Components for compressors having electroless coatings on wear surfaces
First Claim
1. A compressor comprising:
- a compressor component having at least one wear surface comprising aluminum with an electroless surface coating comprising nickel disposed directly thereon, the electroless surface coating having a hardness of greater than or equal to about 40 to less than or equal to about 63 on a Rockwell C Hardness Scale, wherein the compressor is configured to process a refrigerant selected from the group;
carbon dioxide, propane, and combinations thereof, wherein the compressor component having the at least one wear surface with the electroless surface coating withstands greater than or equal to about 1,000 hours of compressor operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Carbon dioxide compressors having one or more coatings with wear surfaces having electroless surface coatings are provided. Alternatively, propane compressors are contemplated having wear surface coatings. The coating is electrolessly applied and may comprise nickel and wear resistant particles, such as boron nitride. The electroless surface coatings for use with compressor machines improve corrosion and wear resistance, as well as anti-friction properties for compressors processing CO2 or C3H8 containing refrigerants. In certain aspects, a scroll machine has an Oldham coupling and/or lower bearing comprising aluminum and has an electroless surface coating comprising nickel boron nitride particles disposed on one or more wear surfaces. In other aspects, a reciprocating compressor has a wear surface, such as on a connecting rod and/or piston coated with an electrolessly applied nickel and boron nitride particle layer. Methods for making the electroless surface coatings are also provided.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A compressor comprising:
a compressor component having at least one wear surface comprising aluminum with an electroless surface coating comprising nickel disposed directly thereon, the electroless surface coating having a hardness of greater than or equal to about 40 to less than or equal to about 63 on a Rockwell C Hardness Scale, wherein the compressor is configured to process a refrigerant selected from the group;
carbon dioxide, propane, and combinations thereof, wherein the compressor component having the at least one wear surface with the electroless surface coating withstands greater than or equal to about 1,000 hours of compressor operation.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A scroll machine comprising:
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a first scroll member having a discharge port and a first spiral wrap; a second scroll member having a second spiral wrap, the first and second spiral wraps being mutually intermeshed; a motor for causing the second scroll member to orbit with respect to the first scroll member, wherein the scroll machine is configured to process a refrigerant selected from the group;
carbon dioxide, propane, and combinations thereof; andan Oldham coupling keyed to the second scroll member and another component to prevent rotational movement of the second scroll member, wherein the Oldham coupling has at least one wear surface comprising aluminum with an electroless surface coating comprising nickel and a wear resistant particle disposed directly thereon. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A compressor comprising:
a compressor component having at least one wear surface comprising aluminum with an electroless surface coating comprising nickel disposed directly thereon, the electroless surface coating comprising multiple layers including a first layer comprising nickel and a boron nitride particle and a second layer that is a sublayer of electroless nickel disposed beneath the first layer, wherein the electroless surface coating has a hardness of greater than or equal to about 40 to less than or equal to about 63 on a Rockwell C Hardness Scale, wherein the compressor is configured to process a refrigerant selected from the group;
carbon dioxide, propane, and combinations thereof, wherein the compressor component having the at least one wear surface with the electroless surface coating withstands greater than or equal to about 1,000 hours of compressor operation.- View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A scroll machine comprising:
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a first scroll member having a discharge port and a first spiral wrap; a second scroll member having a second spiral wrap, the first and second spiral wraps being mutually intermeshed; a motor for causing the second scroll member to orbit with respect to the first scroll member, wherein the scroll machine is configured to process a refrigerant selected from the group;
carbon dioxide, propane, and combinations thereof; andan Oldham coupling keyed to the second scroll member and another component to prevent rotational movement of the second scroll member, wherein the Oldham coupling has at least one wear surface comprising aluminum with an electroless surface coating comprising multiple layers including a first layer comprising nickel and a wear resistant particle and a second layer comprising electroless nickel disposed beneath the first layer. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification