Oil return for reduced height scroll compressor

摘要

A scroll compressor has a reduced height by having its suction tube aligned with its motor stator windings. The oil is returned from the scroll compressor to a compressor sump by confining the oil to flow through any of several structures such that it is isolated from refrigerant passing into a suction chamber through the suction tube. In this way, the oil which has been typically returned between the stator and the inner wall of the housing does not communicate with the refrigerant which is entering the housing. While the invention is shown in scroll compressor, it has benefits in other type compressors.