US 12,313,066 B2
Methods and systems for lubricating a transport climate control system having an auxiliary sump
Eric S. Mlsna, Cashton, WI (US); and Lars I. Sjoholm, Burnsville, MN (US)
Assigned to THERMO KING LLC, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed by THERMO KING LLC, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed on Apr. 8, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/629,253.
Application 18/629,253 is a continuation of application No. 17/688,430, filed on Mar. 7, 2022, granted, now 11,994,126.
Prior Publication US 2024/0247656 A1, Jul. 25, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F04C 18/02 (2006.01); F04C 29/02 (2006.01)
CPC F04C 18/0215 (2013.01) [F04C 29/02 (2013.01); F04C 29/025 (2013.01); F04C 2240/30 (2013.01); F04C 2240/809 (2013.01); F04C 2270/24 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A climate control system for a transport unit, the climate control system comprising:
a compressor, the compressor comprising:
a compressor housing;
a compressor element provided in the compressor housing for compressing a working fluid;
a lubricant circuit, wherein the lubricant circuit comprises a lubricant sump provided in the compressor housing for storing a lubricant, wherein the lubricant is provided for lubricating moving parts of the compressor; and
an auxiliary sump in fluid communication with the lubricant sump, wherein the auxiliary sump is configured such that the lubricant flows by gravity between the auxiliary sump and the lubricant sump,
wherein the auxiliary sump is provided externally of the compressor housing and is in fluid communication with the lubricant sump via a pipe, wherein the pipe has a vapor space configured such that a vapor space of the auxiliary sump is connected to a vapor space of the lubricant sump,
wherein the auxiliary sump is a dead-end system such that the auxiliary sump is only in fluid communication with the lubricant sump.