Scroll compressor with bifurcated flow pattern

A scroll compressor for compressing a gas, wherein the scroll compressor is lubricated by a lubricant, the scroll compressor comprising:

• a compressor shell defining a suction inlet;
• a first scroll member disposed inside the compressor shell and having a first scroll wrap;
• a second scroll member disposed inside the compressor shell and having a second scroll wrap interleaved with the first scroll wrap;
• a stator for creating a magnetic field, the stator includes an upper end turns, a lower end turns, and a stator core interposed therebetween;
• a rotor disposed within the stator to define a rotor gap therebetween, wherein the rotor rotates in response to the magnetic field and is coupled to the second scroll member to drive the second scroll member in an orbital motion relative to the first scroll member, thereby compressing the gas between the first scroll wrap and the second scroll wrap;
• and
• an oil trap that includes a suction tube leading to the suction inlet, an orifice plate extending radially inward from the suction tube for restricting gas flow therethrough, and a flow divider extending from the orifice plate in an upstream direction through the suction tube, wherein the orifice plate defines an opening through which substantially all of the gas and the lubricant within the suction tube eventually passes therethrough, wherein the location of the opening is biased toward a lower portion of the of the suction tube

A scroll compressor for compressing a gas, wherein the scroll compressor is lubricated by a lubricant, the scroll compressor comprising:

• a compressor shell defining a suction inlet;
• a first scroll member disposed inside the compressor shell and having a first scroll wrap;
• a second scroll member disposed inside the compressor shell and having a second scroll wrap interleaved with the first scroll wrap;
• a stator for creating a magnetic field, the stator includes an upper end turns, a lower end turns, and a stator core interposed therebetween, the stator and compressor shell define therebetween a first gas passageway and a second gas passageway;
• a rotor disposed within the stator to define a rotor gap therebetween, wherein the rotor rotates in response to the magnetic field and is coupled to the second scroll member to drive the second scroll member in an orbital motion relative to the first scroll member, thereby compressing the gas between the first scroll wrap and the second scroll wrap;
• and
• a diffuser below the suction inlet and being closer to the first gas passageway than to the second gas passageway.

A scroll compressor for compressing a gas, wherein the scroll compressor is lubricated by a lubricant, the scroll compressor comprising:

• a compressor shell defining a suction inlet;
• a first scroll member disposed inside the compressor shell and having a first scroll wrap;
• a second scroll member disposed inside the compressor shell and having a second scroll wrap interleaved with the first scroll wrap;
• a stator for creating a magnetic field;
• a rotor disposed within the stator to define a rotor gap therebetween, wherein the rotor rotates in response to the magnetic field and is coupled to the second scroll member to drive the second scroll member in an orbital motion relative to the first scroll member, thereby compressing the gas between the first scroll wrap and the second scroll wrap;
• and
• a counterweight attached to the rotor, wherein the counter weight has a streamlined nose and a streamlined tail.

A method of conveying a gas through a scroll compressor that includes a compressor shell containing a motor, wherein a first gas passageway and a second gas passageway are defined between the motor and the compressor shell and a diffuser is disposed closer to the first gas passageway than to the second gas passageway, the method comprising the following sequential steps:

• conveying the gas downward through the first gas passageway
• conveying the gas through the diffuser;
• and
• conveying the gas upward through the second gas passageway.

A method of conveying a gas through a scroll compressor that includes a compressor shell containing a motor, wherein a first gas passageway and a second gas passageway are defined between the motor and the compressor shell and a diffuser is disposed closer to the first gas passageway than to the second gas passageway, the method comprising:

• conveying a first portion of the gas upward through the first gas passageway;
• conveying a second portion of the gas downward through the first gas passageway;
• conveying the second portion of the gas through the diffuser;
• and
• conveying the second portion of the gas upward through the second gas passageway.