Capacity modulated scroll machine
First Claim
1. A scroll-type machine comprising:
- a first scroll member having an end plate and a first spiral wrap upstanding therefrom;
a second scroll member having an end plate and a second spiral wrap upstanding therefrom, said first and second scroll members being positioned with said first and second spiral wraps interleaved with each other;
a fixed support structure for supporting said first and second scroll members for relative orbital movement therebetween whereby said first and second spiral wraps define sealed moving fluid pockets which progressively decrease in size as they move from a radially outer position to a radially inner position;
a power source;
a drive shaft for transmitting power from said power source to said first scroll member;
a coupling for connecting said drive shaft to said first scroll member whereby said power source may operate to effect said relative orbital movement between said first and second scroll members,a device selectively actuable to effect relative radial movement between said first and second scrolls to thereby form a leakage path between said moving fluid pockets while said power source continues to operate whereby the capacity of said compressor may be modulated, said device being remote from and independent of said coupling connecting said power source to said first scroll.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A scroll-type machine is disclosed which is particularly well suited for use as a compressor in refrigeration and air conditioning systems and incorporates a unique arrangement for modulating the capacity thereof. In one group of embodiments the capacity of the scroll-type machine is modulated by relative axial movement between the scroll members so as to form a leakage path across the wrap tips and opposed end plates. In another group of embodiments, modulation is achieved by reducing the orbital radius of one of the scroll members to thereby form a leakage path across the flank surfaces of the wraps. Both types of scroll separation may be accomplished in a time pulsed manner to thereby enable a full range of modulation with the duration of the loading and unloading periods being selected to maximize the efficiency of the overall system. A motor control arrangement is also disclosed which may be used with either of the modulation methods mentioned above to increase the efficiency of the motor during periods of reduced load. Additionally, either of the modulation arrangements mentioned above may be combined with a delayed suction form of capacity modulation with or without the motor control feature to thereby achieve better operating efficiency under certain conditions.
129 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A scroll-type machine comprising:
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a first scroll member having an end plate and a first spiral wrap upstanding therefrom; a second scroll member having an end plate and a second spiral wrap upstanding therefrom, said first and second scroll members being positioned with said first and second spiral wraps interleaved with each other; a fixed support structure for supporting said first and second scroll members for relative orbital movement therebetween whereby said first and second spiral wraps define sealed moving fluid pockets which progressively decrease in size as they move from a radially outer position to a radially inner position; a power source; a drive shaft for transmitting power from said power source to said first scroll member; a coupling for connecting said drive shaft to said first scroll member whereby said power source may operate to effect said relative orbital movement between said first and second scroll members, a device selectively actuable to effect relative radial movement between said first and second scrolls to thereby form a leakage path between said moving fluid pockets while said power source continues to operate whereby the capacity of said compressor may be modulated, said device being remote from and independent of said coupling connecting said power source to said first scroll. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A scroll-type machine comprising:
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a first scroll member having a first end plate and a first spiral wrap provided thereon; a second scroll member having a second end plate and a second spiral wrap provided thereon, said first and second scroll members being positioned with said first and second spiral wraps interleaved with each other; a drive shaft drivenly connected to said first scroll member and operative to drive said first scroll member so as to effect relative orbital movement between said first and second scroll members; a bearing housing rotatably supporting said drive shaft and supporting said first and second scroll members for relative orbital movement therebetween, said bearing housing at least in part defining a chamber; a piston disposed within said chamber and movable between a first position in which the radius of said relative orbital movement has a first magnitude and a second position in which said piston operates to restrict the radius of said relative orbital movement to a magnitude less than said first magnitude to thereby form a leakage path between said moving fluid pockets whereby the capacity of said compressor is reduced. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification