Patent · US Expired

Bearing and lubrication system for a scroll fluid device

US5256042A · kind A · utility

45Cited by
9References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 20, 1992
Grant dateOct 26, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 20, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF04C18/023
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A bearing and lubrication system for a sealed, integrated motor driven co-rotating scroll refrigerant compressor includes hydrostatic bearings and an independent motor driven lubricant supply pump for supplying lubricant to the hydrostatic bearings mounting in the housing. The housing is divided into a high-pressure section that receives compressed refrigerant and a low pressure section containing the involute scroll compressor wraps. Individual lubricant supply sumps are provided in the high and lower pressure housing sections for supplying lubricant to the compressor bearings. The lubricant pump is capable of drawing lubricant from one or both of the lubricant supply sumps. A lubricant level sensor associated with one of the low or high pressure housing sumps is provided to maintain a desired level of lubricant therein. The lubricant supply pump is controlled so that pressure is supplied to the hydrostatic bearings during compressor operation. The lubricant may be pressurized by compressed refrigerant in the high-pressure housing section for supply to the compressor bearings with or without operation of the lubricant supply pump.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.