Compressor having capacity modulation system
First Claim
1. A compressor comprising:
- a shell assembly defining a suction-pressure region and a discharge-pressure region, the shell assembly including a partition separating the suction-pressure region from the discharge-pressure region;
a first scroll member disposed within the shell assembly and including a first end plate having a discharge passage, a modulation port, a biasing passage, and a first spiral wrap extending from the first end plate;
a second scroll member disposed within the shell assembly and including a second end plate having a second spiral wrap extending therefrom, the first and second spiral wraps meshingly engaged and forming a series of pockets during orbital displacement of the second scroll member relative to the first scroll member, the modulation port in communication with a first one of the pockets, the biasing passage in communication with a second one of the pockets;
a floating seal assembly engaged with the partition and the first scroll member and isolating the discharge-pressure region from the suction-pressure region;
a modulation valve ring located axially between the floating seal assembly and the first end plate and being in sealing engagement with an outer radial surface of a hub extending from the first end plate and an outer radial surface of the floating seal assembly to define an axial biasing chamber in fluid communication with the biasing passage, the modulation valve ring being axially displaceable between first and second positions, the modulation valve ring abutting the first end plate and closing the modulation port when in the first position, the modulation valve ring is spaced apart from the first end plate to open the modulation port when in the second position; and
a modulation lift ring located axially between the modulation valve ring and the first end plate and in sealing engagement with the modulation valve ring to define a modulation control chamber between the modulation valve ring and the modulation lift ring, the modulation lift ring including a seal having a U-shaped cross section formed from a polymeric material and engaging first and second annular walls of the modulation valve ring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A compressor may include first and second scrolls, a seal assembly and a valve ring. The first scroll may include a first end plate having a discharge passage, a modulation port, and a biasing passage. The modulation port may be in communication with a first pocket formed between spiral wraps of the first and second scrolls. The biasing passage may be in communication with a second pocket formed between spiral wraps of the first and second scrolls. The modulation valve ring is axially displaceable relative to the seal assembly and the first scroll between first and second positions. The valve ring may abut an end plate of the first scroll and close the modulation port when in the first position. The valve ring may abut an axially-facing surface of the seal assembly and is spaced apart from the end plate to open the modulation port when in the second position.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A compressor comprising:
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a shell assembly defining a suction-pressure region and a discharge-pressure region, the shell assembly including a partition separating the suction-pressure region from the discharge-pressure region; a first scroll member disposed within the shell assembly and including a first end plate having a discharge passage, a modulation port, a biasing passage, and a first spiral wrap extending from the first end plate; a second scroll member disposed within the shell assembly and including a second end plate having a second spiral wrap extending therefrom, the first and second spiral wraps meshingly engaged and forming a series of pockets during orbital displacement of the second scroll member relative to the first scroll member, the modulation port in communication with a first one of the pockets, the biasing passage in communication with a second one of the pockets; a floating seal assembly engaged with the partition and the first scroll member and isolating the discharge-pressure region from the suction-pressure region; a modulation valve ring located axially between the floating seal assembly and the first end plate and being in sealing engagement with an outer radial surface of a hub extending from the first end plate and an outer radial surface of the floating seal assembly to define an axial biasing chamber in fluid communication with the biasing passage, the modulation valve ring being axially displaceable between first and second positions, the modulation valve ring abutting the first end plate and closing the modulation port when in the first position, the modulation valve ring is spaced apart from the first end plate to open the modulation port when in the second position; and a modulation lift ring located axially between the modulation valve ring and the first end plate and in sealing engagement with the modulation valve ring to define a modulation control chamber between the modulation valve ring and the modulation lift ring, the modulation lift ring including a seal having a U-shaped cross section formed from a polymeric material and engaging first and second annular walls of the modulation valve ring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A compressor comprising:
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a first scroll member including a first end plate having a discharge passage, a port, a biasing passage, and a first spiral wrap extending from the first end plate; a second scroll member including a second end plate having a second spiral wrap extending therefrom, the first and second spiral wraps meshingly engaged and forming a series of pockets therebetween, the port in selective communication with one of the pockets, the biasing passage in communication with one of the pockets; a seal assembly engaged with the first scroll member and a partition defining a discharge chamber of the compressor; and a valve ring located axially between the seal assembly and the first end plate and cooperating with the seal assembly to define an axial biasing chamber in fluid communication with the biasing passage, the valve ring being movable between a first position in which the valve ring abuts the first end plate and closes the port and a second position in which the valve ring is spaced apart from the first end plate to open the port, a lift ring located axially between the valve ring and the first end plate and in sealing engagement with the valve ring to define a control chamber between the valve ring and the lift ring, the lift ring including a seal having a U-shaped cross section formed from a polymeric material and engaging first and second annular walls of the valve ring. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A compressor comprising:
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a first scroll member including a first end plate having a discharge passage, a port, a biasing passage, and a first spiral wrap extending from the first end plate; a second scroll member including a second end plate having a second spiral wrap extending therefrom, the first and second spiral wraps meshingly engaged and forming a series of pockets therebetween, the port in selective communication with one of the pockets, the biasing passage in communication with one of the pockets; a seal assembly engaged with the first scroll member and a partition defining a discharge chamber of the compressor; and a valve ring located axially between the seal assembly and the first end plate and cooperating with the seal assembly to define an axial biasing chamber in fluid communication with the biasing passage, the valve ring being movable between a first position in which the valve ring abuts the first end plate and closes the port and a second position in which the valve ring is spaced apart from the first end plate to open the port, a lift ring at least partially disposed within an annular recess in the valve ring and in sealing engagement with the valve ring to define a control chamber between the valve ring and the lift ring, the lift ring including a base ring having a plurality of bosses contacting the first end plate, the base ring including an annular main body from which the bosses extend, wherein the main body is at least partially received within the annular recess, and wherein each of at least two of the bosses includes a flange portion that extends radially outward relative to an outer diametrical surface of the main body and radially outward relative to the annular recess. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification