Patent ID: 6095765
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: F04C

Abstract:
A scroll-type machine comprising, in combination:a housing defining a suction plenum;an orbiting scroll positioned within the housing and having a spiral wrap;a fixed scroll mounted within the housing and havinga spiral wrap nested with the spiral wrap of the orbiting scroll to form pockets between the wraps for progressively compressing fluid from the suction plenum at suction pressure through intermediate pressure to a discharge pressure at a discharge port formed in the fixed scroll,a chamber formed within the fixed scroll,a first passage formed in the fixed scroll from the discharge port to the chamber,a second passage formed in the fixed scroll from the chamber to the suction plenum, anda third passage formed in the fixed scroll from the chamber to the pockets; anda pressure relief device in the chamber in the fixed scroll,sealingly engaging a first surface of the fixed scroll to form a fluid pressure seal at all times within the chamber between the second passage and the third passage, andreleasably sealingly engageable to a second surface of the fixed scroll to form a releasable fluid pressure seal within the chamber between the first passage and the second passage.