Variable capacity modulation for scroll compressor
AssigneeScroll Technologies
InventorsJohn R. Williams, James W. Bush, Zili Sun, Carlos Zamudio, Jason Hugenroth, Greg Hahn, Thomas Barito, Joe T. Hill
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A scroll compressor is provided that has greater control over the compressed volume by having a plurality of sequentially spaced unloader valves and associated holes. By providing the plurality of valves, a control achieves greater variation over the final compressed volume. The present invention is most preferably utilized in the type of scroll compressor having a hybrid wrap geometry to provide an increased volume of refrigerant adjacent the suction area of the compressor.
Claims9
A scroll compressor comprising:
- a first scroll member having a generally spiral wrap extending from a base;
- a second scroll member having a generally spiral wrap extending from a base, said generally spiral wraps of said first and second scroll members interfitting to define compression chambers;
- said second scroll member being driven to orbit relative to said first scroll member;
- and
- a capacity control mechanism including a plurality of pairs of holes extending through said base of said first scroll member, each of said plurality of holes being provided with a control valve communicating with a suction pressure chamber, and a control for selectively opening said control valves associated with some of said pairs of holes while leaving others of said pairs of holes closed to achieve a desired capacity.
A scroll compressor comprising:
- a first scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from a base, said generally spiral wrap being configured to have a geometry such that an increased volume of refrigerant is received adjacent a suction port than would be received if said wrap were defined on an involute of a circle;
- a second scroll member having a base with a generally spiral wrap extending from said base, said generally spiral wraps of said first and second scroll members interfitting to define compression chambers;
- said second scroll member being driven to orbit relative to said first scroll member;
- and
- a capacity control mechanism including a plurality of pairs of holes extending through said base of said first scroll member, each of said plurality of pairs being provided with a control valve communicating with a suction pressure chamber, and a control for selectively opening some of said control valves while leaving others closed to achieve a desired capacity, said plurality of holes being spaced sequentially along a direction of movement of said second scroll member relative to said first scroll member such that a variable final compressed volume can be achieved.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.