IP Library Granted Patent US 12,416,308
Granted Patent B2
US 12,416,308 · App. 18/394,474 · Granted Sep 16, 2025

Compressor with shutdown assembly

Inventors: Daniel J. Striebich (Troy, OH); Lukas Gephart (Sidney, OH); Saurabh Prabhakar (Pune, IN); Yogesh S. Mahure (Pune, IN); Joseph M. Shepherd (Lima, OH)
Assignee: Copeland LP
F04C29/12F04C18/0215F04C18/0261F04C27/005F04C28/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,416,308
App. No.
18/394,474
Granted
Sep 16, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A compressor may include first and second scrolls, and a shutdown assembly. The first and second scrolls have first and second spiral wraps, respectively. The second scroll includes a discharge passage that receives compressed working fluid from a pocket defined by the first and second spiral wraps. The shutdown assembly may include a valve housing and a valve member. The valve housing may include a first aperture that receives working fluid from the discharge passage. The valve member may include a valve stem and a valve head. The valve stem may be movably received in a second aperture of the valve housing and has a smaller diameter than a diameter of the valve head. The valve member may be movable between a closed position in which the valve head restricts flow through the discharge passage and an open position in which the valve head allows flow through the discharge passage.

Claims (16)

1. A compressor comprising:

an orbiting scroll;

a non-orbiting scroll meshingly engaged with the orbiting scroll and including a lower scroll piece and an upper scroll piece that is fixedly mounted to the lower scroll piece, wherein the upper scroll piece includes a central hub that defines a valve housing having a valve guide and a plurality of first apertures disposed around the valve guide;

a discharge valve member having a valve stem and a valve head disposed at an axial end of the valve stem, wherein the valve head is disposed in a recess, wherein the recess is formed in a first surface of the upper scroll piece that faces the lower scroll piece, wherein a second surface of the lower scroll piece partially encloses the recess, and wherein the second surface of the lower scroll piece opposes the first surface of the upper scroll piece; and

variable-compression-ratio valves disposed within the recess and spaced apart from the discharge valve member, wherein the variable-compression-ratio valves selectively open and close respective variable-compression-ratio ports disposed in the lower scroll piece,

wherein the valve stem is movably received in a second aperture formed in the valve guide and has a smaller diameter than a diameter of the valve head, wherein the valve member is movable relative to the upper and lower scroll pieces between a closed position in which the valve head blocks a discharge passage in the lower scroll piece to restrict fluid flow therethrough and an open position in which the valve head allows fluid flow through the discharge passage.

2. The compressor of claim 1 , wherein the valve head includes a first side that contacts the second surface of the lower scroll piece when the valve member is in the closed position, wherein the valve head includes a second side opposite the first side, and wherein a chamfer is formed on the second side at an outer periphery of the valve head.

3. The compressor of claim 2 , wherein a raised boss is formed on the second side of the valve head, and wherein the raised boss is disposed radially between the valve stem and the chamfer.

4. The compressor of claim 3 , wherein the first side of the valve head includes a protrusion that extends into the discharge passage when the valve member is in the closed position.

5. The compressor of claim 1 , wherein the valve member includes a groove formed in an outer diametrical surface of the valve stem.

6. The compressor of claim 5 , wherein the groove is an annular groove that encircles a longitudinal axis of the valve stem.

7. The compressor of claim 5 , wherein the groove is an axially extending groove and extends in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the valve stem.

8. The compressor of claim 7 , wherein the valve member includes at least another axially extending groove formed in the outer diametrical surface of the valve stem and extending in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve stem.

9. The compressor of claim 1 , wherein a third aperture extends through at least a portion of the valve stem.

10. The compressor of claim 9 , wherein the third aperture extends through the valve head.

11. The compressor of claim 1 , wherein the variable-compression-ratio valves are mounted to the second surface of the lower scroll piece.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 4, 2025
From: COPELAND LP
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 070100/0081 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 4, 2025
From: COPELAND LP
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 070100/0169 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2025
From: COPELAND LP; COPELAND SCROLL COMPRESSORS LP; COPELAND INDUSTRIAL LP; COPELAND COMFORT CONTROL LP; COPELAND COLD CHAIN LP
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 070568/0920 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 9, 2024
From: COPELAND LP
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068241/0264 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 12, 2024
From: STRIEBICH, DANIEL J.; GEPHART, LUKAS; PRABHAKAR, SAURABH; MAHURE, YOGESH S.; SHEPHERD, JOSEPH M.
To: COPELAND LP
Reel/Frame 066108/0267 →