Scroll-type machine with axially compliant mounting
First Claim
1. A scroll-type machine comprising:
- (a) a first scroll member having a spiral wrap thereon;
(b) a second scroll member having a spiral wrap thereon;
(c) support means for mounting said scroll members with said spiral wraps intermeshing with one another, said first scroll member being mounted for non-orbital movement with respect to said support means, and said second scroll member being mounted for orbital movement with respect to said support means and said first scroll member whereby said orbital movement will cause said wraps to define moving fluid pockets communicating between a low pressure and a high pressure; and
(d) biasing means for biasing said first scroll member toward said second scroll member, said biasing means comprisingmeans defining a first chamber containing fluid at a first pressure; and
means defining a second chamber containing a fluid at a second pressure;
said first and second pressures being greater than said low pressure;
said first and second chambers being positioned such that said fluid at said first pressure and said fluid at said second pressure cooperate to exert a biasing force on said first scroll member in a direction toward said second scroll member and generally parallel to the axis of said orbital movement to thereby enhance sealing therebetween.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is disclosed a scroll-type machine particularly suited for use as a refrigerant compressor and incorporating an improved suspension system for the non-orbiting scroll whereby the latter may be pressure biased for the purpose of augmenting tip sealing. The machine also has a modified wrap tip and end plate profile in order to enhance performance, as well as an improved lubrication system for the drive and a baffle arrangment to provide a directed suction inlet. The machine also has an Oldham coupling utilizing a novel ring element which is non-circular and provides for increased thrust-bearing size, or reduced machine size. There is also disclosed a method of manufacture of a scroll-type machine.
305 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A scroll-type machine comprising:
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(a) a first scroll member having a spiral wrap thereon; (b) a second scroll member having a spiral wrap thereon; (c) support means for mounting said scroll members with said spiral wraps intermeshing with one another, said first scroll member being mounted for non-orbital movement with respect to said support means, and said second scroll member being mounted for orbital movement with respect to said support means and said first scroll member whereby said orbital movement will cause said wraps to define moving fluid pockets communicating between a low pressure and a high pressure; and (d) biasing means for biasing said first scroll member toward said second scroll member, said biasing means comprising means defining a first chamber containing fluid at a first pressure; and means defining a second chamber containing a fluid at a second pressure; said first and second pressures being greater than said low pressure; said first and second chambers being positioned such that said fluid at said first pressure and said fluid at said second pressure cooperate to exert a biasing force on said first scroll member in a direction toward said second scroll member and generally parallel to the axis of said orbital movement to thereby enhance sealing therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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24. A scroll-type machine comprising:
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(a) a first scroll member having a spiral wrap thereon; (b) a second scroll member having a spiral wrap thereon; (c) support means for mounting said scroll members with said spiral wraps intermeshing with one another, said first scroll member being mounted for non-orbital movement with respect to said support means, and said second scroll member being mounted for orbital movement with respect to said support means and said first scroll member whereby said orbital movement will cause said wraps to define moving fluid pockets communicating between a low pressure and a high pressure; and (d) biasing means for biasing said first scroll member toward said second scroll member, said biasing means comprising means defining a first chamber containing fluid at a first pressure; and means defining a second chamber containing a fluid at a second pressure; said first and second pressures being greater than said low pressure; each of said chambers being concentric with one another and partially defined by an exposed surface on said first scroll member; said first and second chambers being positioned such that said fluid at said first pressure and said fluid at said second pressure cooperate to exert a biasing force on said first scroll member in a direction toward said second scroll member and generally parallel to the axis of said orbital movement to thereby enhance sealing therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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33. A scroll-type compressor comprising:
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(a) a first scroll member having a spiral wrap thereon; (b) a second scroll member having a spiral wrap thereon; (c) support means for mounting said scroll members with said spiral wraps intermeshing with one another, said first scroll member being mounted for non-orbital movement with respect to said support means, and said second scroll member being mounted for orbital movement with respect to said support means and said first scroll member whereby said orbital movement will cause said wraps to define moving fluid pockets operative to pump and compress fluid from a relatively low suction pressure to a relatively high discharge pressure; (d) biasing means for biasing said first scroll member toward said second scroll member, said biasing means comprising means defining a first chamber containing fluid at a first pressure; and means defining a second chamber containing a fluid at a second pressure; said first and second pressures being greater than said low suction pressure; said first and second chambers being positioned such that said fluid at said first pressure and said fluid at said second pressure act directly on surfaces of said first scroll member to exert a biasing force thereon in a direction toward said second scroll member and generally parallel to the axis of said orbital movement to thereby enhance sealing therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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34. A scroll-type machine comprising:
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(a) a first scroll member having a spiral wrap thereon; (b) a second scroll member having a spiral wrap thereon; (c) support means for mounting said scroll members for relative orbital movement with said spiral wraps intermeshing with one another whereby said orbital movement will cause said wraps to define moving fluid pockets; and (d) biasing means for biasing said first and second scroll members toward one another, said biasing means comprising; means defining a first cylinder chamber containing fluid at a first pressure operative to bias a first piston movably disposed therein; and means defining a second cylinder chamber containing a fluid at a second pressure and operative to bias a second piston movably disposed in said second cylinder chamber; one of said cylinder chambers and pistons being provided on one of said scroll members and the other of said cylinder chambers and pistons being mounted in a fixed position with respect to said support means; said cylinder chambers and pistons being generally concentric with respect to one another, said cylinder chambers being defined by a stepped cylinder wall having two different inside diameters, said second piston being defined by an annular shoulder on said first piston, said first piston being surrounded by the smaller diameter portion of said cylinder wall, said second piston being surrounded by the larger diameter portion of said cylinder wall, said first and second chambers being positioned such that said fluid at said first pressure and said fluid at said second pressure cooperate to bias said first and said second scroll members toward one another in a direction generally parallel to the axis of said orbital movement to thereby enhance sealing therebetween.
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Specification