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US 6,443,703 B1Granted
Scroll compressor with motor protector in suction flow path
AssigneeScroll Technologies
InventorJason Hugenroth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Motor protectors are positioned in a location in a scroll compressor where they are cooled by suction refrigerant flow. If the volume of refrigerant flow decreases, then the cooling effect also decreases. In this way, the protector becomes more sensitive to the mass flow of refrigerant. Thus, the motor protector is more likely to trip in a loss of charge situation.
Claims13
A scroll compressor comprising:
- a first scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from said base;
- a second scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base, a driveshaft for driving said second scroll member to orbit relative to said first scroll member, said driveshaft being driven by an electric motor having a rotor fixed to said shaft for driving said shaft and a stator for driving said rotor, said stator having windings;
- a motor protector for sensing conditions within said compressor and stopping operation of said motor if conditions indicate an anomaly, and a suction tube extending through a housing for said compressor, said suction tube communicating refrigerant into said housing to cool said motor protector, with said motor protector being positioned to be sensitive to said flow of refrigerant at a position spaced from a winding of said stator;
- and
- a baffle positioned radially inward of said suction and directing suction refrigerant flow in a direction having a component toward said protector.
2 more elements
A scroll compressor comprising:
- a first scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from said base;
- a second scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base, a driveshaft for driving said second scroll member to orbit relative to said first scroll member, said driveshaft being driven by an electric motor having a rotor fixed to said shaft for driving said shaft and a stator for driving said rotor, said stator having windings;
- a motor protector for sensing conditions within said compressor and stopping operation of said motor if conditions indicate an anomaly, and a suction tube extending through a housing for said compressor, said suction tube communicating refrigerant into said housing to cool said motor protector, with said motor protector being positioned to be sensitive to said flow of refrigerant at a position spaced from a winding of said stator;
- and
- a holder positioning said motor protector axially above said winding and in line with said suction tube, such that said motor protector is positioned radially inwardly of said suction tube and at the same axial position along said driveshaft.
2 more elements
A scroll compressor comprising:
- a first scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from said base;
- a second scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base, a driveshaft for driving said second scroll member to orbit relative to said first scroll member, said driveshaft being driven by an electric motor having a rotor fixed to said shaft for driving said shaft and a stator for driving said rotor, said stator having windings;
- a motor protector for sensing conditions within said compressor and stopping operation of said motor if conditions indicate an anomaly, and a suction tube extending through a housing for said compressor, said suction tube communicating refrigerant into said housing to cool said motor protector, with said motor protector being positioned to be sensitive to said flow of refrigerant at a position spaced from a winding of said stator;
- and
- a heat tube communicates from said motor protector to a position in line with said suction tube, said heat tube being formed of a temperature sensitive material such that said heat tube takes heat away from said motor protector when cooled by a refrigerant.
2 more elements
A scroll compressor comprising:
- a first scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from said base;
- a second scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base, a driveshaft for driving said second scroll member to orbit relative to said first scroll member, said driveshaft being driven by an electric motor having a rotor fixed to said shaft for driving said shaft and a stator for driving said rotor, said stator having windings;
- a motor protector for sensing conditions within said compressor and stopping operation of said motor if conditions indicate an anomaly, and a suction tube extending through a housing for said compressor, said suction tube communicating refrigerant into said housing to cool said motor protector, with said motor protector being positioned to be sensitive to said flow of refrigerant at a position spaced from a winding of said stator;
- and
- a material positioned between said suction refrigerant and said motor protector, said material becoming less thermally conductive at higher temperatures, such that at higher temperatures less heat is taken away from said motor protector by a constant volume of refrigerant.
2 more elements
A scroll compressor comprising:
- a first scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from said base;
- a second scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base, a driveshaft for driving said second scroll member to orbit relative to said first scroll member, said driveshaft being driven by an electric motor having a rotor fixed to said shaft for driving said shaft and a stator for driving said rotor, said stator having windings;
- a motor protector for sensing conditions within said compressor and stopping operation of said motor if conditions indicate an anomaly, and a suction tube extending through a housing for said compressor, said suction tube communicating refrigerant into said housing to cool said motor protector, with said motor protector being positioned to be sensitive to said flow of refrigerant at a position spaced from a winding of said stator;
- and
- said motor protector is positioned adjacent to a fluid filled pillow, said fluid filled pillow expending when heated, such that said fluid filled pillow insulates said motor protector to a greater extent from suction gas flow as the temperature of said suction refrigerant increases.
2 more elements
A scroll compressor comprising:
- a first scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from said base;
- a second scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base, a driveshaft for driving said second scroll member to orbit relative to said first scroll member, said driveshaft being driven by an electric motor having a rotor fixed to said shaft for driving said shaft and a stator for driving said rotor, said stator having windings;
- a motor protector for sensing conditions within said compressor and stopping operation of said motor if conditions indicate an anomaly, and a suction tube extending through a housing for said compressor, said suction tube communicating refrigerant into said housing to cool said motor protector, with said motor protector being positioned to be sensitive to said flow of refrigerant at a position spaced from a winding of said stator;
- and
- said motor protector is positioned within a shell that also surrounds said winding, but has a space for allowing refrigerant to flow between said winding and said shell, and said shell making said motor protector more sensitive to the flow of refrigerant.
2 more elements
A scroll compressor comprising:
- a first scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from said base;
- a second scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base, a driveshaft for driving said second scroll member to orbit relative to said first scroll member, said driveshaft being driven by an electric motor having a rotor fixed to said shaft for driving said shaft and a stator for driving said rotor, said stator having windings;
- a motor protector for sensing conditions within said compressor and stopping operation of said motor if conditions indicate an anomaly, and a suction tube extending through a housing for said compressor, said suction tube communicating refrigerant into said housing to cool said motor protector, with said motor protector being positioned to be sensitive to said flow of refrigerant at a position spaced from a winding of said stator;
- and
- a baffle positioned inward of said suction tube directing suction refrigerant flow in a direction having a component toward said protector, wherein motor protector is positioned radially outwardly of said winding.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.