Abstract:
A hermetically sealed compressor assembly including a housing, an electric motor disposed in the housing, a compression mechanism disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the motor, a cover attached to the housing and including an integral fitting having at least one clip therein. The clip is structured and arranged such that a conduit to be electrically connected to the compressor assembly enters the cover wherein the clip engages the conduit and prevents the egress of the conduit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to compressor assemblies, specifically providing electrical connections to hermetic compressor assemblies.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    It is well-known to provide an electrical connection to a compressor for operation of that compressor or compressor assembly. Previous terminal covers for compressors utilized a through-hole drilled into the cover for connection of a fitting which would then be used to receive the conduit containing the electrical wires for the power supply. Such terminal covers, while commonly used, required the use of another fitting, in addition to the cover and conduit, thereby requiring multiple parts to connect the conduit and the compressor. The requirement of multiple parts further created a need for additional time to complete the connection since a through-hole must be drilled in the cover, the fitting connected to the cover, the cover connected to the compressor, and finally the conduit connected to the compressor through the fitting and the cover. Thus, previous terminal covers proved to be problematic in usage and implementation.  
           [0005]    Covers are not unique to compressors; rather, covers are necessary for many different electrical devices, specifically those electrical devices which include electrical connections to an external power source. Such covers may include a mechanism for holding a cable or a conduit inserted into the cover securely such that the electrical connection is not broken during ordinary use of the electrical device. Some previous mechanisms include cable retaining mechanisms having projections, flanges, or arms to grip a cable (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,366,343; 4,389,535; 4,414,427; 4,424,406; 4,972,044; and 6,278,061). Other previous mechanisms include cord connectors having female and male portions or female and male receiving portions for connection of a cable or conduit, or two portions of a cable or conduit (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,422,437 and 5,772,462). While these previous mechanisms did provide electrical connections, each previous mechanism was a separate component of the cover assembly, which could come loose from the electrical device or which could fail and require repair or replacement thereof. Furthermore, such mechanisms do not provide a quick connection in that they must be physically attached to the compressor, then the conduit or cable inserted and locked therein, thus requiring more time and effort for an electrical connection.  
           [0006]    A terminal cover for a compressor which does not require multiple parts, which is not a separate component, and which provides quick connection of a conduit to the compressor would be desirable.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The above-described shortcomings of previous compressor electrical cover assemblies are overcome by providing a molded cover which includes an integral fitting therein with the integral fitting having a pair of resilient clips to engage the outer surface of a conduit inserted into the cover for connection to the compressor. The clips are structured and arranged such that the conduit may enter the cover with relative ease, yet be prevented from falling or pulled out of or being removed from the cover since the clips engage the outer surface of the conduit.  
           [0008]    The present invention provides a hermetically sealed compressor assembly including a housing, an electric motor disposed in the housing, a compression mechanism disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the motor, a cover attached to the housing and including an integral fitting having at least one clip therein. The clip is structured and arranged such that a conduit to be electrically connected to the compressor assembly enters the cover wherein the clip engages the conduit and prevents the egress of the conduit.  
           [0009]    The present invention further provides a hermetic compressor assembly including a housing, an electric motor disposed in the housing, and a compression mechanism disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the motor, an electrical conduit in electrical communication with the compressor assembly, and a terminal cover mounted on the exterior of the housing of the compressor assembly and receiving the electrical conduit. The terminal cover includes an integral fitting within the cover, and at least a pair of clips fixedly mounted in the integral fitting, with the clips being structured and arranged such that the electrical conduit is retained within the terminal cover.  
           [0010]    The present invention further provides a hermetically sealed compressor assembly including a housing, an electric motor disposed in the housing, a compression mechanism disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the motor, and a cover attached to the housing and including means for retaining an electrical conduit in the cover, with the means for retaining being integral with the cover. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a reciprocating piston compressor assembly, with which the present invention may be used;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rotary compressor assembly, with which the present invention may be used;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is an oblique view of a compressor having a cover in accordance with the present invention mounted to the exterior thereof;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the cover of FIG. 3 detached from the compressor;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the cover of FIG. 4, with a conduit extending therefrom; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the cover and conduit of FIG. 5, along line  6 - 6 . 
     
    
       [0018]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.  
         [0020]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, reciprocating compressor assembly  20  and rotary compressor assembly  22  are shown as examples of types of hermetic compressor assemblies in which the present invention may be advantageously used. Other hermetic compressor types, such as, for example, a scroll compressor assembly, may also benefit from use of present invention.  
         [0021]    The compressor assembly, which may be part of a refrigeration system (not shown) also comprising heat exchangers, an expansion device and refrigerant conveying lines, receives refrigerant substantially at suction pressure and discharges it substantially at discharge pressure. The compressor assembly may be of a “high side” type, in which the portion of the housing in which the motor is located is at discharge pressure, or of a “low side” type, in which the portion of the housing in which the motor is located is at suction pressure. The present invention may be beneficially employed in either a high side or a low side type.  
         [0022]    Reciprocating compressor assembly  20  (FIG. 1) comprises housing  24  which includes upper housing portion  26  disposed atop lower housing portion  28 . Reciprocating compressor assembly  20  is of the low side type, and in operation, refrigerant gas is drawn first into housing  24 , and then into compression mechanism  46 , the compressed gas then discharged directly from the compression mechanism and the housing via discharge tube or shock loop  50  and recirculated through the refrigerant system.  
         [0023]    Housing  24  of rotary compressor assembly  22  includes main housing portion  30  and two end portions  32  (FIG. 2). Rotary compressor assembly  22  is of the high side type, and in operation, refrigerant gas is drawn from outside its housing  24  directly into its compression mechanism  46  via a suction tube (not shown). Within compression mechanism  46 , the gas is compressed to a higher, discharge pressure, and then discharged from the compression mechanism into its housing  24 . Thereafter, the compressed gas is exhausted from the housing through discharge tube  50  and recirculated through a refrigerant system (not shown).  
         [0024]    The housing portions for both compressor assemblies  20  and  22  are hermetically sealed at  34  by a method such as welding, brazing, or the like. Hermetic compressor assemblies  20  and  22  each also include electric motor  36  disposed within housing  24 , which comprises stator  38  provided with windings  40 , and rotor  42 , that is surrounded by stator  38 . Rotor  42  has central aperture  48  in which drive shaft, or crankshaft,  44  is secured by an interference fit.  
         [0025]    As shown, an end of drive shaft  44  is operatively connected to compression mechanism  46 , which may be of the reciprocating piston type, as in compressor assembly  20 , or of the rotary type, as in compressor assembly  22 , or of the scroll type (not shown), each of which is well-known in the art. The general structure and operation of a reciprocating compressor assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,016, the complete disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. The general structure and operation of a rotary compressor assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,885, the complete disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. The general structure and operation of a scroll compressor assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,126, the complete disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. Each of these patents is assigned to Tecumseh Products Company, the assignee of the present invention.  
         [0026]    In lower housing portion  28  of low side reciprocating compressor  20  (FIG. 1) and one of end portions  32  of high side rotary compressor  22  (FIG. 2) is an aperture, into which terminal assembly  52  is fitted and sealably secured by welding, brazing, or the like. In the manner discussed above, an external power source (not shown) is electrically connected to the conductor pins of terminal assembly  52 , which are connected, through cluster block assembly  54  and jacketed lead wires  56  to stator windings  40 .  
         [0027]    Referring now to FIG. 3, compressor assembly  20 ,  22  is shown as including conduit-ready terminal cover  58  mounted to housing  24  and into which conduit  70  (FIG. 5) for protection of the electrical connections is inserted. As described above, compressor assembly  20 ,  22  may be a rotary compressor assembly or a reciprocating compressor assembly. Alternatively, the compressor assembly may be a scroll compressor assembly.  
         [0028]    Conduit-ready terminal cover  58 , as shown in FIG. 4, includes main body portion  60 , which includes bore  62  on a side thereof for securing terminal cover  58  to housing  24  (FIG. 1) of compressor assembly  20 ,  22  (FIG. 1) by means of bolts or other such devices (not shown). Body  60  further includes a secondary rounded area  64 , which may be used for the electrical connections and storage thereof.  
         [0029]    Surface  66  of cover  58  is disposed on a side located opposite of bore  62 , and upon surface  66  is integrally formed fitting  68  into which conduit  70  (FIG. 5) is inserted for electrical connection to compressor assembly  20 ,  22 . Fitting  68  includes a pair of integral clips  72  therein for secure attachment of conduit  70  to terminal cover  58  and further includes circumferential surface  74 , which is used for guiding conduit  70 , such that clips  72  may be engaged with conduit  70 . With reference to FIG. 5, conduit  70  is shown as having been inserted in fitting  68  and extending therefrom.  
         [0030]    Integral clips  72  are resilient and comprise arm portion  82  and extending portion  76 , with extending portion  76  engaging the exterior of conduit  70 , as shown in FIG. 6. Extending portions  76  each include oblique surface  78  thereon and flat surface  84  disposed opposite oblique surface  78 , or toward the rear of clip  72 . Such a structure allows clips  72  to engage conduit  70  such that conduit  70  may be inserted into fitting  68 , but not withdrawn easily therefrom. Specifically, conduit  70  includes grooves  80  between rounded portions  86 , which may be part of a single helical groove or separate corrugations, with clips  72 , specifically extending portions  76 , being able to be received in grooves  80 . Since clips  72  are received in grooves  80 , clips  72  may be slightly offset, as shown in FIG. 6, to correspond to the groove or may be directly across from each other if conduit  70  does not utilize a single helical groove.  
         [0031]    Through the use of the oblique surfaces  78 , conduit  70  is inserted into fitting  68  with clips  72  sliding over respective rounded portions  86  and into and out of grooves  80  until the desired position is reached. However, if conduit  70  is pulled in a direction opposite the insertion direction, surfaces  84  of extending portions  76  do not facilitate the same sliding action over rounded portions  86  and into grooves  80  as did oblique surfaces  78 . Rather, surfaces  84  prevent similar sliding movement, thereby preventing withdrawal of conduit  70  from fitting  68 . Surface  66  further includes aperture  88  such that the wires (not shown) disposed within conduit  70  may be inserted therethrough for electrical connection in compressor assembly  20 ,  22 .  
         [0032]    Since clips  72  are resilient, as conduit  70  is inserted, each respective clip portion  72  is able to oscillate or ratchet as extending portions  76  slide over conduit rounded portions  86  and into and out of grooves  80 .  
         [0033]    Although conduit  70  has been shown as having rounded portions  86  and grooves  80 , other types of conduit may be utilized with fitting  68  and clips  72 . Extending portions  76  of clips  72  extending inwardly of surface  74  of fitting  68  such that clips  72 , specifically extending portions  76 , will grasp conduit  70 , which is inserted into fitting  68 , provided the diameter of conduit  70  is not substantially less than the distance between each clip portion of clip  72 . Thus, conduit such as PVC conduit or other smooth conduits may also be accommodated by this structure.  
         [0034]    It is further to be noted that, although terminal cover  58  is shown as being mounted to the top portion of housing  24  of compressor assembly  20 , cover  58  may alternatively be mounted in any location that would be the most convenient for insertion of conduit  70  and provision of the electrical connections necessary for compressor assembly  20 . Furthermore, the shape of terminal cover  58  may be varied according to the size and capacity necessary or packaging requirements in each compressor application.  
         [0035]    While this invention has been described as having an exemplary structure, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.