Variable volume ratio compressor

• US 10,323,639 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2017
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Copeland Corporation LLC (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Doepker, Roy J., Perevozchikov, Michael M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trieu, Theresa
• Application Number:
  US15/784,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20180038370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 418 15, 418 551- 556, 418 57, 418180, 418270, 417310, 417301, 417307-308
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 14/26 using bypass channels
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 15/06 Arrangements for admission or discharge of the working fluid, e.g. constructional features of the inlet or outlet
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 18/0215 where only one member is moving
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 18/0223 with symmetrical double wraps
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 18/0253 Details concerning the base
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 23/008 Hermetic pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 27/005 Axial sealings for working fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 28/16 using lift valves
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 28/18 characterised by varying the volume of the working chamber by changing the positions of inlet or outlet openings F04C28/10
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 28/24 characterised by using valves controlling pressure or flow rate, e.g. discharge valves or unloading valvesF04C28/10 takes precedence

Abstract

A compressor may include a shell, first and second scroll members, a partition plate and a bypass valve member. The shell defines a discharge-pressure region and a suction-pressure region. The first scroll member is disposed within the shell and may include a first end plate having a discharge passage, and first and second bypass passages extending through the first end plate. The partition plate is disposed within the shell and separates the discharge-pressure region from the suction-pressure region and includes an opening in communication with the discharge-pressure region. The bypass valve member is movable between a first position restricting fluid flow through at least one of the first and second bypass passages and the opening and a second position in allowing fluid flow through the at least one of the first and second bypass passages and the opening.

Claims

1. A compressor comprising:

a shell defining a discharge-pressure region and a suction-pressure region;

a first scroll member disposed within the shell and including a first end plate and a first spiral wrap extending from a first side of the first end plate, the first end plate including a discharge recess, a discharge passage, a first bypass passage and a second bypass passage, the discharge recess in communication with the discharge passage and the discharge-pressure region, the first and second bypass passages extending through the first side and a second side of the first end plate;

a second scroll member including a second spiral wrap cooperating with the first spiral wrap to define first and second fluid pockets therebetween, the first and second fluid pockets in communication with the first and second bypass passages, respectively;

a partition plate disposed within the shell and separating the discharge-pressure region from the suction-pressure region;

a valve housing extending at least partially through the partition plate and partially received in the discharge recess, the valve housing including a first passage extending therethrough and communicating with the discharge-pressure region and the discharge recess; and

a bypass valve member disposed between the first end plate and a flange of the valve housing and movable between a first position in which the bypass valve member restricts fluid flow through at least one of the first and second bypass passages and a second position in which the bypass valve member allows fluid flow through the at least one of the first and second bypass passages and into the first passage in the valve housing,

wherein when the bypass valve member is in the second position, fluid from at least one of the first and second fluid pockets bypasses the discharge recess via the at least one of the first and second bypass passages and flows into the first passage.

2. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the valve housing includes a second passage having a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter to form a first annular ledge.

3. The compressor of claim 2, further comprising a discharge valve disposed within the discharge recess and including a stem portion that is slidably received in the second portion of the second passage of the valve housing, the discharge valve being movable relative to the valve housing and the first end plate between a first position in which the discharge valve contacts a second annular ledge defining the discharge recess and restricts communication between the discharge passage and the first passage and a second position in which the discharge valve is spaced apart from the second annular ledge and allows communication between the discharge passage and the first passage.

4. The compressor of claim 3, wherein the first portion of the second passage in the valve housing allows high-pressure fluid in the discharge-pressure region to bias the discharge valve toward the first position.

5. The compressor of claim 4, further comprising a floating seal slidably received in an annular recess formed in the first end plate, the floating seal cooperating with the first end plate to define a biasing chamber therebetween, wherein the first end plate includes a bleed hole extending therethrough and communicating with the biasing chamber, and wherein the floating seal contacts the valve housing and defines an annular chamber in which the bypass valve member is disposed.

6. The compressor of claim 5, wherein the first and second bypass passages are disposed between the discharge recess and the annular recess.

7. The compressor of claim 1, further comprising a retaining ring engaging the valve housing and disposed within the discharge recess, the retaining ring extending radially between the valve housing and a diametrical surface of the discharge recess.

8. The compressor of claim 1, further comprising a spring member disposed between the valve housing and the bypass valve member and biasing the bypass valve member toward the first position.

9. A compressor comprising:

a shell defining a discharge-pressure region;

a first scroll member disposed within the shell and including a first end plate and a first spiral wrap extending from a first side of the first end plate, the first end plate including a discharge recess, a discharge passage, a first bypass passage and a second bypass passage, the discharge recess in communication with the discharge passage and the discharge-pressure region, the first and second bypass passages extending through the first side and a second side of the first end plate;

a second scroll member including a second spiral wrap cooperating with the first spiral wrap to define first and second fluid pockets therebetween, the first and second fluid pockets in communication with the first and second bypass passages, respectively;

a valve housing including a first passage extending therethrough and communicating with the discharge-pressure region and the discharge recess;

a bypass valve member disposed between the first end plate and at least a portion of the valve housing and movable between a first position in which the bypass valve member restricts fluid flow through at least one of the first and second bypass passages and a second position in which the bypass valve member allows fluid flow through the at least one of the first and second bypass passages and into the first passage in the valve housing; and

a discharge valve slidably received in the valve housing, the discharge valve movable relative to the valve housing and the first end plate between a first position in which the discharge valve contacts an annular ledge defining the discharge recess and restricts communication between the discharge passage and the first passage and a second position in which the discharge valve is spaced apart from the annular ledge and allows communication between the discharge passage and the first passage,

wherein the bypass valve member is an annular member that surrounds a portion of the valve housing in which the discharge valve is slidably received.

10. The compressor of claim 9, further comprising a partition plate disposed within the shell and separating the discharge-pressure region from a suction-pressure region defined by the shell, wherein the valve housing extends at least partially through the partition plate and is at least partially received in the discharge recess.

11. The compressor of claim 9, wherein the valve housing includes a second passage having a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter to form a first annular ledge.

12. The compressor of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the discharge valve is slidably received in the second portion of the second passage.

13. The compressor of claim 12, wherein the portion of the discharge valve includes a stem portion, wherein the discharge valve includes a flange portion disposed on an end of the stem portion, wherein the flange portion abuts the annular ledge when the discharge valve is in the first position, and wherein the flange portion abuts the valve housing when the discharge valve is in the second position.

14. The compressor of claim 13, wherein the first portion of the second passage in the valve housing allows high-pressure fluid in the discharge-pressure region to bias the discharge valve toward the first position.

15. The compressor of claim 9, further comprising a floating seal slidably received in an annular recess formed in the first end plate, the floating seal cooperating with the first end plate to define a biasing chamber therebetween, wherein the first end plate includes a bleed hole extending therethrough and communicating with the biasing chamber, and wherein the floating seal contacts the valve housing and defines an annular chamber in which the bypass valve member is disposed.

16. The compressor of claim 15, wherein the first and second bypass passages are disposed between the discharge recess and the annular recess.

17. The compressor of claim 9, further comprising a retaining ring engaging the valve housing and disposed within the discharge recess, the retaining ring extending radially between the valve housing and a diametrical surface of the discharge recess.

18. The compressor of claim 9, further comprising a spring member disposed between the valve housing and the bypass valve member and biasing the bypass valve member toward the first position.

19. The compressor of claim 9, wherein the bypass valve member is an annular member that restricts fluid flow through both of the first and second bypass passages in the first position.

20. A compressor comprising:

a shell defining a discharge-pressure region;

a first scroll member disposed within the shell and including a first end plate and a first spiral wrap extending from a first side of the first end plate, the first end plate including a discharge recess, a discharge passage, a first bypass passage and a second bypass passage, the discharge recess in communication with the discharge passage and the discharge-pressure region, the first and second bypass passages extending through the first side and a second side of the first end plate;

a second scroll member including a second spiral wrap cooperating with the first spiral wrap to define first and second fluid pockets therebetween, the first and second fluid pockets in communication with the first and second bypass passages, respectively;

a valve housing including a first passage extending therethrough and communicating with the discharge-pressure region and the discharge recess;

a bypass valve member disposed between the first end plate and at least a portion of the valve housing and movable between a first position in which the bypass valve member restricts fluid flow through at least one of the first and second bypass passages and a second position in which the bypass valve member allows fluid flow through the at least one of the first and second bypass passages and into the first passage in the valve housing; and

a discharge valve slidably engaging the valve housing, the discharge valve movable relative to the valve housing and the first end plate between a first position in which the discharge valve contacts an annular ledge defining the discharge recess and restricts communication between the discharge passage and the first passage and a second position in which the discharge valve is spaced apart from the annular ledge and allows communication between the discharge passage and the first passage,

wherein a surface of the discharge valve that contacts the annular ledge is disposed axially between the bypass valve member and the first and second fluid pockets, and wherein the annular ledge is a surface of the first end plate.

21. The compressor of claim 20, wherein the bypass valve member is an annular member that surrounds a portion of the valve housing in which the discharge valve is slidably received.

22. The compressor of claim 21, wherein when the bypass valve member is in the second position, fluid from at least one of the first and second fluid pockets bypasses the discharge recess via the at least one of the first and second bypass passages and flows into the first passage.