Abstract:
A suction fitting for a compressor can include screens, filters, and direction control louvers to both filter out particulates and direct higher mass liquid refrigerant downward away from the inlet to the compression chamber. Alternatively, a mesh filter can be place over the opening(s) to the suction plenum to prevent debris and contaminants from entering the suction plenum.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/756,696, filed Jan. 25, 2013, entitled SUCTION FITTING FOR A COMPRESSOR, which Application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The application generally relates to suction fittings and filters for a compressor. 
         [0003]    Aftermarket compressors (compressors installed into systems to replace a failed compressor) typically fail at a rate 3 to 4 times higher than original equipment manufacturer (OEM) initial installations. The high failure rate can be due to a variety of factors that can be present or occur in field installations. Some of the factors contributing to a high failure rate can include the presence of acids in the system from a motor burnout in the OEM compressor, the introduction of contaminants into the system during the installation process, the miswiring of the aftermarket compressor, overcharging the system with refrigerant during the installation process, or poor braze techniques when installing the aftermarket compressor. 
         [0004]    One problem for compressors, whether an OEM compressor or an aftermarket compressor, is the entry of debris, particles or contaminants into the motor or compression mechanism, which can damage the compressor and shorten the compressor&#39;s operational life. Debris, particles or contaminants can be introduced into the system during the process of changing compressors or the contaminants, debris or particles can already be within the system from the prior failure of a compressor. 
         [0005]    Thus, what is needed is a suction filter for a compressor that can stop contaminants, debris or particles from entering the motor or compression mechanism. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to a compressor including a shell having an enclosed space, a compression mechanism positioned within the enclosed space of the shell and a motor positioned within the enclosed space of the shell and connected to the compression mechanism by a shaft to power the compression mechanism. The compressor also includes a motor cap positioned on the motor opposite the compression mechanism. The motor cap includes a top surface and a sidewall extending from the top surface toward the motor. The top surface and sidewall define a plenum between the motor and the motor cap to store refrigerant. The motor cap includes at least one opening to provide passage of refrigerant between the enclosed space and the plenum. The compressor also includes a filter mechanism positioned over the at least one opening. 
         [0007]    The present invention is also directed to a compressor including a shell having an enclosed space, a compression mechanism positioned within the enclosed space of the shell, a motor positioned within the enclosed space of the shell and connected to the compression mechanism by a shaft to power the compression mechanism. The compressor also includes a suction fitting mounted within the shell to provide for passage of refrigerant into the enclosed space. The suction fitting includes a screen positioned within the suction fitting and a cover positioned on the end of the suction fitting located within the compressor. The cover includes a plurality of louvers to direct the refrigerant flow into the enclosed space. 
         [0008]    In the present application, a suction fitting can include screens, filters, and direction control louvers to both filter out particulates and direct higher mass liquid refrigerant downward away from the inlet to the compression chamber. 
         [0009]    One advantage of the present application is that the suction fitting can flare or expand from a tube sized diameter to a larger diameter to allow contaminants to be trapped and still retain appropriate clean suction flow area through the suction fitting. 
         [0010]    Another advantage of the present application is that the suction fitting can be welded into the compressor shell from the inside as a subassembly similar to that employed in the assembly of the electrical terminal. 
         [0011]    Other features and advantages of the present application will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a hermetic compressor. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  schematically shows an embodiment of a vapor compression system. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  schematically shows another embodiment of a vapor compression system. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of a suction fitting mounted in a compressor shell. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a suction fitting. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of the suction fitting of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  shows a front view of an exemplary of a suction fitting. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  shows a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the suction fitting of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of the housing of the suction fitting of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of the housing of the suction fitting of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  shows a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of the housing of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  shows a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of the housing of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  shows a front view of an embodiment of a cover for a suction fitting. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  shows a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of the cover of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  shows a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of the cover of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  shows an embodiment of a screen for a suction fitting. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a suction fitting. 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a suction filter for a motor cap. 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  shows a top view of an embodiment of a suction filter for a motor cap. 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  shows a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G of the motor cap of  FIG. 19 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  shows a top view of an embodiment of a suction filter. 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  shows a cross-sectional view taken along line K-K of the suction filter of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 23  shows the motor cap of  FIG. 19  without the suction filter. 
       
    
    
       [0035]    Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a reciprocating compressor. However, in other embodiments, the compressor can be any suitable type of hermetic or semi-hermetic compressor including, but not limited to, a rotary compressor, screw compressor, swag link compressor, scroll compressor, spool compressor, centrifugal compressor, or turbine compressor. 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 1 , compressor  2  can have a suction port or fitting  14  that can be in fluid communication with an evaporator of a vapor compression system upon the connection of a suction line or conduit from the evaporator to the suction port  14 . The suction port  14  can be in fluid communication with a suction plenum  12  through one or more openings in a motor cap  13 . Refrigerant gas from the evaporator can enter the compressor  2  through the suction port  14  and then flow to the suction plenum  12  before being compressed. In one embodiment, the refrigerant gas from the suction port  14  can also fill the interior space of the compressor housing before flowing to the suction plenum  12 . 
         [0038]    The compressor  2  can use an electrical motor  18 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , motor  18  is an induction motor having a stator  20  and a rotor  22 . However, in other embodiments, any other suitable type of electrical motor may be used including, but not limited to, a switched reluctance (SR) motor or an electronically commutated permanent magnet motor (ECM). A shaft assembly  24  extends through the rotor  22 . The bottom end  26  of the shaft assembly  24  extends into an oil sump  405  and includes a series of apertures  27 . Connected to the shaft assembly  24  below the motor is a compression device  30 , such as a piston assembly as shown in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 1 , the piston assembly  30  has two pistons. A connecting rod  32  is connected to a piston head  34 , which moves back and forth within a cylinder  36 . The cylinder  36  includes a gas inlet port  38  and a gas discharge port  40 . Associated with these ports  38 ,  40  are associated suction valves and discharge valves. The gas inlet port  38  is connected to an intake tube  54 , which is in fluid communication with the suction plenum  12 . 
         [0039]    The motor  18  can be activated by a signal in response to the satisfaction of a predetermined condition, for example, an electrical signal from a thermostat when a preset temperature threshold is reached. While a thermostat is used as an example, it should be known that any type of device or signal may be used to activate the compressor. When the compressor is activated, electricity is supplied to the stator  20 , and the windings in the stator  20  cause the rotor  22  to rotate. Rotation of the rotor  22  causes the shaft assembly  24  to turn. When the shaft assembly  24  is turning, oil sump fluid in the oil sump  405  enters the apertures  27  in the bottom end  26  of the shaft and then moves upward through and along the shaft  24  to lubricate the moving parts of the compressor  2 . 
         [0040]    Rotation of the rotor  22  also causes reciprocating motion of the piston assembly  30 . As the assembly  30  moves to an intake position, the piston head  34  moves away from gas inlet port  38 , the suction valve opens and refrigerant fluid is introduced into an expanding cylinder  36  volume. The gas is pulled from the suction plenum  12  through the intake tube  54  to the gas inlet port  38  where the gas passes through the suction valve and is introduced into the cylinder  36 . When the piston assembly  30  reaches a first end (or top) of its stroke, shown by movement of the piston head  34  to the right side of the cylinder  36  of  FIG. 1 , the suction valve closes. The piston head  34  then compresses the refrigerant gas by reducing the cylinder  36  volume. When the piston assembly  30  moves to a second end (or bottom) of its stroke, shown by movement of piston head  34  to the left side of cylinder  36  of  FIG. 1 , a discharge valve is opened and the compressed refrigerant gas is expelled through the gas discharge port  40 . The compressed refrigerant gas flows from the gas discharge port  40  into a muffler  50  then through an exhaust or discharge tube  52  to a discharge port or fitting. The discharge port can be in fluid communication with a condenser upon the connection of a discharge line or conduit from the condenser to the discharge port. 
         [0041]    The compressor  2  may be connected to a vapor compression system that is included in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, refrigeration system, chilled liquid system or other suitable type of system.  FIGS. 2 and 3  show different embodiments of vapor compression systems. In  FIG. 2 , vapor compression system  300  includes the compressor  2 , a condenser  304 , and an evaporator  306 , while in  FIG. 3 , vapor compression system  300  includes the compressor  2 , a reversing valve  350 , an indoor unit  354  and an outdoor unit  352 . 
         [0042]    The vapor compression system  300  can be operated as an air conditioning system, where the evaporator  306  is located inside a structure or indoors, i.e., the evaporator is part of indoor unit  354 , to provide cooling to the air in the structure and the condenser  304  is located outside a structure or outdoors, i.e., the condenser is part of outdoor unit  352 , to discharge heat to the outdoor air. The vapor compression system  300  can also be operated as a heat pump system, i.e., a system that can provide both heating and cooling to the air in the structure, with the inclusion of the reversing valve  350  to control and direct the flow of refrigerant from the compressor  2 . When the heat pump system is operated in an air conditioning mode, the reversing valve  350  is controlled to provide for refrigerant flow as described above for an air conditioning system. However, when the heat pump system is operated in a heating mode, the reversing valve  350  is controlled to provide for the flow of refrigerant in the opposite direction from the air conditioning mode. When operating in the heating mode, the condenser  304  is located inside a structure or indoors, i.e., the condenser is part of indoor unit  354 , to provide heating to the air in the structure and the evaporator  306  is located outside a structure or outdoors, i.e., the evaporator is part of outdoor unit  352 , to absorb heat from the outdoor air. 
         [0043]    In vapor compression system  300 , whether operated as a heat pump or as an air conditioner, the compressor  2  is driven by the motor  18  that is powered by a motor drive  104 . The motor drive  104  receives AC power having a particular fixed line voltage and fixed line frequency from AC power source  102  and provides power to the motor  18 . In another embodiment, the motor  18  can be powered directly from the AC power source  102 . The motor  18  used in the system  300  can be any suitable type of motor that can be powered by a motor drive  104 . 
         [0044]    Referring back to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the compressor  2  compresses a refrigerant vapor and delivers the vapor to the condenser  304  through a discharge line (and the reversing valve  350  if configured as a heat pump). Some examples of refrigerants that may be used in vapor compression system  300  are: hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) based refrigerants, for example, R-410A, R-407C, R-404A, R-134a and R-32 (a component of R410A and R407C); hydrofluoro olefin (HFO) refrigerants, also known as “unsaturated HFCs,” such as R1234yf; inorganic refrigerants like ammonia (NH3), R-717 and carbon dioxide (CO2), R-744; hydrocarbon (HC) based refrigerants such as propane (R-290), isobutane (R-600a) or propene (R-1270), or any other suitable type of refrigerant. The refrigerant vapor delivered by the compressor  2  to the condenser  304  enters into a heat exchange relationship with a process fluid, e.g., air or water, and undergoes a phase change to a refrigerant liquid as a result of the heat exchange relationship with the process fluid. The condensed liquid refrigerant from the condenser  304  flows through an expansion device to the evaporator  306 . 
         [0045]    The condensed liquid refrigerant delivered to the evaporator  306  enters into a heat exchange relationship with another process fluid, e.g., air or water, and undergoes a phase change to a refrigerant vapor as a result of the heat exchange relationship with the process fluid. The vapor refrigerant in the evaporator  306  exits the evaporator  306  and returns to the compressor  2  by a suction line (and the reversing valve arrangement  350  if configured as a heat pump) to complete the cycle. In other embodiments, any suitable configuration of the condenser  304  and the evaporator  306  can be used in the system  300 , provided that the appropriate phase change of the refrigerant in the condenser  304  and evaporator  306  is obtained. For example, if air is used as the process fluid to exchange heat with the refrigerant in the condenser  304  or the evaporator  306 , then one or more fans can be used to provide the necessary airflow through the condenser  304  or evaporator  306 . The motors for the one or more fans may be powered directly from the AC power source  102  or a motor drive, such as motor drive  104 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of a suction fitting for a compressor. A suction fitting  80  can be mounted, fastened or installed in the shell or housing  98  of the compressor  2  by brazing or welding techniques to maintain a hermetic environment within the compressor shell  98 . However, any suitable technique, e.g., epoxy, adhesives, compression fit, etc., to fasten the suction fitting  80  to the shell  98  can be used so long as the hermetic environment within the compressor is maintained. The refrigerant fluid can pass through a first portion  82  of the suction fitting  80  that is substantially cylindrical and then enter into a second portion or expansion area  84  of the suction fitting  80  that has an expanding or increasing diameter from the first portion  82 . The refrigerant flow then enters the compressor shell  98  after passing through a screen  88  which can filter out and remove and debris or contaminants from the refrigerant flow and one or more louvers  86  which permit refrigerant gas to travel to the motor cap  13  and the interior of the compressor  2 . The louvers  86  can also direct liquids, such as refrigerant liquid or oil, to the compressor sump  405  at the bottom of the compressor  2 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 5-17  show different views of different embodiments of a suction fitting for a compressor. The suction fitting  80  can include three main components: a housing  83 ; a screen  88 ; and a cover  85 . The housing  83  is mounted in the shell  98  of the compressor  2  and can include a first portion  82  that has a diameter that permits a tube from a system such as a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) or refrigeration system to be connected to the suction fitting  80 . The housing  83  can have a second portion  84  of expanding diameter that is connected to a cylindrical third portion  87  that is located opposite the first portion  82 . 
         [0048]    The second portion  84  of the housing  83  can be at a predetermined angle A (see  FIG. 12 ) relative to the first portion  82  of the housing  83 . In one embodiment, the predetermined angle can range between about 90 degrees and about 135 degrees and can be 125 degrees. In another embodiment, the diameter of the third portion  87  can be about 2 to 4 times greater than the diameter of the first portion  82 . In one embodiment, an end  89  of the third portion  87  can have an undulating, wavy or curved surface with high points and low points (see  FIG. 9 ,  11 ,  12  or  17 ). In other words, the axial length of the third portion  87  can vary along the circumference of the third portion  87  between a minimum axial length corresponding to a low point and a maximum axial length corresponding to a high point. In another embodiment, the end  89  of the third portion  87  can have a substantially planar surface and the axial length of the third portion can be the same along the circumference of the third portion  87   
         [0049]    The housing  83  can include fastening mechanisms  91 ,  93  that receive screws or other fastening devices  92 ,  94  to hold the screen  88  and cover  85  in place. In one embodiment, the fastening devices  92 ,  94  can be placed at a predetermined angle B (see  FIG. 10 ) between adjacent fastening devices  92 ,  94 . The fastening mechanisms  91  can be integral with the third portion  87  of the housing  83  to receive the screws or fastening devices  92  used to attach the cover  85  to the housing  83 . The fastening mechanisms  93  can be integral with the second portion  84  of the housing  83  to receive the screws or fastening devices  94  used to attach the screen or filter  88  to the housing  83 . In other embodiments, the fastening mechanisms  91 ,  93  can be attached to the housing  83  using any suitable technique such as welding or adhesives. 
         [0050]    A screen or filter  88  can be placed inside the housing  83  and mounted to the housing  83  at the end of the second portion  84  having the larger diameter using fastening devices  94  and fastening mechanisms  93 . The screen  88  can be a substantially circular piece of metal with one or more apertures  103  (see  FIG. 16 ) to receive fastening devices  94  that can then be inserted into fastening mechanisms  93  in the housing  83 . In addition, the screen  88  can have one or more cutouts  105  (see  FIG. 16 ) to help hold the screen  88  in position and to permit the screen  88  to be installed in the housing  83  without interfering with the fastening mechanisms  91  receiving the fastening devices  92  for the cover  85 . In one embodiment, the screen  88  can be positioned at the junction of the second portion  84  and the third portion  87  and have a diameter C (see  FIG. 16 ) that corresponds to the inside diameter of the second portion  84 . The screen  88  can have holes  107  (see  FIG. 16 ) that have a diameter that can be between about 0.01 inches and about 0.05 inches and can be 0.03 inches. The holes  107  can be positioned or arranged in the sheet  88  in a generally circular area having a diameter D (see  FIG. 16 ) that is less than diameter C such that a border area is provided around the sheet  88  for improved stability and rigidity. The size and position of the holes  107  can be selected to capture debris and contaminants in the refrigerant flow while still permitting flow through the screen  88 . In other embodiments, the screen  88  can be connected or mounted to the housing  83  by any suitable technique such as welding, adhesive or compression fit. In still other embodiments, the screen  88  can be a stainless steel wire mesh having a mesh size of between 50×50 and 100×100 and a wire diameter between 0.0045 inches and 0.009 inches. 
         [0051]    A cover  85  with louvers  86  can be positioned and mounted on the end  89  and outer surface of the third portion  87  of the housing  83 . The cover  83  can have integral louvers  86  that can be used to coalesce any entrained liquids in the flow through the suction fitting  80 . The louvers can be arranged within a circular outline  113  (see  FIG. 13 ). The louvers  86  can be angled such that the coalesced liquids then drain to the oil sump  405  in the bottom of the compressor  2 . The cover  85  can have a portion  109  that extends over the third portion  87  of the housing  83 . In addition, the cover  85  can have one or more openings  111  that can receive fastening devices  92  that mate with corresponding fastening mechanisms  91  in the housing  83 . In one embodiment, the cover  85  can have a curved shape to mate with the undulating or curved end surface  89  of the third portion  87 . In another embodiment, the cover  85  can be mounted within the housing  83  instead of outside of the housing  83 . In still other embodiments the cover  85  can be connected to the housing  83  by any suitable technique such as welding, adhesive or compression fit. 
         [0052]    In another embodiment, instead of using the suction fitting  80  to filter debris and contaminants from the refrigerant flow, a suction filter can be placed over (or in front of) the openings in the motor cap to prevent debris or contaminants from entering the motor or the compression mechanism. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 18-23  show different views of a motor cap and suction filter for the motor cap. The motor cap  13  can have holes  200  positioned on approximately 25-75% of the top surface  202  of the motor cap  13 . In other embodiments, the holes  200  can be positioned over a greater or lesser percentage of the top surface  202  of the motor cap  13  so long as an appropriate amount of refrigerant enters the suction plenum  12 . 
         [0054]    In one embodiment, the motor cap  13  can have a first portion  204  and a second portion  206 . The holes  200  can be positioned or located on the second portion  206  of the motor cap  13 . A minor axis  210  of the motor cap  13  through a center point  212  of the depression  95  can be used as a divider between the first portion  204  and the second portion  206 . However, any suitable location or configuration for the divider between the first portion  204  and the second portion  206  can be used. 
         [0055]    The holes  200  can be arranged in a patterned configuration where the distances between holes  200  and the locations of the holes  200  are consistent, i.e., the same predetermined distance(s) and location placement(s) are used in the configuration. In another embodiment, the holes  200  can have a more random configuration where the distances between holes  200  and the locations of the holes  200  are not consistent, i.e., multiple predetermined distances and location placements can be used in a non-structured manner. In one embodiment, the holes  200  can be arranged in the shape of an arc, square, rectangle, triangle, circle, oval, trapezoid or any other suitable geometric shape. In addition, the holes  200  can be arranged using one or more geometric shapes, either symmetrically or asymmetrically placed about a major axis  214  of the motor cap  13  through the center point  212  of the depression  95 . The number of holes  200  in the top surface  202  of the motor cap  13  can vary between 2 holes and 200 or more holes depending on the size of the motor cap  13  and the diameter of the holes  200 . 
         [0056]    The holes  200  can be arranged in a patterned configuration having a plurality of rows and columns. In the embodiments of  FIGS. 12-15 , the rows and columns can be arranged such that the holes  200  in one row or column are offset the holes  200  in the adjacent or neighboring rows or columns by 60 degrees (see e.g.,  FIG. 12 ). In other embodiments, the offset angle between holes in adjacent rows or columns can be greater than or less than 60 degrees depending on the number and size of holes  200 . The number of holes  200  in a row or column can vary between 1 hole and 20 or more holes. 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIG. 23 , the predetermined spacing between holes in the same row or column is shown by dimension B and the predetermined spacing between holes in adjacent rows or columns in shown by dimension A. In one embodiment, dimension B can range between about 2.25 inches and about 2.65 inches and can be 2.45 inches and dimension A can range between about 0.50 inches and 1.00 inches and can be 0.75 inches. 
         [0058]    In one embodiment, the holes  200  can have a circular shape. However, in other embodiments, the holes  200  can use one or more suitable geometric shapes including, but not limited to, square, rectangle, triangle, circle, oval, hexagon and octagon. The holes  200  can use a constant predetermined diameter or size, i.e., each hole  200  has the same diameter or size. However, in another embodiment, the holes  200  can have different predetermined diameters or sizes that can be arranged in particular configurations to obtain particular characteristics such as improved flow, noise control, etc. The diameter(s) for the holes  200  shown in  FIGS. 23  can range between about 1.00 inches and about 1.50 inches and can be 1.25 inches. 
         [0059]    A filtering device  250  can be placed over the holes  200  in the motor cap  13  to prevent any debris or contaminants from entering the suction plenum  12  (and possibly the motor  18  or compression device  30 ). The filtering device  250  can have a mesh  252  connected or fastened to a border or flange  254 . In one embodiment, the mesh  252  can be a stainless steel wire mesh having a mesh size of between 50×50 and 100×100 and a wire diameter between 0.0045 inches and 0.009 inches. The border or flange  254  can provide stability and rigidity to the mesh  252  and also provides an area for the filtering device  250  to be connected to the top surface  202  of the motor cap  13 . The filtering device  250  can be attached to the top surface  202  of the motor cap  13  by any suitable technique such as welding, adhesive or fasteners. The filtering device  250  can have shape that corresponds to the pattern of the holes  200  in the motor cap  13  and provides for the passage of refrigerant through both the mesh  252  and holes  200 . In other words, the filtering mechanism  250  has a shape that does not completely block any holes  200 . 
         [0060]    In another embodiment, the motor cap  13  can have a single hole  200  in either to the top surface  202  or a sidewall of the motor cap  13  to receive refrigerant and the filtering mechanism  250  can be placed directly over the single hole  200  to filter debris and contaminants. 
         [0061]    The motor cap  13  can also include numerous other features needed for the installation of the motor cap  13  and the operation of the compressor  2 . For example, the motor cap  12  can include openings  224  (see  FIG. 18 ) for electrical connections. In addition, the motor cap  13  can include the depression or indentation  95  to receive a spring or other stabilizing device  96  to hold the motor  18  and compression mechanism  30  in position in the compressor shell  98  and to prevent vibrations in the shell or housing  98  from being transferred to the motor  18  and compression mechanism. 
         [0062]    As would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art, the functions of several elements of the present application may, in alternative embodiments, be carried out by fewer elements, or a single element. Similarly, in some embodiments, any functional element may perform fewer, or different, operations than those described with respect to the exemplary embodiment. Also, functional elements shown as distinct in the drawings may be incorporated within other functional elements, separated in different hardware or distributed in various ways in a particular implementation. Further, relative size and location are merely somewhat schematic and it is understood that not only the same but many other embodiments could have varying depictions. 
         [0063]    All relative descriptions herein such as above, below, left, right, up, and down are with reference to the Figures, and not meant in a limiting sense. Relative descriptions such as inner and inward are with reference to being a direction toward the interior of a compressor shell whereas outer and outward are a direction away from the compressor. The shown assemblies can be understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of certain embodiments, and therefore, components, modules, elements, and/or aspects of the drawings can be otherwise added to, combined, interconnected, sequenced, separated, interchanged, positioned, and/or rearranged without materially departing from the disclosed systems or methods. Additionally, the shapes and sizes of components are also exemplary and unless otherwise specified, can be altered without materially affecting or limiting the disclosed technology. 
         [0064]    It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the present application as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is demonstrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this application, those who review this application can readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters (e.g., temperatures, pressures, etc.), mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described in the application. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present application. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present application. Accordingly, the present application is not limited to a particular embodiment, but extends to various modifications that nevertheless fall within the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0065]    Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described (i.e., those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out the invention, or those unrelated to enabling the invention). It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.