Patent ID: 6139294
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: F01C,F04C

Abstract:
A scroll compressor having a suction pressure chamber into which fluid is received substantially at suction pressure and a discharge pressure chamber from which the fluid is discharged substantially at discharge pressure, comprising:a first scroll member having a first involute wrap element projecting from a first substantially planar surface;a second scroll member having a second involute wrap element projecting from a second substantially planar surface, and third and fourth surfaces opposite said second substantially planar surface, said third and fourth surfaces respectively located in first and second planes which are spaced apart from each other and substantially parallel with said second substantially planar surface, said first and second scroll members mutually engaged with said first involute wrap element projecting towards said second surface and said second involute wrap element projecting towards said first surface, said first surface positioned substantially parallel with said second surface whereby relative orbiting of said scroll members compresses fluids between said involute wrap elements, said engaged scroll members in fluid communication with said suction and discharge chambers;a frame having fifth and sixth surfaces located in different planes substantially parallel with said second substantially planar surface of said second scroll member, said fifth surface adjacent and opposed to said third surface of said second scroll member, and a sixth surface adjacent and opposed to said fourth surface of said second scroll member;a first seal disposed between said third and fifth surfaces, said first seal in sliding engagement with one of said third and said fifth surfaces;a second seal disposed between said fourth and sixth surfaces, said second seal in sliding engagement with one of said fourth and said sixth surfaces;an intermediate pressure chamber in part bounded by said third and fourth surfaces of said second scroll member, said fifth and sixth surfaces of said frame, and said first and second seals, said intermediate pressure chamber in fluid communication with a source of pressure intermediate suction and discharge pressures, whereby said first and second scroll members are at least partially urged into axial sealing engagement by forces induced by fluid pressure in said intermediate pressure chamber.