Rotor Assembly for Rotary Compressor

Abstract

Implementations of the present invention comprise a rotor assembly for use in a rotary compressor. The rotor assembly includes a shaft, a pair of end plates, an input shaft, and a rotor. The rotor can be positioned between the pair of endplates. At least two of these components can be machined or formed as an integral unit, to increase the geometrical precision and integrity of the rotor assembly. For example, the rotor and input shaft can be formed integrally; alternatively, one of the endplates and the input shaft can be formed integrally. A pair of liners can be provided and positioned between the endplates and the rotor to increase sliding and/or sealing performance against other components of the rotary compressor, such as a gate positioned in a bore of the rotor.

1 . A rotor assembly comprising:
 a shaft;   a first end plate and a second endplate; and   a rotor; and   an input shaft,   wherein the rotor and the input shaft are machined as an integral unit; and   wherein the rotor is positioned between the first and second end plates.   
     
     
         2 . The rotor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first end plate and the input shaft are machined as an integral unit. 
     
     
         3 . The rotor assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a first liner positioned between the first end plate and the rotor 
     
     
         4 . The rotor assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the liner is a first liner and further comprising a second liner positioned between the second end plate and the rotor. 
     
     
         5 . The rotor assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the liner comprises a ceramic disk. 
     
     
         6 . The rotor assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the liner is formed from PTFE. 
     
     
         7 . A rotor assembly comprising:
 a shaft;   a first end plate and a second endplate; and   a rotor; and   an input shaft,   wherein the first end plate and the input shaft are machined as an integral unit; and   wherein the rotor is positioned between the first and second end plates.   
     
     
         8 . The rotor assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the rotor and the input shaft are machined as an integral unit. 
     
     
         9 . The rotor assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the rotor is formed from a first rotor half and a second rotor half. 
     
     
         10 . The rotor assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising a first liner positioned between the first end plate and the rotor 
     
     
         11 . The rotor assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the liner is a first liner and further comprising a second liner positioned between the second end plate and the rotor. 
     
     
         12 . The rotor assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the liner comprises a ceramic disk. 
     
     
         13 . The rotor assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the liner is formed from PTFE. gate when joined together. 
     
     
         14 . A rotary compressor, comprising:
 a housing defining an internal cavity having an inner wall surface, wherein the housing has a housing longitudinal axis extending transverse to a housing plane that bisects the inner wall surface;   a rotor assembly comprising a shaft; a first end plate and a second endplate; a rotor; and an input shaft, wherein the rotor and the input shaft are machined as an integral unit; wherein the rotor is positioned between the first and second end plates and wherein the rotor assembly further comprises a peripheral surface and is positioned within the internal cavity of the housing; and   a gate having a distal end, the gate being slidably mounted therewith the rotor and movable axially about and between a first position, in which the distal end of the gate is positioned at a first distance from the peripheral surface of the rotor, and a second position, in which the distal end of the gate is positioned at a second distance from the peripheral surface of the rotor, wherein the distal end of the gate is constrained to be spaced proximate from the inner wall surface of the housing as the rotor rotates about the rotor axis of rotation;   wherein at least portions of the peripheral surface of the rotor, portions of the inner wall surface, and varying portions of the gate proximate the distal end of the gate define a compression chamber of varying volume as the rotor rotates about the rotor axis of rotation.   
     
     
         15 . The rotor assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first end plate and the input shaft are machined as an integral unit. 
     
     
         16 . The rotor assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a first liner positioned between the first end plate and the rotor 
     
     
         17 . The rotor assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the liner is a first liner and further comprising a second liner positioned between the second end plate and the rotor. 
     
     
         18 . The rotor assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the liner comprises a ceramic disk. 
     
     
         19 . The rotor assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the liner is formed from PTFE. 
     
     
         20 . A rotary compressor, comprising:
 a housing defining an internal cavity having an inner wall surface, wherein the housing has a housing longitudinal axis extending transverse to a housing plane that bisects the inner wall surface;   a rotor assembly comprising a shaft; a first end plate and a second endplate; a rotor; and an input shaft, wherein the first end plate and the input shaft are machined as an integral unit; wherein the rotor is positioned between the first and second end plates and wherein the rotor assembly further comprises a peripheral surface and is positioned within the internal cavity of the housing; and   a gate having a distal end, the gate being slidably mounted therewith the rotor and movable axially about and between a first position, in which the distal end of the gate is positioned at a first distance from the peripheral surface of the rotor, and a second position, in which the distal end of the gate is positioned at a second distance from the peripheral surface of the rotor, wherein the distal end of the gate is constrained to be spaced proximate from the inner wall surface of the housing as the rotor rotates about the rotor axis of rotation;   wherein at least portions of the peripheral surface of the rotor, portions of the inner wall surface, and varying portions of the gate proximate the distal end of the gate define a compression chamber of varying volume as the rotor rotates about the rotor axis of rotation.   
     
     
         21 . The rotor assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the rotor and the input shaft are machined as an integral unit. 
     
     
         22 . The rotor assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the rotor is formed from a first rotor half and a second rotor half. 
     
     
         23 . The rotor assembly of  claim 20 , further comprising a first liner positioned between the first end plate and the rotor 
     
     
         24 . The rotor assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the liner is a first liner and further comprising a second liner positioned between the second end plate and the rotor. 
     
     
         25 . The rotor assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the liner comprises a ceramic disk. 
     
     
         26 . The rotor assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the liner is formed from PTFE.