Temperature sensitive solenoid valve in a scroll compressor
US4820130A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 14, 1987 |
| Grant date | Apr 11, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF05B2270/3032
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Inside the hermetic shell of a scroll compressor, a normally closed solenoid valve seats against the back side of a stationary scroll plate to close a discharge opening through the plate. A coil circuit that actuates the valve has an electrical resistance that increases with temperature. The temperature dependent resistance allows the coil circuit to also function as a discharge temperature sensor. Should the discharge gas over-heat, the compressor motor and the valve are de-energized in response to the resistance exceeding a predetermined limit. The closed valve prevents backflow from rapidly reversing the rotational direction of the compressor, which can be extremely noisy and damaging to the compressor. Both the valve and the compressor motor are energized at the same time, regardless of the compressor's direction of rotation. Should the compressor motor be inadvertently wired to operate in reverse, the solenoid valve still opens to prevent destructively low pressure from developing between the scroll plates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.