Patent ID: 7396213

Claim:
A scroll compressor comprising: a compressor pump unit having 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 said base, said spiral wraps of said first and second scroll members interfitting to define compression chambers, and a crankcase for supporting said second scroll member; a shaft for driving said second scroll member to orbit relative to said first scroll member, and compression chambers between said wraps of said first and second scroll member decreasing in size as said second scroll member orbits to compress an entrapped refrigerant; a motor for driving said shaft to cause said second scroll member to orbit, said motor having a rotor and a stator, and a motor protector associated with said motor stator, said motor protector being operable to stop further operation of said motor; a sensing mechanism for actuating said motor protector when a predetermined amount of lubricant contacts said motor protector; and an unblocked oil return passage extending through said crankcase in a direction having a major component in a vertical direction, said oil return passage being positioned to be generally over said sensing mechanism to allow oil to fall freely from said compressor pump unit under all conditions.