	US 12,146,501 B2
	Step seal for refrigerant compressors
James Wilson, Alpharetta, GA (US); Jin Yan, Tallahassee, FL (US); Lin Xiang Sun, Tallahassee, FL (US); Ruiguo Gao, Tallahassee, FL (US); and Brenden Richman, Tallahassee, FL (US)
Assigned to Danfoss A/S, Nordborg (DK)
Filed by Danfoss A/S, Nordborg (DK)
Filed on May 16, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/197,782.
Application 18/197,782 is a continuation of application No. 17/546,161, filed on Dec. 9, 2021, granted, now 11,692,557.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/224,479, filed on Jul. 22, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/133,471, filed on Jan. 4, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0279865 A1, Sep. 7, 2023
Int. Cl. F01D 11/02 (2006.01); F04D 17/10 (2006.01); F04D 29/16 (2006.01); F01D 5/18 (2006.01); F01D 5/28 (2006.01); F04D 29/10 (2006.01); F16J 15/447 (2006.01)

CPC F04D 29/162 (2013.01) [F04D 17/10 (2013.01); F01D 5/186 (2013.01); F01D 5/189 (2013.01); F01D 5/28 (2013.01); F01D 11/02 (2013.01); F04D 29/102 (2013.01); F05D 2240/55 (2013.01); F16J 15/4472 (2013.01)]

18 Claims

1. A refrigerant compressor, comprising: a stator; a rotor configured to rotate with respect to the stator; and at least one step seal between the rotor and the stator, wherein the step seal comprises a first tooth and a second tooth extending from the rotor toward the stator, wherein a downstream surface of the first tooth and an upstream surface of the second tooth are arranged at an angle relative to one another, wherein the angle is less than 90°, wherein the stator has an abradable portion, wherein the first and second teeth extend toward the abradable portion, wherein the first and second teeth are configured to contact the abradable portion and carve tracks into the abradable portion over time, and wherein each of the tracks carved into the abradable portion exhibits an axial dimension greater than an axial dimension of a tip of a corresponding one of the first and second teeth.