Compressor with multiple lubricant sumps

Abstract

A compressor is provided that includes a compressor housing (102) with a discharge chamber (104) and an intermediate-pressure chamber (106), first and second lubricant sumps (110,112), a suction inlet (114), a discharge outlet (118E), a compression mechanism (120), an intermediate injection port (124), a lubricant passage (150), and a lubricant sump valve (152). The first lubricant sump (110) is disposed in the discharge chamber (104). The second lubricant sump (112) is disposed in the intermediate-pressure chamber (106). The compression mechanism (120) suctions a working fluid from the suction inlet (114) and discharges the working fluid into the discharge chamber (118E). The intermediate injection port (124) is fluidly connected to the intermediate-pressure chamber (106). The lubricant supply passage (150) connects the discharge chamber (104) and the intermediate-pressure chamber (106). The lubricant sump valve (152) controls a flow of lubricant through the lubricant supply passage (150) from first lubricant sump (110) to the second lubricant sump (112). The lubricant in the second lubricant sump (112) is supplied to at least the compression mechanism (120).

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