Compressor with terminal assembly having dielectric material

• US 20050124203A1
• Filed: 01/06/2005
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rick L. Bunch, Todd W. Herrick
• Original Assignee: Rick L. Bunch, Todd W. Herrick
• Inventors: Herrick, Todd W., Bunch, Rick L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,025,614 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/367
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/121 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/123 Fluid connections
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 18/02 of arcuate-engagement type, i.e. with circular translatory movement of co-operating members, each member having the same number of teeth or tooth-equivalents
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 18/356 with vanes reciprocating with respect to the outer member
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2240/803 Electric connectors or cables; Fittings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 23/008 Hermetic pumps
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5216 characterised by the sealing material, e.g. gels or resins
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/533 Bases, cases made for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure H01R13/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/225 Terminal boxes or connection arrangements specially adapted for submersible motors H02K5/132
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/934 High voltage barrier, e.g. surface arcing or corona preventing insulator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/936 Potting material or coating, e.g. grease, insulative coating, sealant or, adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/94 including provision for mechanical lifting or manipulation, e.g. for vacuum lifting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/942 Comblike retainer for conductor

Abstract

A hermetically sealed compressor assembly including a housing, an electric motor located in the housing, a compression mechanism located in the housing and operatively coupled to the motor, and a terminal assembly comprising a cup-shaped terminal body and having electrically conductive pins extending therethrough. The cup-shaped terminal body extends through and is sealingly attached to the housing. A cluster block assembly is in communication with the terminal assembly and includes a cluster block fitted to the terminal body, the cluster block having free volume therein. The pins are electrically connected to the motor through the cluster block assembly. A cavity is defined between the interior of the cup-shaped terminal body and the cluster block, and a dielectric material substantially fills at least one of the cavity and the cluster block free volume.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A method for insulating an electrical connection within a hermetically sealed compressor assembly, comprising:

substantially filling a cavity defined between a cluster block assembly and a terminal assembly with a dielectric gel, the terminal assembly having at least one conductor pin and the cluster block assembly having at least one connector;

substantially filling a free volume defined in the cluster block assembly with the dielectric gel;

connecting the cluster block assembly and the terminal assembly together whereby the pin and the connector are electrically coupled wherein placing the dielectric gel into the cluster block and connecting the cluster block assembly and the terminal assembly together are performable in any order;

allowing the dielectric gel to cure into a substantially solid state; and

positioning the cluster block assembly within a hermetically sealed compressor housing.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the dielectric gel is one of an epoxy and a dielectric polymer.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said steps of placing the dielectric gel comprise injecting the dielectric gel into the cluster block assembly via an aperture in the cluster block assembly.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of injecting is performed after said step of connecting the cluster block assembly and the terminal assembly together.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein said steps of placing the dielectric gel are each performed prior to said step of connecting the cluster block assembly and the terminal assembly together.

21. A hermetically sealed compressor assembly comprising:

a hermetically sealed housing;

an electric motor disposed in said housing;

a compression mechanism disposed in said housing and operatively coupled to said motor;

a terminal assembly comprising a cup-shaped terminal body extending through and sealingly attached to said housing, said terminal assembly having a plurality of conductor pins extending through and insulated from said terminal body;

a cluster block assembly disposed within said housing and in communication with said terminal assembly, said cluster block assembly including a cluster block which is fitted to said terminal body, said cluster block having a free volume therein;

a cavity defined between the cup-shaped terminal body and said cluster block;

said plurality of conductor pins electrically connected to said motor through said cluster block assembly; and

a substantially solid dielectric material substantially filling said cavity and said cluster block free volume.

22. The hermetic compressor assembly of claim 21, wherein said dielectric material substantially conforms to the surfaces over which it extends.

23. The hermetic compressor assembly of claim 21, wherein said cavity is closed and has no means of ingress thereinto once said cluster block assembly is fitted to said terminal assembly.

24. The hermetic compressor assembly of claim 21, wherein said cluster block provides a means of ingress for said dielectric material to enter said free volume of said cluster block after said cluster block assembly is fitted to said terminal assembly.

25. The hermetic compressor assembly of claim 24, wherein said cluster block further provides a means of ingress for said dielectric material to enter said cavity after said cluster block assembly is fitted to said terminal assembly.

26. The hermetic compressor assembly of claim 21, wherein said dielectric material is one of an epoxy and a dielectric polymer.

27. The hermetic compressor of claim 21, wherein said dielectric material is a cured gel and is substantially solid.