Scroll compressor with back pressure seal protection during reverse rotation
US6077057A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 29, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 29, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF04C2270/72
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A number of scroll compressor designs protect the back chamber seals upon reverse rotation. In the prior art, scroll compressors are sometimes miswired and inadvertent reverse rotation results. In some applications, this has caused the seals to be crushed. The present invention ensures that upon reverse rotation, the pressure within the back chamber is maintained at suction pressure rather than the very low pressure which may be found in the compression chambers. The seals are protected. In one embodiment, a relief is formed at a seal groove to ensure suction pressure does communicate into the back chamber. In other embodiments, a valve controls the pressure in the back chamber. Upon normal operation, the valve allows pressure from the back pressure tap to communicate into the back chamber. During reverse rotation, the valve allows suction pressure to communicate to the back chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.