US 12,241,467 B2
Assembly and electric compressor with modular stator assembly
Tyler Smith, Bath, NY (US); and Brett Bowman, Lockport, NY (US)
Assigned to MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH, (DE)
Filed by MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH, Stuttgart (DE)
Filed on Dec. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/147,928.
Prior Publication US 2024/0218876 A1, Jul. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. F04C 23/02 (2006.01); F04B 35/04 (2006.01); F04B 53/22 (2006.01); F04C 18/02 (2006.01); F04C 27/00 (2006.01); H02K 5/20 (2006.01); H02K 5/22 (2006.01); H02K 9/19 (2006.01); H02K 9/193 (2006.01); H02K 11/30 (2016.01); H02K 11/33 (2016.01); H02K 15/14 (2006.01)
CPC F04C 23/02 (2013.01) [F04B 35/04 (2013.01); F04C 18/0215 (2013.01); F04B 53/22 (2013.01); F04C 27/008 (2013.01); F04C 2240/403 (2013.01); F04C 2240/803 (2013.01); F04C 2240/805 (2013.01); F04C 2240/808 (2013.01); H02K 5/20 (2013.01); H02K 5/22 (2013.01); H02K 5/225 (2013.01); H02K 9/19 (2013.01); H02K 9/193 (2013.01); H02K 11/30 (2016.01); H02K 11/33 (2016.01); H02K 15/14 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electric compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, comprising:
a housing defining an intake volume and a discharge volume, the housing having a substantially cylindrical shape and having a central axis and forming a motor cavity;
a refrigerant inlet port coupled to the housing and configured to introduce the refrigerant to the intake volume;
a refrigerant outlet port coupled to the housing and configured to allow compressed refrigerant to exit the electric compressor from the dis charge volume;
an inverter module mounted inside the housing and adapted to convert direct current electrical power to alternating current electrical power;
a motor having a stator with an outer diameter;
a drive shaft coupled to the motor;
a cylindrical sleeve having a tubular side wall and a top cover defining an interior cavity, the interior cavity having an open end, the cylindrical sleeve being configured to receive the motor therein and constrain the motor within the interior cavity, the tubular side wall extending from the top cover to the open end, the stator of the motor having a length, the motor and the cylindrical sleeve forming an integrated module configured to be preassembled and secured within the motor cavity during assembly of the electric compressor, wherein the outer diameter of the stator and an inner diameter of the cylindrical sleeve are configured to establish an interference fit therebetween, the interference fit defined substantially along the length of, and a circumference of the stator; and,
a compression device coupled to the drive shaft, for receiving the refrigerant from the intake volume and compressing the refrigerant as the drive shaft is rotated by the motor, the housing defining an inverter cavity, the inverter module being located within the inverter cavity, wherein the top cover includes at least one aperture configured to allow the refrigerant to flow into the inverter cavity.