# US 10,480,513 B2 · Intermediate discharge port for a compressor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,513 B2 - Document ID: US10480513B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/758,253 - Filed: 2016-09-14 - Published: 2018-08-30 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-14 - Assignees: Trane International Inc. - Applicants: Trane International Inc. - Inventors: Eric S. Mlsna - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480513B2 ## CPC - F04C 29/12: Arrangements for admission or discharge of the working fluid, e.g. constructional features of the inlet or outlet - F04C 18/0215: {where only one member is moving} - F04C 28/16: using lift valves - F25B 1/04: with compressor of rotary type ({F25B1/005,} F25B1/10 take precedence) - F04C 23/008: {Hermetic pumps} - F04C 2230/85: Methods for improvement by repair or exchange of parts - F04C 2240/10: Stators - F25B 2400/13: Economisers - F25B 2600/0262: internal to the compressor - F04C: ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS (engines F03C); ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS ## Abstract An intermediate discharge port in a scroll compressor and a method for controlling part-load efficiency of a scroll compressor are disclosed. The compressor includes a compressor housing; a non-orbiting scroll member and an orbiting scroll member forming a compression chamber; a discharge port for receiving a compressed fluid; and an intermediate discharge port fluidly connected between the compression chamber and the discharge port, the intermediate discharge port including a sealing member, fluid flow being prevented between the compression chamber and the discharge port through the intermediate discharge port when in a flow-blocked state, and fluid flow being enabled between the compression chamber and the discharge port through the intermediate discharge port when in a flow-permitted state. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A compressor, comprising: a compressor housing; a non-orbiting scroll member and an orbiting scroll member forming a compression chamber; a discharge port for receiving a compressed fluid; and an intermediate discharge port fluidly connected between the compression chamber and the discharge port, the intermediate discharge port including: a first portion having a first diameter, the first portion disposed adjacent the compression chamber, a second portion having a second diameter different from the first diameter, the second portion disposed adjacent the first portion and adjacent the discharge port, a sealing member disposed within the intermediate discharge port, wherein the sealing member includes a center portion having a diameter and a plurality of protrusions, fluid flow being prevented between the compression chamber and the discharge port through the intermediate discharge port when in a flow-blocked state, and fluid flow being enabled between the compression chamber and the discharge port through the intermediate discharge port when in a flow-permitted state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate discharge port is disposed at a location of the compression chamber at which a fluid being compressed is partially compressed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the compressor includes a plurality of intermediate discharge ports. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate discharge port includes a biasing mechanism for maintaining the sealing member in the flow-blocked state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member further includes a reduced diameter portion having another diameter smaller than the diameter of the center portion, thereby forming a sealing edge on a surface of the center portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The compressor according to claim 5, wherein in the flow-blocked state, the sealing edge of the sealing member is sealingly engaged with a surface of the intermediate discharge port. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is flush with the compression chamber in the flow-blocked state. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the sealing member is about the same as the first diameter to provide a sealing engagement in the flow-blocked state. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The compressor according to claim 1, wherein a surface formed in the intermediate discharge port at a location at which the first portion and the second portion meet is configured to provide a sealing engagement for the sealing member in the flow-blocked state. ### Claim 10 A heat transfer circuit, comprising: a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator fluidly connected, wherein the compressor includes: a compressor housing; a non-orbiting scroll member and an orbiting scroll member forming a compression chamber; a discharge port for receiving a compressed fluid; and an intermediate discharge port fluidly connected between the compression chamber and the discharge port, the intermediate discharge port including: a sealing member disposed within the intermediate discharge port, wherein the sealing member includes a center portion having a first diameter and a plurality of protrusions, fluid flow being prevented between the compression chamber and the discharge port through the intermediate discharge port when in a flow-blocked state, and fluid flow being enabled between the compression chamber and the discharge port through the intermediate discharge port when in a flow-permitted state. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The heat transfer circuit according to claim 10, wherein the intermediate discharge port is disposed at a location of the compression chamber at which a fluid being compressed is partially compressed. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The heat transfer circuit according to claim 10, wherein the compressor includes a plurality of intermediate discharge ports. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The heat transfer circuit according to claim 10, wherein the intermediate discharge port includes a biasing mechanism for maintaining the sealing member in the flow-blocked state. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The heat transfer circuit according to claim 10, wherein the sealing member further includes a reduced diameter portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, thereby forming a sealing edge on a surface of the center portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The heat transfer circuit according to claim 14, wherein in the flow-blocked state, the sealing edge of the sealing member is sealingly engaged with a surface of the intermediate discharge port. ### Claim 16 A method, comprising: providing an intermediate discharge port at a location in fluid communication with a compression chamber of a scroll compressor, the location being such that when operating the compressor at part-load, a portion of a fluid being compressed is directed from the compression chamber toward a discharge plenum of the scroll compressor and is at a pressure that is lower than a discharge pressure of the compressor when operating at full-load, and when operating the compressor at full-load, the portion of the fluid being compressed remains in the compression chamber until reaching a discharge location of the compression chamber, the intermediate discharge port including a sealing member disposed within the intermediate discharge port, wherein the sealing member includes a center portion having a diameter and a plurality of protrusions. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein the providing includes retrofitting the intermediate discharge port into the scroll compressor following manufacturing.