Background ofthe Invention:

The present invention relates to helical screw type compressors. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-screw compressor having, e.g., a male rotor and at least two female rotors. Helical type compressors are well known in the art. One such helical compressor employs one male rotor axially aligned with and in communication with one female rotor. The pitch diameter ofthe female rotor is greater than the pitch diameter ofthe male rotor. Typically, the male rotor is the drive rotor, however compressors have been built with the female rotor being the drive rotor. The combination of one male rotor and one female rotor in a compressor is commonly referred to as a twin screw or rotor, such is well know in the art and has been in commercial use for decades. An example of one such twin rotor commonly employed with compressors in the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) industry is shown in FIGURE 1 herein, labeled prior art. Referring to FIGURE 1 herein, a cross sectional view of a male rotor 10 which drives an axially aligned female rotor 12 is shown. Male rotor 10 is driven by a motor, not shown, as is well known. Male rotor 10 has four lobes 14 - 17 with a 300° wrap and female rotor 12 has six flutes 18 - 23 with a 200° wrap. Accordingly, the compression-discharge phase ofthe axial sweep with respect to male rotor 10 occupies 300° of rotation, with the timing between the

closed discharge port and the closed suction port occupying the remaining 60° of rotation. The resulting gap between the male and female rotors requires oil to be introduced into the compression area for sealing, however, the oil also provides cooling and lubricating, as is well know. However, the introduction of this oil requires the use of an oil separation device, to separate the oil from the refrigerant being compressed in

HVAC compressors. The primary benefit ofthe twin rotor configuration is the low interface velocity between the male and female rotors during operation. However, the twin rotor configuration is not balanced and therefore incurs large radial bearing loads and thrust loads. The obvious solution to alleviating the bearing load problem would be to install sufficiently sized bearings. This is not a feasible solution, since the relative diameters ofthe rotors in practice result in the rotors being too close together to allow installation of sufficiently sized bearings.

The prior art has addressed this problem, with the introduction of compressors employing 'so-called' single screw technology. Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3 herein, labeled prior art, a drive rotor 24 with two opposing axially peφendicular gate rotors

26 and 28 is shown. Rotor 24 is driven by a motor, not shown, as is well known. Rotor 24 has six grooves 30 and each gate rotor 26, 28 has eleven teeth 32, 34, respectively, which intermesh with grooves 30. The gate rotors 26 and 28 are generally comprised of a composite material which allows positioning ofthe gate rotor at a small clearance from the drive rotor. This clearance is small enough that the liquid refrigerant itself provides sufficient sealing, the liquid refrigerant also provides cooling and lubrication. The rearward positioning of gate rotors 26 and 28 and the positioning on opposing sides of drive rotor 24, (1) allows equalizing suction of pressure at both ends of rotor 24 thereby virtually eliminating the thrust loads encountered with the above described twin screw system and (2) balances the radial loading on rotor 24 thereby minimizing radial bearing loads. However, the interface velocity between the gate rotors and the drive rotor are very high. Accordingly, a common problem with this system is the extensive damage suffered by the rotors when lubrication is lost, due to the high interface velocities ofthe rotors.

Summarv ofthe Invention:

The above-discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies ofthe prior art are overcome or alleviated by the multi-rotor compressor ofthe present invention. In accordance with the present invention, the compressor includes a male rotor which is axially aligned with and in communication with at least two female rotors. The male rotor is driven by a motor, in other words the male rotor is the drive rotor. The male rotor has a plurality of lobes which intermesh with a plurality of flutes on each ofthe female rotors. The pitch diameters ofthe female rotors are now less than the pitch diameter ofthe male rotor. The male rotor comprises an inner cylindrical metal shaft with an outer composite material ring mounted thereon. The ring includes the lobes ofthe male rotor integrally depending therefrom. The lobes ofthe male rotor being comprised of a composite material allows positioning ofthe female rotors at a small clearance from the male drive rotor. This clearance is small enough that the liquid refrigerant itself provides sufficient sealing, however, the liquid refrigerant also provides cooling and lubrication.

The positioning ofthe female rotors on opposing sides ofthe male rotor balances the radial loading on the male rotor thereby minimizing radial bearing loads. Further, due to a larger diameter male drive rotor as compared to the male drive rotor in the prior art twin screw compressors, and therefore, additional distance between the rotors, any female radial bearing loads can be further minimized with sufficiently sized bearings. It will also be appreciated, that interface velocity between the male and female rotors during operation is very low, whereby the extensive damage suffered by the prior art single screw compressors when lubrication is lost, due to the high interface velocities ofthe rotors, is reduced.

The compressor includes a housing having an inlet housing portion, a main housing portion and a discharge housing portion. An induction side plate and a discharge side plate are mounted on the male rotor. The outside diameter ofthe induction plate is equal to the root diameter ofthe male rotor. The outside diameter of the discharge plate is equal to the crest diameter ofthe male rotor. These plates serve

two puφoses, to secure the male rotor components and to equalizes suction pressure at both ends ofthe male rotor, thereby virtually eliminating the thrust loads encountered with the prior art twin screw compressors. Discharge porting is defined in the discharge housing portion wherein trap pocket relief is provided. The above-discussed and other features and advantages ofthe present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.

Brief Description ofthe Drawings:

Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a twin screw or rotor configuration in accordance with the prior art;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic top view of a single screw configuration in accordance with the prior art; FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic end view ofthe single screw configuration of

FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a tri -rotor configuration in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 5 A is a diagrammatic unwrapped pitch line study ofthe prior art twin screw or rotor configuration of FIGURE 1 ;

FIGURE 5B is a diagrammatic unwrapped pitch line study ofthe tri-rotor configuration of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic side cross sectional view of a compressor employing the multi -rotor configuration of FIGURE 4; FIGURE 7 is a view taken along the line 7 - 7 of FIGURE 6 with the discharge plate removed for clarity;

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a multi- rotor configuration in accordance with an alternate embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGURE 9 is an induction end view ofthe compressor of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 10 is a view taken along the line 10 - 10 of FIGURE 6; FIGURE 11 is a view taken along the line 1 1 - 1 1 of FIGURE 6; FIGURE 12 is a discharge end view ofthe compressor of FIGURE 6; and FIGURE 12A is a view taken along the line 12A - 12A of FIGURE 12.

Description ofthe Preferred Embodiment:

Referring now to FIGURE 4, a cross sectional view of a rotor configuration for use in compressors in accordance with the present invention is generally show at 40. A male rotor 42 is axially aligned with and in communication with female rotors 44 and 46. Male rotor 42 is driven by a motor, described hereinafter. In this example, male rotor 42 has eight lobes 48 - 55 with a 150° wrap, female rotor 44 has six flutes 56 - 61 with a 200° wrap, and female rotor 46 has six flutes 62 - 67 with a 200° wrap. The pitch diameters 68, 70 ofthe female rotors 44, 46 are less than the pitch diameter 72 of the male rotor 42. Accordingly, the compression phase ofthe axial sweep with respect to male rotor 42 occupies 150° of rotation with the timing between the closed discharge ports 74, 76 and the closed suction ports 78, 80 occupying the remaining 30° of rotation. Duplicate processes are occurring simultaneously on the top and bottom of the male rotor.

Male rotor 42 comprises an inner cylindrical metal shaft 82 with an outer composite material ring 84 mounted thereon. Shaft 82 is preferably comprised of steel, ductile iron or other material of comparable strength for supporting the rotor. Ring 84 includes lobes 48 - 55 integrally depending therefrom. Ring 84 is preferably comprised of a thermoplastic or other suitable composite material for use in compressors, i.e., suitable for high pressure application. The larger diameter male drive rotor as compared to the male drive rotor in the prior art twin screw compressors allows for the above described two piece construction. The smaller diameter male drive rotor in the prior art twin screw compressors could not be constructed as described above since a small diameter inner shaft would not be strong enough to properly support the rotor. The male drive rotor in the prior art moderate high pressure twin screw compressors is comprised of solid unitary metal piece. The significance of

the lobes 48 - 55 being comprised of a composite material, is that it allows positioning ofthe female rotors 44 and 46 at a small clearance from the male drive rotor 42. This clearance is small enough that the liquid refrigerant itself provides sufficient sealing, however, the refrigerant also provides cooling and lubrication. Accordingly, the need to induce oil into the compression area, such as in the prior art twin screw compressors for sealing, cooling and lubricating is eliminated because the composite material can be adequately lubricated with liquid refrigerant. Further, the positioning of female rotors 44 and 46 on opposing sides of male rotor 42 balances the radial loading on male rotor 42 thereby minimizing radial bearing loads. Also, due to larger diameter male drive rotor as compared to the male drive rotor in the prior art twin screw compressors and therefore the additional distance between the rotors, any radial bearing loads can be further minimized with sufficiently sized bearings. It will also be appreciated, that interface velocity between the male and female rotors during operation is very low, whereby the extensive damage suffered by the prior art single screw compressors when lubrication is lost, due to the high interface velocities ofthe rotors, is reduced. The low interface velocity results in minimal sliding action at the pitch band interface ofthe rotors.

Referring to FIGURES 5A and B diagrammatic unwrapped pitch line studies are provided. FIGURE 5A is an unwrapped pitch line study ofthe prior art twin rotor of FIGURE 1. FIGURE 5B is an unwrapped pitch line study ofthe rotor configuration

40 of FIGURE 4.

Referring to FIGURES 6 and 7, a compressor employing the rotor configuration 40 ofthe present invention is shown generally at 90. Compressor 90 includes a hermetically sealed motor 92 having a drive shaft 94 which is integral with shaft 82 of male rotor 42 for driving the same. As described above, a bearing 96 is mounted at shaft 82 in between motor 92 and rotor 42 and a bearing 98 is mounted at one end of shaft 82 to absorb any remaining radial bearing loads. Bearing 96 is shown as a cylindrical roller bearing. Bearing 98 is shown as a double row angular contact ball type. Compressor 90 further comprises a housing having an inlet or induction housing portion 100, a main housing portion 102 and a discharge housing portion 104. An

induction side plate 106 and a discharge side plate 108 are mounted on male rotor 42 by a plurality of dowels 110 and bolts. Induction at housing portion 100 is shown in FIGURE 9 and at the induction side plate 106 is shown in FIGURE 10. The center line ofthe dowels lies at the intersection of ring 84 and shaft 82, whereby cooperating semi- circular, longitudinal grooves are formed at the outer surface of shaft 82 and the inner surface of ring 84 for receiving the dowels. The outside diameter of plate 106 is equal to the root diameter ofthe male rotor 42. The outside diameter of plate 108 is equal to the crest diameter ofthe male rotor 42. Plates 106 and 108 serve two purposes, to secure ring 84 on shaft 82 and to equalizes suction pressure at both ends of male rotor 42 thereby virtually eliminating the thrust loads encountered with the prior art twin screw compressors. It will be appreciated that plate 108 blocks the axial port area of the male rotor 42, however it is believed that the benefit obtained by the elimination of thrust loads (described above) outweighs the slight reduction in overall discharge port area. It should be noted that a significant portion ofthe axial port area ofthe male rotor 42 is occupied by a lobe ofthe rotor. Further, plate 108 having an outside diameter equal to the crest diameter ofthe male rotor 42 will not block the radial discharge port area of male rotor 42 or the axial discharge port areas of female rotors 44 and 46. Discharge porting is defined in housing 104 wherein trap pocket relief is provided. The problem of a trapped pocket is well known in the art of compressors. More specifically, the trap pocket is generated as a lobe reduces the area between the two flutes, a small void between the lobe and one ofthe flutes traps a pocket of compressed refrigerant. This trapped pocket of refrigerant must be relieved, otherwise the resistance generated by the trapped pocket may damage the compressor.

Housing 104 includes a inner circumferential surface 111 for receiving plate 108. A clearance is defined between the outer circumference of plate 108 and the inner circumferential surface 111 of housing 104. An inwardly countersunk surface 112 depends from surface 1 1 1, which allows the clearance between plate 108 and surface 111 to be sealed by the liquid refrigerant, thereby minimizing leakage back to the low side ofthe compressor. Moreover, the discharge side ofthe male rotor 42 being sealed off from the high side by plate 108 causes the pressure on both ends of male rotor 42 to

be equalized, thereby eliminating thrust loads on the male rotor. Countersunk surface 112 terminates at an opening or hole 114 with the shaft ofthe male rotor 42 disposed therein. Openings or holes 116 and 118 are also provided for receiving the shafts ofthe female rotors 44 and 46, respectively. Compression and discharge side 74 (i.e., the corresponding radial discharge area of male rotor 42 and the axial discharge port area of female rotor 44) communicates with discharge porting 120 and compression and discharge side 76 (i.e., the corresponding radial discharge area of male rotor 42 and the axial discharge port area of female rotor 46) communicates with discharge porting 122. Discharge at discharge plate 108 is shown in FIGURE 11 and at housing portion 104 is shown in FIGURES 12 and 12 A. Since discharge porting 120 operates the same as discharge porting 122, only discharge porting 120 is described in detail below.

Discharge porting 120 comprises a first stepped down portion 124 defined by a line 126 which represents the circumferential distance encompassed when surface 124 intersects inner circumferential surface 1 11, an edge 128 which follows the root diameter of female rotor 44 and a curved edge 130 which communicates with the periphery ofthe remaining radial and axial port areas, such areas being well known and defined in the art. This first stepped down portion 124 provides relief on the female rotor side ofthe aforementioned trapped pocket, since such will be aligned with this portion. A second further stepped down portion 132 depends from stepped down portion 124 and generally aligns with the axial port area of female rotor 44. Both portions 124 and 132 lead into a discharge opening 134 which generally aligns with the radial flow area. The discharge opening from discharge porting 120 and 122 are combined and form a single discharge output for the compressor.

While the above described embodiment has been described with a male rotor having eight lobes, whereby eight discharge pulses per revolution ofthe male rotor are generated for each ofthe female rotor for a total of sixteen pulses per revolution, it may be preferred that a male rotor having nine lobes (i.e., an odd number) be employed. The sixteen pulses per revolution actually only generate eight pulses per revolution, since two pulses occur at the same time, i.e., one for each ofthe female rotors. With a male rotor having nine lobes, eighteen pulses per revolution are generated, i.e., nine

pulses per revolution for each ofthe two female rotors. However, none of these eighteen pulses occur during another one ofthe pulses, thereby generating a more even or smoother discharge flow, i.e., less noise.

Further, while the above described embodiment has been described with only two female rotors, it is within the scope ofthe present invention that two or more female rotors may be employed with a single drive male rotor. Referring to FIGURE 8, a cross sectional view of a male rotor 140 is axially aligned with and in communication with three equally spaced female rotors 142, 144 and 146. Male rotor 140 is driven by a motor, as described above. In this example, male rotor 140 has between nine and thirteen lobes (e.g., twelve lobes would have a 100° wrap), female rotor 142 has between four and seven flutes (e.g., six flutes would have 200° wrap), female rotor 144 has between four and seven flutes (e.g., six flutes would have 200° wrap), and female rotor 146 has between four and seven flutes (e.g., six flutes would have 200° wrap). The wrap can easily be determined by the following formula, male rotor wrap = female rotor wrap (no. of female flutes per rotor / no. of male lobes per rotor). Again, the pitch diameters ofthe female rotors 142, 144, 146 are less than the pitch diameter ofthe male rotor 140.

Also, while the above example has been directed to a compressor for HVAC use, the muli-rotor configuration ofthe present invention is equally applicable in other helical type compressors, e.g., compressors with working fluids such as helium, air and ammonia. Moreover, the multi-rotor compressor ofthe present invention may be extremely well suited for oil less air compression.

While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustrations and not limitation.

What is claimed is: