Bearing and lubrication system for a scroll fluid device

摘要

A bearing and lubrication system for a sealed, integrated motor driven co-rotating scroll refrigerant compressor includes hydrostatic bearings and an independent motor driven lubricant supply pump for supplying lubricant to the hydrostatic bearings mounting in the housing. The housing is divided into a high-pressure section that receives compressed refrigerant and a low pressure section containing the involute scroll compressor wraps. Individual lubricant supply sumps are provided in the high and lower pressure housing sections for supplying lubricant to the compressor bearings. The lubricant pump is capable of drawing lubricant from one or both of the lubricant supply sumps. A lubricant level sensor associated with one of the low or high pressure housing sumps is provided to maintain a desired level of lubricant therein. The lubricant supply pump is controlled so that pressure is supplied to the hydrostatic bearings during compressor operation. The lubricant may be pressurized by compressed refrigerant in the high-pressure housing section for supply to the compressor bearings with or without operation of the lubricant supply pump.