SUCTION FILTER FOR A COMPRESSOR
A suction fitting for a compressor can include screens, filters, and direction control louvers to both filter out particulates and direct higher mass liquid refrigerant downward away from the inlet to the compression chamber. Alternatively, a mesh filter can be place over the opening(s) to the suction plenum to prevent debris and contaminants from entering the suction plenum.
1 . A compressor comprising:
a shell having an enclosed space;
a compression mechanism positioned within the enclosed space of the shell;
a motor positioned within the enclosed space of the shell and connected to the compression mechanism by a shaft to power the compression mechanism;
a motor cap positioned on the motor opposite the compression mechanism, the motor cap comprising a top surface and a sidewall extending from the top surface toward the motor, the top surface and sidewall defining a plenum between the motor and the motor cap to store refrigerant;
the motor cap comprising at least one opening to provide passage of refrigerant between the enclosed space and the plenum; and
a filter mechanism positioned over the at least one opening.
2 . The compressor of claim 1 wherein the at least one opening is positioned in the top surface of the motor cap.
3 . The compressor of claim 2 wherein the at least one opening comprises a plurality of openings.
4 . A compressor comprising:
a shell having an enclosed space;
a compression mechanism positioned within the enclosed space of the shell;
a motor positioned within the enclosed space of the shell and connected to the compression mechanism by a shaft to power the compression mechanism;
a suction fitting mounted within the shell to provide for passage of refrigerant into the enclosed space, the suction fitting comprising:
a screen positioned within the suction fitting; and
a cover positioned on the end of the suction fitting located within the compressor, the cover comprising a plurality of louvers to direct the refrigerant flow into the enclosed space.