Patent Publication Number: US-2019178250-A1

Title: Polymeric composite insert component for a scroll compressor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/598,217, filed on Dec. 13, 2017. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to polymeric composite insert components for compressors and more specifically, to polymeric composite insert component designs for providing a fluidic seal between a partition and a floating seal assembly in a scroll compressor, and methods of assembling the polymeric composite insert component to a scroll compressor. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     Scroll machines in general, and particularly scroll compressors, are often disposed in a hermetic shell that defines a chamber within which a working fluid is disposed. A partition within the shell often divides the chamber into a discharge pressure zone and a suction pressure zone. In a low-side arrangement, a scroll assembly is located within the suction pressure zone for compressing the working fluid. Generally, these scroll assemblies incorporate a pair of intermeshed spiral involute portions, one or both of which orbit relative to the other, so as to define one or more moving chambers which progressively decrease in size as they travel from an outer suction port towards a central discharge port. An electric motor is normally provided which operates to cause this relative orbital movement. 
     The partition within the shell allows compressed fluid exiting the central discharge port of the scroll assembly to enter the discharge pressure zone within the shell, while simultaneously maintaining the integrity between the discharge pressure zone and the suction pressure zone. The partition normally includes a seal, such as a floating seal assembly. The seal interacts with the partition and with the scroll member defining the central discharge port, so as to maintain a pressure differential within the compressor. Conventional air conditioning scroll compressors typically rely upon the floating seal package&#39;s ability to form a metal-to-metal face seal with a portion of the partition, such as a partition plate (e.g., muffler plate) or the shell, during compressor operation. This sealing interface provides separation of the high pressure side and low pressure side of the compressor. It is important to maintain a fluid seal between the floating seal assembly and the partition plate during operation of the compressor. However, the components at the sealing interface may have potential issues with maintaining sealing conditions under all compressor operating conditions and further many suffer from excessive wear that may cause loss of sealing capabilities. The present teachings provide a polymeric composite insert component having improved sealing capability. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a polymeric composite insert component for a scroll compressor. The polymeric composite insert component comprises a polymer and at least one reinforcing or lubricating particle. The polymeric composite insert component comprises an annular body and an axial projection. The annular body comprises a first annular inner surface. The first annular inner surface defines a first centrally-disposed opening. The first centrally-disposed opening has a central axis extending therethrough. The annular body has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side comprises a first contact surface configured to engage a partition plate. The second side comprises a second contact surface configured to engage a floating seal assembly. The axial projection extends from the first side of the annular body. The axial projection is configured to engage the partition plate. The polymeric composite insert component is configured to fluidly seal both a first interface and a second interface during operation of the scroll compressor. The first interface is defined between the first contact surface and the partition plate. The second interface is defined between the second contact surface and the floating seal assembly. 
     In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a scroll compressor comprising a polymeric composite insert component, a partition plate, and a floating seal assembly. The polymeric composite insert component comprises a polymer and at least one reinforcing or lubricating particle. The polymeric composite insert component comprises an annular body and an axial projection. The annular body has a first annular inner surface defining a first centrally-disposed opening. The first centrally-disposed opening has a central axis extending therethrough. The axial projection extends from the annular body. The partition plate comprises a second centrally-disposed opening. The second centrally-disposed opening is aligned with the first centrally-disposed opening with respect to the central axis. The floating seal assembly has a third centrally-disposed opening. The third centrally-disposed opening is aligned with the first centrally-disposed opening and the second centrally-disposed opening with respect to the central axis. The polymeric composite insert component is disposed between the partition plate and the floating seal assembly. The polymeric composite insert component is configured to fluidly seal both a first interface and a second interface during operation of the scroll compressor. The first interface is defined between the polymeric composite insert component and the partition plate. The second interface defined between the polymeric composite insert component and the floating seal assembly. 
     In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of assembling a scroll compressor. The method includes aligning a first centrally-disposed opening of a polymeric composite insert component with a second centrally-disposed opening of a partition plate along a central axis. The polymeric composite insert component comprises a polymer and at least one reinforcing or lubricating particle. The polymeric composite insert component defines an annular body comprising the first centrally-disposed opening having the central axis extending therethrough. The method further includes orienting a plurality of circumferentially-disposed tabs on the polymeric composite insert component toward the partition plate. Each respective circumferentially-disposed tab of the plurality projects axially from a side of the annular body. Each respective circumferentially-disposed tab of the plurality comprises a fixed end connected to the annular body, a free end opposite the fixed end, an arm extending between the fixed end and the free end, and a radially-outwardly extending lip disposed at the free end. The method further includes contacting a sloped surface of the free end of the lip of each respective circumferentially-disposed tab with the partition plate. The method further includes translating the polymeric composite insert component toward the partition plate and causing the lips of the respective circumferentially-disposed tabs of the plurality to deflect radially inwardly until the lips snap radially outwardly and engage the partition plate to retain the polymeric composite insert component on the partition plate. A surface defined by the side of the annular body engages the partition plate. The polymeric composite insert component is configured to fluidly seal an interface defined between the surface and the partition plate during operation of the scroll compressor. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a sectional view through a center of a scroll compressor having a conventional design; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial sectional view showing a floating seal assembly as in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view showing an upper seal plate forming a portion of the floating seal assembly as in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  show a polymeric composite insert component according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.  FIG. 4A  shows a top isometric view of the polymeric composite insert component;  FIG. 4B  shows a bottom isometric view of the polymeric composite insert component;  FIG. 4C  shows a partial sectional view taken at line  4 C- 4 C of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  show a scroll compressor having a polymeric composite insert component according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.  FIG. 5A  is a partial sectional view of the scroll compressor;  FIG. 5B  is an isometric section view of the polymeric composite insert component; 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  show the polymeric composite insert component of  FIGS. 5A-5B .  FIG. 6A  is a top view of the polymeric composite insert component;  FIG. 6B  is a bottom view of the polymeric composite insert component; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial sectional view of the polymeric composite insert component and partition plate of  FIGS. 5A-5B ; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial sectional view of another polymeric composite insert component according to certain aspects of the present disclosure, the polymeric composite insert component being fixed to a partition plate; 
         FIGS. 9A-9B  show another polymeric composite insert component according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.  FIG. 9A  is a top isometric view of the polymeric composite insert component;  FIG. 9B  is a side view of the polymeric composite insert component taken at line  9 B- 9 B of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIGS. 10A-10B  show yet another polymeric composite insert component according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.  FIG. 10A  is a top isometric view;  FIG. 10B  is a sectional view taken at line  10 B- 10 B of  FIG. 10A ; and 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  show yet another polymeric composite insert component according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.  FIG. 11A  is a top isometric view;  FIG. 11B  is a sectional view taken at line  11 B- 11 B of  FIG. 11A ; and  FIG. 11C  is a sectional view taken at line  11 C- 11 C of  FIG. 11A . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
     When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     Throughout this disclosure, the numerical values represent approximate measures or limits to ranges to encompass minor deviations from the given values and embodiments having about the value mentioned as well as those having exactly the value mentioned. Other than in the working examples provided at the end of the detailed description, all numerical values of parameters (e.g., of quantities or conditions) in this specification, including the appended claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” whether or not “about” actually appears before the numerical value. “About” indicates that the stated numerical value allows some slight imprecision (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. In addition, disclosure of ranges includes disclosure of all values and further divided ranges within the entire range, including endpoints given for the ranges. 
     In various aspects, the present teachings provide a polymeric composite insert component for sealing an interface between a floating seal assembly and a partition (e.g., a partition plate, a muffler plate, or a shell) in a compressor, such as a scroll compressor. In certain variations, this disclosure provides a polymeric insert component that can be coupled to the partition or the floating seal assembly. In certain aspects, the polymeric insert component comprises a polymer, such as a thermoplastic polymer. In certain aspects, the polymeric insert component comprises a composite material including a polymer and at least one reinforcement material distributed within the polymer. Such a thermoplastic composite provides greater ability to conform to the partition and the floating seal assembly to enhance sealability and seal performance. For example, a thermoplastic composite in the polymeric composite insert component can provide high strength, while enhancing flexibility and elasticity at the interface. More particularly, the polymeric composite insert component conforms to the partition and the floating seal assembly during operation of the compressor, including during deformation of the partition at high loads. Thus, the polymeric composite insert component may increase overall compressor efficiency. 
     By way of background, a conventional hermetic refrigerant scroll compressor  10  is described in the context of  FIG. 1 . The scroll compressor  10  comprises a generally cylindrical hermetic shell  12  having welded at the upper end thereof a cap  14  and at the lower end thereof a base  16 . The cap  14  is provided with a refrigerant discharge fitting  18  which may have the usual discharge valve componentry therein (not shown). Other major elements affixed to the shell  12  include a transversely extending partition, which is shown here as a partition plate  22 , which is connected about its periphery along the same joint that cap  14  is attached to shell  12 . A stationary main bearing housing or body  24  is suitably secured to shell  12 , and a lower bearing housing  26  also having a plurality of radially-outwardly extending legs, each of which is also suitably secured to shell  12 . A motor stator  28  is disposed within shell  12 . Flats between the rounded corners on the motor stator  28  provide passageways between the stator  28  and shell  12 , which facilitate the flow of lubricant from the top of the shell  12  to the bottom. 
     A drive shaft or crankshaft  30  having an eccentric crank pin  32  at the upper end thereof is rotatably journaled in a bearing  34  in the main bearing housing  24  and a second bearing  36  in the lower bearing housing  26 . Crankshaft  30  has at the lower end a relatively large diameter concentric bore  38  which communicates with a radially-outwardly-inclined smaller diameter bore  40  extending upwardly therefrom to the top of the crankshaft. Disposed within bore  38  is a stirrer  42 . The lower portion of the interior shell  12  is filled with lubricating oil, and the bore  38  serves to pump lubricating fluid up the crankshaft  30  and into the bore  40 , and ultimately to all of the various portions of the compressor which require lubrication. The crankshaft  30  is rotatively driven by an electric motor including stator  28 , windings  44  passing therethrough, and a rotor  46  press-fitted on the crankshaft  30 . 
     An upper surface of main bearing housing  24  is provided with a flat thrust bearing surface  50  on which is disposed an orbiting scroll member  54  defining the usual spiral vane or involute portion  56 . Projecting downwardly from the lower surface of orbiting scroll member  54  is a cylindrical hub  58  having a journal bearing therein and in which is rotatively disposed a drive bushing  60  having an inner bore  62  in which crank pin  32  is drivingly disposed. The crank pin  32  has a flat on one surface which drivingly engages a flat surface (not shown) formed in a portion of bore  62  to provide a radially-compliant driving arrangement. An Oldham coupling  64  is positioned between and keyed to orbiting scroll member  54  and a non-orbiting scroll member  66  to prevent rotational movement of orbiting scroll member  54 . 
     The non-orbiting scroll member  66  is also provided having a non-orbiting involute portion  68  positioned in meshing engagement with orbiting involute portion  56  of orbiting scroll member  54 . The non-orbiting scroll member  66  has a centrally-disposed discharge passage  70  communicating with an upwardly-open recess  72  which is in fluid communication with a discharge muffler chamber  74  defined by the cap  14  and the partition plate  22  through an opening defined by the partition plate  22 . It should be noted that while the exemplary design only shows the partition plate  22 , which can serve as a muffler plate, a variety of conventional known designs can alternatively be attached to the shell  12  or partition, including an assembly of plates or components or an external shell/housing. 
     Thus, the orbiting involute portion  56  and non-orbiting involute portion  68  (of the two scroll members  54 ,  66 ) are arranged together with the scroll involute portions  56 ,  68  being rotationally displaced 180° from one another. The scroll compressor  10  operates by orbiting the involute portion  56  of orbiting scroll member  54  with respect to the other involute portion  68  of stationary non-orbiting scroll member  66 , thus making moving line contacts between the flanks of the respective involute portions  56 ,  68 , thus defining moving isolated crescent-shaped pockets of fluid. The moving fluid pockets carry the fluid to be handled from a first zone in the scroll machine where a fluid inlet is provided, to a second zone in the machine where a fluid outlet is provided. The volume of a sealed pocket changes as it moves from the first zone to the second zone. At any one instant in time there will be at least one pair of sealed pockets; and where there are several pairs of sealed pockets at one time, each pair will have different volumes. In the compressor  10 , the second zone is at a higher pressure than the first zone and is physically located centrally in the compressor  10 , the first zone being located at the outer periphery of the compressor  10 . 
     Two types of contacts define the fluid pockets formed between the scroll members  54 ,  66 : (1) axially extending tangential line contacts between the spiral faces or flanks of the involute portions  56 ,  68  caused by radial forces (“flank sealing”), and (2) area contacts caused by axial forces between the plane edge surfaces defined by terminal edges or tips  52  of each involute portion  56 ,  68  and the opposite end plate (“tip sealing”). For high efficiency, optimizing sealing for both types of contacts is important. 
     One of the difficult areas of design in a scroll-type machine concerns the technique used to achieve tip sealing under all operating conditions, and also at all speeds in a variable speed machine. Conventionally, this has been accomplished by (1) using extremely accurate and very expensive machining techniques, (2) providing the involute portion tips  52  with spiral tip seals, which are diifficult to assemble and often unreliable, or (3) applying an axially restoring force by axial biasing the orbiting scroll member  54  or the non-orbiting scroll member  66  towards the opposing scroll using compressed working fluid. 
     The utilization of an axial restoring force typically entails one of the two scroll members  54 ,  66  being mounted for axial movement with respect to the other scroll member. This can be accomplished by securing the non-orbiting scroll member  66  to a main bearing housing  24 . Second, a biasing load applied to the axially movable non-orbiting scroll member  66  urges the non-orbiting scroll member  66  into engagement with the orbiting scroll member  54 . This can be accomplished by forming a chamber  76  on the side of the non-orbiting scroll member  66  opposite to the orbiting scroll member  54 , placing a floating seal assembly  78  in the chamber  76  and then supplying a pressurized fluid to this chamber  76 . The source of the pressurized fluid can be the scroll compressor itself. Thus, an annular recess  80  can be formed in non-orbiting scroll member  66 , within which is disposed the floating seal assembly  78 . The recesses  72  and  80  and floating seal assembly  78  cooperate to define axial pressure biasing chambers which receive pressurized fluid being compressed by involute portions  56  and  68 , so as to exert an axial biasing force on non-orbiting scroll member  66  to thereby urge the tips  52  of respective involute portions  56 ,  68  into sealing engagement with the opposed end plate surfaces. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , a conventional floating seal assembly  78  is shown which has a coaxial sandwiched construction that comprises an annular base plate or lower seal plate  90  conventionally formed out of a metal, such as cast iron or aluminum. Such floating seal assemblies  78  generally function as a valve to enable or prevent flow of high-pressure refrigerant gas from a high-pressure discharge area to the low-pressure suction/inlet area in the compressor  10 . At normal operating conditions for the compressor  10 , the valve is closed and a face seal minimizes bypass of gas from a discharge side to an inlet/suction side. The valve will, however, open in response to a high discharge-to-suction pressure ratio in the compressor  10  to prevent system failure. 
     Thus, in the design shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the annular base plate  90  has a plurality of equally-spaced upstanding integral projections or posts  92 . Disposed on base plate  90  is an annular inner gasket or seal  94  and an annular outer gasket or seal  95 . On top of seals  94 ,  95  is disposed an annular upper seal plate  96  having a plurality of equally-spaced holes  97  receiving projections  92 . Upper annular seal plate  96 , which is conventionally formed of a metal, such as grey cast iron, has disposed about the periphery thereof an upwardly projecting planar seal lip that defines a sealing lip or face seal  98 . The floating seal assembly  78  is secured together by swaging the ends of each projection  92  as indicated at  100 . 
     The overall seal assembly  78  therefore provides three distinct seals, namely, an inside diameter seal at  102 , an outside diameter seal at  104  and a top or face seal at  106 . Seal  102  isolates fluid under intermediate pressure in the bottom of recess  80  from fluid under discharge pressure in recess  72 . Seal  104  isolates fluid under intermediate pressure in the bottom of recess  80  from fluid at suction pressure within shell  12 . Seal  106  isolates fluid at suction pressure within shell  12  from fluid at discharge pressure in recess  72  across the top of floating seal assembly  78 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a wear ring  108  attached to partition plate  22  (that in alternative embodiments which are not shown, could be attached to a separate partition plate attached to shell  12  or partition), which provides seal  106  between face seal  98  (of plate  96 ) and wear ring  108 . In lieu of wear ring  108 , the lower surface of partition plate  22  can be locally hardened by nitriding, carbo-nitriding or other hardening processes known in the art to form the partition plate  22  against which the face seal  98  can interface. 
     The diameter of seal  106  is chosen so that there is a positive upward sealing force on floating seal assembly  78  under normal operating conditions, at normal pressure ratios. Therefore, when excessive pressure ratios are encountered, the floating seal assembly  78  will be forced downwardly by discharge pressure, thereby permitting a leak of high side discharge pressure gas directly across the top of floating seal assembly  78  to a zone of low side suction gas. If this leakage is great enough, the resultant loss of flow of motor cooling suction gas (aggravated by the excessive temperature of the leaking discharge gas) will cause a motor protector (not shown) to trip, thereby de-energizing the motor. The width of seal  106  is chosen so that the unit pressure on the seal itself (e.g., between face seal  98  and wear ring  108 ) is greater than normally encountered discharge pressure, to promote consistent sealing. The discharge pressure of compressor  10  urges the inner lip seal portion of seal  94  into engagement with non-orbiting scroll member  66  to form the inside diameter seal at  102 . 
     Thus, conventional floating seals, like floating seal assembly  78 , can be an assembly of two metal plates and one or more polymer sealing rings. The lower seal plate  90  is often formed of as-cast aluminum (or other metals) including the vertical posts  92  that fit through holes or openings  100  in the upper seal plate  96 . Upper seal plate  96  is often formed of cast iron (or other metals). The upper seal plate  96  has the face seal  98  feature incorporated into its top surface that interacts with a partition plate  22  (e.g., muffler plate) to form seal  106  whenever the two components are in contact. The polymer seals  94 ,  95  are located by and held between the two seal plates  90 ,  96 . The assembly process for conventional seal assemblies involves stacking the pieces together and then plastically deforming the aluminum posts  92  such that the top ends locally spread out over the lower seal plate  90  to form a rigid and secure attachment. 
     When assembled, the one or more polymer seals  94 ,  95  are retained by the two seal plates  90 ,  96  in a first plane and the sealing interface with the non-orbiting scroll member  66  occurs along a surface of the non-orbiting scroll member  66  that is generally perpendicular to the plane of retention by the two plates  90 ,  96 . Thus, the one or more polymer seals  94 ,  95  bend through an approximately 90° angle to achieve their sealing. 
     In various aspects, the present teachings provide a polymeric composite insert component for improved sealing between a partition and a floating seal assembly in a compressor, such as a scroll compressor. The polymeric composite insert component is disposed between the partition and the floating seal assembly. The polymeric composite insert component may be formed of a composite that includes a polymer and a reinforcement or lubricating phase. The polymeric composite insert component may provide a fluid seal at a first interface between the partition and the polymeric composite insert component and at a second interface between the polymeric composite insert component and the floating seal assembly. The polymeric construction enables the insert component to conform to the partition and the floating seal assembly more effectively than the metal-to-metal joint of the compressor described in  FIGS. 1-3 , particularly during operation of the compressor. 
     Operation of the compressor, especially at high loads, may cause the partition to deform. Such deformation may act on the component(s) engaging the partition to create respective areas of high pressure and low pressure on the component. In the example described in  FIGS. 1-3 , the deformed partition  22  acts on the floating seal assembly  78  to create respective high and low pressure areas on a top surface of the partition  22 . The metal interface surfaces of the partition  22  and the floating seal assembly  78  may be too inflexible to provide a continuous interface and fluidic seal when the partition deforms. The resulting imperfect seal may create leak paths and lead to a lower overall compressor efficiency. 
     In various aspects, the polymeric composite insert component according to the teachings of the present disclosure may be relatively elastic. Thus, it can form a more compliant interface and an improved seal compared to a metal-to-metal interface. In certain embodiments, a first contact surface of the polymeric composite insert component that engages the partition may be provided with a waveform shape that compliments the deformation of the partition to create a relatively uniform contact pressure and further improve sealing at the first and the second interfaces. In certain other embodiments, the first contact surface of the polymeric composite insert component may be provided with a circumferential protrusion, such as a circumferential barrel, to increase pressure at the first and the second interfaces. 
     The polymer resin of the polymeric composite insert component may be further provided with a reinforcement or lubricating phase (e.g., reinforcing or lubricating filler particles or fibers) that forms a polymeric composite, which is particularly advantageous for use as a part of a seal component in a scroll member, such as the polymeric composite insert component. A “composite” can refer to a material which includes a polymer resin or matrix having a plurality of reinforcing or lubricating particles distributed throughout as a reinforcement phase. Composite polymer matrices provide additional strength and structural integrity, while providing superior wear resistance for use as a seal material. 
     In various aspects, suitable polymers include a thermoplastic resin, which provides a heat-resistant matrix for at least one or more distinct reinforcing or lubricating particles to form the composite that forms the insert component. Suitable thermoplastic polymers can be selected from the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family. In certain variations, the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) thermoplastic polymer can be selected from the group consisting of: polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetheretheretherketone (PEEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyetheretherketoneketone (PEEKK) polyetherketoneetheretherketone (PEKEEK), and polyetheretherketonetherketone (PEEKEK) and combinations thereof. In other variations, the thermoplastic matrix material may comprise polyamide imide (PAI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyimide (PI), polyphthalamide (PPA), or polyether imide (PEI) alone or as combined with any of the other suitable thermoplastic polymers discussed just above. In certain variations, the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of: a polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK) or other ultra-performing polymer including, but not limited to poly(phenylene sulphide) (PPS), poly(sulphone) (PS), polyamide imide (PAI), or polyimide (PI). In certain variations, a particularly desirable carrier material or thermoplastic polymer is an ultra-performance, high temperature thermoplastic resin, such as a member of the polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK) family like polyetheretherketone (PEEK). In various aspects, the polymer includes a thermoset resin. Suitable thermoset resins include epoxy, polyester, phenolic, and imides, such as polyamide imide (PAI) and polyimide (PI) (which may be formulated as thermoplastic or thermoset). 
     Reinforcing or lubricating particles for the composite material of the insert component may include inorganic materials, metals, or high performance polymeric materials (particles or fibers). The reinforcing particles or fillers can be any number of anti-friction/anti-wear compounds including, but not limited to inorganic fillers, organic fillers, and polymeric particles used as fillers. Thus a solid material in particulate form (e.g., a plurality of solid particles) that contributes to a low coefficient of friction or provides additional tribological or synergistic properties to the overall anti-wear material composition, while reinforcing the resin in the composite, is particularly desirable. In various aspects, the composite material of the insert component includes at least one reinforcing or lubricating particle. In certain variations, a suitable composite for the insert component comprises a first reinforcing or lubricating particle and a second reinforcing or lubricating particle distinct from the first reinforcing or lubricating particle. In yet other variations, the composite for the insert component may comprise three or more distinct reinforcing and/or lubricating particles. 
     In certain variations, the composite of the insert component comprises a plurality of reinforcing particles that are distinct from one another. In certain variations, the insert component comprises at least one reinforcing or lubricating particle selected from the group consisting of: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ), tungsten disulfide (WS 2 ), antimony trioxide, hexagonal boron nitride, carbon fiber, graphite, graphene, lanthanum fluoride, carbon nanotubes, polyimide particles (or powderized polyimide polymer), polybenzimidazole (PBI) particles, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, a first reinforcing particle and a second reinforcing particle distinct from the first reinforcing particle can be independently selected from the group consisting of: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particles (or powderized PTFE), molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) particles, tungsten disulfide (WS 2 ), antimony trioxide, hexagonal boron nitride particles, carbon fibers, graphite particles, graphene particles, lanthanum fluoride, carbon nanotubes, polyimide particles (or powderized polyimide polymer), polybenzimidazole (PBI) particles (e.g., fibers), and combinations thereof. In certain preferred variations, three distinct reinforcing or lubricating particles are independently selected from the group consisting of: poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), graphite, carbon fiber, antimony trioxide, carbon nanotubes, polyimide, and combinations thereof. In certain variations, a first reinforcing or lubricating particle comprises poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) particles, while a second reinforcing or lubricating particle comprises graphite, and a third reinforcing or lubricating particle comprises carbon fiber. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4C , one embodiment of a polymeric composite insert component  200  according to certain aspects of the present disclosure is shown. A polymeric composite insert component  200  includes an annular body  202  and an axial projection. The axial projection comprises a plurality of circumferentially-disposed tabs  204 . The circumferentially-disposed tabs  204  project from the annular body  202 . The annular body  202  has an annular inner surface  206  that defines a centrally-disposed opening  208 . A central axis  210  extends longitudinally through the centrally-disposed opening  208 . The annular body  202  includes a first side  212  and a second side  214  opposite the first side  212 . 
     The annular body  202  includes an annular outer surface  216 . The first side  212  of the annular body  202  includes a tab surface  218  and a first contact surface  220 . The first contact surface  220  is disposed in a radially outward position from the tab surface  218 . The first contact surface  220  may be substantially planar. The second side  214  includes a second contact surface  222 . The second contact surface  222  may be substantially planar. The second contact surface  222  may be disposed substantially parallel to the first contact surface  220  such that the first and the second contact surfaces  220 ,  222  are substantially perpendicular to the central axis  210 . The tab surface  218  has a first height  224  with respect to the second contact surface  222  in an axial direction parallel to the central axis  210 . The first contact surface  220  has a second height  226  with respect to the second contact surface  222  in the axial direction. Although the first height  224  is shown as less than the second height  226  in  FIG. 4A , in various other embodiments, the first and the second heights  224 ,  226  may be equal or the second height  226  may be greater than the first height  224 . The annular body  202  should have a minimum thickness to provide a sufficient seal. The minimum thickness may be dependent upon load, contact pressure, and stress. 
     The tabs  204  are circumferentially-disposed about the central axis  210 . Thus, each of the respective tabs  204  may be disposed at an equal distance from the central axis  210  and spaced at a pre-determined distance around the tab surface  218  of annular body  202 . The tabs  204  project from the tab surface  218  and extend along a tab axis  228  that is substantially parallel to the central axis  210 . Each tab  204  has a fixed end  230  and a free end  232 . The fixed end  230  joins the tab  204  to the annular body  202 . The free end  232  can be radially-inwardly flexed toward the central axis  210 . As will be discussed in greater detail in other embodiments, the tabs  204  may be flexed radially inwardly when the polymeric composite insert component  200  is assembled to a partition of a scroll compressor. 
     Each tab  204  may include an arm  234  and a lip  236 . The arm  234  extends between the fixed end  230  and the free end  232 . The lip  236  is disposed at the free end  232  and extends radially outwardly from the arm  234 . As best shown in  FIG. 4C , the arm  234  has an arc-shaped cross section in a transverse plane perpendicular to the tab axis  228 . Thus, a radially-inward arm surface  238  and a radially-outward arm surface  240  are each curved. The radially-inward arm surface  238  may be continuous with the annular inner surface  206 . 
     The lip  236  may include a third contact surface  242  that extends radially outwardly from the radially-outward arm surface  240 . The third contact surface  242  may be substantially perpendicular to the radially-outward arm surface  240 . A sloped surface  244  extends from the third contact surface  242 , radially inwardly toward the free end  232  of the arm  234 . An upper lip surface  246  extends between the sloped surface  244  and the radially-inward arm surface  238 . 
     The polymeric composite insert component  200  as shown includes three tabs  204 . However, in other variations, the quantity of tabs  204  may be less than three or greater than three. For example, the quantity of tabs  204  may be two, four, or five (not shown). In certain embodiments, the tabs  204  may occupy greater than or equal to about 20% and less than or equal to about 85% of a total circumference of the centrally-disposed opening  208 , optionally greater than or equal to about 20% and less than or equal to about 80%, optionally greater than or equal to about 20% and less than or equal to about 75%, optionally greater than or equal to about 20% and less than or equal to about 70%, optionally greater than or equal to about 20% and less than or equal to about 65%, optionally greater than or equal to about 20% and less than or equal to about 60%, optionally greater than or equal to about 20% and less than or equal to about 55%, optionally greater than or equal to about 20% and less than or equal to about 50%, optionally greater than or equal to about 25% and less than or equal to about 45%, optionally greater than or equal to about 30% and less than or equal to about 40%, optionally greater than or equal to about 32% and less than or equal to about 38%, optionally greater than or equal to about 34% and less than or equal to about 36%, and optionally about 35%. Each of the tabs  204  may be equally spaced about the central axis  210 . Thus, the tab axes  228  may be disposed about 120° from one another. However, in other embodiments, the tabs  204  may be unevenly spaced about the central axis  210  (not shown). 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5A-7 , a portion of a scroll compressor  260  is shown. The scroll compressor  260  includes a partition plate  262  and a floating seal assembly  264  that may be similar to the partition plate  22  and floating seal assembly  78  of the compressor  10  of  FIG. 1 . The scroll compressor  260  further includes a polymeric composite insert component  266  that is coupled to the partition plate  262  and engages the floating seal assembly  264 . Although the polymeric composite insert component  266  is shown as being disposed between the partition plate  262  and the floating seal assembly  264 , in other embodiments, the polymeric composite insert component  266  may be disposed between the partition plate  262  and a non-orbiting scroll (see e.g., non-orbiting scroll  66  of  FIG. 1 ). Various components of the floating seal assembly  264  are the same as those shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . For brevity, floating seal assembly components previously discussed in the context of  FIGS. 1-3  will not be reintroduced in subsequent discussion of the figures, unless pertinent to the features discussed herein. 
     The polymeric composite insert component  266  includes an annular body  268  and circumferentially-disposed tabs  270  similar to the annular body  202  and circumferentially-disposed tabs  204  of  FIGS. 4A-4C . The annular body  268  includes a first annular inner surface  272 , a first centrally-disposed opening  274  ( FIG. 5B ), and a central axis  276  similar to the annular inner surface  206 , centrally-disposed opening  208 , and central axis  210  of  FIGS. 4A-4C . The annular body  268  further includes a first side  278  disposed toward the partition plate  262  and a second side  280  disposed toward the floating seal assembly  264 . A first contact surface  282  of the first side  278  is defined by a circumferential barrel  284  and engages the partition plate  262 . A second contact surface  286  is substantially planar and engages the face seal  98  of the floating seal assembly  264 . 
     Each of the circumferentially-disposed tabs  270  includes a tab axis  288 , a fixed end  290 , a free end  292 , an arm  294 , and a lip  296  similar to the tab axis  228 , fixed end  230 , free end  232 , arm  234 , and lip  236  of the polymeric composite insert component  200  of  FIGS. 4A-4C . Each arm  294  includes a radially-outward arm surface  298  similar to the radially-outward arm surface  240  of the polymeric composite insert component  200  of  FIGS. 4A-4C . Each lip  296  includes a third contact surface  300  and an upper lip surface  302  similar to the third contact surface  242  and upper lip surface  246  of the polymeric composite insert component of  FIGS. 4A-4C . 
     The partition plate  262  includes a second annular inner surface  304  defining a second centrally-disposed opening  306  ( FIG. 5B ). The first and second centrally-disposed openings  274 ,  306  are coaxial such that they are both aligned with the central axis  276 . The partition plate  262  further includes a top surface  308  and a bottom surface  310  opposite the top surface  308 . The top surface  308  is oriented toward a discharge muffler chamber (see, e.g., discharge muffler chamber  74  of  FIG. 1 ) and the bottom surface  310  is oriented toward the polymeric composite insert component  266 . 
     The first contact surface  282  of the annular body  268  of the polymeric composite insert component  266  at least partially engages the bottom surface  310  of the partition plate  262 . The circumferentially-disposed tabs  270  project through the second centrally-disposed opening  306  of the partition plate  262 . The radially-outward arm surface  298  at least partially engages the second annular inner surface  304  of the partition plate  262 . The lips  296  of the circumferentially-disposed tabs  270  extend radially outwardly to engage an inner diameter  312  of the top surface  308  of the partition plate  262 . More specifically, the third contact surfaces  300  of the lips  296  engage the top surface  308  of the partition plate  262  to retain the polymeric composite insert component  266  on the partition plate  262 . While the polymeric composite insert component  266  is shown as being fixed to the partition plate  262 , a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that it could alternatively be fixed to the floating seal assembly  264 . In such an embodiment, the circumferentially-disposed tabs  270  of the polymeric composite insert component  266  would project through a third centrally-disposed opening  313  ( FIG. 5B ) of the floating seal assembly  264  to couple the polymeric composite insert component  266  to the floating seal assembly  264  in a similar manner as described above with respect to the partition plate  262 . 
     In various aspects, the present teachings provide a method of attaching the polymeric composite insert component  266  to the partition plate  262 . The polymeric composite insert component  266  is brought to a bottom side  314  of the partition plate  262  so that the first side  278  of the polymeric composite insert component  266  is orientated toward the bottom surface  310  of the partition plate  262 . The central axis  276  of the polymeric composite insert component  266  is aligned with the second centrally-disposed opening  306  of the partition plate  262 . The polymeric composite insert component  266  is translated toward the partition plate  262  in an upward direction  316  substantially parallel to the central axis  276 . The upper lip surfaces  302  of the tabs  270  engage the partition plate  262  to deflect the tabs  270  radially inwardly toward one another and toward the central axis  270 . The lips  296  slide along the second annular inner surface  304  of the partition plate  262  until they clear the second centrally-disposed opening  306  of the partition plate  262 . The lips  296  then snap radially outwardly so that the radially-outward arm surface  298  engages the second annular inner surface  304  and the third contact surface  300  engages the top surface  308  of the partition plate  262 . 
     Although the first contact surface  282  and the third contact surface  300  are both shown as being in contact with the partition plate  262 , in other embodiments, the simultaneous contact of both the first contact surface  282  and the third contact surface  300  with the partition plate  262  is unnecessary. In one example, the circumferentially-spaced tabs  204  of polymeric composite insert component  266  may omit the lip  236  altogether. This configuration is possible because of a relatively small clearance between the floating seal assembly  264  and the partition plate  262 . In this configuration, the arms  294  may be long enough to cover the relatively small clearance. 
     When the compressor  260  is in operation, the partition plate  262  may become deformed, particularly under high loads. Some deformation of the partition plate  262  may also occur when the compressor is not in operation (e.g., due to the cold rolling manufacturing process used to form the partition plate, press fit of the partition plate  262  to the shell  12  or the cap  14 , or welding the partition plate  262  to the shell  12 ). Deflection of the partition plate  262  may cause a non-uniform pressure distribution at a first interface  318  defined between the bottom surface  310  of the partition plate  262  and the first contact surface  282  of the polymeric composite insert component  266 . The non-uniform pressure distribution at the first interface  318  leads to a corresponding non-uniform pressure distribution at a second interface  320  defined between the second contact surface  286  of the polymeric composite insert component  266  and the face seal  98  of the floating seal assembly  264 . The non-uniform pressure distributions at the first interface  318  and the second interface  320  can result in non-contact areas at the interfaces  318 ,  320 , thereby creating leak paths and reducing overall compressor efficiency. 
     In one example, the partition plate  262  may include one or more lower stiffness regions  322 . The lower stiffness region  322  may be a relatively flat lobe for mounting a pressure relief valve and a temperature relief valve (not shown), by way of non-limiting example. The lower stiffness region  322  deflects in a downward direction  324  parallel to the central axis  276  and opposite the upward direction  316 . Downward deflection of the partition plate  262  creates relatively a high pressure region at the first interface  318  at the circumferential position of the lower stiffness region  322 . Another higher pressure region may be present at a circumferential position opposite the lower stiffness region  322  (i.e., about 180° from the lower stiffness region  322  with respect to the central axis  276 ). The deflection of the partition plate  262  may also create corresponding lower pressure regions that are disposed between the higher pressure regions (e.g., about 90° from each the higher pressure regions, when there are two higher pressure regions). The higher pressure regions and lower pressure regions may be present at both the first interface  318  and the second interface  320 . 
     In the present example, the deflection of the partition plate  262  may create a relatively high pressure region at a first circumferential location  326  on the polymeric composite insert component  266 . The first circumferential location  326  may be axially aligned with the lower stiffness region  322  of the partition plate  262 . Another higher pressure region is present at a second circumferential location  328  opposite the first circumferential location  326 . Thus, the second circumferential location  328  is disposed about 180° from the first circumferential location  326  with respect to the central axis  276 . A third circumferential location  330  may be circumferentially disposed between the first location  326  and the second location  328  and a fourth circumferential location  332  may be circumferentially disposed between the first location  326  and the second location  328 . The third circumferential location  330  may be disposed equidistant or about 90° between the first circumferential location  326  the second circumferential location  328 . The fourth circumferential location  332  may be disposed equidistant or about 90° between the first circumferential location  326  and the second circumferential location  328 . Thus, the fourth circumferential location  332  may be disposed opposite the third circumferential location  330  or about 180° from the third circumferential location  330 . A person skilled in the art would understand that the principles of this disclosure apply equally regardless of the circumferential location of the deflection or the quantity of high and low pressure regions. Thus, the polymeric composite insert component  266  may be capable of providing a fluid seal between the partition plate  262  and the floating seal assembly  264  independent of the design and resulting deflection of the partition plate  262 . 
     Inward deflection of the partition plate  262  at the second annular inner surface  306  may also cause decreased contact between the top surface  308  of the partition plate  262  and the third contact surface  300  of the lips  296 . With reference to  FIG. 7 , the tab  270  is shown engaging the partition plate  262 . A plane  334  is disposed perpendicular to the central axis  276 . A tab angle  336  is defined between the plane  334  and the radially-outward arm surface  298 . The tab angle  336  may be about 90°. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , in other embodiments, another tab angle  340  may be defined between a plane  342  and a radially-outward arm surface  344 , similar to the plane  334  and radially-outward arm surface  298  of  FIG. 7 . The tab angle  340  may be less than about 90°, optionally greater than or equal to about 75° and less than about 90°, optionally greater than or equal to about 80° and less than about 90°, optionally greater than or equal to about 81° and less than about 90°, optionally greater than or equal to about 82° and less than about 90°, optionally greater than or equal to about 83° and less than about 90°, optionally greater than or equal to about 84° and less than about 90°, optionally greater than or equal to about 85° and less than about 90°, optionally greater than or equal to about 86° and less than about 90°, optionally greater than or equal to about 87° and less than about 90°, and optionally greater than or equal to about 88° and less than about 90°. Thus, the tab angle  340  may provide an undercut that creates a gap  345 . The gap  345  may accommodate radially-inward deflection of a partition plate  346 . Thus, a third contact surface  347  of a tab  348  of a polymeric composite insert component  350  may remain in contact with a top surface  352  of the partition plate  346  during radially-inward deflection of the partition plate  346 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9A-9B , another polymeric composite insert component  360  is shown. The polymeric composite insert component  360  includes an annular body  362  and an axial projection comprising a plurality of circumferentially-disposed tabs  364  extending therefrom. The annular body  362  has an annular inner surface  366  defining a centrally-disposed opening  368 . A central axis  370  extends through the centrally-disposed opening  368 . The annular body  362  has a first side  372  and a second side  374  opposite the first side  372 . The first side  372  includes a first contact surface  376  and the second side  374  includes a second contact surface  378 . 
     The circumferentially-disposed tabs  364  may be similar to the circumferentially-disposed tabs  270  of  FIGS. 5A-7 . The annular body  362  includes a plurality of circumferentially-disposed openings  380 . The circumferentially-disposed openings  380  are disposed adjacent to and in a radially outward position from the respective plurality of circumferentially-disposed tabs  364 . The openings  380  may decrease a stiffness of the tabs  364  at a fixed end  382  to enable the tabs  364  to more readily flex radially inwardly when the polymeric composite insert component  360  is assembled to a partition or a floating seal assembly. 
     The first contact surface  376  defines a circumferential waveform shape defining at least two valleys  384  and at least two peaks  386 . The valleys  384  may be defined at a first circumferential location  388  and a second circumferential location  390 . The peaks  386  may be defined at a third circumferential location  392  and a fourth circumferential location  394 . The valleys  384  and peaks  386  may be defined in an axial direction parallel to the central axis  370  to complement axial deflection of a partition plate. For example, the partition plate may deflect axially downwardly at the first circumferential location  388  and the second circumferential location  390  and axially upwardly at the third circumferential location  392  and the fourth circumferential location  394 . Thus, a magnitude of pressure difference between higher pressure areas and lower pressure areas may be minimized. In some embodiments, pressure at the first contact surface  376  may be relatively uniform under normal operating conditions. 
     The second contact surface  378  may be relatively planar. The second contact surface  378  may be substantially perpendicular to the central axis  370 . The first circumferential location  388  and the second circumferential location  390  may have a first thickness  396  with respect to the second contact surface  378 . The third circumferential location  392  and the fourth circumferential location  394  may have a second thickness  398 . The second thickness  398  may be greater than the first thickness  396 . In some embodiments, a difference between the second thickness  398  and the first thickness  396  may be greater than about 0 mm and less than or equal to about 0.2 mm, optionally greater than or equal to about 0.01 mm and less than or equal to about 0.19 mm, optionally greater than or equal to about 0.02 mm and less than or to about 0.18 mm, optionally greater than or equal to about 0.03 mm and less than or to about 0.17 mm, optionally greater than or equal to about 0.04 mm and less than or to about 0.16 mm, optionally greater than or equal to about 0.05 mm and less than or to about 0.15 mm, optionally greater than or equal to about 0.06 mm and less than or to about 0.14 mm, optionally greater than or equal to about 0.07 mm and less than or to about 0.13 mm, optionally greater than or equal to about 0.08 mm and less than or to about 0.12 mm, optionally greater than or equal to about 0.09 mm and less than or to about 0.11 mm, and optionally about 0.1 mm. 
     The first circumferential location  388  may be disposed opposite the second circumferential location  390 . Thus, the first circumferential  388  location may be disposed 180° from the second circumferential location  390 . The third circumferential location  392  and the fourth circumferential location  394  may be disposed circumferentially between the first circumferential location  388  and the second circumferential location  390 . The third circumferential  392  location may be disposed between the first circumferential location  388  and the second circumferential location  390 , about 90° from each of the first circumferential location  388  and the second circumferential location  390 . The fourth circumferential  394  location may be disposed between the first circumferential location  388  and the second circumferential location  390 , about 90° from each of the first circumferential location  388  and the second circumferential location  390 . The third circumferential location  392  is disposed opposite the fourth circumferential location  394 . Thus, the third circumferential  394  location is disposed 180° from the fourth circumferential location  394 . 
     The polymeric composite insert component  360  may further include an anti-rotation feature (not shown). The anti-rotation feature may prevent the polymeric composite insert component from rotating about the central axis  370  with respect to the partition plate. By way of non-limiting example, the anti-rotation feature may include a hole, notch, slot, or other receptacle that engages a protrusion in the partition plate. Alternatively, the protrusion may be present on the polymeric composite insert component  360  and the receptacle may be present on the partition plate. 
     In other embodiments, the first side  422  may include different geometry to complement and conform to expected deflection of the partition plate. In one example, the first side  422  may have other quantities of alternating peaks and valleys, such as three peaks and three valleys, four peaks and four valleys, or ten peaks and ten valleys. In another example, the first side  422  may a sloped surface having a single high point (i.e., a single peak). In yet another example, the first side  422  may have a single discrete hump or protrusion that does not extend circumferentially around the entire first side  422 . 
     In still other embodiments, the second side  424  may be non-planar. For example, the second side  424  may have geometry to complement and conform to expected deflection of the floating seal assembly. In one example, the second side  424  may include a circumferential waveform shape having alternating peaks and valleys, similar to the peaks  386  and valleys  384  of the first side  422  shown in  FIGS. 9A-9B . In another example, the second side  424  may have a discrete high point or low point. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A-10B , yet another polymeric composite insert component  410  is shown. The polymeric composite insert component  410  includes an annular body  412  and a plurality of circumferentially-disposed tabs  414  extending therefrom. The annular body  412  has an annular inner surface  416  defining a centrally-disposed opening  418 . A central axis  420  extends through the centrally-disposed opening  418 . The annular body  412  has a first side  422  and a second side  424  opposite the first side  422 . The first side  422  includes a first contact surface  426  and the second side  424  includes a second contact surface  428 . The circumferentially-disposed tabs  414  may be similar to the circumferentially-disposed tabs  270  of  FIGS. 5A-7 . The annular body  412  includes a plurality of circumferentially-disposed openings  430  similar to the circumferentially-disposed openings  380  of  FIGS. 9A-9B . 
     The first contact surface  426  may define a circumferential protrusion  432 . The circumferential protrusion  432  may be disposed in a radially outward position from the circumferentially-disposed tabs  414 . The circumferential protrusion  432  may be hump or barrel-shaped. The circumferential protrusion  432  may increase average pressure between the polymeric composite insert component  410  and a partition plate by decreasing average contact area. The increased pressure reduces leak paths to provide a better fluid seal. 
     In some embodiments, the first contact surface  426  may include more than one circumferential protrusions  432 . For example, the first contact surface  426  may include a first circumferential protrusion and a second circumferential protrusion disposed in a radially outward position from the first circumferential protrusion. Thus, a circumferential void space may be disposed between the first circumferential protrusion and the second circumferential protrusion. The inclusion of multiple circumferential protrusions may further improve the fluid seal. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 11A-11C , yet another polymeric composite insert component  440  is shown. The polymeric composite insert component  440  includes an annular body  442  and an axial projection including a plurality of circumferentially-disposed tabs  444 . The annular body  442  may be similar to the annular body  268  of  FIGS. 5A-7 . Thus, the annular body  442  may include an annular inner surface  446  defining a centrally-disposed opening  448 . 
     Each of the circumferentially-disposed tabs  444  includes a fixed end  450  and a free end  452 . The circumferentially-disposed tab  444  includes a circumferential connector  454  disposed at the fixed end  450 , an arm  456  extending between the fixed end  450  and the free end  452 , and a circumferentially extending lip  458  disposed at the free end  452 . The tab  444  is connected to the annular inner surface  446  of the annular body  442  by the circumferential connector  454 . 
     The free ends  452  of the tabs  444  can flex radially inwardly when the polymeric composite insert component  440  is assembled to a partition plate or a floating seal assembly. The tabs  444  have a rectangular cross section at a transverse plane perpendicular to a central axis  460  of the annular body  442 . The tabs  444  having a rectangular cross section have a lower stiffness than the tabs  204  of  FIGS. 4A-4C , which have arc-shaped cross sections. Thus, the tabs  444  having a rectangular cross section exhibit less resistance to flexing radially inwardly during assembly to the partition plate or the floating seal assembly. Furthermore, a flex axis for the tabs  444  fixed to the annular inner surface  446  is lower compared to the tabs  204  fixed to the tab surface  218  of  FIGS. 4A-4C . Thus, the tabs  444  have a longer lever arm than the tabs  204  and can therefore be radially-inwardly flexed with less effort. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.