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US 6,203,299 B1Granted
Capacity modulation for scroll compressors
AssigneeScroll Technologies
InventorsJohn R. Williams, Gene Michael Fields, Joe T. Hill, Tracy Milliff, Terry L. Lyons
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A scroll compressor is provided with structure that allows a reduction or modulation in mass flow capacity. Structure is provided for controlling the back pressure force tending to bias one scroll into other. This structure defines two distinct back pressure chambers. Pressure fluid is not supplied to at least one of the back pressure chambers during modulated operation.
Claims17
A scroll compressor comprising:
- a first scroll having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from said base;
- a second scroll having a base and a generally spiral wrap interfitting with said spiral wrap of said first scroll to define compression chambers, said compression chambers being defined both on a radially inner and a radially outer face of said first scroll, said first scroll being driven to orbit relative to said second scroll;
- a restrictor to selectively restrict the supply of refrigerant to at least some of said compression chambers to reduce the mass of refrigerant being compressed;
- and
- a back pressure chamber defined behind said base of one of said first and second scrolls, the force from said back pressure chamber being reduced when said scroll compressor is in a restricted mode.
2 more elements
A scroll compressor having capacity modulation comprising:
- a first scroll having a wrap and a generally spiral wrap extending from said wrap;
- a second scroll having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from said base, said wrap of said second scroll interfitting with said wrap of said first scroll to define a plurality of compression chambers, said first scroll being driven to orbit relative to said second scroll;
- and
- a back pressure chamber defined behind said base of one of said first and second scrolls, said back pressure chamber having a reduced force when said scroll compressor is being operated in a reduced capacity mode.
1 more element
A method of operating a scroll compressor comprising the steps of:
- (1) providing an orbiting scroll and a non-orbiting scroll, and driving said orbiting scroll relative to said non-orbiting scroll;
- (2) supplying a refrigerant to be compressed to chambers between said orbiting and non-orbiting scroll wraps;
- (3) reducing flow of refrigerant to certain of said chambers when a reduced capacity is desired;
- and
- (4) reducing a back pressure force when operating in reduced mode under step (3).
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.