Scroll compressor with line injection

Abstract

A scroll compressor comprising: a compressor housing; a suction inlet, an intermediate injection inlet, and a discharge outlet, each arranged in the compressor housing; a rotating scroll element and a non-rotating scroll element interlocking to form compression pockets within the compressor housing, the compression pockets being configured to draw in from the suction inlet and discharge to the discharge outlet, the non-rotating scroll element comprising an intermediate injection port for the compression pockets; a scroll carrier attached to the compressor housing at the intermediate injection inlet; and an injection line extending from the intermediate injection inlet in the compressor housing to the intermediate injection port through both the scroll carrier and the non-rotating scroll element.

Description

REGIONThis disclosure relates to scroll compressors with intermediate injection. More particularly, this disclosure relates to providing an intermediate injection into a scroll compressor in heating, venting, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems.GENERAL STATE OF THE ARTA scroll compressor is one type of compressor used to compress gas. Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration ("HVACR") systems may utilize compressors to compress a gaseous working fluid. One type of compressor is a scroll compressor that generally includes a pair of scroll members that rotate relative to each other to compress gas (e.g., air, coolant, or the like). Typically, a scroll compressor includes a first fixed scroll member having a generally helical wrap and a second orbiting scroll member having a generally helical wrap. The spiral windings of the two spiral elements mesh with one another and form a row of compression pockets. The second orbiting scroll member is driven by a rotary shaft to orbit the first stationary scroll member through a rotary shaft, thereby compressing gas in the compression pockets.SUMMARYIn one embodiment, a scroll compressor includes a compressor housing, a scroll carrier, a orbiting scroll member, and a non-orbiting scroll member that interlock to form compression pockets within the compressor housing, and a suction inlet, an intermediate injection inlet, and a discharge outlet, each disposed within the compressor housing. The compression pockets are configured to suck from the suction inlet and discharge to the discharge outlet. The non-orbiting scroll member has an intermediate injection port for the compression pockets. The scroll carrier is mounted to the compressor housing at the intermediate injection inlet. The scroll compressor also includes an injection conduit extending from the intermediate injection inlet in the compressor housing to the intermediate injection port through both the scroll carrier and the non-orbiting scroll member.In one embodiment, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system includes a refrigerant circuit that includes a condenser, at least one expander, an evaporator, and a scroll compressor that are fluidly connected. A working fluid flows through the coolant circuit. The scroll compressor includes a compressor housing, a scroll carrier, a orbiting scroll and a non-orbiting scroll that interlock to form compression pockets within the compressor housing, and a suction inlet, an intermediate injection inlet, and a discharge outlet, each disposed within the compressor housing. The compression pockets are configured to suck from the suction inlet and discharge to the discharge outlet. The non-orbiting scroll member has an intermediate injection port for the compression pockets. The scroll carrier is mounted to the compressor housing at the intermediate injection inlet. The scroll compressor also includes an injection conduit extending from the intermediate injection inlet in the compressor housing to the intermediate injection port through both the scroll carrier and the non-orbiting scroll member.DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a coolant circuit in a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) system. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a scroll compressor. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the scroll compressor as indicated in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional partial view of the scroll compressor of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment.Like reference numerals represent like features.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONAs used herein, the term "axial" refers to an axial direction of a scroll compressor, wherein the "axial direction" of the scroll compressor is defined by the longitudinal axis of a crankshaft of the compressor. The axial direction extends in a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the crankshaft. For example, a difference between the longitudinal axis of the crankshaft and the axial direction may be a tilt of the crankshaft configured to cause suction and / or delivery of oil through an internal passage of the crankshaft.As used herein, the term "facing" a surface or opening refers to a view in a vector perpendicular to the surface or opening. For example, surface X facing feature Y refers to a vector that is perpendicular to surface X and would meet feature Y. For example, aperture X facing a feature Z refers to a vector that is perpendicular to the plane of aperture X and would meet feature Z.FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a coolant circuit 5 in a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) system 1. in one embodiment, the HVACR system 1 may be an industrial, commercial or private HVACR system 1 configured to condition the interior of a building (e.g., office rooms, homes, or the like). In one embodiment, the HVACR system 1 may be a transport HVACR system used to cool the interior of a transport unit (e.g., a shipping container, a transport / truck container, a refrigerated container, or the like) and / or a passenger vehicle (e.g., a bus, an aircraft, or the like).The refrigerant circuit 5 includes a compressor 10, a condenser 20, a first expansion device 30, a second expansion device 32, and an evaporator 50, which are fluidly connected. In one embodiment, the coolant circuit 5 may be modified to include additional components. For example, in one embodiment, the coolant circuit 5 may include one or more flow control devices, a receiver tank, a dryer, a liquid suction heat exchanger, or the like. The components of the coolant circuit 5 are fluidly connected. In FIG. 1, for better understanding, dotted lines and dotted broken lines are provided to indicate that fluid flows through some components (e.g., the compressor 10, the condenser 20, the evaporator 50), and they are not intended to specify a specific route in the individual components.The coolant circuit 5 may be configured as a cooling system (e.g., a fluid cooler of an HVACR, an air conditioning system, or the like) operable in a cooling mode and / or the coolant circuit 5 may be configured to operate as a heat pumping system operable in a cooling mode and a heating mode.The coolant circuit 5 employs known principles of gas compression and heat transfer. The coolant circuit 5 may be configured to heat or cool a process fluid (e.g., water, air, or the like). In one embodiment, the coolant circuit 5 may be a radiator that cools a process fluid, such as water or the like. In one embodiment, the coolant circuit 5 may be an air conditioning system and / or a heat pump that cools and / or heats a process fluid, such as air or the like.During operation of the refrigerant circuit 5, a working fluid (e.g., containing refrigerant, a mixed refrigerant, or the like) flows into the compressor 10 from the evaporator 50 in a gaseous state at a relatively low pressure. The compressor 10 compresses the gaseous working fluid to a high pressure state that also heats the gas. The compressor 10 includes a suction inlet 12, a discharge outlet 14, an intermediate injection inlet 16, and a compression mechanism 18 configured to move within the compressor 10 to compress the gas to the high pressure state. The lower pressure gaseous working fluid flows from the evaporator 50 into the suction inlet 12 of the compressor 10 and is discharged from the discharge outlet 14 of the compressor 10 after compression by the compression mechanism 18. The working fluid flows from the suction inlet 12 into the compression mechanism 18 and then from the compression mechanism 18 to and out of the compressor 10 through the discharge outlet 14.In one embodiment, the compressor 10 is a type that uses intermediate pressure injection of a working fluid into the compression mechanism 18 (e.g., economizer injection or the like). In one embodiment, the compressor 10 is a scroll compressor and the compression mechanism 18 is comprised of a pair of intermeshing scroll members (e.g., gaseous working fluid is injected under intermediate pressure into a compression pocket formed between the intermeshing scroll members). The intermediate pressurized gaseous working fluid flows into the intermediate injection inlet 16 of the compressor 10 and from the intermediate injection inlet 16 into the compression mechanism 18. the intermediate pressurized gaseous working fluid mixes with the gaseous working fluid compressed within the compression mechanism 18 (e.g., mixes with the gaseous working fluid already partially compressed within the compression mechanism 18) is further compressed within the compression mechanism 18 and is then discharged from the compression mechanism 18 through the discharge outlet 14 into and out of the compressor 10.After being compressed, the gaseous working fluid having relatively higher pressure and temperature flows from the discharge outlet 14 of the compressor 10 to the condenser 20. The working fluid flows through the condenser 20. In addition to the working fluid flowing through the condenser 20, a first fluid PF 1( e.g., outside air, outside water, cooling / heating device, glycol, combinations thereof, or the like) also flows separately through the condenser 20, while the working fluid flows through the condenser 20, the working fluid condenses into liquid within the condenser 20, the liquid working fluid then flows from the condenser 20 to the expansion devices 30, 32.A first portion of the relatively cooler relatively higher pressure liquid working fluid discharged from the condenser 20 flows from the condenser 20 into the first expansion device 30, and a second portion of the relatively cooler relatively higher pressure liquid working fluid discharged from the condenser 20 flows into the second expansion device 32.The first expansion device 30 allows the working fluid to expand, converting the working fluid into a mixed vapor and liquid state. The expansion also provides further cooling of the working fluid. An "expansion device" may also refer to an expander as described herein. In one embodiment, the expander may be an expansion valve, an expansion plate, an expansion vessel, an orifice, or the like, or other such type of expansion mechanism. Note that the expander may be any type of expansion device used in the field for expanding a working fluid to cause a decrease in the pressure and temperature of the gaseous working fluid. The first expander 30 and the second expander 32 may be of the same type of expansion device or different types of expansion devices. In one embodiment, one or both of the expanders 30, 32 are an adjustable expansion device. For example, the expanders 30, 32 may be an expansion valve. For example, one or both of the expanders 30, 32 may be adjusted to control the amount of working fluid flowing into the suction inlet 12 and the intermediate injection inlet 16 of the compressor.The further relatively low temperature vapor / liquid working fluid then flows from the second expander 32 into the evaporator 50. a second process fluid PF 2( e.g., air, cooler liquid, water glycol, combinations thereof, or the like) also flows through the evaporator 50. the working fluid absorbs heat from the second process fluid PF 2, as it flows through the evaporator 50, wherein the second process fluid PF 2 is cooled as it flows through the evaporator 50. When the working fluid absorbs heat, the working fluid is evaporated to steam. The gaseous / predominantly gaseous working fluid then returns from the evaporator 50 to the compressor 10.The second portion of the relatively cooler, relatively higher pressure liquid working fluid discharged from the condenser 20 flows to the second expander 32. the second expander 32 enables the expansion of the working fluid, thereby rendering the working fluid in a vaporous state. The expansion also provides further cooling of the working fluid. The relatively low temperature, intermediate pressurized gaseous working fluid then flows from the second expander 32 to the intermediate injection inlet 16 of the compressor 10.The above-described process is continued while the coolant circuit 5 is operated in a cooling mode, for example. In one embodiment, the HVACR system 1 may include a controller (not shown) that controls the operation of the expanders 30, 32. The controller may control the expanders 30, 32 (e.g., the degree of opening of each expansion valve) such that the desired amount (e.g., in percent or the like) of the working fluid discharged from the condenser flows through the first expander 30 and the second expander 32.Those skilled in the art will understand that the intermediate pressure fluid may be supplied to the compressor in different ways than shown in the illustrated embodiment. For example, in an embodiment of the refrigerant circuit 5, the first expander 30 and the second expander 32 may be provided in series, and the intermediate pressure gaseous fluid supplied to the intermediate injection inlet 16 may be a part of the working fluid flowing from the first expander 30 to the second expander 32. For example, in one embodiment, the refrigerant circuit may include an economizer heat exchanger (e.g., economizer 40) that heats or cools the intermediate pressurized working fluid, with the portion of the working fluid flowing from the condenser 20 to the evaporator 50. In one embodiment, the intermediate pressurized working fluid may be a liquid working fluid supplied from the condenser 20 or other location within the coolant circuit 5.FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a scroll compressor 100 according to an embodiment. In one embodiment, the scroll compressor may be the compressor 10 in the refrigerant circuit 5 in FIG. 1. The compressor 100 includes a compressor housing 102 that contains components of the compressor 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the compressor housing 102 is the outer housing of the compressor 100.The compressor 100 includes a plurality of fluid ports extending through the compressor housing 102 for drawing and discharging working fluid into and from the compressor 100. The working fluid enters and exits the compressor 100 by flowing through the fluid ports in the compressor housing 102. The fluid ports include a suction inlet 104A, a discharge outlet 104B, and an intermediate injection inlet 104C. A suction stream f S of the working fluid to be compressed flows into the compressor 100 through the suction inlet 104A in the compressor housing 102 at a relatively low pressure (e.g., at a first pressure P 1'). A discharge flow f D of the compressed working fluid is discharged from the discharge outlet 104B of the compressor 100 at a relatively higher pressure (e.g., at a second pressure P 2, which is greater than the first pressure P 1). An intermediate flow f i of the working fluid flows into the compressor 100 through the intermediate injection inlet 104C in the compressor housing 102. This stream f i can also be referred to as an economizer injection, intermediate injection stream or economizer injection stream. The intermediate injection working fluid flowing in the stream f i may be a relatively higher pressure liquid working fluid or an intermediate pressure working fluid (e.g., at a third pressure P 3, which is greater than the first pressure P 1 and less than the second pressure P 2 ). For example, the intermediate pressurized working fluid may be an intermediate pressurized gaseous working fluid or an intermediate pressurized working fluid of a mixed phase of liquid and vapor.In one example, the intermediate injection working fluid is at the intermediate pressure. In one embodiment, the intermediate pressurized working fluid is a gaseous working fluid. In another embodiment, the intermediate pressurized working fluid may be a liquid working fluid or a liquid and vapor mixed phase working fluid. The intermediate injection working fluid is, for example, an intermediate pressurized working fluid supplied from an expander in the refrigerant circuit of the compressor 100 (e.g., from the second expander 32 in FIG. 1 ) to the intermediate injection inlet 104C of the compressor 100. For example, the intermediate injection working fluid in stream f i is a portion of the compressed working fluid in discharge stream f D, after being cooled in a condenser in the refrigerant circuit of compressor 100 (e.g., condenser 20 in FIG. 1 ) and subsequently expanded by the expander in the refrigerant circuit of compressor 100. For example, the working fluid under relatively lower pressure in the intake stream f S another portion of the working fluid in the discharge stream supplied to the intake port 104A after being cooled in the condenser, is further or separately expanded by another expander in the refrigeration cycle (e.g., by the first expander 30 in FIG. 1 ), and then heated in an evaporator in the refrigeration cycle of the compressor 100 (e.g., in the evaporator 50 in FIG. 1 ).In one example, the intermediate injection working fluid may be a liquid working fluid having a relatively higher pressure. For example, the liquid intermediate injection working fluid is a portion of the liquid working fluid provided from a condenser (e.g., directly from the condenser or as liquid working fluid flowing from the condenser to an expander) of the cooling circuit of the compressor 100 (e.g., from the condenser 20 in FIG. 1 in which the second expander 32 is omitted). For example, the intermediate injection working fluid in stream f i is a portion of the compressed working fluid in discharge stream f D, after being cooled in a condenser in the refrigerant circuit of compressor 100 (e.g., condenser 20 in FIG. 1 ), and before being expanded by the expander (e.g., expander 30 in FIG. 1 ) in the refrigerant circuit of compressor 100. For example, the working fluid under relatively lower pressure in the intake stream f S is another portion of the working fluid in the discharge stream f D, which is supplied to the intake port 104A after being cooled in the condenser, expanded by the expander in the refrigeration cycle (e.g., the expander 30 in FIG. 1 ), and then heated in an evaporator in the refrigeration cycle of the compressor 100 (e.g., evaporator 50 in FIG. 1 ).FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the scroll compressor 100 in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment. The view in FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the scroll compressor 100 as indicated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, dotted arrows are shown to indicate how the working fluid flows into, in, and out of the scroll compressor 100. As described above, the lower pressure working fluid in the intake stream f S( i.e., the working fluid to be compressed) flows into the scroll compressor 100 through the intake inlet 104A, the higher pressure working fluid (compressed) working fluid in the discharge stream f D is discharged from the compressor 100 through the discharge outlet 104B, and the intermediate injection working fluid in the injection stream f i flows into the compressor 100 through the intermediate injection inlet 104C.The compressor 100 shown is a single stage scroll compressor. More specifically, the compressor 100 shown is a single stage vertical scroll compressor. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles described herein are not limited to single stage scroll compressors and may also be applied to multi-stage scroll compressors having two or more compression stages. The embodiments are described herein for a compressor having a vertical or near vertical crankshaft (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3 ). In other embodiments, the concepts described herein for compressor 100 may be applied and / or adapted to a compressor having a non-vertical or a horizontal crankshaft. In such embodiments, it should be appreciated that the relative spatial terms used herein, such as, but not limited to, "top," "bottom," "vertical," "horizontal," are to be interpreted as positioning the compressor with its crankshaft in a vertical position.The compressor housing 102 of the scroll compressor 100 includes an upper portion 102A, a middle portion 102B, and a lower portion 102C. As shown in FIG. 3, the suction inlet 104A extends through the lower portion 102C of the compressor housing 102. The intermediate injection inlet 104C is disposed in the lower portion 102C of the compressor housing 102. The discharge outlet 104B is disposed in the upper portion 102A of the compressor housing 102. As shown in FIG. 3, the top portion 102A may be a cap (e.g., top cap) of the compressor housing 102, and the middle portion 102B is an intermediate cap of the scroll compressor 100. In other embodiments, the compressor housing 102 may be configured without the center portion 102B. In such an embodiment, the upper portion 102A may be mounted over the lower portion 102C in a similar manner as discussed for the center portion 102B. In some embodiments, the intermediate injection inlet 104C may extend through the central portion 102B rather than through the lower portion 102C of the compressor housing 102.In the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion 102A is the uppermost portion of the compressor housing 102 and the lower portion 102C is the lowermost portion of the compressor housing 102. In other embodiments, the upper portion 102A could not be the top portion of the compressor housing 102 and / or the lower portion 102C could not be the bottom portion of the compressor housing 102.The scroll compressor 100 includes a non-orbiting scroll member 112 and an orbiting scroll member 114. Using known aspects of scroll compressor compaction, the scroll compressor 100 utilizes the meshing of the two scroll members 112, 114 to form a plurality of compression pockets 116 in which gas is trapped and then compacted. The non-orbiting scroll 112 has a base plate 113 and a spiral wrap 118 protruding from the base plate 113 toward the orbiting scroll member 114. The orbiting scroll member 114 has a base plate 115 and a spiral wrap 120 protruding from the base plate 115 toward the non-orbiting scroll member 112. The spiral wrap 118 of the non-orbiting scroll 112 engages the spiral wrap 120 of the orbiting scroll member 114 forming the compression pockets 116 therebetween. In one embodiment, the axial end of one or both of the spiral wraps 118, 120 may include a tip seal (not shown) to aid in sealing between each spiral wrap 118, 120 and the opposing base plate 113, 115.The non-orbiting scroll member 112 is a scroll member that is in a fixed position within the compressor housing 102 and is not configured to be moved (e.g., circled, rotated) relative to the compressor housing 102 during operation of the scroll compressor 100. The non-orbiting scroll member 112 may be referred to as a non-orbiting scroll, a fixed scroll, a stationary scroll, a first scroll member, or the like. In one embodiment, the non-orbiting scroll 112 may be directly attached to the compressor housing 102 of the scroll compressor 100. For example, the non-orbiting scroll 112 may be press fit into the compressor housing 102 and / or secured (e.g., bolted or the like) to the compressor housing 102.The orbiting scroll member 114 is a scroll member that engages one end of a crankshaft 160. During operation of the scroll compressor 100, the orbiting scroll member 114 is moved (e.g., orbiting, rotated) relative to the non-orbiting scroll member 112. The orbiting scroll member 114 is configured to be moved relative to the compressor housing 102 during operation of the compressor 100. The orbiting scroll member 114 may also be referred to as an orbiting scroll, a moving scroll, a second scroll member, or the like.The orbiting scroll 114 is moved (e.g., orbiting, rotated) by the crankshaft 160. Because orbiting scroll member 114 engages the end of crankshaft 160, rotation of crankshaft 160 causes the movement of orbiting scroll 114. The crankshaft 160 may be rotated by an electric motor 162, for example. The electric motor 162 includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor and crankshaft 160 are secured to each other such that they rotate together (e.g., the rotor and crankshaft 164 may be secured to each other by press fit or other type of fit). The electric motor 162 may operate according to known principles to rotate the crankshaft 160. In one embodiment, crankshaft 160 may be rotated by mechanisms other than electric motor 162, such as an external electric motor, an external internal combustion engine, or other such mechanisms. Thus, such embodiments may not include an electric motor 162 as shown in FIG. 3. The scroll compressor 100 may include an alignment coupler for maintaining the alignment of the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114, such as an Oldham coupling 164.The compressor 100 includes a scroll carrier 130 mounted to the compressor housing 102. The scroll carrier 130 supports one or more of the scrolls 112, 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier 130 supports the non-orbiting scroll 112 and the orbiting scroll 114 within the compressor housing 102. For example, the non-orbiting scroll 112 abuts the scroll carrier 130 (i.e., the non-orbiting scroll 112 is disposed on the carrier 130). The scroll carrier 130 supports the non-orbiting scroll 112 axially within the compressor housing 102 (e.g., in direction D 1). For example, the scroll carrier 130 may provide (a) bearing and / or (a) bearing surface(s) for supporting the orbiting scroll 114. The scroll carrier 130 may provide a thrust bearing for axially supporting the orbiting scroll 114 (e.g., include a thrust bearing surface forming a thrust bearing between the orbiting scroll 114 and the scroll carrier 130). The scroll carrier 130 may provide a radial bearing for radially supporting the orbiting scroll 114 via the crankshaft 160 (e.g., having a radial bearing surface forming a radial bearing between the scroll carrier 130 and the crankshaft 160, the orbiting scroll 114 mounted to the crankshaft 160). The spiral carrier can also be referred to as ".The compressor housing 102 includes an interior volume having a suction chamber 140 and a discharge chamber 142 of the compressor 100. The discharge chamber 142 and the suction chamber 140 are under different pressures. For example, suction chamber 140 is at the suction pressure (e.g., first pressure P 1) and discharge chamber 142 is at the discharge pressure (e.g., second pressure P 2).The discharge chamber 142 is disposed between the compressor housing 102 and the non-orbiting scroll 112 (e.g., between the top portion 102A of the compressor housing 102 and the non-orbiting scroll 112). As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge chamber 142 is a volume defined by the compressor housing 102 and the non-orbiting scroll 112 (e.g., defined by the top portion 102A of the compressor housing 102, the middle portion 102B of the compressor housing 102, and the non-orbiting scroll 112). The discharge chamber 142 may also be referred to as an upper volume of the compressor 100.The suction chamber 140 is disposed between the compressor housing 102 and the non-orbiting scroll 112 (e.g., between the bottom portion 102C of the compressor housing 102 and the non-orbiting scroll 112). The suction chamber 140 is disposed opposite to the discharge chamber 142 with respect to the non-revolving scroll 112. For example, suction chamber 140 and discharge chamber 142 are disposed on opposite sides of non-orbiting scroll 112. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the discharge chamber 142 and the suction chamber 140 are fluidly separated by the non-orbiting scroll 112.The discharge chamber 142 and the suction chamber 140 may also be separated by the central portion 102B of the compressor housing 102. As shown in FIG. 3, the suction chamber 140 is a volume defined by the compressor housing 102 and the non-orbiting scroll 112 (e.g., by the bottom portion 102C of the compressor housing 102 and the non-orbiting scroll 112). Suction chamber 140 may also be referred to as a lower volume of compressor 100.As shown in FIG. 3, the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114 have an inlet 124 through which gas flows into the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114. The inlet 124 is formed by / at an outer radius of the spiral wraps 118, 120 (e.g., at the outermost spiral of each spiral wrap 118, 120, at the beginning of the compaction process, not at an interface / compaction pocket, or the like). The inlet 124 is located, for example, at a location where the compression pockets 116 are initially formed.The intermeshing spiral windings 118, 120 also have an outlet 122. The outlet 122 is an opening that allows the compressed gas to flow out between the intermeshing spiral windings 118, 120. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the outlet 122 is formed in the base plate 113 of the non-orbiting scroll. For example, the outlet 122 is located at or near the axial center of the intermeshing spiral windings 118, 120 (e.g., at or near where the intermeshing spiral windings 118, 120 terminate). The outlet 122 is fluidly connected to the discharge chamber 142 of the scroll compressor 100. The compressor 100 may include a valve (e.g., a check valve, a valve plate, or the like) to regulate the flow of the pressurized gas through the outlet 122.The non-orbiting scroll 112 includes at least one intermediate injection port 150 formed in the non-orbiting scroll 112. The intermediate injection port(s) 150 is / are configured to inject / direct intermediate working fluid (i.e., in stream f i) between the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114. More specifically, the intermediate injection port(s) serve / serve to inject intermediate injection working fluid into the compression pockets 116 of the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114. An intermediate injection port 150 is configured to inject into an intermediate compression pocket 117 of the compression pockets 116. Each intermediate injection port 150 is an opening formed in the non-orbiting scroll 112 at the compression pockets 116.An intermediate compression pocket 117 is one of the compression pockets 116 that has partially undergone the compression process (e.g., at a pressure between the inlet pressure P 1 and the discharge pressure P 2, has traveled a portion of the way and is disposed at an intermediate position between the inlet 124 and the outlet 122). The intermediate injection working fluid is added to the working fluid already in the intermediate compression pocket 117, which is then further compressed (e.g., to the discharge pressure P 2). When the injection working fluid includes an intermediate pressurized working fluid, the intermediate pressurized working fluid may be subject to a pressure drop when injected into the intermediate compression pocket 117 (e.g., when flowing to the intermediate compression pocket 117, within the intermediate compression pocket 117, which is at a relatively lower pressure). The pressure drop may result in vaporization of the working fluid that provides cooling.The specific location(s) of the intermediate injection port(s) 150 with respect to the compression process may be varied based on a desired effect (e.g., based on balancing system capacity, efficiency of the compressor, and / or cooling of the compressor), in a particular embodiment. In one embodiment, an intermediate injection port 150 may be arranged to inject into the intermediate compression pocket 117 that is relatively close to the suction pressure (e.g., at a location where compression just begins). In one embodiment, an intermediate injection port 150 may be arranged to inject into the intermediate compression pocket 117 that is relatively close to delivery pressure (e.g., at a location near the end of compression). In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate compression pocket 117, which is relatively close to the intake pressure, is located at a relatively outer extent of the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114 (e.g., relatively closer to the inlet 124, closer to the inlet 124 than to the outlet 122), and which is relatively close to the discharge pressure, is located at a relatively inner extent of the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114 (e.g., relatively closer to the outlet 122, closer to the outlet 122 than to the inlet 124). (A) specific location(s) for the intermediate injection port(s) 150 may / may be selected based on modeling of expected efficiency and capacity changes, tests to determine the optimal location, or combinations thereof, for example.The compressor 100 includes an injection conduit 152 extending from the intermediate injection inlet 104C to the intermediate inlet injection 150. The injection line 152 is discussed in more detail below.The working fluid is compressed by the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114 as the working fluid moves between the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114. The compressed working fluid flows out of the scroll compressor 100 by flowing out of and through the outlet 122 of the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114 to the discharge outlet 104B. The working fluid enters the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114 at a relatively lower pressure (e.g., at suction pressure, at the first pressure P 1) and is discharged from the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114 at a relatively higher pressure (e.g., at discharge pressure, at the second pressure P 2). The relatively higher pressure or intermediate pressure (e.g., at a pressure between the suction pressure and the discharge pressure, at the third pressure P 3) working fluid under intermediate pressure also flows into the intermeshing scrolls 112,114, mixes with the already partially compressed suction working fluid, and is discharged as part of the compressed working fluid.The suction inlet 104A is fluidly connected to the inlet 124 of the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114. The suction stream f S of the working fluid flows from the suction inlet 104A into the inlet 124 of the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114. As shown in FIG. 3, the suction chamber 140 fluidly connects the suction inlet 104A to the inlet 124 of the interdigitated scrolls 112, 114. For example, suction inlet 104A is fluidly connected to suction chamber 140, and suction chamber 140 is fluidly connected to inlet 124 of interdigitated scrolls 112, 114. The suction chamber 140 is under the suction / inlet pressure of the suction flow f S( i.e., the working fluid in the suction chamber 140 is under the suction / inlet pressure of the suction flow f S). The intermeshing scrolls 112, 114 are configured to draw the working fluid from the suction chamber 140. In one embodiment, the suction inlet 104A may be directly connected to the inlet 124 of the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114 (e.g., without the suction chamber 140).The discharge outlet 104B is fluidly connected to the outlet 122 of the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114. The discharge stream f D of the compressed working fluid flows from and through the outlet 122 of the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114 to and from the discharge outlet 104B of the compressor 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge chamber 142 fluidly connects the outlet 122 of the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114 to the discharge outlet 104B of the compressor 100. For example, the outlet 122 of the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114 is fluidly connected to the discharge chamber 142, and the discharge chamber 142 is fluidly connected to the discharge outlet 104B of the compressor 100. The compressed working fluid flows from the intermeshing scrolls 112, 114 through the discharge chamber 142 to the discharge outlet 104B of the compressor 100. The discharge chamber 142 is under the discharge pressure (i.e., the working fluid in the discharge chamber 142 is under the discharge pressure of the discharge flow f D). In one embodiment, the outlet 122 of the interdigitated scrolls 112, 114 may be directly connected to the discharge outlet 104B (e.g., without the discharge chamber 142).FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of compressor 100 in FIG. 2, according to one embodiment. For example, FIG. 4 is an enlarged section of the view in FIG. 3. dashed lines indicate separation of the compressor 100 in the view of FIG. 4. The dotted arrows in FIG. 4 show how the intermediate injection working fluid flows into and within the compressor 100.As shown in FIG. 4, the injection line 152 extends from the intermediate injection inlet 104C to the intermediate inlet injection 150. The injection line 152 fluidly connects the intermediate injection port 150 to the intermediate injection port 150. The intermediate working fluid (e.g., stream f i) is directed through the injection conduit 152 to the compression pockets 116 (e.g., to the intermediate compression pocket 117). The injection line 152 is discussed in more detail below.The carrier 130 is attached to the compressor housing 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier 130 is press fit with the compressor housing 102. The interference fit between carrier 130 and compressor housing 102 is along intermediate injection inlet 104C. As shown in FIG. 4, the carrier 130 may include a flange 132. The flange 132 is provided on an outer side of the carrier (e.g., on the outer periphery of the carrier 130). The flange 132 is disposed on the compressor housing 102. For example, flange 132 is disposed on a ledge 106 of compressor housing 102. Specifically, the flange 132 is disposed on the ledge 106 of the lower portion 102C (e.g., an upper surface of the lower portion 102C). The center portion 102B is disposed on the non-orbiting scroll 112 with the flange 132 held between the bottom portion 102C and the center portion 102B of the compressor housing 102. For example, the carrier 130 may additionally or alternatively be attached to the compressor housing 102 by retaining the flange 132 of the carrier 130 between two portions 102A, 102C of the compressor housing 102.The carrier 130 has a side surface 134 and a top surface 138. The upper surface 138 of the carrier 130 abuts the non-orbiting scroll member 112. More specifically, the upper surface 138 of the carrier 130 abuts a lower surface 128 of the non-orbiting scroll member 112 (e.g., a lower surface 128 of the base plate 113 of the non-orbiting scroll member 112). The side surface 134 of the carrier 130 abuts an inner surface 108 of the compressor housing 102 (e.g., an inner surface 108 of the bottom portion 102C of the compressor housing 102). For example, the side surface 134 of the carrier 130 abuts the inner surface 108 of the compressor housing 102 at the suction inlet 104A.The carrier 130 has a plateau section 136 with the side surface 134. As shown in FIG. 4, the plateau portion 136 is provided on an outer radial side of the carrier 130 (e.g., on an outer periphery of the carrier 130 extending in a radially outward direction D 2 and direction D 3 as shown in FIG. 3 ). The side surface 134 is the raised, relatively flat top surface of the plateau portion 136. The carrier 130 has a larger perimeter at the plateau portion 136 that allows for press-fitting of the carrier 130 within the compressor housing 102.As shown in FIG. 4, the injection conduit 152 extends from the suction inlet 104A to the intermediate injection port 150. For example, the injection conduit 152 extends from the inner surface 108 of the compressor housing 102 at the intermediate injection opening 150 to the compression pockets 116 (e.g., to a location corresponding to the intermediate compression pocket 117).The injection conduit 152 extends through the carrier 130 and through the non-orbiting scroll 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the injection passage 152 is formed by a plurality of through holes. As shown in FIG. 4, the injection conduit 152 may be comprised of a through hole in the carrier 130 and a through hole in the non-orbiting scroll 112. The injection line 152 includes a first portion 154A and a second portion 154B. For example, the first portion 154A may be the through hole in the carrier 130. For example, the injection conduit 152 may be the through hole in the non-orbiting scroll 112. The first portion 154A of the injection conduit 152 extends from the suction inlet 104A to the second portion 154B, and the second portion 154B of the injection conduit 152 extends from the first portion 154A to the intermediate injection port 150. The first portion 154A is configured to receive intermediate working fluid (e.g., stream f i) from the intermediate injection inlet 104C and direct the intermediate working fluid to the second portion 154B. The second portion 154B is configured to receive the intermediate working fluid (e.g., stream f i) from the first portion 154A and direct the intermediate working fluid to the second portion 154B. The first portion 154A is an inlet portion of the injection pipe 152 and the second portion 154B is an outlet portion of the injection pipe 152.The first portion 154A of the injection conduit 152 extends through the carrier 130. The first portion 154A extends from the suction inlet 104A to the non-orbiting scroll 112. As shown in FIG. 4, the first portion 154A may include a first end opening 156A and a second end opening 158A opposite the first end opening 156A (e.g., an inlet end opening and an outlet end opening). The first end opening 156A and the second end opening 158A of the first portion 154A are openings in the carrier 130 (e.g., openings at opposite ends of a through hole in the carrier 130), respectively. The first end opening 156A is formed in the side surface 134 of the carrier 130. The second end opening 158A is an opening formed in the upper surface 138 of the carrier 130. The first end opening 156A faces the inner surface 108 of the compressor housing 102 and overlaps with the intermediate injection inlet 104C formed in the inner surface 108 of the compressor housing 102. The second end opening 158A faces the non-orbiting scroll 112 (i.e., the bottom surface 128 of the non-orbiting scroll 112). The second end opening 158A of the first portion 154A of the injection passage 152 overlaps with the second portion 154B of the injection passage 152.The injection conduit 152 extends from the side surface 134 of the plateau portion 136 of the carrier 130 (e.g., the top surface of the plateau portion 136). The plateau portion 136 provides an interference fit between the side surface 134 of the carrier 130 and the inner surface 108 of the compressor housing 102. The side surface 134 is a flat surface having the first end opening 156A (i.e., is a flat surface except for the first end opening 156A). The inner surface 108 of the compressor housing 102 at the intermediate injection inlet 104C is a flat surface with the opening of the intermediate injection inlet 104C (i.e., a flat surface except for the opening of the intermediate injection inlet 104C). The press fit presses the flat side surface 134 of the carrier 130 against the flat inner surface 108 of the compressor housing 102 and forms a seal between the side surface 134 of the carrier 130 and the inner surface 108 of the compressor housing 102. The first end opening 156A of the injection conduit 152 is an opening in the upper surface of the plateau portion 136 such that the seal prevents leakage (e.g., into the suction chamber 140) when the working fluid flows from the intermediate injection inlet 104C into the injection conduit 152.The second portion 154B of the injection conduit 152 extends through the non-orbiting scroll 112. The second portion 154B extends from the carrier 130 to the intermediate injection port 150 (e.g., extends from the carrier 130 to the intermediate compression pocket 117). As shown in FIG. 4, the second portion 154B may include a first end opening 156B and a second end opening 158B opposite the first end opening 156B (e.g., an inlet end opening and an outlet end opening). The first end opening 156B and the second end opening 158B of the second portion 154B are openings in the non-orbiting scroll 112, respectively (e.g., openings at opposite ends of a through hole in the non-orbiting scroll 112). The first end opening 156B is formed in the bottom surface 128 of the non-orbiting scroll 112. The first end opening 156B of the second portion 154B of the injection passage 152 overlaps with the first portion 154A of the injection passage 152. Specifically, the first end opening 156B of the second portion 154B of the injection conduit 152 overlaps with the second end opening 158B of the first portion 154A of the injection conduit 152. The second end opening 158B is the opening of the intermediate injection opening 150. The second end opening 158B is formed in the non-orbiting scroll 112 between adjacent turns of the spiral wrap 118 of the non-orbiting scroll 112. The first end opening 156B of the second portion 154B faces the top surface 138 of the carrier 130 and overlaps with the second end opening 158A of the first portion 154A (e.g., the first end opening 156A of the first portion 154A). The second end opening 158A faces the compression pockets 116 (e.g., the intermediate compression pocket 117 faces the orbiting scroll 114).The terminology used herein is intended to be in the form of specific embodiments and not of limitation. The terms "a", "an" and "the" also include their plural forms unless otherwise expressly stated. The terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one / r or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components. In one embodiment, "connected" and "connected" as described herein may refer to "directly connected" and "directly connected", respectively. In one embodiment, "attached" and "attached" as described herein may refer to "directly attached" and "directly attached", respectively.With respect to the foregoing description, it will be understood that changes may be made in detail, particularly with respect to the construction materials employed and the shape, size, and arrangement of parts, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This specification and the described embodiments are merely exemplary in nature and the true scope and spirit of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.A scroll compressor includes a compressor housing, a scroll carrier mounted to the compressor housing, an injection conduit, and a orbiting scroll and a non-orbiting scroll that interlock to form compression pockets within the compressor housing. The scroll compressor further includes a suction inlet, an intermediate injection inlet, and a discharge outlet, each disposed in the compressor housing. The compression pockets are configured to suck from the suction inlet and discharge to the discharge outlet. The injection line extends from the intermediate injection inlet to an intermediate injection port through both the scroll carrier and the non-orbiting scroll member. A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) system includes a refrigerant circuit that includes a condenser, at least one expander, an evaporator, and a scroll compressor that are fluidly connected.

Claims

A scroll compressor, comprising: a compressor housing; a suction inlet, an intermediate injection inlet, and a discharge outlet, each disposed in the compressor housing; a orbiting scroll and a non-orbiting scroll that interlock to form compression pockets within the compressor housing, the compression pockets configured to suck from the suction inlet and discharge to the discharge outlet, the non-orbiting scroll including an intermediate injection opening for the compression pockets; a scroll carrier attached to the compressor housing at the intermediate injection inlet; and an injection conduit extending from the intermediate injection inlet in the compressor housing to the intermediate injection opening through both the scroll carrier and the non-orbiting scroll.The scroll compressor of claim 1, wherein the scroll carrier includes: a side surface abutting an inner surface of the compressor housing at the intermediate injection inlet; and an upper surface abutting a lower surface of the non-orbiting scroll member.The scroll compressor of claim 2, wherein the injection conduit extends through the scroll carrier from the side surface of the scroll carrier to the top surface of the scroll carrier.The scroll compressor of claim 1, wherein the scroll carrier includes: a side surface abutting an inner surface of the compressor housing at the intermediate injection inlet, the injection conduit extending into the scroll carrier at the side surface; a plateau portion with the side surface, wherein an interference fit between the plateau portion of the scroll carrier and the inner surface of the compressor housing forms a seal between the scroll carrier and the compressor housing at the intermediate injection inlet.The scroll compressor of claim 1, wherein the compressor housing has an upper portion and a lower portion, the intermediate injection inlet being disposed in the lower portion of the compressor housing.The scroll compressor of claim 1, wherein the injection conduit includes: a first portion extending through the scroll carrier, the first portion extending from the intermediate injection inlet in the compressor housing, and a second portion extending through the non-orbiting scroll member, the second portion extending from the first portion of the injection conduit to the intermediate injection port, and the intermediate injection port is an outlet of the second portion of the injection conduit.The scroll compressor of claim 6, wherein the first portion of the injection conduit is a through hole in the scroll carrier and the second portion of the injection conduit is a through hole in the non-orbiting scroll member.The scroll compressor of claim 7, wherein the first portion of the injection conduit has a first end opening that abuts an inner surface of the compressor housing at the intermediate injection inlet and a second end opening that abuts the non-orbiting scroll member, and the second portion of the injection conduit has a first end opening that abuts an upper surface of the scroll carrier and a second end opening that forms the intermediate injection opening, the second end opening configured to be disposed over one or more of the compression pockets.The scroll compressor of claim 8, wherein the second end opening of the first portion overlaps with the first end opening of the second portion.The scroll compressor of claim 8, wherein the first end opening of the first portion overlaps with an opening of the intermediate injection inlet.A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) system comprising: a refrigerant circuit comprising a condenser, at least one expander, an evaporator, and a scroll compressor fluidly connected, wherein a working fluid flows through the refrigerant circuit, the scroll compressor having: a compressor housing, a suction inlet, an intermediate injection inlet, and a discharge outlet, each disposed in the compressor housing, a orbiting scroll member and a non-orbiting scroll member that interlock to form compression pockets within the compressor housing, wherein the compression pockets are configured to suck from the suction inlet and discharge to the discharge outlet, wherein the non-orbiting scroll member comprises an intermediate injection opening for the compression pockets, a scroll carrier, which is mounted on the compressor housing at the intermediate injection inlet; and an injection conduit extending from the intermediate injection inlet in the compressor housing to the intermediate injection port through both the scroll carrier and the non-orbiting scroll member.The HVACR system of claim 11, wherein the scroll carrier includes: a side surface that abuts an inner surface of the compressor housing at the intermediate injection inlet; and an upper surface that abuts a lower surface of the non-orbiting scroll member.The HVACR system of claim 12, wherein the injection conduit extends through the scroll carrier from the side surface of the scroll carrier to the top surface of the scroll carrier.The HVACR system of claim 13, wherein the scroll carrier includes: a side surface abutting an inner surface of the compressor housing at the intermediate injection inlet, the injection conduit extending into the scroll carrier at the side surface; a plateau portion with the side surface, wherein an interference fit between the plateau portion of the scroll carrier and the inner surface of the compressor housing forms a seal between the scroll carrier and the compressor housing at the intermediate injection inlet.The HVACR system of claim 11, wherein the compressor housing has an upper portion and a lower portion, the intermediate injection inlet being disposed in the lower portion of the compressor housing.The HVACR system of claim 11, wherein the injection conduit includes: a first portion extending through the scroll carrier, the first portion extending from the intermediate injection inlet in the compressor housing, and a second portion extending through the non-orbiting scroll member, the second portion extending from the first portion of the injection conduit to the intermediate injection port, and the intermediate injection port is an outlet of the second portion of the injection conduit.The HVACR system of claim 16, wherein the first portion of the injection conduit is a through hole in the scroll carrier and the second portion of the injection conduit is a through hole in the non-orbiting scroll member.The HVACR system of claim 17, wherein the first portion of the injection conduit has a first end opening that abuts an inner surface of the compressor housing at the intermediate injection inlet and a second end opening that abuts the non-orbiting scroll member, and the second portion of the injection conduit has a first end opening that abuts an upper surface of the scroll carrier and a second end opening that forms the intermediate injection opening, the second end opening configured to be disposed over one or more of the compression pockets.The HVACR system of claim 18, wherein the second end opening of the first portion overlaps with the first end opening of the second portion.The HVACR system of claim 18, wherein the first end opening of the first portion overlaps with an opening of the intermediate injection inlet.The HVACR system of claim 11, wherein the suction inlet is configured to receive a suction flow of the working fluid from the evaporator, the intermediate injection inlet is configured to receive an intermediate injection flow of the working fluid between the condenser and the evaporator, and the compression pockets are configured to compress the working fluid in both the intermediate injection flow and the suction flow into a discharge flow of the working fluid discharged from the compressor via the discharge outlet.

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