US 12,292,049 B2
Electric compressor with a multicavity pulsation muffler system
Brent Haseley, Niagara Falls, NY (US)
Assigned to MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH, (DE)
Filed by MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH, Stuttgart (DE)
Filed on Sep. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/944,059.
Prior Publication US 2024/0084797 A1, Mar. 14, 2024
Int. Cl. F04C 29/02 (2006.01); F04C 2/02 (2006.01)
CPC F04C 2/025 (2013.01) [F04C 29/026 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A scroll-type electric compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, comprising:
a housing defining an intake volume and a discharge volume, the housing having a generally cylindrical shape and having a central axis;
an inverter module mounted inside the housing and adapted to convert direct current electrical power to alternating current electrical power;
a motor mounted inside the housing;
a compression device, coupled to the motor, for receiving the refrigerant from the intake volume and compressing the refrigerant as the motor is rotated, the compression device having a central compression device outlet port and first and second side compression device outlet ports for controllably releasing compressed refrigerant into the discharge volume during a compression cycle, the compression device configured to release compressed refrigerant into the discharge volume via the first and second side compression device outlet ports earlier in the compression cycle than refrigerant is released via the central discharge port, wherein the compression device includes a reed mechanism with a central reed and two side reeds, corresponding to the central compression device outlet port and the first and second side compression device outlet ports, respectively for controllably releasing compressed refrigerant into the discharge volume; and,
an oil separator formed within the discharge chamber of the housing between the compression device and a refrigerant outlet port, the oil separator including:
a central discharge chamber formed adjacent the central compression device outlet port for receiving intermixed oil and compressed refrigerant via the central compression device outlet port; and,
first and second side discharge chambers located on opposite sides of the central discharge chamber and being adjacent the first and second side compression device outlet ports, respectively, for receiving intermixed oil and compressed refrigerant therefrom, the first and second side discharge chambers being connected to the central discharge chamber via respective side channels, the first and second side discharge chambers being configured to separate the intermixed oil and compressed refrigerant, wherein the central discharge chamber and the first and second side discharge chambers are in direct fluid communication with the compression device via the device outlet port and the first and second side compression device outlet ports, respectively, when a corresponding one or ones of the central reed and the two side reeds are in an open position.