Thrust bearing placement for compressor

Abstract

A compressor includes a shaft, a motor configured to drive the shaft into rotation, and a thrust bearing configured to permit rotation of the shaft and support an axial load of the shaft. The thrust bearing is positioned about the shaft and between the motor and an impeller of the compressor.

1 . A compressor, comprising:
 a shaft;   a motor configured to drive the shaft into rotation; and   a thrust bearing configured to permit rotation of the shaft and to support an axial load of the shaft, wherein the thrust bearing is positioned about the shaft and between the motor and an impeller of the compressor.   
     
     
         2 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor comprises a centrifugal compressor. 
     
     
         3 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor comprises a hermetic overhung centrifugal compressor. 
     
     
         4 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft extends within the motor and beyond opposing sides of the motor. 
     
     
         5 . The compressor of  claim 1 , comprising the impeller and a diffuser passage, wherein the impeller is axially aligned with the diffuser passage such that the impeller directs refrigerant toward and into the diffuser passage. 
     
     
         6 . The compressor of  claim 1 , comprising a casing in which the shaft, the motor, and the thrust bearing are disposed. 
     
     
         7 . The compressor of  claim 6 , comprising a bearing cavity formed internal to the casing and in which the thrust bearing is disposed. 
     
     
         8 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the thrust bearing comprises a magnetic bearing. 
     
     
         9 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the thrust bearing comprises an anti-friction bearing. 
     
     
         10 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the thrust bearing comprises a lubricated hydrodynamic thrust bearing. 
     
     
         11 . A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigerant (HVAC&R) system comprising a compressor, wherein the compressor comprises:
 a shaft;   a motor configured to drive the shaft into rotation;   an impeller coupled to the shaft and configured to be driven into rotation by the shaft; and   a thrust bearing configured to permit rotation of the shaft and to support an axial load of the shaft, wherein the thrust bearing is positioned about the shaft and between the motor and the impeller of the compressor.   
     
     
         12 . The HVAC&R system of  claim 11 , comprising an evaporator from which the compressor is configured to receive refrigerant. 
     
     
         13 . The HVAC&R system of  claim 11 , comprising a condenser configured to receive refrigerant from the compressor. 
     
     
         14 . The HVAC&R system of  claim 11 , wherein the compressor comprises a diffuser passage axially aligned with the impeller such that the impeller directs refrigerant toward and into the diffuser passage. 
     
     
         15 . The HVAC&R system of  claim 11 , wherein the thrust bearing comprises a magnetic bearing, an anti-friction bearing, or a lubricated hydrodynamic thrust bearing. 
     
     
         16 . A centrifugal compressor, comprising:
 a shaft;   a motor configured to drive the shaft into rotation; and   a thrust bearing configured to permit rotation of the shaft and to support an axial load of the shaft, wherein the thrust bearing is configured to be disposed within a bearing cavity of the centrifugal compressor, about the shaft, and between the motor and an impeller of the centrifugal compressor.   
     
     
         17 . The centrifugal compressor of  claim 16 , wherein the centrifugal compressor comprises a hermetic overhung centrifugal compressor. 
     
     
         18 . The centrifugal compressor of  claim 16 , comprising a casing in which the shaft, the motor, and the thrust bearing are configured to be disposed. 
     
     
         19 . The centrifugal compressor of  claim 18 , wherein the bearing cavity is formed within the casing. 
     
     
         20 . The centrifugal compressor of  claim 16 , wherein the thrust bearing comprises a magnetic bearing, an anti-friction bearing, or a lubricated hydrodynamic thrust bearing.