Scroll machine with capacity modulation

A capacity modulation system for a scroll-type compressor comprising:

• a first scroll member having a first end plate and a first spiral wrap upstanding therefrom;
• a second scroll member having a second end plate and a second spiral wrap upstanding therefrom, said first and second spiral wraps being interleaved to define at least two moving fluid pockets which decrease in size as they move from a radially outer position to a radially inner position;
• a first fluid passage communicating between one of said at least two moving fluid pockets and an area at substantially suction pressure;
• a second fluid passage communicating between a second of said at least two moving fluid pockets and an area at substantially suction pressure;
• and
• a single valve member operative to substantially simultaneously open and close said first and second fluid passages to thereby modulate the capacity of said scroll-type compressor, said valve member comprising an annular ring rotatably supported on one of said first and second scroll members, said annular ring including first and second portions movable into and out of overlying relationship with respect to said first and second passages respectively, and cooperating with said one of said first and second scroll members to axially support said annular ring with respect thereto, said annular ring also including a plurality of spaced guide surfaces engageable with portions of said one of said first and second scroll members, said guide surfaces cooperating with said one scroll member to radially position said annular ring with respect thereto and to guide rotational movement thereof.

A capacity modulation system for a scroll-type compressor comprising:

• a first scroll member having a first end plate and a first spiral wrap upstanding therefrom;
• a second scroll member having a second end plate and a second spiral wrap upstanding therefrom, said first and second spiral wraps being interleaved to define at least two moving fluid pockets which decrease in size as they move from a radially outer position to a radially inner position;
• a first fluid passage communicating between one of said at least two moving fluid pockets and a lower pressure area;
• a second fluid passage communicating between a second of said at least two moving fluid pockets and a lower pressure area;
• a single valve member operative to substantially simultaneously open and close said first and second fluid passages to thereby modulate the capacity of said scroll-type compressor;
• and
• an actuating assembly operative to move said valve member between a first de-energized position in which said first and second passages communicate with said lower pressure area to a second energized position in which said first and second passages are closed off from said lower pressure area said actuating assembly including a piston movably disposed in a cylinder piston being connected to said valve member and a fluid line for selectively supplying pressurized fluid to said cylinder whereby said piston will operate to move said valve member in a first direction from said first position to said second position;
• and said cylinder communicating with a passage for venting said pressurized fluid to a lower pressure area within said compressor.

A scroll-type refrigeration compressor comprising:

• a first scroll member having a first end plate and a first spiral wrap upstanding therefrom;
• a second scroll member having a second end plate and a second spiral wrap upstanding therefrom, said first and second spiral wraps being interleaved to define at least two moving fluid pockets which decrease in size as they move from a radially outer position to a radially inner position;
• a stationary body supporting said second scroll member for orbital movement with respect to said first scroll member, said first scroll member being supportingly secured to said stationary body;
• a drive shaft rotatably supported by said stationary body and drivingly coupled to said second scroll member;
• p1 a driving motor operative to rotatably drive said drive shaft;
• a first fluid passage provided in said first scroll member and extending generally radially from a first fluid pocket and opening outwardly along an outer peripheral surface of said first scroll member;
• a second fluid passage provided on said first scroll member and extending generally radially from a second fluid pocket and opening outwardly along an outer peripheral surface of said first scroll member, in circumferentially spaced relationship from said first passage;
• an annular valve ring rotatably supported on said peripheral surface in radially spaced overlying relationship to said openings of said first and second passages, said valve ring including first and second radially inwardly extending protrusions movable into and out of overlying relationship with respect to said first and second openings respectively to close and open said passages;
• and
• an actuating assembly supported on said first scroll member, said actuating assembly being operable to effect rotary movement of said valve ring with respect to said first scroll member to thereby move said protrusions into and out of overlying relationship with said openings whereby the capacity of said compressor may be modulated.

A scroll-type refrigeration compressor comprising:

• a first scroll member having a first end plate and a first spiral wrap upstanding therefrom;
• a second scroll member having a second end plate and a second spiral wrap upstanding therefrom, said first and second spiral wraps being interleaved to define at least two moving fluid pockets which decrease in size as they move from a radially outer position to a radially inner position;
• a stationary body supporting said second scroll member for orbital movement with respect to said first scroll member, said first scroll member being supportingly secured to said stationary body;
• a drive shaft rotatably supported by said stationary body and drivingly coupled to said second scroll member;
• a driving motor operative to rotatably drive said drive shaft;
• a first fluid passage provided in said first scroll member and extending generally radially from a first fluid pocket and opening outwardly along an outer peripheral surface of said first scroll member;
• an annular valve ring rotatably supported on said peripheral surface in radially spaced overlying relationship to said opening of said first passage, said valve ring including a first radially inwardly extending protrusion movable into and out of overlying relationship with respect to said first opening to close and open said passage;
• and
• an actuating assembly supported on said first scroll member, said actuating assembly being operable to effect rotary movement of said valve ring with respect to said scroll member to thereby move said protrusion into and out of overlying relationship with said openings whereby the capacity of said compressor may be modulated.

A scroll-type refrigeration compressor comprising:

• a first scroll member having a first end plate and a first spiral wrap upstanding therefrom;
• a second scroll member having a second end plate and a second spiral wrap upstanding therefrom, said first and second spiral wraps being interleaved to define at least two moving fluid pockets which decrease in size as they move from a radially outer position to a radially inner position;
• a stationary body supporting said second scroll member for orbital movement with respect to said first scroll member, said first scroll member being supportingly axially movably secured to said stationary body;
• a drive shaft rotatably supported by said stationary body and drivingly coupled to said second scroll member;
• a driving motor operative to rotatably drive said drive shaft;
• a first fluid passage provided in said first scroll member and extending generally radially from a first fluid pocket and opening outwardly along an outer peripheral surface of said first scroll member;
• a second fluid passage provided on said first scroll member and extending generally radially from a second fluid pocket and opening outwardly along an outer peripheral surface of said first scroll member, in circumferentially spaced relationship from said first passage;
• an annular valve ring movably supported on said peripheral surface in overlying relationship to said openings of said first and second passages, said valve ring including first and second opening portions movable into and out of overlying relationship with respect to said first and second openings respectively to open and close said passages;
• and
• an actuating assembly supported on said first scroll member, said actuating assembly being operable to effect movement of said valve ring with respect to said first scroll member to thereby move said open portions into and out of overlying relationship with said openings whereby the capacity of said compressor may be modulated.