with
first and second counterweight assemblies attached thereto;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another counterweight
assembly;
[0035] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of yet another counterweight
assembly;
[0036] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the counterweight assembly
of FIG. 11 with a cover attached thereto;
[0037] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of yet another counterweight
assembly; and
[0038] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another motor assembly with
the counterweight assemblies of FIG. 13 attached thereto.
[0039] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0041] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure
will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are
skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as
examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a
thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details
need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in
many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit
the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments,
well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known
technologies are not described in detail.
[0042] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on,"
"engaged to," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or
layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the
other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be
present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to" or
"directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no
intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to
describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in
a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the
term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of
the associated listed items.
[0043] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used
herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers
and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as
"first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do
not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the
context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the example embodiments.
[0044] The principles of the preset disclosure are suitable for
incorporation in many different types of scroll and rotary
compressors, including hermetic machines, open drive machines and
non-hermetic machines. For exemplary purposes, a compressor 10 is
shown as a hermetic scroll refrigerant-compressor of the low-side
type (i.e., where the motor and at least a portion of the
compression mechanism are disposed in a section-pressure region of
the compressor) as illustrated in FIG. 1. It will be appreciated
that the principles of the present disclosure are also applicable
to high-side compressors (i.e., compressors having the motor and
compression mechanism disposed in a discharge-pressure region of
the compressor).
[0045] With reference to FIG. 1, a compressor 10 is provided that
may include a hermetic shell assembly 12, a bearing housing
assembly 14, a motor assembly 16, a compression mechanism 18, a
seal assembly 20, a first counterweight assembly 22a and a second
counterweight assembly 22b. The shell assembly 12 may house the
bearing housing assembly 14, the motor assembly 16, the compression
mechanism 18, the seal assembly 20, and the first and second
counterweight assemblies 22a, 22b.
[0046] The shell assembly 12 may generally form a compressor
housing and may include a cylindrical shell 26, an end cap 28 at
the upper end thereof, a transversely extending partition 30, and a
base 32 at a lower end thereof. The end cap 28 and the partition 30
may generally define a discharge chamber 34. A suction gas inlet
fitting 38 may be attached to the shell assembly 12 at another
opening and may communicate with a suction chamber 40 defined by
the shell 26 and the partition 30. The partition 30 may include a
discharge passage 42 therethrough providing communication between
the compression mechanism 18 and the discharge chamber 34.
[0047] The bearing housing assembly 14 may be affixed to the shell
and may include a main bearing housing 44 and a bearing 46. The
main bearing housing 44 may house the bearing 46 therein and may
define an annular flat thrust bearing surface 48 on an axial end
surface thereof.
[0048] The motor assembly 16 may include a motor stator 50, a rotor
52, and a driveshaft 54. The motor stator 50 may be press fit into
the shell 12. The driveshaft 54 may be rotatably driven by the
rotor 52 and may be rotatably supported within the bearing 46. The
rotor 52 may be press fit on the driveshaft 54. The driveshaft 54
may include an eccentric crankpin 56.
[0049] The compression mechanism 18 may generally include an
orbiting scroll 58 and a non-orbiting scroll 60. The orbiting
scroll 58 may include an end plate 62 having a spiral wrap 64 on
the upper surface thereof and an annular flat thrust surface 66 on
the lower surface. The thrust surface 66 may interface with the
annular flat thrust bearing surface 48 on the main bearing housing
44. A cylindrical hub 68 may project downwardly from the thrust
surface 66 and may have a drive bushing 70 rotatably disposed
therein. The drive bushing 70 may include an inner bore in which
the crankpin 56 is drivingly disposed. A flat surface of the
crankpin 72 may drivingly engage a flat surface in a portion of the
inner bore of the drive bushing 70 to provide a radially compliant
driving arrangement.
[0050] The non-orbiting scroll 60 may include an end plate 74 and a
spiral wrap 76 projecting downwardly from the end plate 74. The
spiral wrap 76 may meshingly engage the spiral wrap 64 of the
orbiting scroll 58, thereby creating a series of moving fluid
pockets. The fluid pockets defined by the spiral wraps 64, 76 may
decrease in volume as they move from a radially outer position (at
a section pressure) to a radially intermediate position (at an
intermediate pressure) to a radially inner position (at a discharge
pressure) throughout a compression cycle of the compression
mechanism 18.
[0051] The end plate 74 may include an annular recess 82. The
annular recess 82 may receive the seal assembly 20 and cooperate
with the seal assembly 20 to define an axial biasing chamber 84
therebetween. The biasing chamber 84 is in communication with one
of the series of moving compression pockets at an intermediate
pressure via a passageway (not shown). Intermediate-pressure
working fluid within the biasing chamber 84 may axially bias the
non-orbiting scroll 60 towards the orbiting scroll 58.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first counterweight assembly
22a may include a laminated stack of plates 86 including a
plurality of first and second plates 86a, 86b stacked in an
alternating fashion. The first and second plates 86a, 86b may be
attached to one another using fasteners 87a (e.g., rivets, bolts,
etc.). In other configurations, the first and second plates 86a,
86b could be attached to each other by interlocking members and/or
welds instead of or in addition to the fasteners 87a. The first and
second plates 86a, 86b may be made out of a metallic material, for
example, and may be formed by a stamping process, for example.
[0053] With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the first
and second plates 86a, 86b may define a polygonal-shaped aperture
88 (FIG. 2) that together (i.e., when the plates 86a, 86b are
attached to each other) forms a polygonal-shaped bore 90 (FIG. 3)
in the first counterweight assembly 22a. Although the
polygonal-shaped aperture 88 in each plate 86a, 86b is shown in
FIG. 2 as a nonagon (i.e., a nine-sided polygon), in some
configurations, the polygonal-shaped aperture 88 may have more or
less than nine sides 92.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, the sides 92 of the polygon-shaped
aperture 88 of the first plates 86a may be rotationally misaligned
from the sides 92 of an adjacent second plate 86b such that
vertices 94 of the plates 86a, 86b form depressions 95 between the
sides 92 of adjacent plates 86a, 86b. The rotational misalignment
between the apertures 88 of the plates 86a, 86b may be accomplished
by orienting the apertures 88 in the plates 86a, 86b relative to
each other such that the vertices 94 of the first plates 86a are
angularly between (e.g., approximately halfway between) the
vertices 94 of the second plates 86b. In this way, edges 97 of the
plates 86a, 86b are aligned to each other. In some configurations,
the vertices 94 of the first plates 86a may be approximately
angularly aligned with midpoints of the sides 92 of the second
plates 86b. In some configurations, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the
rotational misalignment between the apertures 88 of the plates 86a,
86b may be accomplished by orienting the plates 86a, 86b relative
to each other such that the vertices 94 of the first plates 86a are
angularly between (e.g., approximately halfway between) the
vertices 94 of the second plates 86b, or by staggering the first
plates 86a at an angle a relative to the adjacent second plate 86b
such that the edges 97 of the first plates 86a and the adjacent
second plate 86b are misaligned (i.e., offset). The angle between
the plates 86a, 86b in such configuration maybe 20 degrees, for
example.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, each counterweight assembly 22a,
22b may be press fitted onto the driveshaft 54 at opposite sides of
the rotor 52. An axial position of each counterweight assembly 22a,
22b on the driveshaft 54 may be determined at least in part by a
moment arm distance required to balance the forces acting on the
motor assembly 16. Due to the relative material hardness between
the plates 86a, 86b and the driveshaft 54 (i.e., the material of
the plates 86a, 86b has a lower hardness than the material of the
driveshaft 54), areas of the plates 86a, 86b at or near the
apertures 88 may yield as the driveshaft 54 is pressed into the
bore 90 of each counterweight assembly 22a, 22b. Material at or
near midpoints of the sides 92 of the plates 86a, 86b may yield
relatively easily since the material at the midpoints of the sides
92 of any given plate 86a, 86b is not supported by the material of
the directly adjacent plates 86a, 86b (since the midpoint of each
side 92 of a given plate 86a, 86b is rotationally aligned with the
vertices 94 of the directly adjacent plates 86a, 86b ). The
displaced material from the midpoints of the sides 92 of the plates
86a, 86b fill in the depressions 95. This process occurs at each
plate 86a, 86b until the driveshaft 54 is fully inserted into each
counterweight assembly 22a, 22b. Press fitting the driveshaft 54
into the bore 90 of each counterweight assembly 22a, 22b as
described above reduces the force required to insert the driveshaft
54 into the bore 90. Additionally, this process improves retention
of the counterweight assemblies 22a, 22b on the driveshaft 54 and
without having to machine the apertures 88 to tight tolerances.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the second counterweight assembly
22b may include a laminated stack of plates 96 and a U-shaped
unitary counterweight 98. The laminated stack of plates 96 can be
similar or identical to the laminated stack of plates 86 described
above, and therefore, will not be described in detail.
[0057] The unitary counterweight 98 maybe attached to the laminated
stack of plates 96 by fasteners 100 (e.g., rivets) to further
adjust the mass and center of gravity of the second counterweight
assembly 22b, and to facilitate balancing of the rotor 52 and the
driveshaft 54 of the motor assembly 16. While the configuration
shown in FIG. 1 includes the unitary counterweight 98 attached to
the second counterweight assembly 22b, in some configurations, the
unitary counterweight 98 may also be attached to the first
counterweight assembly 22a to achieve the intended benefit (i.e.,
balancing of the rotor 52 and the driveshaft 54). The unitary
counterweight 98 may be made of the same or a different material
than the laminated stack of plates 96. For example, in some
configurations, the laminated stack of plates 96 and the unitary
counterweight 98 may be made out of steel. In other configurations,
the laminated stack of plates 96 may be made out of steel while the
unitary counterweight 98 may be made out of brass.
[0058] With reference to FIG. 9, another rotor 220, first
counterweight assembly 222a, and second counterweight assembly 222b
are provided that may be incorporated into the compressor 10
instead of the rotor 52, the first counterweight assembly 22a, and
the second counterweight assembly 22b. The first counterweight
assembly 222a may include a first laminated stack of plates 246 and
the second counterweight assembly 222b may include a second
laminated stack of plates 248. The first and second laminated stack
of plates 224, 226 can be similar or identical to the laminated
stack of plates 86 described above. As shown in FIG. 9, each
counterweight assembly 222a, 222b may be attached to opposing ends
of the rotor 220 by fasteners 250 such that the rotor 220 and each
counterweight assembly 222a, 222b may be press fit onto the
driveshaft 54 as a single component.
[0059] With reference to FIG. 10, another counterweight assembly
322a is provided that may be incorporated into the compressor 10 in
the place of either one or both of the counterweight assemblies
22a, 22b. The counterweight assembly 322a could include a first
laminated stack of plates 324 (which may be similar or identical to
the laminated stack of plates 86) and a second laminated stack of
plates 326 attached to the first laminated stack of plates 324 by
fasteners 328 (e.g., rivets or bolts).
[0060] The second laminated stack of plates 326 may include a
plurality of first and second plates 326a, 326b. The plates 326a,
326b may be made out of a metallic material, for example, and may
be formed by a stamping process, for example. The first and second
plates 326a, 326b may be stacked in an alternating fashion similar
to the laminated stack of plates 86 described above.
[0061] Each of the first and second plates 326a, 326b may define a
polygonal-shaped aperture that together (i.e., when the plates
328a, 328b are attached to each other) forms a polygonal-shaped
bore 330 in the laminated stack of plates 326. Although the
polygonal-shaped aperture in each plate 326a, 326b is shown as a
nonagon (i.e., a nine-sided polygon), in some configurations, the
polygonal-shaped aperture may have more or less than nine sides
332. The sides 332 of the polygon-shaped aperture of the first
plate 326a may be rotationally misaligned from the sides 332 of an
adjacent second plate 326b in a similar manner as the sides 92 of
the plates 86a, 86b described above.
[0062] Each of the first and second plates 326a, 326b may also
define a U-shaped aperture that together (i.e., when the plates
326a, 326b are attached to each other) forms a U-shaped recess 334
in the laminated stack of plates 326. The recess 334 may adjust the
mass and the center of gravity of the counterweight assembly 322a.
Although the recess 334 shown in FIG. 10 is U-shaped, the recess
334 may be various shapes such as circular, square, or rectangular,
for example, to adjust the mass and the center of gravity of the
counterweight assembly 322a and meet balancing requirements.
[0063] With reference to FIG. 11, another counterweight assembly
422a is provided that may be incorporated into the compressor 10 in
the place of the counterweight assemblies 22a, 22b, 322a. The
counterweight assembly 422a could include a first laminated stack
of plates 424 (which may be similar or identical to the laminated
stack of plates 86) and a second U-shaped laminated stack of plates
426 attached to the first laminated stack of plates 424 by
fasteners 428 (e.g., rivets or bolts).
[0064] The second laminated stack of plates 426 may include a
plurality of first and second plates 426a, 426b. The plates 426a,
426b may be made out of a metallic material, for example, and may
be formed by a stamping process, for example. The first and second
plates 426a, 426b may be stacked in an alternating fashion similar
to the laminated stack of plates 86 described above.
[0065] Each of the first and second plates 426a, 426b may define a
U-shaped aperture that together (i.e., when the plates 426a, 426b
are attached to each other) forms a U-shaped recess 430 in the
second laminated stack of plates 426. The recess 430 may adjust the
mass and the center of gravity of the counterweight assembly 422a.
In some configurations, as shown in FIG. 12, a unitary body 432 may
be received in the recess 430 formed in the second laminated stack
of plates 426 to further adjust the mass and the center of gravity
of the counterweight assembly 422a. The unitary body 432 may be
made of a material that is different from the material of the first
and second laminated stack of plates 424, 426. For example, the
unitary body may be made of brass while the first and second
laminated stack plates 424, 426 may be made of steel. A cover plate
434 may be attached to the outermost first plate 426a to retain and
protect the unitary body 432 received in the recess 430.
[0066] With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, another counterweight
assembly 522a is provided that may be incorporated into the
compressor 10 in the place of the counterweight assemblies 22a,
22b, 322a, 422a. The counterweight assembly 522a could include a
laminated stack of plates 524 (which may be similar or identical to
the laminated stack of plates 86) and a laminated stack of rings
526 attached to the laminated stack of plates 524 via welds, for
example.
[0067] The laminated stack of rings 526 may include a plurality of
first and second rings 526a, 526b. The first and second rings 526a,
526b may be made out of a metallic material, for example, and may
be formed by a stamping process, for example. The first and second
rings 526a, 526b may define polygon-shaped apertures 528 that are
aligned with polygon-shaped apertures 530 of first and second
plates 524a, 524b of the laminated stack of plates 524. The
apertures 528 of the rings 526a, 526b may have sides that are
rotationally misaligned in a similar manner as the sides 92 of the
plates 86a, 86b described above. The first and second rings 526a,
526b may cooperate with the laminated stack of plates 524 to
increase the engagement length between the counter weight assembly
522a and the driveshaft 54. In this way, retention between the
counterweight assembly 522a and the driveshaft 54 is improved
during operation of the compressor 10 while adding minimal mass to
the driveshaft 54.
[0068] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual
elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if
not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the disclosure.
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