A scroll compressor includes various features that promote a bifurcated
flow pattern of gas through a compressor shell to reduce oil entrainment.
After entering the shell, some gas travels upward, which reduces the
volume of gas traveling downward toward an oil sump. To accomplish this,
the compressor's motor can be surrounded by a sleeve having upper and
lower apertures for directing the flow to the motor's upper and lower
stator end turns. In some embodiments, a suction inlet is strategically
positioned relative to two gas passageways that are between the stator
and the compressor shell. The inlet's position is such that one
passageway receives incoming gas and divides the flow in opposite
directions: upward and downward. The other passageway only conveys the
gas upward. In addition, a suction baffle, a diffuser, a streamlined
counterweight and/or a suction line oil trap can also help promote
gas/oil separation or minimize oil entrainment.