Polymeric composite insert component for a scroll compressor

Abstract

A polymeric composite insert component for a scroll compressor comprises a polymer and at least one reinforcing or lubricating particle. The insert component comprises an annular body and an axial projection. The annular body comprises a first annular inner surface defining a first centrally-disposed opening having a central axis. The annular body has a first side configured to engage a partition plate and a second side configured to engage a floating seal assembly. The axial projection extends from the first side of the annular body. The axial projection is configured to engage the partition plate. The insert component is configured to fluidly seal first and second interfaces during operation of the compressor. The first interface is defined between the first contact surface and the partition plate. The second interface defined between the second contact surface and the floating seal assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A polymeric composite insert component for a scroll compressor comprising a polymer and at least one reinforcing or lubricating particle, the polymeric composite insert component comprising:
 an annular body comprising a first annular inner surface defining a first centrally-disposed opening that has a central axis extending therethrough, the annular body having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side comprising a first contact surface configured to engage a partition plate and the second side comprising a second contact surface configured to engage a floating seal assembly; and   an axial projection extending from the first side of the annular body, the axial projection being configured to engage the partition plate, wherein the polymeric composite insert component is configured to fluidly seal both a first interface defined between the first contact surface and the partition plate, and a second interface defined between the second contact surface and the floating seal assembly during operation of the scroll compressor.   
     
     
         2 . The polymeric composite insert component of  claim 1 , wherein the axial projection comprises a plurality of circumferentially-disposed tabs configured to engage the partition plate to couple the polymeric composite insert component to the partition plate, each respective circumferentially-disposed tab projecting axially from the first side of the annular body. 
     
     
         3 . The polymeric composite insert component of  claim 2 , wherein each respective circumferentially-disposed tab of the plurality further comprises a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end being connected to the annular body and the free end being configured to flex in a radially inward direction toward the central axis. 
     
     
         4 . The polymeric composite insert component of  claim 3 , wherein each respective circumferentially-disposed tab of the plurality comprises an arm extending between the fixed end and the free end, and a radially-outwardly extending lip disposed at the free end, the arm being configured to extend through a second centrally-disposed opening in the partition plate, and the lip having a third contact surface configured to engage the partition plate. 
     
     
         5 . The polymeric composite insert component of  claim 4 , wherein each arm comprises a radially-outward arm surface configured to engage a second annular inner surface of the partition plate, and a tab angle is defined between the radially-outward arm surface and a transverse plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis, the tab angle being less than or equal to about 90°. 
     
     
         6 . The polymeric composite insert component of  claim 2 , wherein each respective circumferentially-disposed tab has a rectangular cross section in a transverse plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis. 
     
     
         7 . The polymeric composite insert component of  claim 1 , wherein the first contact surface defines a circumferential waveform shape defining at least two valleys in a first circumferential location and a second circumferential location and at least two peaks in a third circumferential location and a fourth circumferential location, the first circumferential location being disposed opposite the third circumferential location and the second circumferential location being disposed opposite the fourth circumferential location. 
     
     
         8 . The polymeric composite insert component of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the second contact surface is substantially planar;   the annular body has a first thickness at the first and the second circumferential locations; and   the annular body has a second thickness at the third circumferential location and the fourth circumferential location, the second thickness being greater than the first thickness.   
     
     
         9 . The polymeric composite insert component of  claim 1 , wherein the first contact surface of the annular body includes a circumferential protrusion. 
     
     
         10 . The polymeric composite insert component of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the polymer is a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of: polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetheretheretherketone (PEEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyetheretherketoneketone (PEEKK) polyetherketoneetheretherketone (PEKEEK), polyetheretherketonetherketone (PEEKEK), poly(phenylene sulphide) (PPS), poly(sulphone) (PS), polyamide imide (PAI), polyimide (PI), polyphthalamide (PPA), polyetherimide (PEI), and combinations thereof; and   the at least one reinforcing or lubricating particle is selected from the group consisting of: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ), tungsten disulfide (WS 2 ), antimony trioxide, hexagonal boron nitride, carbon fiber, graphite, graphene, lanthanum fluoride, carbon nanotubes, polyimide, polybenzimidazole (PBI), and combinations there.   
     
     
         11 . The polymeric composite insert component of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a thermoset polymer selected from the group consisting of: epoxy, polyester, phenolic, and imides, such as polyamide imide (PAI) and polyimide (PI). 
     
     
         12 . A scroll compressor comprising:
 a polymeric composite insert component comprising a polymer and at least one reinforcing or lubricating particle, wherein the polymeric composite insert component further comprises:
 an annular body having a first annular inner surface defining a first centrally-disposed opening having a central axis extending therethrough; and 
 an axial projection extending from the annular body; 
   a partition plate comprising a second centrally-disposed opening, wherein the second centrally-disposed opening is aligned with the first centrally-disposed opening with respect to the central axis; and   a floating seal assembly having a third centrally-disposed opening, wherein the third centrally-disposed opening is aligned with the first centrally-disposed opening and the second centrally-disposed opening with respect to the central axis, the polymeric composite insert component is disposed between the partition plate and the floating seal assembly, and the polymeric composite insert component is configured to fluidly seal a first interface defined between the polymeric composite insert component and the partition plate, and a second interface defined between the polymeric composite insert component and the floating seal assembly during operation of the scroll compressor.   
     
     
         13 . The scroll compressor of  claim 12 , wherein the axial projection comprises a plurality of circumferentially-disposed tabs projecting axially from the annular body, and the circumferentially-disposed tabs extend through the second centrally-disposed opening to engage the partition plate to couple the polymeric composite insert component to the floating seal assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The scroll compressor of  claim 13 , wherein each respective circumferentially-disposed tab of the plurality comprises a fixed end connected to the annular body, a free end configured to flex in a radially-inward direction toward the central axis, an arm extending between the fixed end and the free end, and a radially-outwardly extending lip disposed at the free end, the lip engaging the partition plate to couple the polymeric composite insert component to the partition plate. 
     
     
         15 . The scroll compressor of  claim 14 , wherein each arm comprises a radially-outward arm surface configured to engaged a second annular inner surface of the partition plate, and an angle is defined between the radially-outward arm surface and a transverse plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis, the angle being less than about 90°. 
     
     
         16 . The scroll compressor of  claim 14 , wherein each respective circumferentially-disposed tab has a rectangular cross section in a transverse plane perpendicular to the central axis. 
     
     
         17 . The scroll compressor of  claim 13 , wherein the polymeric composite insert component comprises a first contact surface at the first interface, the first contact surface including a circumferential protrusion disposed in a radially outward position from the plurality of circumferentially-disposed tabs. 
     
     
         18 . The scroll compressor of  claim 12 , wherein the polymeric composite insert component comprises a first contact surface at the first interface, the first contact surface defining a circumferential waveform shape defining at least two valleys in a first circumferential location and a second circumferential location and at least two peaks a third circumferential location and a fourth circumferential location, the first circumferential location being disposed opposite the third circumferential location and the second circumferential location being disposed opposite the fourth circumferential location with respect to the central axis. 
     
     
         19 . The scroll compressor of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the polymer is a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of: polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetheretheretherketone (PEEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyetheretherketoneketone (PEEKK) polyetherketoneetheretherketone (PEKEEK), polyetheretherketonetherketone (PEEKEK), poly(phenylene sulphide) (PPS), poly(sulphone) (PS), polyamide imide (PAI), polyimide (PI), polyphthalamide (PPA), polyetherimide (PEI), and combinations thereof; and   the at least one reinforcing or lubricating particle is selected from the group consisting of: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ), tungsten disulfide (WS 2 ), antimony trioxide, hexagonal boron nitride, carbon fiber, graphite, graphene, lanthanum fluoride, carbon nanotubes, polyimide, polybenzimidazole (PBI), and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         20 . A method of assembling a scroll compressor comprising:
 aligning a first centrally-disposed opening of a polymeric composite insert component with a second centrally-disposed opening of a partition plate along a central axis, wherein the polymeric composite insert component comprises a polymer and at least one reinforcing or lubricating particle and defines an annular body comprising the first centrally-disposed opening having the central axis extending therethrough;   orienting a plurality of circumferentially-disposed tabs on the polymeric composite insert component toward the partition plate, each respective circumferentially-disposed tab of the plurality projecting axially from a side of the annular body and comprising a fixed end connected to the annular body, a free end opposite the fixed end, an arm extending between the fixed end and the free end, and a radially-outwardly extending lip disposed at the free end;   contacting a sloped surface of the free end of the lip of each respective circumferentially-disposed tab with the partition plate; and
 translating the polymeric composite insert component toward the partition plate and causing the lips of the respective circumferentially-disposed tabs of the plurality to deflect radially inwardly until the lips snap radially outwardly and engage the partition plate to retain the polymeric composite insert component on the partition plate, and a surface defined by the side of the annular body engages the partition plate, wherein the polymeric composite insert component is configured to fluidly seal an interface defined between the surface and the partition plate during operation of the scroll compressor.