Scroll-type compressors

Abstract

A scroll-type compressor includes a housing including a suction chamber and a discharge chamber. The compressor also includes a fixed scroll including a first spiral element, and an orbiting scroll including a second spiral element. Specifically, the orbiting scroll is positioned inside the suction chamber, and the first spiral element and the second spiral element interfit with each other to form a fluid pocket. Moreover, the compressor includes a driving mechanism for moving the orbiting scroll in an orbiting motion, a rotation prevention mechanism for preventing the orbiting scroll from rotating, and a communication path formed at a lower portion of the fixed scroll. Specifically, the communication path allows fluid communication between a lower portion of the discharge chamber and a lower portion of the suction chamber.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A scroll-type compressor comprising: 
 a housing comprising a suction chamber and a discharge chamber;    a fixed scroll comprising a first spiral element;    an orbiting scroll comprising a second spiral element, wherein the orbiting scroll is positioned inside the suction chamber, and the first spiral element and the second spiral element interfit with each other to form a fluid pocket;    a driving mechanism for moving the orbiting scroll in an orbiting motion;    a rotation prevention mechanism for preventing the orbiting scroll from rotating;    a communication path formed at a lower portion of the fixed scroll, wherein the communication path allows fluid communication between a lower portion of the discharge chamber and a lower portion of the suction chamber.    
     
     
         2 . The scroll-type compressor of  claim 1 , further comprising an oil-storage chamber formed at the lower portion of the discharge chamber, wherein the communication path further allows fluid communication between the oil-storage chamber and the lower portion of the suction chamber.  
     
     
         3 . The scroll-type compressor of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the communication path has a first diameter, a second portion of the communication path has a second diameter, and the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.  
     
     
         4 . The scroll-type compressor of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter positioned at an end portion of the communication path at a side of the oil-storage chamber.  
     
     
         5 . The scroll-type compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the communication path has a substantially constant slope.