[Name of Document] DESCRIPTION

[Title of Invention] ROTARY COMPRESSOR

[Technical Field]

[0001]

The present invention relates to a rotary compressor that separates and recovers lubricating oil from refrigerant gas discharged into a closed container.

[Background Art]

[0002]
In a rotary compressor of the related art, a motor section and a compression mechanism section are stored in a closed container, a main shaft rotates along with rotation of a rotor in the motor section, and lubricating oil stored in an inner bottom portion of the closed container is sucked and supplied to the compression mechanism section by an oil feed pipe attached to an aperture plate fitted in a lower bearing (for example, see Patent Literature 1).

[Citation List] [Patent Literature]

[0003]
[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 3-33493 (Page 2, Fig. 1) [Summary of Invention] [Technical Problem]

[0004]
With recent employment of an inverter technique and increase in capacity of the rotary compressor, the flow rate of refrigerant has increased, and the amount of lubricating oil to be taken out from the closed container has also increased. This reduces reliability of the compressor and operating efficiency of an air-conditioning apparatus. Further, since the amount of refrigerant in the air-conditioning apparatus has increased with the increase in capacity, seizing is apt to occur in the compression mechanism section because the oil level is lowered on startup by liquefaction of refrigerant gas in the closed container.

[0005]
Accordingly, to stabilize the oil level in the inner bottom portion of the closed container and to reduce the amount of lubricating oil taken out from the inner bottom portion of the closed container to an upper part on startup, for example, a separator 60 is provided on an upper bearing 34, as illustrated in Fig. 12. Although the separator 60 is effective in preventing oil from being taken out on startup, it serves as a fluid resistance to lubricating oil falling from the upper part in the closed container during normal operation. For this reason, the lubricating oil accumulates on an upper surface of the separator 60, and the amount of lubricating oil that returns into the inner bottom portion of the closed container is reduced.

[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and a first object of the invention is to obtain a rotary compressor that can efficiently separate lubricating oil from refrigerant gas and can return the separated lubricating oil to an inner bottom portion of a closed container without impairing the lubricating oil.

In addition to the first object, a second object is to obtain a rotary compressor that can supply an appropriate amount of lubricating oil into a compression mechanism section without disturbing the oil level of lubricating oil stored in the inner bottom portion of the closed container.

[Solution to Problem]

[0007]
A rotary compressor according to the present invention includes: a closed container having a bottom portion in which lubricating oil is stored; a motor section provided in the closed container; a compression mechanism section provided in an inner lower part of the closed container with a space from the motor section, the compression mechanism section compressing refrigerant gas flowing from a suction port into a cylinder with driving of the motor section and discharging the compressed refrigerant gas from a discharge port of at least an upper bearing, of the upper bearing and a lower bearing on a main shaft, into the space via a muffler provided in the upper bearing; and a separator provided in the space to surround the muffler, and having an inclined portion that obliquely receives the refrigerant gas caused to circle in the space by swirling flow produced by rotation of a rotor in the motor section, the inclined portion separating the lubricating oil from the refrigerant gas so that the lubricating oil falls in the bottom portion.

[Advantageous Effects of Invention]

[0008]
According to the present invention, the separator having the inclined portion that obliquely receives the refrigerant gas, which is caused to circle in the space by the swirling flow produced by rotation of the rotor in the motor section, is provided. Hence, the lubricating oil can be efficiently separated from the refrigerant gas by the inclined portion of the separator. Moreover, the inclined portion can return the separated lubricating oil into the bottom portion of the closed container without impairing the lubricating oil.

[Brief Description of Drawings]

[0009]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of a rotary compressor according to Embodiment 1.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a lower part of a closed container illustrated in Fig. 1.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a center part of the closed container illustrated in Fig. 1.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a center part of a closed container in a rotary compressor according to Embodiment 2.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a separator in Embodiment 2.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a center part of a closed container in a rotary compressor according to Embodiment 3.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a plan view of a separator in Embodiment 3.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a center part of a closed container in a rotary compressor according to Embodiment 4.

[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a separator in Embodiment 4.

[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a center part of a closed container in a rotary compressor according to Embodiment 5. [Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a plan view of a separator in Embodiment 5. [Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of a center part of a closed container in a rotary compressor of the related art. [Description of Embodiments]

[0010] Embodiment 1

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of a rotary compressor according to Embodiment 1, Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a lower part of a closed container illustrated in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a center part of the closed container illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0011]
For example, as illustrated in Fig. 1, in the rotary compressor according to Embodiment 1, a motor section 2, a compression mechanism section 3, and lubricating oil 4 are stored in a closed container 1. For example, the closed container 1 includes a cylindrical center container 11, and an upper container 12 and a lower container 13 that are hermetically fitted in upper and lower openings of the center container 11. A suction pipe 6 equipped with a suction muffler 5 is connected to the center container 11, and a discharge pipe 7 is connected to the upper container 12. The suction pipe 6 serves as a connection pipe through which refrigerant gas (low temperature and low pressure) flowing in via the suction muffler 5 is fed into the compression mechanism section 3. The discharge pipe 7 serves as a connection pipe through which refrigerant gas (high temperature and high pressure) in the closed container 1, which is compressed by the compression mechanism section 3, is fed into a refrigerant pipe.

[0012]
The motor section 2 includes a stator 21 fixed to the center container 11, and a rotor 22 rotatably fitted in the stator 21. A main shaft 23 extending downward is attached to the rotor 22. The main shaft 23 is rotatably supported by an upper bearing 34 and a lower bearing 35 that will be described below, and corotates with the rotor 22. In an axial center portion of the main shaft 23, an oil suction hole 23a is open on a bottom side of the closed container 1. A helical centrifugal pump 23b is provided in the oil suction hole 23a.

[0013]
As illustrated in Fig. 2, a flat portion 40a provided at one end of an oil feed pipe 40 is fixed between a lower bearing 35 and a lower muffler 37 with a space from the main shaft 23. That is, the oil feed pipe 40 is connected to the oil suction hole 23a of the main shaft 23 with a gap being disposed therebetween, and therefore, does not rotate. When the centrifugal pump 23b rotates together with the main shaft 23, the lubricating oil 4 is sucked into the oil feed pipe 40, as shown by arrows Z, and is sucked upward from the oil suction hole 23a. The diameter of the oil feed pipe 40 is adjusted such that optimum oil feeding can be performed when the motor section 2 rotates at high speed. That is, the diameter of the oil feed pipe 40 is smaller than that of the oil suction hole provided in the main shaft. Thus, taking out of the lubricating oil 4 into a space A and an upper part of the motor section 2 in the closed container 1 can be minimized while maintaining lubricity of the compression mechanism section 3. This can increase the amount of lubricating oil 4 that can be stored in an inner bottom portion of the closed container 1.

[0014]
The compression mechanism section 3 is, for example, of a rotary type, and is fixed to the center container 11 below the motor section 2 with the space A left therebetween. The compression mechanism section 3 includes a substantially cylindrical cylinder 31, a piston 32, a vane 33, an upper bearing 34, a lower bearing 35, and upper and lower mufflers 36 and 37 of an expansion type. In a lower part of the compression mechanism section 3, the oil feed pipe 40 extends downward through the lower muffler 37.

[0015]
The center axis of the cylinder 31 is eccentrically-disposed with respect to the axis of the main shaft 23. The cylinder 31 has a suction port 38 to which the above-described suction pipe 6 is connected, and a groove (not illustrated) communicating between discharge ports (not illustrated) provided in the upper bearing 34 and the lower bearing 35 and the cylinder 31.

[0016]
The piston 32 lies on the same axis as the center axis of the main shaft 23, and is corotatably fitted on the main shaft 23. In the piston 32, the vane 33 is slidably stored. The upper bearing 34 and the lower bearing 35 described above close both upper and lower end faces of the cylinder 31, respectively. The upper bearing 34 and the lower bearing 35 are provided with an upper muffler 36 and a lower muffler 37, respectively.

[0017]
The lubricating oil 4 stored in the inner bottom portion of the closed container 1 is sucked up into the oil suction hole 23a via the oil feed pipe 40 by the centrifugal pump 23b that corotates with the main shaft 23. The lubricating oil 4 sucked into the oil suction hole 23a flows between the upper bearing 34 and the main shaft 23 from an upper oil supply port 23c, and also flows between the upper bearing 34 and an upper surface of the piston 32. Further, the lubricating oil 4 flows between the lower bearing 35 and the main shaft 23 from a lower oil supply port 23d, and also flows between the lower bearing 35 and a lower surface of the piston 32. Supply of the lubricating Oil 4 allows the main shaft 23 and the piston 32 to rotate smoothly. Although not illustrated, the lubricating oil 4 is also supplied to the vane 33 so that the vane 33 slides smoothly.

[0018]
In the space A between the motor section 2 and the compression mechanism section 3, a separator 50 is provided to separate the lubricating oil 4, which is mixed in the refrigerant gas, from the refrigerant gas and to cause the lubricating oil 4 to fall into the inner bottom portion of the closed container 1. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the separator 50 is formed in ring-like shape and surrounds the upper muffler 36, and includes a flat one side portion 50a and an inclined portion 50b that is bent obliquely upward from the one side portion 50a. The one side portion 50a is fixed to an upper end of the cylinder 31 with a gap therebetween by bolts or the like.

[0019]
Next, a description will be given of operation of the rotary compressor of Embodiment 1. When the main shaft 23 is rotated by driving the motor section 2, the piston 32 in the cylinder 31 rotates together with the main shaft 23. By this rotation of the piston 32, the vane 33 stored in the piston 32 eccentrically rotates while making piston motion. At this time, refrigerant gas enters a compression chamber, which is surrounded by an inner wall of the cylinder 31, the piston 32, and the vane 33, from the suction port 38 of the compression mechanism section 3 via the suction pipe 6. Then, the refrigerant gas in the compression chamber is compressed as the capacity in the compression chamber is decreased by the rotation of the piston 32. At this time, the lubricating oil 4 flowing in the cylinder 31 is compressed together with the refrigerant gas so as to be mixed in the refrigerant gas.

[0020]
The refrigerant gas in which the lubricating oil 4 is mixed (hereinafter simply referred to as "refrigerant gas") flows into internal spaces of the upper muffler 36 and the lower muffler 37 from discharge ports (not illustrated) provided in the upper bearing 34 and the lower bearing 35 through the groove communicating with the cylinder 31. The refrigerant gas flowing in the internal space of the lower muffler 37 is guided into the internal space of the upper muffler 36 through a gas hole (not illustrated) extending through the lower bearing 35, the cylinder 31, and the upper bearing 34, and is discharged into the space A between the motor section 2 and the compression mechanism section 3 from a gas hole 36a together with the refrigerant gas in the upper muffler 36.

[0021]
The refrigerant gas discharged in the above-described space A is induced by swirling flow produced by the rotation of the rotor 22 in the motor section 2, flows in a rotating direction of the rotor 22 (in a direction of arrow X), and circles around the upper muffler 36 while being in contact with upper and lower faces of the inclined portion 50b of the separator 50. At this time, the lubricating oil 4 mixed in the refrigerant gas is adhered to the upper and lower faces of the inclined portion 50b of the separator 50.

[0022]
The lubricating oil 4 is adhered to the inclined portion 50b because of its viscosity. More lubricating oil 4 is adhered to the lower face than the upper face of the inclined portion 50b. This is because the inner wall of the closed container 1 brings much refrigerant gas into contact with the lower face of the inclined portion 50b while the refrigerant gas makes one circle. The lubricating oil 4 flows along the inclined portion 50b, and falls under its own weight (in a direction of arrow Y) to be recovered in the inner bottom portion of the closed container 1.

[0023]
On the other hand, the refrigerant gas circling around the upper muffler 36 flows through a gas hole 22a of the rotor 22 and an air gap 2a between the stator 21 and the rotor 22, reaches an inner upper portion of the closed container 1, and is then discharged out of the closed container 1 through the discharge pipe 7.

[0024]
As described above, in Embodiment 1, the separator 50 having the inclined portion 50b is provided in the space A between the motor section 2 and the compression mechanism section 3 so that the lubricating oil 4 circling together with the refrigerant gas in the space A is adhered to the inclined portion 50b. The inclined portion 50b allows the lubricating oil 4 to efficiently fall into the inner bottom portion of the closed container 1 without reducing recoverability of the lubricating oil 4. This further enhances recoverability.

[0025]
Further, as described above, when the ring-shaped separator 50 is provided in the space A, it serves as a fluid resistance that prevents the lubricating oil 4 from being taken out by foam formation on startup of the compressor. This can prevent depletion of the lubricating oil 4 stored in the inner bottom portion of the closed container 1.

[0026]
Further, since the oil feed pipe 40 is fixed between the lower bearing 35 and the lower muffler 37 with a space from the main shaft 23, it can be easily attached to the lower bearing 35. Moreover, since the oil feed pipe 40 does not rotate, the oil level is not disturbed during suction.

Since the oil feed pipe 40 extends downward, the lower bearing 35 does not need an extra length. This can reduce material cost and processing cost.

Since the amount of supplied oil is limited and optimized by the diameter of the oil feed pipe 40, an appropriate amount of lubricating oil 4 can be supplied into the compression mechanism section 3, and the supply of lubricating oil 4 can be restricted.

Even when the oil level of lubricating oil 4 stored in the bottom portion is lowered, the lubricating oil 4 having high viscosity can be fed into the compression mechanism section 3 because the oil feed pipe 40 extends downward. Thus, oil feeding can be performed even when the oil level is lowered, and this enhances reliability.

[0027] Embodiment 2

In Embodiment 2, a separator shaped like a truncated cone is provided in a space A between a motor section 2 and a compression mechanism section 3.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a center part of a closed container in a rotary compressor according to Embodiment 2, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a separator in Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 2, parts similar to those adopted in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only differences will be described.

[0028]
As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, a separator 51 in Embodiment 2 is shaped like a truncated cone having an inclined portion 51a that surrounds an upper muffler 36. An angle 9 of the inclined portion 51a is within the range of 30° to 60° as an example.

This angle 6 is the best angle for lubricating oil 4 contained in refrigerant gas to be adhered to an inner peripheral surface of the inclined portion 51a. Although not illustrated, the separator 51 is fixed to an upper end of a cylinder 31. In the rotary compressor of Embodiment 2, an oil feed pipe 40 is also fixed between a lower bearing 35 and a lower muffler 37 with a space from a main shaft 23.

[0029]
In Embodiment 2, refrigerant gas in the space A is caused to circle (in a direction of arrow X) on outer and inner sides of the inclined portion 51a shaped like a truncated cone by swirling flow produced by rotation of a rotor 22. At this time, lubricating oil 4 contained in the refrigerant gas is adhered to the inner peripheral surface of the inclined portion 51a. The lubricating oil 4 adhered to the inner peripheral surface of the inclined portion 51a falls down (in a direction of arrow Y) under its own weight, and is recovered in an inner bottom portion of a closed container 1.

[0030]
As described above, in Embodiment 2, the separator 51 shaped like a truncated cone is provided in the space A between the motor section 2 and the compression mechanism section 3, and the lubricating oil 4, which circles together with the refrigerant gas in the space A, is adhered to the inner peripheral surface of the inclined portion 51a. The inclined portion 51a allows the lubricating oil 4 to efficiently fall into the inner bottom portion of the closed container 1 without reducing recoverability of the lubricating oil 4. This further enhances recoverability.

[0031]
Since the separator 51 shaped like a truncated cone is located in the space A, as described above, it serves as a fluid resistance that prevents the lubricating oil 4 from being taken out by foam formation on startup of the compressor, and can prevent depletion of the lubricating oil 4 stored in the inner bottom portion of the closed container 1.

[0032] Embodiment 3

In Embodiment 3, a separator is shaped like a truncated cone, and an outer peripheral surface of an inclined portion thereof is provided with a plurality of cut-and-raised pieces.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a center part of a closed container in a rotary compressor according to Embodiment 3, and Fig. 7 is a plan view of a separator in Embodiment 3. In Embodiment 3, parts similar to those adopted in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only differences will be described.

[0033]
As illustrated in Fig. 6, a separator 52 in Embodiment 3 is shaped like a truncated cone having an inclined portion 52b that surrounds an upper muffler 36. An outer peripheral surface of the inclined portion 52b has, for example, two cut-and-raised pieces 52a. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the cut-and-raised pieces 52a are cut and raised in a rotating direction of a rotor 22 in a motor section 2. This number of cut-and-raised pieces 52a is just exemplary, and is not limited.

[0034]
Although not illustrated, the separator 52 is fixed to an upper end of a cylinder 31. In the rotary compressor of Embodiment 3, an oil feed pipe 40 is also fixed between a lower bearing 35 and a lower muffler 37 with a space from a main shaft 23.

[0035]
In Embodiment 3, refrigerant gas in a space A is caused to circle (in a direction of arrow X) on outer and inner sides of the inclined portion 52b of the separator 52 by swirling flow produced by rotation of a rotor 22. At this time, lubricating oil 4, which circles together with the refrigerant gas on the outer side of the inclined portion 52b, is adhered to raised-side surfaces of the cut-and-raised pieces 52a, and lubricating oil 4, which circles'together with the refrigerant gas on the inner side of the inclined portion 52b, is adhered to an inner peripheral surface of the inclined portion 52b.

[0036]
The lubricating oil 4 adhered to the inner peripheral surface of the inclined portion 52b and the raised-side surfaces of the cut-and-raised pieces 52a falls down (in a direction of arrow Y) under its own weight, and is recovered in an inner bottom portion of the closed container 1.

[0037]
As described above, in Embodiment 3, the lubricating oil 4, which circles together with the refrigerant gas in the space A, is adhered to the two cut-and-raised pieces 52a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inclined portion 52b of the separator 52 and the inner peripheral surface of the inclined portion 52b. This allows the lubricating oil 4 to more efficiently fall into the inner bottom portion of the closed container 1, and further enhances recoverability.

[0038]
Since the separator 52 has the cut-and-raised pieces 52a, even when the angle of the inclined portion 52b shaped like a truncated cone is decreased, more sufficient effects of increasing the contact area and enhancing trapping ability of swirling flow can be maintained. This facilitates to secure the insulation distance from the motor section 2.

[0039]
As described above, since the separator 52 shaped like a truncated cone is located in the space A, it serves as a fluid resistance that prevents the lubricating oil 4 from being taken out by foam formation on startup of the compressor, and can prevent depletion of the lubricating oil 4 stored in the inner bottom portion of the closed container 1.

[0040] Embodiment 4

Embodiment 4 adopts a ring-shaped separator including a flat one side portion and a curved inclined portion provided in the other side portion opposite the one side portion such as to extend inward and obliquely upward.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a center part of a closed container in a rotary compressor according to Embodiment 4, and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a separator in Embodiment 4. In Embodiment 4, parts similar to those adopted in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only differences will be described.

[0041]
As illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, a separator 53 in Embodiment 4 is ring-shaped, and includes a flat one side portion 53a, and a curved inclined portion 53b at the other side portion opposite the one side portion such as to extend inward and obliquely upward. The one side portion 53a is fixed to an upper end of a cylinder 31 with a gap therebetween by bolts or the like. Since the one side portion 53a is flat, fixing can be easily performed with the bolts. In the rotary compressor of Embodiment 4, an oil feed pipe 40 is also fixed between a lower bearing 35 and a lower muffler 37 with a space from a main shaft 23.

[0042]
In Embodiment 4, refrigerant gas in a space A is caused to circle (in a direction of arrow X) on outer and inner sides of the curved inclined portion 53b by swirling flow produced by rotation of a rotor 22. At this time, lubricating oil 4 contained in the refrigerant gas is adhered to an inner peripheral surface of the curved inclined portion 53b. The lubricating oil 4 adhered to the inner peripheral surface of the inclined portion 53b falls down (in a direction of arrow Y) under its own weight, and is recovered in an inner bottom portion of a closed container 1.

[0043]
As described above, in Embodiment 4, the separator 53 having the curved inclined portion 53b is provided in the space A between a motor section 2 and a compression mechanism section 3 so that the lubricating oil 4, which circles together with the refrigerant gas in the space A, is adhered to the inner peripheral surface of the inclined portion 53b. The curved inclined portion 53b allows the lubricating oil 4 to efficiently fall in the inner bottom portion of the closed container 1 without hindering separation of the refrigerant gas and the lubricating oil 4. This further enhances recoverability.

[0044]
As described above, since the separator 53 having the curved inclined portion 53b is provided in the space A, it serves as a fluid resistance that prevents the lubricating oil 4 from being taken out by foam formation on startup of the compressor, and can prevent depletion of the lubricating oil 4 stored in the inner bottom portion of the closed container 1.

[0045] Embodiment 5

Embodiment 5 adopts a ring-shaped separator that has, on its upper surface, a plurality of cut-and-raised pieces arranged as inclined portions in a circumferential direction.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a center part of a closed container in a rotary compressor according to Embodiment 5, and Fig. 11 is a plan view of a separator in Embodiment 5. In Embodiment 5, parts similar to those adopted in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only differences will be described.

[0046]
As illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, a separator 54 in Embodiment 5 is ring-shaped, and has, for example, two holes 54b arranged in a circumferential direction. The separator 54 is fixed by inserting bolts or the like in the holes 54b and screwing the bolts or the like in a cylinder 31. In this case, the separator 54 is fixed with a space from an upper end of the cylinder 31.

[0047]
The separator 54 has, on its ring-shaped upper surface, for example, six cut-and-raised pieces 54a arranged as inclined portions in a circumferential direction. The cut-and-raised pieces 54a are raised in a rotating direction of a rotor 22 in a motor section 2, and project outward from a ring-shaped outer periphery. The number of cut-and-raised pieces 54a is just exemplary, and is not limited. In the rotary compressor of Embodiment 5, an oil feed pipe 40 is also fixed between a lower bearing 35 and a lower muffler 37 with a space from a main shaft 23.

[0048]
In Embodiment 5, refrigerant gas in a space A is caused to circle (in a direction of arrow X) above the separator 54 by swirling flow produced by rotation of the rotor 22. At this time, lubricating oil 4, which circles together with the refrigerant gas above the separator 54, is adhered to raised-side faces of the cut-and-raised pieces 54a serving as the inclined portions. The lubricating oil 4 adhered to the raised-side faces of the cut-and-raised pieces 54a falls down (in a direction of arrow Y) under its own weight, and is recovered in an inner bottom portion of a closed container 1.

[0049]
As described above, in Embodiment 5, the lubricating oil 4, which circles together with the refrigerant gas in the space A, is adhered to the six cut-and-raised pieces 54a that are arranged in the circumferential direction as the inclined portions on the ring-shaped upper surface. This allows the lubricating oil 4 to efficiently fall in the inner bottom portion of the closed container 1, and further enhances recoverability.

[0050]
As described above, since the separator 54 having the cut-and-raised pieces 54a is located in the space A, it serves as a fluid resistance that prevents the lubricating oil 4 from being taken out by foam formation on startup of the compression mechanism section 3, and can prevent depletion of the lubricating oil 4 stored in the inner bottom portion of the closed container 1.

[0051]
Since the separator 54 is shaped like a flat ring, it is more easily fixed to the cylinder 31. This facilitates to secure the insulation distance from the motor section 2.

[0052]
While the oil feed pipe 40 is provided as well as the separators 50 to 54 in the closed container 1 in the rotary compressor in Embodiments 1 to 5 described above, the rotary compressor may include only the separators 50 to 54 in the closed container 1. Alternatively, the rotary compressor may include only the oil feed pipe 40 in the closed container 1.

[Reference Signs List]

[0053]
1: closed container, 2: motor section, 2a: air gap, 3: compression mechanism section, 4: lubricating oil, 5: suction muffler, 6: suction pipe, 7: discharge pipe, 11: center container, 12: upper container, 13: lower container, 21: stator, 22: rotor, 22a: gas hole, 23: main shaft, 23a: oil suction hole, 23b: centrifugal pump, 31: cylinder, 32: piston, 33: vane, 34: upper bearing, 35: lower bearing, 36: upper muffler, 36a: gas hole, 37: lower muffler, 38: suction port, 40: oil feed pipe, 40a: flat portion, 50: separator, 50a: one side portion, 50b: inclined portion, 51: separator, 51a: inclined portion, 52: separator, 52a: cut-and-raised piece, 52b: inclined portion, 53: separator, 53a: one side portion, 53b: curved inclined portion, 54: separator, 54a: cut-and-raised piece, 54b: hole, 60: separator, A: space.

[Name of Document]

CLAIMS

[Claim 1]

A rotary compressor comprising:

a closed container having a bottom portion in which lubricating oil is stored;

a motor section provided in the closed container;

a compression mechanism section provided in an inner lower part of the closed container with a space from the motor section, the compression mechanism section compressing refrigerant gas flowing from a suction port into a cylinder with driving of the motor section and discharging the compressed refrigerant gas from a discharge port of at least an upper bearing, of the upper bearing and a lower bearing on a main shaft, into the space via a muffler provided in the upper bearing; and

a separator provided in the space to surround the muffler, and having an inclined portion that obliquely receives the refrigerant gas caused to circle in the space by swirling flow produced by rotation of a rotor in the motor section, the inclined portion separating the lubricating oil from the refrigerant gas so that the lubricating oil falls in the bottom portion.

[Claim 2]

The rotary compressor of Claim 1, wherein the separator is ring-shaped, includes a flat one side portion and an inclined portion bent obliquely upward from the one side portion, and separates the lubricating oil from the refrigerant gas by the inclined portion.

[Claim 3]
The rotary compressor of Claim 1, wherein the separator is shaped like a truncated cone, and separates the lubricating oil from the refrigerant gas by an inclined portion of the truncated cone.

[Claim 4]
The rotary compressor of Claim 3, wherein a plurality of cut-and-raised pieces obliquely raised are arranged in a circumferential direction on the inclined portion.

[Claim 5]
The rotary compressor of Claim 1, wherein the separator is ring-shaped, includes a flat one side portion and a curved inclined portion provided in the other side portion opposite the one side portion such as to extend inward and obliquely upward, and separates the lubricating oil from the refrigerant gas by the inclined portion.

[Claim 6]
The rotary compressor of Claim 1, wherein the separator is ring-shaped, includes a plurality of cut-and-raised pieces raised obliquely and arranged as inclined portions in a circumferential direction on an upper surface of the separator, and separates the lubricating oil from the refrigerant gas by the inclined portions.

[Claim 7]
The rotary compressor of Claim 6, wherein the separator includes a plurality of cut-and-raised pieces perpendicularly raised on the upper surface, instead of the oblique cut-and-raised pieces.

[Claim 8]
The rotary compressor of any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the muffler serves as an upper muffler, and wherein the rotary compressor further comprises:

a lower muffler provided on the lower bearing in the compression mechanism section; and
an oil feed pipe that feeds the lubricating oil stored in the bottom portion into the compression mechanism section, the oil feed pipe including a hole with a diameter smaller than a diameter of an oil suction hole provided in the main shaft, and a flat portion provided at one end of the oil feed pipe and fixed between the lower bearing and the lower muffler with a space from the main shaft.