Compressor with oil pump

Abstract

The compressor may include a compression mechanism and an oil pump. The compression mechanism is configured to compress a working fluid. An oil pump may be defined by the driveshaft and the bearing. The drive shaft is drivingly connected to the compression mechanism and includes a lubricant passage. The bearing receives a portion of the driveshaft and includes a bearing surface that rotatably supports the driveshaft. The bearing includes a pump cavity surface spaced from the drive shaft and cooperating with the diametrical surface of the drive shaft to define a pump cavity extending about the diametrical surface of the drive shaft. The bearing includes an inlet passage and an outlet passage. The inlet passage receives oil from the oil sump and provides the oil to the pump cavity. An outlet passage receives oil from the pump cavity and provides the oil to a lubricant passage of the drive shaft.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 17 / 854,908, filed June 30, 2022. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a compressor having an oil pump. Background Art

[0004] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

[0005] A climate control system, such as a heat pump system, a refrigeration system, or an air conditioning system, may include a fluid circuit having an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device disposed between the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, and one or more compressors that circulate a working fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) between the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers. Efficient and reliable operation of the one or more compressors is desirable to ensure that the climate control system in which the one or more compressors are installed can effectively and efficiently provide cooling and / or heating effects as needed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or features.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a compressor that may include a housing assembly, a compression mechanism, a drive shaft, and a bearing. The compression mechanism may be disposed within the housing assembly and configured to compress a working fluid. The drive shaft is drivingly connected to the compression mechanism and includes a lubricant passage. The bearing is fixed relative to the housing assembly and may include a central opening for receiving a portion of the drive shaft. The central opening of the bearing includes a bearing surface and a pump chamber surface. The bearing surface contacts the drive shaft and rotatably supports the drive shaft. The pump chamber surface is spaced apart from the drive shaft and cooperates with the diameter surface of the drive shaft to define a pump chamber extending around the diameter surface of the drive shaft. The bearing includes an inlet passage and an outlet passage. The inlet passage receives oil from an oil sump and provides the oil to the pump chamber. The outlet passage receives oil from the pump chamber and provides the oil to the lubricant passage of the drive shaft.

[0008] In some configurations of the compressor of the above paragraph, the pump cavity surface has a larger diameter than the bearing surface.

[0009] In some configurations of the compressor of the above paragraph, the bearing includes an annular projection that defines a transition between a pump cavity surface and a bearing surface.

[0010] In some configurations of the compressor of the above paragraph, the annular projection defines an axial end of the pump cavity.

[0011] In some configurations, the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs includes a port plate mounted to the bearing and including an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and a drive shaft inlet opening.

[0012] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the port plate defines an axial end of the pump cavity.

[0013] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the inlet opening of the port plate is in fluid communication with the inlet passage of the bearing and provides oil to the inlet passage.

[0014] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the foregoing paragraphs, the outlet opening of the port plate is in fluid communication with an outlet passage of the bearing and receives oil from the outlet passage.

[0015] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the drive shaft inlet opening is in fluid communication with a lubricant passage of the drive shaft.

[0016] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the drive shaft inlet opening receives oil from the outlet opening and provides the oil to the lubricant passage of the drive shaft.

[0017] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, an axial end of the drive shaft contacts the port plate.

[0018] In some configurations, the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs includes a cover plate mounted to the bearing.

[0019] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the port plate is sandwiched between the cover plate and the axially facing surface of the bearing.

[0020] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the cover plate includes the inlet opening and the channel.

[0021] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the inlet opening of the cover plate receives oil from the oil sump and provides the oil to the inlet opening of the port plate.

[0022] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the passage receives oil from the outlet opening of the port plate and provides oil to the drive shaft inlet opening of the port plate.

[0023] In some configurations, the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs includes a pressure regulating valve attached to the bearing.

[0024] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the foregoing paragraphs, the bearing includes a pressure regulating port extending from the pump cavity through an exterior surface of the bearing.

[0025] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the pressure regulating valve selectively restricts fluid flow through the pressure regulating port.

[0026] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the pump cavity extends more than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees around the drive shaft.

[0027] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the housing assembly defines an oil sump.

[0028] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the lubricant passage of the drive shaft is a concentric lubricant passage.

[0029] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the drive shaft includes an eccentric lubricant passage in fluid communication with the concentric lubricant passage. In other configurations, the drive shaft does not include an eccentric lubricant passage. In some of such configurations, the concentric lubricant passage can extend through the entire length of the drive shaft.

[0030] The present disclosure also provides a compressor including a compression mechanism and an oil pump. The compression mechanism is configured to compress a working fluid. The oil pump can be defined by a drive shaft and a bearing. The drive shaft is drivingly connected to the compression mechanism and includes a lubricant passage. The bearing receives a portion of the drive shaft and includes a bearing surface that rotatably supports the drive shaft. The bearing includes a pump cavity surface that is spaced apart from the drive shaft and cooperates with the diameter surface of the drive shaft to define a pump cavity extending around the diameter surface of the drive shaft. The bearing includes an inlet passage and an outlet passage. The inlet passage receives oil from an oil sump and supplies the oil to the pump cavity. The outlet passage receives oil from the pump cavity and supplies the oil to the lubricant passage of the drive shaft.

[0031] In some configurations of the compressor of the above paragraph, the pump cavity surface has a larger diameter than the bearing surface.

[0032] In some configurations of the compressor of the above paragraph, the bearing includes an annular projection that defines a transition between a pump cavity surface and a bearing surface.

[0033] In some configurations of the compressor of the above paragraph, the annular projection defines an axial end of the pump cavity.

[0034] In some configurations, the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs includes a port plate mounted to the bearing and including an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and a drive shaft inlet opening.

[0035] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the port plate defines an axial end of the pump cavity.

[0036] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the inlet opening of the port plate is in fluid communication with the inlet passage of the bearing and provides oil to the inlet passage.

[0037] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the foregoing paragraphs, the outlet opening of the port plate is in fluid communication with an outlet passage of the bearing and receives oil from the outlet passage.

[0038] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the drive shaft inlet opening is in fluid communication with a lubricant passage of the drive shaft.

[0039] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the drive shaft inlet opening receives oil from the outlet opening and provides the oil to the lubricant passage of the drive shaft.

[0040] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, an axial end of the drive shaft contacts the port plate.

[0041] In some configurations, the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs includes a cover plate mounted to the bearing.

[0042] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the port plate is sandwiched between the cover plate and the axially facing surface of the bearing.

[0043] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the cover plate includes the inlet opening and the channel.

[0044] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the inlet opening of the cover plate receives oil from the oil sump and provides the oil to the inlet opening of the port plate.

[0045] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the passage receives oil from the outlet opening of the port plate and provides oil to the drive shaft inlet opening of the port plate.

[0046] In some configurations, the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs includes a pressure regulating valve attached to the bearing.

[0047] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the foregoing paragraphs, the bearing includes a pressure regulating port extending from the pump cavity through an exterior surface of the bearing.

[0048] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the pressure regulating valve selectively restricts fluid flow through the pressure regulating port.

[0049] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the pump cavity extends more than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees around the drive shaft.

[0050] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the housing assembly defines an oil sump.

[0051] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the lubricant passage of the drive shaft is a concentric lubricant passage.

[0052] In some configurations of the compressor of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the drive shaft includes an eccentric lubricant passage in fluid communication with the concentric lubricant passage. In other configurations, the drive shaft does not include an eccentric lubricant passage. In some of such configurations, the concentric lubricant passage can extend through the entire length of the drive shaft.

[0053] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a compressor with an oil pump according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0056] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the oil pump;

[0057] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the oil pump;

[0058] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the bearing, port plate, and cover plate;

[0059] Figure 5 is a bottom view of the oil pump with the port plate and cover plate removed;

[0060] Figure 6is a bottom view of the oil pump with the port plate and cover plate in place;

[0061] Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the oil pump taken along line 7-7;

[0062] Figure 8 It is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the oil pump taken along line 8-8;

[0063] Figure 9 It is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the oil pump taken along line 9-9;

[0064] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of another oil pump according to the principles of the present disclosure; and

[0065] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Exploded view of the bearing, port plate, cover plate, and pressure regulating valve shown in FIG.

[0066] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0068] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Many specific details such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed and that the example embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and none of them should be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0069] The terms used herein are only used to describe the purpose of specific example embodiments and are not intended to be restrictive. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may also be intended to include plural forms. The terms "comprise", "including", "contain" and "have" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of the features, integral bodies, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integral bodies, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their groups. The method steps, processes and operations described herein should not be interpreted as necessarily requiring them to be performed in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically indicated as the order of execution. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be adopted.

[0070] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on another element or layer," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on, directly engaged to, directly connected to, or directly coupled to another element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intermediate elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.) should be interpreted in a similar manner. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0071] Although the terms first, second and third etc. can be used in this article to describe each element, component, region, layer and / or section, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms can only be used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not imply order or sequence when used in this article. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below can be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0072] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "inside," "outside," "below," "beneath," "lower," "above," "upper," etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is flipped, elements described as being "below" or "below" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" may encompass both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0073] Reference Figure 1 A compressor 10 is provided that may include a seal housing assembly 12, a first bearing housing assembly 14, a second bearing housing assembly 16, a motor assembly 18, a compression mechanism 20, and a seal assembly 22. The second bearing housing assembly 16 may cooperate with a drive shaft 64 to define or function as an oil pump that draws oil from an oil sump 39 of the compressor 10 and pumps the oil in an energy-efficient manner and provides sufficient oil flow at various compressor speeds.

[0074] The housing assembly 12 can form a compressor housing and can include a cylindrical housing 32, an end cap 34 located at the upper end of the cylindrical housing 32, a laterally extending partition 36, and a base 38 located at the lower end of the cylindrical housing 32. The end cap 34 and the partition 36 can define a discharge chamber 40. The partition 36 can separate the discharge chamber 40 from a suction chamber 42 that is at least partially defined by the housing 32. A discharge passage 44 can extend through the partition 36 to provide communication between the compression mechanism 20 and the discharge chamber 40. A suction fitting 45 can provide fluid communication between the suction chamber 42 and the low side of the system in which the compressor 10 is installed. The discharge fitting 46 can provide fluid communication between the discharge chamber 40 and the high side of the system in which the compressor 10 is installed. In some configurations, the compressor 10 can include a discharge valve assembly 47, which can be disposed within the discharge fitting 46, for example.

[0075] The housing assembly 12 can define an oil pool 39. For example, the oil pool 39 can be defined by the base 38. In some configurations, the oil pool 39 can be defined by the base 38 and the housing 32.

[0076] The first bearing housing assembly 14 can be fixed relative to the outer shell 32 and can include a first bearing housing 48 and a first bearing 50. The first bearing housing 48 can axially support the compression mechanism 20 and can house the first bearing 50 in the first bearing housing 48. The first bearing housing 48 can include a plurality of radially extending arms that engage the outer shell 32.

[0077] The second bearing housing assembly 16 can be fixed relative to the housing 32 and can include a second bearing housing 52 and a second bearing 54. The second bearing housing 52 can support the second bearing 54 therein. The second bearing 54 can extend into the oil sump 39. The second bearing 54 will be described in greater detail below.

[0078] The motor assembly 18 may include a stator 60, a rotor 62, and a drive shaft 64. The motor assembly 18 may be, for example, a variable speed motor, a multi-speed motor, or a fixed speed motor. The stator 60 may be press-fit into the housing 32. The rotor 62 may be press-fit onto the drive shaft 64 and may transmit rotational power to the drive shaft 64. The drive shaft 64 may be rotatably supported by the first bearing housing assembly 14 and the second bearing housing assembly 16. The drive shaft 64 may include a body 65 and an eccentric crank pin 66 extending from the body 65. The body 65 of the drive shaft 64 may be rotatably supported by the first bearing 50 and the second bearing 54. The crank pin 66 extends from a first axial end 67 of the body 65 and may include a flat surface on the crank pin 66.

[0079] The drive shaft 64 may include a concentric lubricant passage 68 and an eccentric lubricant passage 69. The concentric lubricant passage 68 may extend through a second axial end 70 of the body 65 (e.g., the lower axial end of the drive shaft 64). The eccentric lubricant passage 69 is in fluid communication with the concentric lubricant passage 68. The eccentric lubricant passage 69 may extend upward from the concentric lubricant passage 68 and through a distal axial end 71 of the crank pin 66 (i.e., the upper axial end of the drive shaft 64). In some configurations, the drive shaft 64 includes one or more radially extending lubricant passages (not shown) extending radially outward from either the concentric lubricant passage 68 or the eccentric lubricant passage 69 to provide lubricant to the first bearing 50, the second bearing 54, and / or any other components requiring lubrication (e.g., the drive bearing 81 and the drive bushing 82). As will be described in more detail below, rotation of the drive shaft 64 causes oil to be drawn from the oil sump 39 into and through the concentric lubricant passages 68 and eccentric lubricant passages 69. The drive shaft 64 is drivingly connected to the compression mechanism 20 such that rotation of the drive shaft 64 drives the operation of the compression mechanism 20. In some configurations, the drive shaft 64 does not include an eccentric lubricant passage. Instead, the concentric lubricant passage 68 can extend through the entire length of the drive shaft 64 (e.g., through the body 65 and crank pin 66).

[0080] The compression mechanism 20 can be, for example, a scroll compression mechanism including a first scroll member and a second scroll member. The first scroll member and the second scroll member can be a first co-rotating scroll member and a second co-rotating scroll member, or the first scroll member and the second scroll member can be a movable scroll member and a fixed scroll member. In other examples, the compression mechanism 20 can be another type of compression mechanism, such as a reciprocating compression mechanism (e.g., including one or more pistons that reciprocate in one or more cylinders), a rotary vane compression mechanism (e.g., including a rotor that rotates in a cylinder), or a screw compression mechanism (e.g., having a pair of mutually meshing screws). Any of these types of compression mechanisms is configured to compress a working fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) from a first pressure (e.g., a suction pressure) to a second pressure (e.g., a discharge pressure) that is higher than the first pressure.

[0081] exist Figure 1In the example shown in , the compression mechanism 20 includes an orbiting scroll 72 and a fixed scroll 73. The orbiting scroll 72 may include an end plate 74 and a spiral wrap 76 extending from the end plate 74. A cylindrical hub 80 may protrude downward from the end plate 74 and may include a drive bushing 82 disposed in the cylindrical hub 80. A drive bearing 81 may also be disposed within the hub 80 and may surround the drive bushing 82 and the crank pin 66 (i.e., the drive bearing 81 may be radially disposed between the hub 80 and the drive bushing 82). The drive bushing 82 may include an inner bore in which the crank pin 66 is drivenly disposed. The crank pin flat portion may drivingly engage a flat surface in a portion of the inner bore to provide a radially compliant drive arrangement. A cross slider coupling 84 may engage with the orbiting scroll 72 and the fixed scroll 73 to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

[0082] The fixed scroll 73 may include an end plate 86 and a spiral wrap 88 projecting downwardly from the end plate 86. The spiral wrap 88 may meshingly engage the spiral wrap 76 of the orbiting scroll 72, thereby creating a series of moving fluid pockets containing the working fluid. Throughout the compression cycle of the compression mechanism 20, the fluid pockets defined by the spiral wraps 76, 88 may decrease in volume as the fluid pockets move from a radially outer position (at suction pressure) to a radially intermediate position (at an intermediate pressure between suction pressure and discharge pressure) to a radially inner position (at a discharge pressure greater than the suction pressure and the intermediate pressure).

[0083] The end plate 86 may include a discharge passage 90, an intermediate passage 92, and an annular recess 94. The discharge passage 90 communicates with one of the fluid pockets at a radially inner position and allows compressed working fluid (e.g., at discharge pressure) to flow into the discharge chamber 40. The intermediate passage 92 may provide fluid communication between one of the fluid pockets and the annular recess 94 at a radially intermediate position. The annular recess 94 may receive the seal assembly 22 and cooperate with the seal assembly 22 to define an axial bias chamber 96 between the annular recess 94 and the seal assembly 22. The bias chamber 96 receives fluid from the fluid pocket located in the intermediate position through the intermediate passage 92. The pressure difference between the intermediate-pressure fluid in the bias chamber 96 and the fluid in the suction chamber 42 exerts an axial biasing force on the fixed scroll 73, thereby forcing the fixed scroll 73 toward the orbiting scroll 72 so that the scrolls 72, 73 are sealingly engaged with each other.

[0084] The seal assembly 22 can be a floating seal assembly. For example, the seal assembly 22 can be formed from one or more annular flexible seals 98, 100 and one or more annular rigid seal plates 102, 104. The seal assembly 22 can be received in the recess 94. The seal assembly 22 can sealingly engage the end plate 86 of the non-orbiting scroll 73, and during operation of the compressor 10, the seal assembly 22 can contact and sealingly engage the divider 36 to seal the discharge chamber 40 relative to the suction chamber 42.

[0085] Now refer to Figures 2 to 9 Next, the second bearing 54 will be described in detail. The second bearing 54 may be a pump housing for an oil pump. The second bearing 54 may include a body 106 and a flange portion 108. The flange portion 108 may extend radially outward from the body 106. Fasteners may extend through openings 110 in the flange portion 108 and engage the second bearing housing 52 to secure the second bearing 54 relative to the second bearing housing 52 and the housing assembly 12.

[0086] The second bearing 54 may include a central opening 114 extending axially through a first axial end 116 and a second axial end 118 of the second bearing 54. The bearing surface 120 ( Figures 7 to 9 ) can define an axially intermediate portion of the central opening 114. The bearing surface 120 can rotatably support the drive shaft 64 (e.g., near the second axial end 70 of the body 65 of the drive shaft 64). That is, the bearing surface 120 can contact a diametrical surface 123 of the drive shaft 64 near the second axial end 70 of the drive shaft 64.

[0087] Pump cavity surface 122 ( Figures 7 to 9 ) can define an axially lower portion of the central opening 114. A pump cavity surface 122 can be axially disposed between the bearing surface 120 and the second axial end 118 of the second bearing 54. The pump cavity surface 122 has a larger diameter than the bearing surface 120, such that the pump cavity surface 122 and a diametrical surface 123 of the drive shaft 64 cooperate to define an annular pump cavity (or recess) 124 ( Figure 5 as well as Figures 7 to 9 ). That is, the pump cavity 124 is radially defined between the pump cavity surface 122 and a diametrical surface 123 of the drive shaft 64. The pump cavity 124 is axially defined between a first annular projection 126 (i.e., a projection defining a transition between the pump cavity surface 122 and the bearing surface 120) and a port plate 128 mounted to the second bearing 54 at or near the second axial end 118. The pump cavity surface 122 can be concentric with the diametrical surface 123 of the drive shaft 64. In some configurations, the pump cavity surface 122 can be eccentric relative to the diametrical surface 123.

[0088] The pump cavity 124 extends partially around the diametrical surface 123 of the drive shaft 64. For example, the pump cavity 124 can extend more than 180 degrees around the diametrical surface 123. In some configurations, the pump cavity 124 can extend approximately 270 degrees around the diametrical surface 123. The pump cavity 124 includes an inlet passage 130 ( Figure 5 and Figure 7 ) and outlet passage 132 ( Figure 5 and Figure 8 As will be described in greater detail below, oil enters the pump cavity 124 through an inlet passage 130 and exits the pump cavity 124 through an outlet passage 132. The inlet passage 130 and the outlet passage 132 may define first and second angular ends of the pump cavity 124 (i.e., first and second ends in a rotational direction).

[0089] like Figures 7 to 9 As shown in FIG, the central opening 114 of the second bearing 54 may further include an upper recess 136 located at or near the first axial end 116 of the second bearing 54. The upper recess 136 may be defined by a diametrical surface 138 of the second bearing 54, which has a larger diameter than the bearing surface 120. A second annular protrusion 140 may define a transition between the diametrical surface 138 and the bearing surface 120. The second annular protrusion 140 may axially support the drive shaft 64. That is, the second annular protrusion 140 of the second bearing 54 may contact an annular axial facing surface 141 of the drive shaft 64.

[0090] The port plate 128 includes an inlet opening 142 ( Figure 2 、 Figure 4 and Figure 7 )、Outlet opening 144( Figure 2 、 Figure 4 and Figure 8 ) and the drive shaft inlet opening 146 ( Figure 2 、 Figure 4 as well as Figures 7 to 9 ). A port plate 128 can be mounted to the second bearing 54 at or near the second axial end 118. The port plate 128 can partially cover the central opening 114 of the second bearing 54. The inlet opening 142 of the port plate 128 is generally aligned with (or concentric with) and in fluid communication with the inlet passage 130 of the second bearing 54. The outlet opening 144 of the port plate 128 is generally aligned with (or concentric with) and in fluid communication with the outlet passage 132 of the second bearing 54. The drive shaft inlet opening 146 can be generally aligned with (or concentric with) and in fluid communication with the concentric lubricant passage 68 of the drive shaft 64. The pump cavity 124 is axially disposed between the port plate 128 and the annular protrusion 126 and radially disposed between the pump cavity surface 122 and the diametrical surface 123.

[0091] The cover plate 148 may be mounted to the second bearing 54 at or near the second axial end 118. The port plate 128 may be sandwiched between the cover plate 148 and an axially facing surface 150 of the second bearing 54 (ie, at or near the second axial end 118). Figure 2 ) may extend through a mounting aperture 154 in the cover plate 148 and engage a mounting aperture 156 in the second bearing 54 to fixedly mount the cover plate 148 and the port plate 128 to the second bearing 54 .

[0092] The cover plate 148 may include an inlet opening 158 and a channel 160. Figure 7 As shown in FIG, the inlet opening 158 is generally aligned with and in fluid communication with the inlet opening 142 of the port plate 128 and the inlet passage 130 of the second bearing 54. Figure 8 , passage 160 is in fluid communication with the outlet passage 132 of the second bearing 54, the outlet opening 144 of the port plate 128, the drive shaft inlet opening 146 of the port plate 128, and the concentric lubricant passage 68 of the drive shaft 64. That is, oil exits the pump cavity 124 through the outlet passage 132 and the outlet opening 144, then flows from the outlet opening 144 to the passage 160, and then flows from the passage 160 through the drive shaft inlet opening 146 and into the concentric lubricant passage 68 in the drive shaft 64.

[0093] During operation of the compressor 10, the motor assembly 18 rotates the drive shaft 64 about the rotation axis A ( Figure 1 ) along the direction R (when from Figure 5 The drive shaft 64 is driven by rotation of the pump cavity 124 (counterclockwise when viewed in the reference frame of the drive shaft 64). This rotational movement of the drive shaft 64 relative to the second bearing 54 causes oil from the oil sump 39 to be drawn through the inlet opening 158 of the cover plate 148 and the inlet opening 142 of the port plate 128, respectively, and into the inlet passage 130. The oil flows from the inlet passage 130 toward the outlet passage 132 through the pump cavity 124 (i.e., around the diametrical surface 123 of the drive shaft 64 in the direction R). The shear force generated by the rotation of the drive shaft 64 relative to the stationary second bearing 54 drives the oil in the pump cavity 124 from the inlet passage 130 toward the outlet passage 132 in the rotational direction R (i.e., the same direction as the rotation of the drive shaft 64).

[0094] Oil exits the pump chamber 124 through the outlet passage 132. From the outlet passage 132, oil flows through the outlet opening 144 of the port plate 128, through the channel 160 in the cover plate 148, through the drive shaft inlet opening 146 in the port plate 128, and into the concentric lubricant passage 68 in the drive shaft 64. From the concentric lubricant passage 68, the oil flows to the eccentric lubricant passage 69. The oil flows through the eccentric lubricant passage 69 and can exit the drive shaft 64 at the distal axial end 71 of the crank pin 66. In some configurations, the drive shaft 64 can include an oil outlet opening extending radially outward from the eccentric lubricant passage 69.

[0095] The flow rate of oil entering the drive shaft 64 depends on the rotational speed of the drive shaft 64. Therefore, the oil pump of the present disclosure is well suited to providing a sufficient amount of oil at any given time, at any speed at which the compressor 10 operates. That is, in configurations where the compressor 10 is a variable-speed or multi-speed compressor, the oil pump is capable of pumping an appropriate amount of oil at any and all speeds at which the compressor is capable of operating. The oil pump of the present disclosure pumps oil in an energy-efficient manner. Furthermore, the oil pump of the present disclosure is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0096] Now refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 Another second bearing 254 is provided that can be incorporated into compressor 10 in place of second bearing 54. Second bearing 254 can be similar or identical to second bearing 54 described above, except that second bearing 254 includes a pressure regulating port 255 and a pressure regulating valve 257. Similar to second bearing 54, second bearing 254 can cooperate with drive shaft 64 to define an oil pump.

[0097] Similar to the second bearing 54, the second bearing 254 may include a central opening 314 (similar to central opening 114), which includes a bearing surface 320 (similar to bearing surface 120) and a pumping cavity surface 322 (similar to pumping cavity surface 122). The drive shaft 64 may be received in the central opening 314. The bearing surface 320 rotatably supports the drive shaft 64. The outer diameter surface 123 of the drive shaft 64 cooperates with the pumping cavity surface 122 to define a pumping cavity 324 (similar to pumping cavity 124). Similar to the second bearing 54, the second bearing 254 includes an inlet passage and an outlet passage (similar to inlet passage 130 and outlet passage 132) in fluid communication with the pumping cavity 324. A port plate 328 (similar to or identical to port plate 128) and a cover plate 348 (similar to or identical to cover plate 148) are mounted to the second bearing 254 in a manner similar to or identical to that described above with respect to the second bearing 54, port plate 128, and cover plate 148.

[0098] The pressure regulating port 255 of the second bearing 254 can be in fluid communication with the pump cavity 324. The pressure regulating port 255 can extend radially outward from the pump cavity 324 and can extend through an exterior surface of the second bearing 254.

[0099] The pressure regulating valve 257 may be or include a movable member that selectively blocks the pressure regulating port 255. For example, the pressure regulating valve 257 may be a spring or another elastically flexible member that selectively blocks fluid communication between the pressure regulating port 255 and the oil pool 39 (or the suction chamber 42). Figure 10 and Figure 11 In the example shown in , the pressure regulating valve 257 is an omega ring or clip received within an annular groove or recess 259 .

[0100] The operation of the oil pump defined by the second bearing 254 can be similar or identical to the oil pump defined by the second bearing 54, except that the pressure regulating port 255 and the pressure regulating valve 257 can selectively release pressure within the pump chamber 324. That is, when the oil pressure within the pump chamber 324 reaches a predetermined level, the oil pressure causes the pressure regulating valve 257 to move (e.g., flex) to allow fluid communication between the pressure regulating port 255 and the oil sump 39 (or the suction chamber 42). In other words, when the pressure regulating valve 257 opens the pressure regulating port 255, oil is allowed to leak from the pump chamber 324 back into the oil sump 39 until the pressure in the pump chamber 324 drops below the predetermined level. Once the pressure in the pump chamber 324 drops below the predetermined level, the pressure regulating valve 257 moves back to the closed position to prevent oil from leaking from the pump chamber 324 into the oil sump 39.

[0101] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for the purpose of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure. The individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable where applicable and can be used for the selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The individual elements or features of a particular embodiment also can be changed in many ways. Such variations are not considered to depart from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A compressor, comprising: Housing components; a compression mechanism disposed within the housing assembly and configured to compress a working fluid; a drive shaft drivingly connected to the compression mechanism and including a lubricant passage; and a bearing fixed relative to the housing assembly and including a central opening that receives a portion of the drive shaft, in: The central opening of the bearing includes a bearing surface and a pump cavity surface, The bearing surface contacts the drive shaft and rotatably supports the drive shaft, The pump cavity surface is spaced from the drive shaft and cooperates with a diametric surface of the drive shaft to define a pump cavity extending around the diametric surface of the drive shaft, The bearing includes an inlet passage and an outlet passage, The inlet passage receives oil from the oil sump and provides the oil to the pump chamber, and The outlet passage receives oil from the pump chamber and provides oil to the lubricant passage of the drive shaft.

2. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein: The pump cavity surface has a larger diameter than the bearing surface.

3. The compressor according to claim 2, wherein: The bearing includes an annular projection defining a transition between the pump cavity surface and the bearing surface, and wherein the annular projection defines an axial end of the pump cavity.

4. The compressor of claim 1 further comprising a port plate mounted to the bearing and comprising an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and a drive shaft inlet opening, wherein: The port plate defines axial ends of the pump chamber.

5. The compressor according to claim 4, wherein: The inlet opening of the port plate is in fluid communication with the inlet passage of the bearing and provides oil to the inlet passage, The outlet opening of the port plate is in fluid communication with the outlet passage of the bearing and receives oil from the outlet passage, The drive shaft inlet opening is in fluid communication with the lubricant passage of the drive shaft, and The drive shaft inlet opening receives oil from the outlet opening and provides oil to the lubricant passage of the drive shaft.

6. The compressor according to claim 5, wherein: The axial end of the drive shaft contacts the port plate.

7. The compressor of claim 5, further comprising a cover plate mounted to the bearing, wherein: The port plate is sandwiched between the cover plate and an axially facing surface of the bearing.

8. The compressor according to claim 7, wherein: The cover plate includes an inlet opening and a channel, The inlet opening of the cover plate receives oil from the oil sump and provides oil to the inlet opening of the port plate, and The passage receives oil from the outlet opening of the port plate and provides oil to the drive shaft inlet opening of the port plate.

9. The compressor of claim 1, further comprising a pressure regulating valve attached to the bearing, wherein: The bearing includes a pressure regulating port extending from the pump cavity through an exterior surface of the bearing, and wherein the pressure regulating valve selectively restricts fluid flow through the pressure regulating port.

10. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein The pump chamber extends more than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees around the drive shaft.

11. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein: The housing assembly defines the oil pool.

12. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein: The lubricant passage of the drive shaft is a concentric lubricant passage, and wherein the drive shaft includes an eccentric lubricant passage in fluid communication with the concentric lubricant passage.

13. A compressor, comprising: a compression mechanism configured to compress a working fluid; as well as an oil pump, the oil pump being defined by a drive shaft and a bearing, in: The drive shaft is drivingly connected to the compression mechanism and includes a lubricant passage, The bearing receives a portion of the drive shaft and includes a bearing surface for rotatably supporting the drive shaft. The bearing includes a pump cavity surface spaced from the drive shaft and cooperating with a diametric surface of the drive shaft to define a pump cavity extending around the diametric surface of the drive shaft, The bearing includes an inlet passage and an outlet passage, The inlet passage receives oil from the oil sump and provides the oil to the pump chamber, and The outlet passage receives oil from the pump chamber and provides oil to the lubricant passage of the drive shaft.

14. The compressor according to claim 13, wherein: The pump cavity surface has a larger diameter than the bearing surface, wherein the bearing includes an annular projection defining a transition between the pump cavity surface and the bearing surface, and wherein the annular projection defines an axial end of the pump cavity.

15. The compressor of claim 13, further comprising a port plate mounted to the bearing and comprising an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and a drive shaft inlet opening, wherein: The port plate defines axial ends of the pump chamber.

16. The compressor of claim 15, wherein: The inlet opening of the port plate is in fluid communication with the inlet passage of the bearing and provides oil to the inlet passage, The outlet opening of the port plate is in fluid communication with the outlet passage of the bearing and receives oil from the outlet passage, The drive shaft inlet opening is in fluid communication with the lubricant passage of the drive shaft, and The drive shaft inlet opening receives oil from the outlet opening and provides oil to the lubricant passage of the drive shaft.

17. The compressor according to claim 16, wherein: An axial end of the drive shaft contacts the port plate.

18. The compressor of claim 16, further comprising a cover plate mounted to the bearing, wherein: The port plate is sandwiched between the cover plate and an axially facing surface of the bearing.

19. The compressor of claim 18, wherein: The cover plate includes an inlet opening and a channel, The inlet opening of the cover plate receives oil from the oil sump and provides oil to the inlet opening of the port plate, and The passage receives oil from the outlet opening of the port plate and provides oil to the drive shaft inlet opening of the port plate.

20. The compressor of claim 13, further comprising a pressure regulating valve attached to the bearing, wherein: The bearing includes a pressure regulating port extending from the pump cavity through an exterior surface of the bearing, and wherein the pressure regulating valve selectively restricts fluid flow through the pressure regulating port.

21. The compressor according to claim 13, wherein: The pump chamber extends more than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees around the drive shaft.

22. The compressor according to claim 13, wherein: The lubricant passage of the drive shaft is a concentric lubricant passage, and wherein the drive shaft includes an eccentric lubricant passage in fluid communication with the concentric lubricant passage.

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