Scroll Compressor Design Criteria for Residential Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Applications, Part I: Mechanics

John P. Elson Mgr. New Products The application of scroll compressor technology to the residential air conditioniong and heat pump markets has generated a variety of compressor design approaches to address special system requirements. This paper >till revie>t both special design needs of this application and unique scroll design concepts used to address these needs. Design concept discussions >till include: • Scroll compliance radial and axial • High pressure versus lO>t pressure shell • Bearing sys terns Scroll compressor technology, in comparison to other positive displacement types, >till be outlined in terms of energy efficiency, noise and vibration, durability, and field application. Both inherent design advantages and design challenges >till be reviewed for scroll compressors.