Patent ID: 6017205
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: F04C

Abstract:
A scroll-type machine comprising:an outer shell;a first scroll member disposed within said shell and including a first end plate having a first spiral wrap provided thereon;a second scroll member disposed within said shell and including a second end plate having a second spiral wrap provided thereon;said second scroll member being supported for orbital movement relative to said first scroll member;said first and second spiral wraps being intermeshed so as to define moving fluid pockets which decrease in size as they move from a radially outer position to a radially inner position;a partition dividing said shell into a first chamber and a second chamber, said first chamber being at a pressure above that of said second chamber when said machine is operating, said first and second scroll members being positioned in said second chamber;a lubricant sump disposed in said first chamber; anda level control disposed in said first chamber, said level control providing a continuous flowpath from said first chamber to said second chamber and being operative to direct lubricant therethrough to said second chamber in response to an increase in the level of lubricant above a predetermined level and to prevent lubricant from flowing therethrough to said second chamber when said level is below said predetermined level so as to thereby aid in maintaining a desired level of lubricant in said sump while resisting said level from rising above said predetermined level.