Scroll compressor with motor control for capacity modulation
AssigneeScroll Technologies
InventorsJoseph F. Loprete, John R. Williams, Gene Michael Fields, Joe T. Hill
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Several transmission embodiments selectively communicate rotary drive to an orbiting scroll to achieve capacity modulation. In these embodiments, when the motor is driven in a first direction, the orbiting scroll is driven at a rate which is equal to the motor speed. However, if the motor is driven in a reverse direction, the orbit rate of the orbiting scroll is reduced. The transmission ensures that the orbiting scroll member itself is driven in the proper forward direction regardless of whether the motor is being driven in forward or reverse.
Claims15
A scroll compressor comprising:
- a first scroll;
- a second scroll being driven for orbital movement relative to said first scroll;
- a reversible electric motor, said motor being operable to be driven in one direction at a first speed of rotation and cause said orbiting scroll to cyclically orbit in a forward direction at a first rate which is approximately equal to said first speed, and said motor being operable to be rotated in an opposed direction at said first speed, said orbiting scroll being caused to move in said forward direction when said motor is driven in said opposed direction at a rate which is different from said first rate by a mechanical transmission.
A scroll compressor comprising:
- a first scroll member having a base and a scroll wrap extending from said base;
- a second scroll member having a base and a scroll wrap interfitting with said first scroll wrap;
- a bi-directional rotary motor for driving said second scroll relative to said first scroll, said motor being driven in a forward direction and in a reverse direction, said motor being driven at a first speed in said forward and reverse directions;
- and
- a mechanical transmission for driving said second scroll in said forward direction when said motor is driven in both said reverse and forward directions, and at a speed which approximates the speed of said motor when said motor is driven in said forward direction, and said transmission reducing the speed of movement of said second scroll when said motor is driven in said reverse direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.