Discharge port for a scroll compressor

Abstract

A scroll compressor including an improved fixed scroll member, and in particular, an improved discharge port in the fixed scroll member. In one embodiment, a discharge port extends through the fixed scroll member and includes at least two sections defining different cross sectional shapes or profiles. A first section of the discharge port is in direct fluid communication with the high pressure working pocket between the scrolls, and includes a profile that decreases the stress loading and the stress concentration in the fixed scroll member. A second section of the discharge port includes a profile that improves the flow of working fluid through the discharge port and is shaped for cooperation with the discharge valve assembly.

1 . A scroll compressor, comprising: 
 a housing;    a motor-compressor assembly disposed within said housing, including a crankcase, and a stator, rotor, and drive shaft assembly, said drive shaft rotatably supported by said crankcase;    a first scroll member fixed with respect to said housing, comprising: 
 a base plate having a first side and an opposite second side;  
 a first wrap extending from said first side; and  
 a discharge port extending through said base plate and including a first section disposed adjacent said first side and having a non-circular profile, said first section transitioning into a second section disposed adjacent said second side and having a substantially circular profile; and  
   a second scroll member coupled to said drive shaft for orbital movement, said second scroll member including a second wrap intermeshed with said first wrap.    
   
   
       2 . The scroll compressor of  claim 1 , wherein said first wrap includes an inner end portion having a substantially flat surface disposed adjacent said first section of said discharge port.  
   
   
       3 . The scroll compressor of  claim 2 , wherein said second wrap includes an inner end portion having a substantially flat surface cooperatively aligned with said substantially flat surface of said inner end portion of said first wrap.  
   
   
       4 . The scroll compressor of  claim 2 , wherein said first section of said discharge port includes a substantially straight side disposed adjacent said substantially flat surface of said end portion of said first wrap, and an opposite curved side.  
   
   
       5 . The scroll compressor of  claim 4 , wherein said substantially straight and said curved sides of said first section of said discharge port define a substantially D-shaped profile.  
   
   
       6 . The scroll compressor of  claim 4 , wherein said base plate includes a shelf portion disposed between said inner end portion of said first wrap and said first section of said discharge port.  
   
   
       7 . The scroll compressor of  claim 6 , wherein said base plate further includes a fillet radius at an intersection of said shelf portion and said substantially flat surface of said end portion of said first wrap.  
   
   
       8 . The scroll compressor of  claim 6 , wherein said shelf portion overlaps said second section of said discharge port when viewed in section.  
   
   
       9 . The scroll compressor of  claim 1 , further comprising a discharge valve assembly, including: 
 a flexible valve plate fixed to said second side of said base plate, said valve plate including a head portion disposed adjacent said second section of said discharge port; and    a valve stopper fixed to said second side of said base plate and disposed in spaced relation with respect to said head portion of said valve plate.    
   
   
       10 . The scroll compressor of  claim 9 , wherein said second side of said base plate includes a recess, said valve plate and valve stopper disposed within said recess.  
   
   
       11 . The scroll compressor of  claim 1 , wherein said first scroll member partitions an interior of said housing into a suction chamber and a discharge chamber, and said motor-compressor unit is disposed within said suction chamber.  
   
   
       12 . A scroll compressor, comprising: 
 a housing;    a motor-compressor assembly disposed within said housing, including a crankcase, and a stator, rotor, and drive shaft assembly, said drive shaft rotatably supported by said crankcase;    a first scroll member fixed with respect to said housing, comprising: 
 a base plate having a first side and an opposite second side;  
 a first wrap extending from said first side of said base plate, said wrap including a inner end portion having a substantially flat surface; and  
 a discharge port extending through said base plate and including a first section disposed adjacent said first side of said base plate, said discharge portion further including a second section disposed adjacent said second side of said base plate, said second section having a greater cross-sectional area than said first section; and  
   a second scroll member coupled to said drive shaft for orbital movement, said second scroll member including a second wrap intermeshed with said first wrap.    
   
   
       13 . The scroll compressor of  claim 12 , said first section of said discharge port having a substantially straight side disposed substantially parallel with said substantially flat side of said end portion of said first wrap, and an opposite curved side.  
   
   
       14 . The scroll compressor of  claim 13 , wherein said substantially straight and said curved sides of said first section of said discharge port define a substantially D-shaped profile.  
   
   
       15 . The scroll compressor of  claim 12 , wherein said second wrap includes an inner end portion having a substantially flat surface disposed substantially parallel with said substantially flat surface of said end portion of said first wrap.  
   
   
       16 . The scroll compressor of  claim 12 , wherein said first side of said base plate further comprises: 
 a shelf portion disposed between said discharge port and said inner end portion of said first wrap; and    a fillet radius defined at an intersection of said shelf portion and said inner end portion of said first wrap.    
   
   
       17 . The scroll compressor of  claim 12 , wherein said second section of said discharge port has a substantially circular profile.  
   
   
       18 . The scroll compressor of  claim 17 , wherein said base plate includes a shelf portion disposed between said first wrap inner end portion and said discharge port, at least a portion of said shelf portion overlapping said second section of said discharge port when viewed in section.  
   
   
       19 . The scroll compressor of  claim 12 , wherein said first scroll member partitions an interior of said housing into a suction chamber and a discharge chamber, and said motor-compressor unit is disposed within said suction chamber.  
   
   
       20 . The scroll compressor of  claim 12 , further comprising a discharge valve assembly, including: 
 a flexible valve plate fixed to said second side of said base plate, said valve plate including a head portion disposed adjacent said discharge port; and    a valve stopper fixed to said second side of said base plate and disposed in spaced relation with respect to said valve plate head portion.    
   
   
       21 . The scroll compressor of  claim 12 , wherein said second side of said base plate includes a recess, said valve plate and valve stopper disposed within said recess.