Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to a compressor having directed suction.

A climate-control system such as, for example, a heat-pump system, a refrigeration system, or an air conditioning system, may include a fluid circuit having an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device disposed between the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, and one or more compressors circulating a working fluid (e.g., refrigerant or carbon dioxide) between the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers. Efficient and reliable operation of the one or more compressors is desirable to ensure that the climate-control system in which the one or more compressors are installed is capable of effectively and efficiently providing a cooling and/or heating effect on demand. <CIT> discloses background art to the invention.

In one form, the present disclosure provides a compressor that includes a shell assembly, a compression mechanism and a conduit. The shell assembly defines a chamber. The compression mechanism is disposed within the chamber of the shell assembly and includes a first scroll member and a second scroll member in meshing engagement with each other. The second scroll member includes an externally located slot and a suction inlet. The conduit includes a first end that defines an inlet opening and a second end that defines an outlet opening. The conduit directing working fluid into the suction inlet. The second end includes a connecting arm that has a first boss extending therefrom. The second end snaps into engagement with the second scroll member such that the first boss is received within the slot of the second scroll member.

In some configurations of the compressor of the above paragraph, the connecting arm is arcuate.

In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the connecting arm includes a second boss extending therefrom. The second boss is received within the slot of the second scroll member when the second end snaps into engagement with the second scroll member.

In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the first boss and the second boss extend from opposing ends of the connecting arm.

In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the first boss and the second boss prevent radial movement of the conduit relative to the second scroll member.

In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the conduit includes a plurality of resiliently flexible tabs extending from the connecting arm.

In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the plurality of resiliently flexible tabs are positioned between the first and second bosses.

In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the second scroll member includes externally located grooves formed therein. The resiliently flexible tabs snap into engagement with respective grooves to prevent axial movement of the conduit relative to the second scroll member.

In the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the conduit includes a resiliently flexible tab extending from the connecting arm.

In the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the second scroll member includes an externally located groove formed therein. The resiliently flexible tab snaps into engagement with the groove to prevent axial movement of the conduit relative to the second scroll member.

In the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the second scroll member includes a wall. The slot is formed in a top surface of the wall and the groove is formed in a lateral surface of the wall.

In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the second end of the conduit includes a bridge that extends at least partially into the suction inlet and is in engagement with the wall to prevent rotational movement of the conduit relative to the second scroll member.

An embodiment useful for understanding the invention, provides a compressor that includes a shell assembly, a compression mechanism and a conduit. The shell assembly defines a chamber. The compression mechanism is disposed within the chamber of the shell assembly and includes a first scroll member and a second scroll member in meshing engagement with each other. The second scroll member includes an externally located first groove, an externally located second groove and a suction inlet formed between the first and second grooves. The conduit includes a first end that defines an inlet opening and a second end that defines an outlet opening. The conduit directing working fluid into the suction inlet. The second end includes a first resiliently flexible tab and a second resiliently flexible tab. The first resiliently flexible tab snaps into engagement with the first groove and the second resiliently flexible tab snaps into engagement with the second groove.

In some configurations of the compressor of the above paragraph, the first and second resiliently flexible tabs prevent axial movement of the conduit relative to the second scroll member when the first and second resiliently flexible tabs snap into engagement with the first and second grooves, respectively.

In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the second scroll member includes a wall. The first and second grooves are formed in a lateral surface of the wall.

In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the bridge is positioned between the first and second resiliently flexible tabs.

In yet another form, the present disclosure provides a compressor that includes a shell assembly, a compression mechanism and a conduit. The shell assembly defines a chamber. The compression mechanism is disposed within the chamber of the shell assembly and includes a first scroll member and a second scroll member in meshing engagement with each other. The second scroll member includes an externally located slot, an externally located groove and a suction inlet. The conduit includes a first end that defines an inlet opening and a second end that defines an outlet opening. The conduit directing working fluid into the suction inlet. The second end includes a boss, a resiliently flexible tab and a bridge. The boss is received within the slot and the bridge is in engagement with the suction inlet when the resiliently flexible tab snaps into engagement with the groove to prevent axial movement of the conduit relative to the second scroll member.

In some configurations of the compressor of the above paragraph, the second end includes a connecting arm. The boss and the resiliently flexible tab extend from the connecting arm.

In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the connecting arm is arcuate.

In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the boss prevents radial movement of the conduit relative to the second scroll member when received in the slot, the resiliently flexible tab prevents axial movement of the conduit relative to the second scroll member when snapped into engagement with the groove, and the bridge prevents rotational movement of the conduit relative to the second scroll member when in engagement with the suction inlet.

With reference to <FIG>, a compressor <NUM> is provided and may include a hermetic shell assembly <NUM>, first and second bearing housing assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, a motor assembly <NUM>, a compression mechanism <NUM>, a discharge port or fitting <NUM>, a suction port or fitting <NUM>, and a suction conduit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the shell assembly <NUM> may form a compressor housing and may include a cylindrical shell <NUM>, an end cap <NUM> at an upper end thereof, a transversely extending partition <NUM>, and a base <NUM> at a lower end thereof. The shell <NUM> and the base <NUM> may cooperate to define a suction-pressure chamber <NUM>. The end cap <NUM> and the partition <NUM> may define a discharge-pressure chamber <NUM>. The partition <NUM> may separate the discharge-pressure chamber <NUM> from the suction-pressure chamber <NUM>. A discharge-pressure passage <NUM> may extend through the partition <NUM> to provide communication between the compression mechanism <NUM> and the discharge-pressure chamber <NUM>. The suction fitting <NUM> may be attached to the shell assembly <NUM> at an opening <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first bearing housing assembly <NUM> may be disposed within the suction-pressure chamber and may be fixed relative to the shell <NUM>. The first bearing housing assembly <NUM> may include a first main bearing housing <NUM> and a first bearing <NUM>. The first main bearing housing <NUM> may house the first bearing <NUM> therein. The first main bearing housing <NUM> may fixedly engage the shell <NUM> and may axially support the compression mechanism <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the motor assembly <NUM> may be disposed within the suction-pressure chamber <NUM> and may include a stator <NUM> and a rotor <NUM>. The stator <NUM> may be press fit into the shell <NUM>. The rotor <NUM> may be press fit on a drive shaft <NUM> and may transmit rotational power to the drive shaft <NUM>. The drive shaft <NUM> may be rotatably supported by the first and second bearing housing assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>. The drive shaft <NUM> may include an eccentric crank pin <NUM> having a crank pin flat.

As shown in <FIG>, the compression mechanism <NUM> may be disposed within the suction-pressure chamber <NUM> and may include an orbiting scroll <NUM> and a non-orbiting scroll <NUM>. The first scroll member or orbiting scroll <NUM> may include an end plate <NUM> and a spiral wrap <NUM> extending therefrom. A cylindrical hub <NUM> may project downwardly from the end plate <NUM> and may include a drive bushing <NUM> disposed therein. The drive bushing <NUM> may include an inner bore (not numbered) in which the crank pin <NUM> is drivingly disposed. The crank pin flat may drivingly engage a flat surface in a portion of the inner bore to provide a radially compliant driving arrangement. An Oldham coupling <NUM> may be engaged with the orbiting and non-orbiting scrolls <NUM>, <NUM> to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

As shown in <FIG>, the second scroll member or non-orbiting scroll <NUM> may include an end plate <NUM> and a spiral wrap <NUM> projecting downwardly from the end plate <NUM>. The spiral wrap <NUM> may meshingly engage the spiral wrap <NUM> of the orbiting scroll <NUM>, thereby creating a series of moving fluid pockets. The fluid pockets defined by the spiral wraps <NUM>, <NUM> may decrease in volume as they move from a radially outer position (at a suction pressure) to a radially intermediate position (at an intermediate pressure) to a radially inner position (at a discharge pressure) throughout a compression cycle of the compression mechanism <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a suction inlet <NUM> may be formed in the non-orbiting scroll <NUM> and may provide fluid communication between the suction conduit <NUM> and a radially outermost fluid pocket <NUM> formed by the spiral wraps <NUM>, <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the non-orbiting scroll <NUM> also has a wall <NUM> that is integral with the end plate <NUM> and may include an externally located first slot or groove <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>; the first slot <NUM> is located outside of the suction inlet <NUM>) and a plurality of externally located second slots or grooves <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>; the second slots <NUM> are located outside of the suction inlet <NUM>). The first slot <NUM> may be machined, for example, in a top surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM>. The plurality of second slots <NUM> may be machined, for example, in a lateral surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM> (i.e., the lateral surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM> is perpendicular to the top surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM>). The wall <NUM> may also define the suction inlet <NUM>, which may be spaced apart from the first slot <NUM>. The suction inlet <NUM> may also be positioned between two of the second grooves <NUM>.

The suction conduit <NUM> may direct working fluid at a suction-pressure from the suction fitting <NUM> to the suction inlet <NUM> of the non-orbiting scroll <NUM> so that working fluid can be directed into the radially outermost fluid pocket <NUM> and subsequently compressed by the compression mechanism <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the suction conduit <NUM> may snap into engagement with the wall <NUM> of the non-orbiting scroll <NUM>. The suction conduit <NUM> may be injection molded or otherwise formed from a polymeric or metallic material, for example. The suction conduit <NUM> may include a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. A circular-shaped inlet opening <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>) and a first end outlet opening <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) may be formed at or near the first end <NUM>, and a second end outlet opening <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) may be formed at or near the second end <NUM>. The first end <NUM> may be adjacent to the suction fitting <NUM> (i.e., the first end <NUM> may contact the suction fitting <NUM> or may be spaced apart from the suction fitting <NUM>). In some configurations, the inlet opening <NUM> may be concentric with and/or generally aligned with the suction fitting <NUM>.

The first end outlet opening <NUM> may provide fluid communication between the suction conduit <NUM> and the suction-pressure chamber <NUM>. A portion of working fluid that flows into the suction conduit <NUM> through the inlet opening <NUM> may exit the suction conduit <NUM> through the first end outlet opening <NUM>. From the first end outlet opening <NUM>, the working fluid may flow into the suction-pressure chamber <NUM> and may absorb heat from the motor assembly <NUM> and/or other components. This fluid may then re-enter the suction conduit <NUM> through the inlet opening <NUM> (via a gap <NUM> between the suction conduit <NUM> and the shell <NUM>) and may flow into the suction inlet <NUM> and/or back through the first end outlet opening <NUM>.

The second end <NUM> may snap into engagement with the wall <NUM> of the non-orbiting scroll <NUM> and may include a connecting arm <NUM> disposed at or near a top of the second end outlet opening <NUM> and a bridge <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) disposed at or near a bottom of the second end outlet opening <NUM>. The connecting arm <NUM> may be arcuate and may include axially extending bosses <NUM> at opposing ends thereof (i.e., the bosses <NUM> extend in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft <NUM>). As shown in <FIG>, each boss <NUM> may be received in the first slot <NUM> of the non-orbiting scroll <NUM> when the second end <NUM> snaps into engagement with the wall <NUM> of the non-orbiting scroll <NUM>. In this way, the suction conduit <NUM> is prevented from moving in a radial direction relative to the non-orbiting scroll <NUM> (i.e., the suction conduit <NUM> is prevented from moving in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft <NUM>). As shown in <FIG>, a bottom surface <NUM> of the connecting arm <NUM> may abut against the top surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM> when the second end <NUM> snaps into engagement with the wall <NUM> of the non-orbiting scroll <NUM>.

The connecting arm <NUM> may also include a plurality of resiliently flexible tabs <NUM> having barbed tips <NUM>. The plurality of resiliently flexible tabs <NUM> may extend from the connecting arm <NUM> in an axial direction (i.e., the plurality of resiliently flexible tabs <NUM> extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft <NUM>). As shown in <FIG>, the plurality of resiliently flexible tabs <NUM> are positioned between the bosses <NUM>. In some configurations, the plurality of resiliently flexible tabs <NUM> may be positioned outside of the bosses <NUM> (i.e., the bosses <NUM> are disposed between the flexible tabs <NUM>). The flexible tabs <NUM> may snap into engagement with the wall <NUM> of the non-orbiting scroll <NUM> (i.e., the barbed tips <NUM> of the flexible tabs <NUM> may snap into engagement with corresponding second grooves <NUM> and a surface <NUM> of the flexible tabs <NUM> may abut against the lateral surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM>) such that the suction conduit <NUM> is prevented from moving in the axial direction relative to the non-orbiting scroll <NUM>.

The bridge <NUM> may be positioned between two of the plurality of flexible tabs <NUM> and may include a first member <NUM> and a second member <NUM> extending perpendicularly to the first member <NUM>. When the barbed tips <NUM> of the flexible tabs <NUM> snap into engagement with the corresponding second grooves <NUM>, the bridge <NUM> may extend at least partially into the suction inlet <NUM> and the second member <NUM> may abut an inner surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>). In this way, the suction conduit <NUM> may be prevented from rotating relative to the non-orbiting scroll <NUM> and may be prevented from moving in the radial direction relative to the non-orbiting scroll <NUM>.

The suction conduit <NUM> of the present disclosure provides the benefit of eliminating fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.) and other components (e.g., compression limiters) needed to attach the suction conduit <NUM> to the non-orbiting scroll <NUM>. The suction conduit <NUM> of the present disclosure also provides the benefit of reducing the time required to assemble the suction conduit <NUM> and the non-orbiting scroll <NUM> to each other.

Claim 1:
A compressor (<NUM>) comprising:
a shell assembly (<NUM>) defining a chamber (<NUM>);
a compression mechanism (<NUM>) disposed within the chamber of the shell assembly and including a first scroll member (<NUM>) and a second scroll member (<NUM>) in meshing engagement with each other, the second scroll member including an externally located slot (<NUM>) and a suction inlet (<NUM>); and
a conduit (<NUM>) including a first end (<NUM>) defining an inlet opening (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>) defining an outlet opening (<NUM>), the conduit directing working fluid into the suction inlet, the second end includes a connecting arm (<NUM>) having a first boss (<NUM>) extending therefrom, the second end (<NUM>) snaps into engagement with the second scroll member (<NUM>) such that the first boss (<NUM>) is received within the slot (<NUM>) of the second scroll member (<NUM>),
characterized in that:
the conduit (<NUM>) includes a resiliently flexible tab (<NUM>) extending from the connecting arm (<NUM>),
the second scroll member (<NUM>) includes an externally located groove (<NUM>) formed therein, and wherein the resiliently flexible tab (<NUM>) snaps into engagement with the groove (<NUM>) to prevent axial movement of the conduit (<NUM>) relative to the second scroll member (<NUM>), and
the second scroll member (<NUM>) includes a wall (<NUM>), and wherein the groove (<NUM>) is formed in a lateral surface (<NUM>) of the wall (<NUM>) and the slot (<NUM>) is formed in a top surface (<NUM>) of the wall (<NUM>).