Oil shield as part of crankcase for a scroll compressor

Abstract

A hermetic scroll-type compressor including a housing having a motor mounted therein. A compression mechanism is also mounted in the housing and is operatively coupled to the motor. The compression mechanism is secured to a crankcase having a shield surface integrally formed thereon. A suction tube is provided having an outlet end mounted in the housing. At least a portion of the shield surface is substantially aligned with the outlet end such that an oil and refrigerant gas mixture entering the housing via the suction tube impinges upon the shield surface, whereby oil separates from the mixture.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A hermetic scroll-type compressor comprising: 
 a housing;    a motor mounted in said housing;    a compression mechanism mounted in said housing, operatively coupled to said motor;    a crankcase, said compression mechanism secured to said crankcase;    a shield surface integrally formed on said crankcase;    a suction tube having an outlet end mounted in said housing, at least a portion of said shield surface being substantially aligned with said outlet end; and    wherein an oil and refrigerant gas mixture enters said housing via said suction tube, said oil and gas mixture impinging upon said shield surface, whereby oil separates from said mixture.    
     
     
         2 . The hermetic scroll-type compressor of  claim 1  wherein refrigerant gas having oil separated therefrom is directed by said shield surface toward said motor.  
     
     
         3 . The hermetic scroll-type compressor of  claim 1  wherein refrigerant gas having oil separated therefrom is directed by said shield surface toward said compression mechanism.  
     
     
         4 . The hermetic scroll-type compressor of  claim 1  wherein the oil separated from said oil and refrigerant gas mixture collects on said shield surface, said collected oil draining toward a sump formed in said housing.  
     
     
         5 . The hermetic scroll-type compressor of  claim 1  wherein said crankcase has a plurality of support legs, said shield surface being formed between a pair of adjacent said support legs.  
     
     
         6 . A hermetic scroll-type compressor comprising: 
 a housing;    a motor mounted in said housing;    a compression mechanism mounted in said housing, operatively coupled to said motor;    a crankcase mounted in said housing and disposed between said compression mechanism and said motor;    a shield surface integrally formed on said crankcase; and    wherein an oil and refrigerant gas mixture being introduced into said housing impinges upon said shield surface and the oil is thereby separated from said mixture.    
     
     
         7 . The hermetic scroll-type compressor of  claim 6  further comprising a suction tube having an outlet end mounted in said housing, said outlet end opening into the housing, said shield surface positioned above said outlet end, the mixture being introduced into said housing through said suction tube.  
     
     
         8 . The hermetic scroll-type compressor of  claim 6  wherein refrigerant gas having oil separated therefrom is directed by said shield surface toward said motor.  
     
     
         9 . The hermetic scroll-type compressor of  claim 6  wherein refrigerant gas having oil separated therefrom is directed by said shield surface toward said compression mechanism.  
     
     
         10 . The hermetic scroll-type compressor of  claim 6  wherein the oil separated from said oil and refrigerant gas mixture collects on said shield surface, said collected oil draining toward a sump formed in said housing.  
     
     
         11 . The hermetic scroll-type compressor of  claim 6  wherein said crankcase has a plurality of support legs, said shield surface being integrally formed with said crankcase between a pair of adjacent said support legs.  
     
     
         12 . A method of separating an oil and refrigerant gas mixture entering a hermetic compressor having a housing with a motor mounted therein, a crankcase mounted atop the motor, and a compression mechanism operatively associated with the motor, the method comprising: 
 drawing refrigerant gas entrained with oil into the compressor through a suction gas tube mounted in the housing; and    directing the refrigerant gas entrained with oil into contact with a shield surface integrally formed with the crankcase, the oil clinging to the shield surface and the refrigerant being directed over the motor mounted in the compressor housing and into the compression mechanism.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the oil collecting on the shield surface drains to an oil sump formed in the lower portion of the compressor housing.