Lubrication system for compressor

Abstract

A compressor includes a lubricant pump and a shaft having a lubricant discharge passage extending through the shaft. The discharge passage has an outlet that may be disposed below a stator-rotor assembly of a motor of the compressor. The shaft may be used in a variable speed compressor to deliver excess lubricant when the pump excessively supplies lubricant as a result of operating at a speed greater than a minimum speed. The discharge channel may be positioned at the center of the shaft. The outlets of the discharge channels may direct gas and / or lubricant onto windings of the stator to provide cooling.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lubrication system for a compressor, and in particular, having a vent for releasing excess oil in a variable speed compressor. Background Art

[0002] Compressors and other devices that use a motor to drive a shaft can lubricate components by using a fixed displacement pump to drive lubricant from a sump to the bearings that need lubricant. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a lubrication system for a compressor, and in particular, having a drain passage through a shaft for releasing excess oil in a variable speed compressor.

[0004] Variable speed compressors require that the lubricant pump provide the appropriate amount of lubricant when the variable speed compressor is running at its lowest speed. The lubricant pump is typically a fixed displacement pump and therefore at higher speeds, lubricant may be oversupplied. By providing the drain passage, excess lubricant can be returned directly to the sump.

[0005] The discharge passage may be disposed within the crankshaft, for example at the center thereof, such that the discharge passage receives lubricant after other surfaces due to centrifugal forces within the compressor. Thus, the discharge passage may return lubricant to the sump, primarily when the other surfaces are adequately lubricated. The discharge passage may be disposed in a position below the rotor-stator assembly such that the lubricant does not become entrained by gas in the compressor. In an embodiment, the discharge passage may be positioned at a location where the stator windings may be contacted by gas and / or lubricant exiting the discharge passage, thereby providing at least some cooling to the motor in addition to allowing excess lubricant to be removed.

[0006] In an embodiment, a compressor includes a stator, a shaft, a rotor connected to the shaft, a lubricant sump, a lubricant pump, and a lubricant passage, wherein the lubricant passage is configured to deliver lubricant from the lubricant pump to a distal end of the shaft. At least a portion of the lubricant passage extends through at least a portion of the shaft. The compressor further includes a discharge passage extending through at least a portion of the shaft, the discharge passage having an inlet at the distal end of the shaft and an outlet disposed on a sidewall of the shaft, the outlet being between the lubricant sump and the rotor along the length of the shaft.

[0007] In an embodiment, the compressor is a variable speed compressor. In an embodiment, the compressor comprises an orbiting scroll and a fixed scroll. In an embodiment, the inlet of the discharge passage is located at the center of the distal end of the shaft. In an embodiment, the lubricant pump is a positive displacement pump. In an embodiment, the discharge passage is positioned so that at least some of the fluid leaving the outlet contacts the stator when the compressor is running. In an embodiment, the compressor further comprises a plurality of bearing surfaces, the plurality of bearing surfaces being configured to receive lubricant from the distal end of the shaft when the compressor is running.

[0008] In an embodiment, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system includes a compressor as described herein.

[0009] In an embodiment, the HVACR system further includes a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator. In an embodiment, the compressor is a variable speed compressor. In an embodiment, the compressor includes an orbiting scroll and a fixed scroll. In an embodiment, the inlet of the discharge passage is located at the center of the distal end of the shaft. In an embodiment, the lubricant pump is a positive displacement pump. In an embodiment, the discharge passage is positioned so that when the compressor is running, at least some of the fluid leaving the outlet contacts the stator. In an embodiment, the HVACR system further includes a plurality of bearing surfaces, the plurality of bearing surfaces being configured to receive lubricant from the distal end of the shaft when the compressor is running.

[0010] In an embodiment, a method includes: operating a compressor; and operating a lubricant pump included in the compressor to drive lubricant through a lubricant passage. The lubricant passage extends through at least a portion of a shaft of the compressor. The method further includes: lubricating one or more bearing surfaces of the compressor using at least some of the lubricant; and receiving excess lubricant at an inlet of a discharge passage. The discharge passage extends through at least a portion of the shaft of the compressor. The method further includes: releasing the excess lubricant from the discharge passage at an outlet.

[0011] In an embodiment, releasing the excess lubricant from the exhaust passage at the outlet directs the excess lubricant to contact a stator of the compressor. In an embodiment, the lubricant pump is a positive displacement pump or a centrifugal pump. In an embodiment, the compressor is a variable speed compressor. In an embodiment, operating the compressor compresses a working fluid of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning or refrigeration (HVACR) system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1A schematic diagram of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration system is shown according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a compressor according to an embodiment is shown.

[0014] Figure 3 A shaft for a compressor according to an embodiment is shown.

[0015] Figure 4 A method according to an embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present disclosure relates to a lubrication system for a compressor, and in particular, having a drain passage for releasing excess oil in a variable speed compressor.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system is shown in accordance with an embodiment. The HVACR system 100 includes a compressor 102 , a condenser 104 , an expander 106 , and an evaporator 108 .

[0018] The HVACR system 100 is a working fluid circuit configured to circulate a working fluid. The HVACR system 100 may be included in an air conditioner, a heat pump, a refrigeration device, combinations thereof, and the like.

[0019] The compressor 102 is a compressor configured to compress the working fluid. The compressor 102 can be any compressor as described herein. In operation, the compressor 102 compresses the working fluid (e.g., a heat transfer fluid, such as a refrigerant or the like) from a relatively low pressure gas (e.g., suction pressure) to a relatively high pressure gas (e.g., discharge pressure). In an embodiment, the compressor 102 can be a positive displacement compressor. In an embodiment, the positive displacement compressor can be a screw compressor, a scroll compressor, a reciprocating compressor, a rotary compressor, or the like.

[0020] A relatively high pressure gas at a relatively high temperature is discharged from the compressor 102 and flows to the condenser 104. The working fluid flows through the condenser 104 and rejects heat to a process fluid (eg, water, air, or the like), thereby cooling the working fluid.

[0021] The cooled working fluid may then flow to the expander 106. The expander 106 reduces the pressure of the working fluid. In an embodiment, the expander 106 may be an expansion valve, an expansion plate, an expansion vessel, an orifice or the like, or other suitable types of expansion mechanisms. It should be appreciated that the expander 106 may be any type of expander used in the field for expanding the working fluid to cause the working fluid to be reduced in temperature and pressure.

[0022] The working fluid flows to the evaporator 108. The working fluid flows through the first evaporator 108, where the working fluid absorbs thermal energy from a process fluid (e.g., water, air, or the like), thereby heating the working fluid. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the heated working fluid absorbs thermal energy in the evaporator 108 and evaporates to provide a vapor stream of the working fluid. The vapor stream can be provided to the compressor to continue the circulation through the loop. The vapor stream can carry some of the working fluid in liquid form due to, for example, an updraft near the liquid vapor interface of the working fluid in the first liquid vapor separator 108, thereby generating entrained droplets.

[0023] Although HVACR system 100 is shown as a simple circuit, it should be understood that the HVACR system can be based on any known suitable configuration for a working fluid circuit, including different piping and / or component arrangements, other elements such as flow reversers or other flow control members, additional heat exchangers, economizers, subcoolers, and the like.

[0024] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a compressor according to an embodiment is shown. The compressor 200 includes a fixed scroll 202, an orbiting scroll 204, and a bearing surface 206. The compressor 200 further includes a shaft 208. The shaft 208 includes a rotor 210, a lubricant passage 212, a lubricant outlet 214, a discharge passage opening 216, a discharge passage 218, and a discharge passage outlet 220. The compressor 200 further includes a stator 222. The compressor 200 additionally includes a lubricant sump 224 and a lubricant pump 226.

[0025] The compressor 200 is a compressor configured to compress a fluid (e.g., a working fluid of an HVACR system). The compressor 200 is a compressor including a rotating component driven by a shaft 208. In an embodiment, the compressor 200 is a scroll compressor that uses a fixed scroll 202 and an orbiting scroll 204 to compress a fluid. The fixed scroll 202 is a scroll member disposed in a fixed position relative to the body of the compressor 200. The orbiting scroll 204 is a scroll member driven to move by the shaft 208. The orbiting scroll member is configured to cooperate with the fixed scroll 202 to define a compression chamber in which the working fluid is compressed when the working fluid travels from the suction port of the compressor 200 to the discharge port of the compressor 200. In an embodiment, the compressor 200 is a variable speed compressor configured to be driven at a plurality of different speeds during operation. In an embodiment, the stator 222 and / or the rotor 210 are connected to a variable frequency drive (VFD) (not shown) configured to supply power so that the compressor 200 can operate at various speeds. In an embodiment, stator 222 and rotor 210 can be configured for multi-speed operation, for example as part of a multi-pole pair motor (e.g., a 2 / 4 pole pair motor). In an embodiment, stator 222 and / or rotor 210 can be driven by a variable input power frequency, for example from a generator that can be driven at different speeds.

[0026] The bearing surfaces 206 are at the interfaces of the components of the compressor 202 that move relative to each other, for example, portions of the orbiting scroll 204 and their respective interfaces with the shaft 208, the fixed scroll 202, and any other suitable elements of the compressor 200 (e.g., the body of the compressor, couplings included in the compressor 200, and the like). The bearing surfaces 206 may be, for example, thrust bearings, journal bearings, or any other suitable bearings of the compressor 200 that may require lubrication. The bearing surfaces may be configured to facilitate relative movement using a lubricant and reduce friction between the respective components that provide the corresponding bearing surfaces 206. In an embodiment, at least some of the bearing surfaces 206 are radially outboard of the shaft 208.

[0027] The shaft 208 is an axis disposed in the compressor 200 to drive a rotating component or a component that can move in other ways when the shaft 208 rotates. When the compressor 200 is a scroll compressor, a non-limiting example of a component driven by the rotation of the shaft 208 is an orbiting scroll member 204. The orbiting scroll member 204 can move in an orbiting motion driven by a coupling between the orbiting scroll member 204 and the shaft 208. The shaft 208 can be rotated by an electric motor including a rotor 210 and a stator 222. The rotor 210 can be fixed to the shaft 208. The shaft 208 can be an elongated body. In an embodiment, the shaft 208 has a circular cross-sectional shape. In an embodiment, a portion of the shaft 208 has a centerline offset from the centerline of the rest of the shaft 208.

[0028] The rotor 210 is a rotor for an electric motor that is fixed to the shaft 208 so that the shaft 208 can be rotated by the interaction between the stator 222 and the current in the windings of the rotor 210. The rotor 210 may include any suitable features for allowing the rotor 210 to be driven to rotate, such as, by way of non-limiting example, magnets, a "squirrel cage" of an induction motor, etc. The rotor 210 extends along a portion of the length of the shaft 208.

[0029] The lubricant passage 212 is a passage extending through at least a portion of the shaft 208. In an embodiment, the lubricant passage 212 extends the entire length of the shaft 208. The lubricant passage 212 can be configured to receive lubricant from the lubricant pump 226 and deliver the lubricant to the lubricant outlet 214. In an embodiment, the lubricant passage 212 is a straight hole extending through the shaft 208 in its length direction. In an embodiment, the lubricant passage 212 is offset from the centerline of the shaft 208. The lubricant outlet 214 is an opening disposed at the end of the lubricant passage 212. The lubricant outlet 214 can be disposed at or near the end of the shaft 208, the end being toward the distal end (herein, "distal end") relative to the position where the lubricant pump 226 is disposed in the compressor 200. In an embodiment, the end of the shaft 208 where the lubricant outlet 214 is disposed is the end of the shaft 208 that interfaces with the orbiting scroll member 204. Lubricant exiting the lubricant passage 212 at the lubricant outlet 214 may be driven outwardly by centrifugal forces from the rotation of the shaft 208 such that the lubricant is directed toward the bearing surface 206 .

[0030] The drain passage opening 216 is provided at the distal end of the shaft 208. The drain passage opening 216 is an opening that allows lubricant to enter the drain passage 218. The drain passage opening 216 may be relatively closer to the center of the distal end of the shaft 208 than the lubricant outlet 214. In an embodiment, the drain passage opening 216 is positioned so that the lubricant enters the drain passage opening 216 when at least some of the bearing surfaces 206 have received or are receiving lubricant. In an embodiment, the drain passage opening 216 may be positioned so that the lubricant only enters the drain passage opening 216 when the bearing surfaces 206 have received or are receiving lubricant. In an embodiment, the drain passage opening 216 is the same size (e.g., diameter) as the lubricant outlet 214.

[0031] Lubricant received at the discharge channel opening 216 can enter the discharge channel 218. The discharge channel 218 is a channel extending through a portion of the shaft 208, the channel being configured to deliver lubricant from the discharge channel opening 216 to the discharge channel outlet 220. The discharge channel 218 may include a first portion 218a extending along the length direction of the shaft 208 and a second portion 218b extending from the outer surface of the shaft 208 to the first portion. In an embodiment, the first portion and the second portion are perpendicular to each other. In an embodiment, the first portion is a bore from the discharge channel opening 216 through the shaft 208 to where the first portion 218a meets the second portion 218b. In an embodiment, the second portion is a straight hole from the outer surface of the shaft 208 to where the second portion 218b meets the first portion 218a. The discharge channel 218 may extend a certain length so that the discharge channel outlet 220 is relatively disposed below the rotor 210 along the length of the shaft 208. The discharge channel outlet 220 is an opening configured to allow lubricant to exit the discharge channel 218. The discharge passage outlet 220 may be configured to release lubricant into the interior space within the housing of the compressor 200 such that the lubricant may fall to the lubricant sump 224. In an embodiment, the discharge passage outlet 220 may be positioned such that the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the shaft 208 may drive the lubricant released from the discharge passage outlet 220 to contact a portion of the stator 222 extending below the rotor 210 and the discharge passage outlet 220.

[0032] The stator 222 is a stator of an electric motor disposed within the compressor 200 to drive the shaft 208 through the rotor 210. The stator 222 can be configured to receive power from the VFD so that the compressor can operate at one of a range of operating speeds. The stator 222 can be attached to the housing of the compressor 200, or fixed by any other suitable connection within the compressor 200. The stator 222 may include a portion extending below the rotor 210 in the vertical direction of the compressor 200. In an embodiment, the lubricant leaving the discharge passage opening 216 may contact at least a portion of the portion of the stator 222 extending below the rotor 210, thereby cooling the stator 222 where the lubricant contacts the stator 222.

[0033] The lubricant sump 224 is a portion of the compressor 200 that is configured to receive and retain lubricant so that the lubricant can be provided to the lubricant pump 226. The lubricant sump 224 may be disposed vertically below the bearing surface 206 within the compressor 200 such that gravity returns lubricant from the bearing surface 206 to the lubricant sump 224. The lubricant sump 224 may be a basin disposed at the bottom of the housing of the compressor 200, a separate basin, or any other suitable configuration for receiving and retaining lubricant.

[0034] The lubricant pump 226 is a pump configured to extract lubricant from the lubricant sump 224 and drive the lubricant into and through the lubricant passage 212. The lubricant pump 226 can be driven by the rotation of the shaft 208. When the compressor 200 is operated, the rotation of the shaft 208 can drive the operation of the lubricant pump 226 to supply lubricant from the lubricant sump 224 to the lubricant passage 210 to the bearing surface 206. The lubricant pump 226 can be any suitable type of pump for pumping lubricant used in the compressor 200. In an embodiment, the lubricant pump 226 is a positive displacement pump. In an embodiment, the lubricant pump 226 has a direct relationship between the rotational speed of the shaft 208 and the volume of lubricant driven by the lubricant pump 226 during operation of the compressor 200, such as, as a non-limiting example, a linear relationship. In an embodiment, the lubricant pump 226 is a centrifugal pump.

[0035] Figure 3 300 is a compressor according to an embodiment. Figure 2 The compressor 200 is shown in FIG. The shaft 300 includes a shaft body 302 , a lubricant passage 304 , a lubricant passage outlet 306 , a discharge passage inlet 308 , a discharge passage 310 , and a discharge passage outlet 312 .

[0036] The shaft 300 is configured to transmit the rotational motion in the compressor, for example, driving the orbiting scroll or any other rotating member used in the compressor. The shaft 300 includes a shaft body 302. The shaft body 302 is an elongated circular body. In an embodiment, the shaft body 302 has a circular cross-sectional shape. In an embodiment, the rotor can be attached to the shaft body 302, for example, along the second portion 302b, to drive the rotation of the shaft body 302. In an embodiment, the first portion 302a of the shaft body 302 can be offset relative to the second portion 302b of the shaft body 302. The shaft body 302 can be formed by any suitable material (as a non-limiting example, for example, iron, steel or the like).

[0037] The lubricant passage 304 is a passage extending through the shaft body 302. The lubricant passage is configured to deliver lubricant from a lubricant disposed at or near one end of the shaft body 302 to a lubricant passage outlet 306. The lubricant passage 304 may be a bore extending through at least a portion of the shaft body 302. In an embodiment, the lubricant passage 304 is offset from the center of the cross-sectional shape of the shaft body 302. The lubricant passage outlet 306 may be disposed at the end of the shaft body 302. The lubricant passage outlet 306 is an opening in which the lubricant driven through the lubricant passage 304 may be released into a compressor including the shaft 300. In an embodiment, a plurality of lubricant passage outlets 306 may be disposed in the shaft body 302. The number and location of the lubricant passage outlets 306 may be based on the number and location of bearing surfaces that require lubrication (e.g., thrust bearings, journal bearings, or any other bearing disposed in a compressor including the shaft 300). The lubricant passage outlet 306 may be at an end of the shaft body 302 opposite a lubricant sump and / or lubricant pump included in a compressor in which the shaft 300 is used. When lubricant exits the lubricant passage 304 at the lubricant passage outlet 306, centrifugal forces from the rotation of the shaft 300 may carry the lubricant outwardly away from the lubricant passage outlet 306 toward the surface to be lubricated.

[0038] The discharge passage inlet 308 may be positioned on the end of the shaft body 302 where the lubricant passage outlet 306 is disposed. In an embodiment, the discharge passage inlet 308 is closer to the center of the end of the shaft body 302 in the second portion 302b than the lubricant passage outlet 306. In an embodiment, the discharge passage inlet 308 is positioned so that after receiving lubricant at least at some bearing surfaces to be lubricated of the compressor, the lubricant reaches the discharge passage inlet 308 through the lubricant from the lubricant passage 304. In an embodiment, the discharge passage inlet 308 is positioned so that after receiving lubricant at all bearing surfaces to be lubricated of the compressor, the lubricant reaches the discharge passage inlet 308 through the lubricant from the lubricant passage 304. The discharge passage inlet 308 allows lubricant to enter the discharge passage 310. The discharge passage 310 is a passage extending through the shaft body 302 so that the lubricant received at the discharge passage inlet 308 can be transferred to the discharge passage outlet 312. In an embodiment, the drain channel 310 includes a first section 310a extending axially through the shaft body 302 and a second section 310b extending radially from the first section 310a through the shaft body 302 to a drain channel outlet 312. In an embodiment, the first section 310a extends at an angle relative to the axial direction of the shaft body 302. In an embodiment, the second section 310b extending to the drain channel outlet 312 is angled relative to a radius of the shaft body 302. The drain channel outlet 312 is an opening at the end of the drain channel 310 opposite the drain channel inlet 308 so that lubricant can exit the drain channel 310. The drain channel outlet 310 can be positioned on the side of the shaft body 302 so that the centrifugal force from the rotation of the shaft 300 draws lubricant through the drain channel outlet 312. The discharge passage outlet 312 may be positioned along the length of the shaft 300 such that the discharge passage outlet is on the opposite side of the rotor attached to the shaft body 302 such that lubricant exiting the discharge passage outlet 312 does not fall into the stator-rotor portion of the compressor including the shaft 300. In an embodiment, the discharge passage outlet 312 is positioned along the length of the shaft 300 such that lubricant exiting the discharge passage outlet 312 and / or working fluid that has passed through the discharge passage 310 and exits the discharge passage 310 at the discharge passage outlet 312 contacts a portion of the stator of the compressor, thereby providing supplemental cooling of the stator.

[0039] Figure 4 A method according to an embodiment is shown. The method 400 includes: operating a compressor 402; operating a lubricant pump 404; lubricating a bearing surface 406; receiving excess lubricant at an inlet for a discharge passage 408; and releasing excess lubricant from the discharge passage 410. Optionally, the method 400 may further include directing excess lubricant to a stator 412.

[0040] At 402, a compressor is operated. The compressor may be any suitable compressor including a shaft, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a scroll compressor. The compressor may be operated for any suitable purpose, such as, for example, to compress a working fluid in a circuit of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system. Operation of the compressor includes rotation of a shaft. In an embodiment, the compressor is a variable speed compressor.

[0041] At 404, a lubricant pump is operated. The lubricant pump may be any suitable pump for driving lubricant from the sump toward the bearing surface of the compressor. In an embodiment, the lubricant pump is a positive displacement pump. In an embodiment, the lubricant pump is powered by the operation of the compressor (e.g., the rotation of the shaft). In an embodiment, when the lubricant pump is operated at 404, the volume of lubricant provided per unit time may vary with the speed at which the compressor is operated at 402. The lubricant pump may pump lubricant to its outlet through a lubricant passage disposed in the pump.

[0042] The bearing surfaces are lubricated at 406. Lubricant at the outlet of the passage driven by operation of the lubricant pump at 404 may then be directed to the one or more bearing surfaces thereby lubricated at 406. The lubricant may be directed by, for example, centrifugal force, deflection or by directing through one or more surfaces or features disposed thereon, flow due to volume provided by the lubricant pump, combinations thereof, and the like.

[0043] At 408, excess lubricant is received at an inlet for a drain passage. In an embodiment, the drain passage may be configured to receive lubricant only when the bearing surface is lubricated (for example, by having the inlet located at or near the center of the shaft), where centrifugal forces are part of directing the lubricant to the bearing surface. The lubricant may then travel through the drain passage to reach the outlet.

[0044] At 410, at an outlet, excess lubricant can be released from the discharge passage. The outlet can be positioned on a side wall of the shaft, for example, below a rotor disposed on the shaft. Excess lubricant can then flow downward to a lubricant sump. Optionally, at 412, excess lubricant exiting the discharge passage can be directed to the stator. The discharge passage can be positioned so that centrifugal force directs the lubricant to a portion of the stator extending below the rotor, thereby allowing excess lubricant to provide supplemental cooling to the motor of the compressor. In an embodiment, when the lubricant does not pass through the discharge passage, a portion of the compressed fluid can pass through the discharge passage and onto the portion of the stator, thereby providing supplemental cooling even when the lubricant supply does not include excess lubricant to be extracted into the discharge passage.

[0045] aspect:

[0046] It should be understood that any of aspects 1 to 15 may be combined with any of aspects 16 to 20.

[0047] Aspect 1. A compressor comprising:

[0048] stator;

[0049] axis;

[0050] a rotor connected to the shaft;

[0051] Lubricant sump;

[0052] Lubricant pumps;

[0053] a lubricant passage configured to deliver lubricant from the lubricant pump to the distal end of the shaft, at least a portion of the lubricant passage extending through at least a portion of the shaft; and

[0054] A drain passage extends through at least a portion of the shaft, the drain passage having an inlet at the distal end of the shaft and an outlet disposed on a sidewall of the shaft, the outlet being between the lubricant sump and the rotor along the length of the shaft.

[0055] Aspect 2. The compressor according to aspect 1, wherein the compressor is a variable speed compressor.

[0056] Aspect 3. The compressor according to any one of aspects 1 to 2, wherein the compressor comprises an orbiting scroll and a fixed scroll.

[0057] Aspect 4. The compressor according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the inlet of the discharge passage is located at the center of the distal end of the shaft.

[0058] Aspect 5. The compressor according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the lubricant pump is a positive displacement pump or a centrifugal pump.

[0059] Aspect 6. The compressor of any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the discharge passage is positioned such that when the compressor is operating, at least some of the fluid exiting the outlet contacts the stator.

[0060] Aspect 7. The compressor according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, further comprising a plurality of bearing surfaces configured to receive lubricant from the distal end of the shaft when the compressor is in operation.

[0061] Aspect 8. A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) system comprising the compressor according to aspect 1.

[0062] Aspect 9. The HVACR system according to aspect 8, further comprising a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator.

[0063] Aspect 10. The HVACR system of any one of aspects 8 to 9, wherein the compressor is a variable speed compressor.

[0064] Aspect 11. The HVACR system of any one of aspects 8 to 10, wherein the compressor comprises an orbiting scroll and a fixed scroll.

[0065] Aspect 12. The HVACR system of any one of aspects 8 to 11, wherein the inlet of the exhaust passage is located at the center of the distal end of the shaft.

[0066] Aspect 13. The HVACR system of any one of aspects 8 to 12, wherein the lubricant pump is a positive displacement pump.

[0067] Aspect 14. The HVACR system of any one of aspects 8 to 13, wherein the discharge passage is positioned such that when the compressor is operating, at least some of the fluid exiting the outlet contacts the stator.

[0068] Aspect 15. The HVACR system of any one of aspects 8 to 14, further comprising a plurality of bearing surfaces configured to receive lubricant from the distal end of the shaft when the compressor is in operation.

[0069] Aspect 16. A method comprising:

[0070] Run the compressor;

[0071] operating a lubricant pump included in the compressor to drive lubricant through a lubricant passage extending through at least a portion of a shaft of the compressor;

[0072] lubricating one or more bearing surfaces of the compressor using at least some of the lubricant;

[0073] receiving excess lubricant at an inlet of a drain passage extending through at least a portion of the shaft of the compressor; and

[0074] The excess lubricant is released from the drain passage at an outlet.

[0075] Aspect 17. The method of aspect 16, wherein releasing the excess lubricant from the drain passage at the outlet directs the excess lubricant to contact a stator of the compressor.

[0076] Aspect 18. The method according to any one of aspects 16 to 17, wherein the lubricant pump is a positive displacement pump.

[0077] Aspect 19. The method according to any one of aspects 16 to 18, wherein the compressor is a variable speed compressor.

[0078] Aspect 20. The method of any one of aspects 16 to 19, wherein the compressor is operated to compress a working fluid of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or refrigeration (HVACR) system.

[0079] The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative rather than restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A compressor, comprising: stator; axis; a rotor connected to the shaft; Lubricant sump; Lubricant pumps; a lubricant passage configured to deliver lubricant from the lubricant pump to the distal end of the shaft, at least a portion of the lubricant passage extending through at least a portion of the shaft; and a drain passage extending through at least a portion of the shaft, the drain passage having an inlet at the distal end of the shaft and an outlet disposed on a sidewall of the shaft, the outlet being located along the length of the shaft between the lubricant sump and an end of the rotor adjacent the lubricant sump, wherein the outlet is further positioned between the end of the rotor adjacent the lubricant sump and a portion of the stator extending below the rotor such that when the compressor is operating, at least some of the lubricant exiting the outlet contacts and cools the stator.

2. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein: The compressor is a variable speed compressor.

3. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein: The compressor includes an orbiting scroll and a fixed scroll.

4. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein: The inlet of the exhaust passage is located at the center of the distal end of the shaft.

5. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein: The lubricant pump is a positive displacement pump or a centrifugal pump. 6 . The compressor of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of bearing surfaces configured to receive lubricant from the distal end of the shaft when the compressor is in operation.

7. A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) system comprising the compressor according to claim 1.

8. The HVACR system of claim 7, further comprising a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator.

9. The HVACR system of claim 7, wherein: The compressor is a variable speed compressor.

10. The HVACR system of claim 7, wherein: The compressor includes an orbiting scroll and a fixed scroll.

11. The HVACR system of claim 7, wherein: The inlet of the exhaust passage is located at the center of the distal end of the shaft.

12. The HVACR system of claim 7, wherein: The lubricant pump is a positive displacement pump.

13. The HVACR system of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of bearing surfaces configured to receive lubricant from the distal end of the shaft when the compressor is in operation.

14. A method comprising: Run the compressor; operating a lubricant pump included in the compressor to drive lubricant through a lubricant passage extending through at least a portion of a shaft of the compressor to a distal end of the shaft; lubricating one or more bearing surfaces of the compressor using at least some of the lubricant; receiving excess lubricant at an inlet of a discharge passage, the inlet being located at the distal end of the shaft, the discharge passage extending through at least a portion of the shaft of the compressor; and The excess lubricant is released from the drain passage at an outlet, wherein the outlet is located at a position along the length of the shaft between a lubricant sump and an end of the rotor adjacent to the lubricant sump, and wherein the outlet is further positioned between the end of the rotor adjacent to the lubricant sump and a portion of the stator extending below the rotor so that when the compressor is operated, at least some of the lubricant exiting the outlet contacts and cools the stator.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The lubricant pump is a positive displacement pump.

16. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 15, wherein: The compressor is a variable speed compressor.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein: The compressor is operated to compress a working fluid of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or refrigeration (HVACR) system.

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