Capacity modulated scroll compressor

Abstract

A scroll compressor has a biasing chamber which contains a pressurized fluid. The pressurized fluid within the chamber biases the two scroll members together. A rotatable ring is attached to one of the scroll members to open and close a passage leading to this biasing chamber. When the ring opens the passage in one embodiment, this releases the pressurized fluid to remove the load, biasing the two scroll members together. When the biasing load is removed, the two scroll members separate, creating a leakage path between discharge and suction to reduce the capacity of the scroll compressor. When the ring opens the passage in another embodiment, a delayed suction passage is opened to reduce the capacity of the compressor.

1 . A scroll machine comprising: 
 a first scroll member having a first spiral wrap projecting outwardly from a first end plate, said first scroll member defining a recess and a fluid passage extending from said recess to an outer surface of said first scroll member;    a second scroll member having a second spiral scroll wrap projecting outwardly from a second end plate, said second spiral wrap being intermeshed with said first spiral wrap, said first scroll member being mounted for limited axial movement with respect to said second scroll member, said first scroll member being biased toward said second scroll member by a pressurized fluid disposed within said recess;    a drive member for causing said scroll members to orbit relating to one another whereby said spiral wraps will create pockets of progressively changing volume between a suction pressure zone at suction pressure and a discharge pressure zone at discharge pressure;    a ring rotatably disposed on said outer surface of said first scroll member for opening and closing said fluid passage, said pressurized fluid being released when said ring opens said fluid passage whereby said first scroll member will move axially with respect to said second scroll member to open a leakage path between said suction pressure zone and said discharge pressure zone; and    a seal disposed between said first scroll member and said ring, said seal sealing said fluid passage when said ring closes said fluid passage.    
     
     
         2 . The scroll machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said pressurized fluid is released to said suction pressure zone of said scroll machine.  
     
     
         3 . The scroll machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said valve assembly is a solenoid valve.  
     
     
         4 . The scroll machine according to  claim 3 , wherein said solenoid valve is operated in a pulsed manner to modulate the capacity of said scroll machine.  
     
     
         5 . The scroll machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said pressurized fluid is at a pressure between said suction pressure and said discharge pressure.  
     
     
         6 . The scroll machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a linear actuator for rotating said ring.  
     
     
         7 . The scroll machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a valve member for rotating said ring.  
     
     
         8 . The scroll machine according to  claim 7 , wherein said valve member is a solenoid valve.  
     
     
         9 . The scroll machine according to  claim 8 , wherein said solenoid valve is operated in a pulsed manner to modulate the capacity of the scroll machine.  
     
     
         10 . The scroll machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said seal comprises a first lip seal in engagement with said ring.  
     
     
         11 . The scroll machine according to  claim 10 , wherein said seal comprises a second lip seal in engagement with said first scroll member.  
     
     
         12 . The scroll machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said seal comprises a lip seal in engagement with said first scroll member.  
     
     
         13 . The scroll machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said seal engages said first scroll member and said ring when said ring opens said fluid passage.  
     
     
         14 . The scroll machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said seal is disposed within a counterbore defined by said first scroll member.  
     
     
         15 . The scroll machine according to  claim 14 , wherein said seal comprises a first lip seal in engagement with said ring.  
     
     
         16 . The scroll machine according to  claim 15 , wherein said seal comprises a second lip seal in engagement with said first scroll member.  
     
     
         17 . The scroll machine according to  claim 14 , wherein said seal comprises a lip seal in engagement with said first scroll member.  
     
     
         18 . The scroll machine according to  claim 14 , wherein said seal engages said first scroll member and said ring when said ring opens said fluid passage.  
     
     
         19 . The scroll machine according to  claim 14 , wherein said seal is a self-actuating seal.  
     
     
         20 . The scroll machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said seal is a self-actuating seal.  
     
     
         21 . A scroll machine comprising: 
 a first scroll member having a first spiral wrap projecting outwardly from a first end plate;    a second scroll member having a second spiral scroll wrap projecting outwardly from a second end plate, said second spiral wrap being intermeshed with said first spiral wrap;    a drive member for causing said scroll members to orbit relating to one another whereby said spiral wraps will create pockets of progressively changing volume between a suction pressure zone at suction pressure and a discharge pressure zone at discharge pressure;    a ring rotatably disposed on an outer surface of said first scroll member for opening and closing a fluid passage, extending from a first fluid pocket to the outer surface of said first scroll member; and    a seal disposed between said first scroll member and said ring, said seal sealing said fluid passage when said ring closes said fluid passage.    
     
     
         22 . The scroll machine according to  claim 21 , wherein said fluid passage communicates with said suction pressure zone of said scroll machine when said ring opens said fluid passage.  
     
     
         23 . The scroll machine according to  claim 21 , wherein said valve assembly is a solenoid valve.  
     
     
         24 . The scroll machine according to  claim 21 , further comprising a linear actuator for rotating said ring.  
     
     
         25 . The scroll machine according to  claim 21 , further comprising a valve member for rotating said ring.  
     
     
         26 . The scroll machine according to  claim 25 , wherein said valve member is a solenoid valve.  
     
     
         27 . The scroll machine according to  claim 21 , wherein said seal comprises a first lip seal in engagement with said ring.  
     
     
         28 . The scroll machine according to  claim 27 , wherein said seal comprises a second lip seal in engagement with said first scroll member.  
     
     
         29 . The scroll machine according to  claim 21 , wherein said seal comprises a lip seal in engagement with said first scroll member.  
     
     
         30 . The scroll machine according to  claim 21 , wherein said seal engages said first scroll member and said ring when said ring opens said fluid passage.  
     
     
         31 . The scroll machine according to  claim 21 , wherein said seal is disposed within a counterbore defined by said first scroll member.  
     
     
         32 . The scroll machine according to  claim 31 , wherein said seal comprises a first lip seal in engagement with said ring.  
     
     
         33 . The scroll machine according to  claim 32 , wherein said seal comprises a second lip seal in engagement with said first scroll member.  
     
     
         34 . The scroll machine according to  claim 31 , wherein said seal comprises a lip seal in engagement with said first scroll member.  
     
     
         35 . The scroll machine according to  claim 21 , wherein said seal is a self-actuating seal.