Patent Description:
Scroll devices have been used as compressors, expanders, pumps, and vacuum pumps for many years. In general, they have been limited to a single stage of compression (or expansion) due to the complexity of two or more stages. In a single stage scroll vacuum pump, a spiral involute or scroll orbits within a fixed spiral or scroll upon a stationery plate. A motor turns a shaft that causes the orbiting scroll to orbit eccentrically within the fixed scroll. The eccentric orbit forces a gas through and out of pockets created between the orbiting scroll and the fixed scroll, thus creating a vacuum in a container in fluid communication with the scroll device. An expander operates with the same principle, but with expanding gas causing the orbiting scroll to orbit in reverse and, in some embodiments, to drive a generator. When referring to compressors, it is understood that a vacuum pump can be substituted for a compressor and that an expander can be an alternate usage when the scrolls operate in reverse from an expanding gas.

Scroll type compressors and vacuum pumps generate heat as part of the compression or pumping process. The higher the pressure ratio, the higher the temperature of the compressed fluid. In order to keep the compressor hardware to a reasonable temperature, the compressor must be cooled or damage to the hardware may occur. In some cases, cooling is accomplished by blowing cool ambient air over the compressor components. On the other hand, scroll type expanders experience a drop in temperature due to the expansion of the working fluid, which reduces overall power output. As a result, scroll type expanders may be insulated to limit the temperature drop and corresponding decrease in power output. <CIT> discloses a scroll compressor which has a fixed scroll of a generally spiral shape and an orbiting scroll also of a generally spiral shape. The compressor has an orbiting cooling plate joined to the orbiting scroll and a fixed cooling plate joined to the fixed scroll. The cooling plates have grooves upon their surfaces that form passages when joined against the scrolls. Further, the compressor comprises a pair of bellows for conducting liquid coolant into and out of the cooling plates for cooling the compressor during operation.

Existing scroll devices suffer from various drawbacks. In some cases, such as in tight installations or where there is too much heat to be dissipated, air cooling of a scroll device may not be effective. In semi-hermetic or hermetic applications, air cooling of a scroll device may not be an option. The use of a liquid to cool a scroll device may be beneficial because liquid has a much higher heat transfer coefficient than air. In the case of scroll expanders, the use of a liquid to heat the scroll expander may be beneficial for the same reason.

Oil-free scroll devices are not typically used for high pressure applications due to temperature limitations. Heat generated from the compression process is transferred to the bearings which are negatively impacted by high temperatures.

Current liquid-cooled scroll devices only cool the fixed scroll due to the challenges of transferring coolant to the orbiting scroll.

Scroll devices use a crankshaft bearing that is located on the back side of the orbiting scroll. This is the hottest area of a scroll compressor and the heat often leads to bearing failure in high pressure applications.

Scroll devices require oil when a small scroll mesh gap is used to prevent scroll contact and gauging. When a larger scroll mesh gap is used, compressor performance is decreased due to gas leakage.

The disclosure also concerns a scroll device that utilizes liquid cooling of both the fixed and orbiting scroll, allowing the scroll device to operate at higher pressures while reducing the risks of premature scroll failure due to high temperature and of.

Embodiments of the present invention include a scroll device according to independent claim <NUM>.

The term "scroll device" as used herein refers to scroll compressors, scroll vacuum pumps, and similar mechanical devices. The term "scroll device" as used herein also encompasses scroll expanders, with the understanding that scroll expanders absorb heat rather than generating heat, such that the various aspects and elements described herein for cooling scroll devices other than scroll expanders may be used for heating scroll expanders (e.g., using warm liquid).

The preceding is a simplified summary of the invention to provide an understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the invention and its various aspects, embodiments, and configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the invention nor to delineate the scope of the invention but to present selected concepts of the invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below.

The drawings are not to be construed as limiting the claimed invention to only the illustrated and described embodiments.

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the figures. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter as well as additional items. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the use or listing of one or more examples (which may be denoted by "for example," "by way of example," "e.g.," "such as," or similar language) is not intended to and does not limit the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, a scroll device <NUM> according to embodiments of the present invention benefits from liquid cooling though use of flexible conduits. In <FIG>, the scroll device <NUM> is shown to comprise a housing <NUM> that is connected to a motor <NUM>. The motor <NUM> may be an electric motor, or an internal combustion engine. In embodiments where the motor <NUM> is an electric motor, the motor <NUM> may be configured to operate on direct current or alternating current. The motor <NUM> may be a brushed or a brushless motor.

An air filter <NUM> is operably attached to the housing <NUM> for filtering air drawn into the housing <NUM>.

The scroll device <NUM> comprises a fixed scroll <NUM>. The fixed scroll <NUM> may be machined or otherwise manufactured from aluminum, steel, or another metal or metal alloy. The fixed scroll <NUM> comprises a protrusion <NUM> in which a coolant inlet <NUM> is provided and through which a cross channel <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) extends. A cross hole <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) extends through a protrusion <NUM> of the fixed scroll <NUM>. A fixed scroll jacket <NUM> (which may be any coolant retention device suitable for forming a cooling chamber adjacent the fixed scroll <NUM>) is secured to the fixed scroll <NUM> with a plurality of bolts or other fasteners. A coolant outlet <NUM> is provided in the fixed scroll jacket <NUM>. An O-ring or other gasket or seal may be provided between the fixed scroll jacket <NUM> and the fixed scroll <NUM>. The fixed scroll <NUM> comprises an involute positioned on a side opposite the fixed scroll jacket and extending into the housing <NUM>.

The fixed scroll <NUM> has three idler shaft assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> mounted thereto and spaced approximately <NUM>° apart. Each idler shaft assembly comprises an eccentric idler shaft and at least one bearing (not shown). Although the scroll device <NUM> is shown as having three idler shaft assemblies, the present invention is not limited to scroll devices having exactly three idler shaft assemblies. A scroll device according to some embodiments of the present invention may have more or fewer than three idler shaft assemblies. Moreover, the present invention is not limited to the use of idler shaft assemblies to link the fixed scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM>. An Oldham ring and/or any other mechanical coupling configured to ensure proper orbital motion of the orbiting scroll <NUM> relative to the fixed scroll <NUM> may be used instead of the idler shafts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

During operation of the scroll device <NUM>, fresh coolant enters the scroll device <NUM> via the coolant inlet <NUM>, and heated coolant is discharged through the coolant outlet <NUM>. As used herein, coolant may be, for example, water, antifreeze, polyalkylene glycol, other glycol solutions, refrigerant, oil, or any other heat-transfer fluid. A port <NUM> serves as a working fluid discharge port for scroll compressors and vacuum pumps, or as a working fluid intake port for scroll expanders.

<FIG> depicts a perspective view of the scroll device <NUM> with a portion of the housing <NUM> removed for clarity. An orbiting scroll <NUM> is mounted to the idler shaft assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The eccentric idler shafts of the idler shaft assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> enable the orbiting scroll <NUM> to orbit relative to the fixed scroll <NUM>. The orbiting scroll <NUM> may be machined or otherwise manufactured from aluminum, steel, or another metal or metal alloy. An orbiting scroll jacket <NUM> (which may be any coolant retention device suitable for forming a cooling chamber adjacent the orbiting scroll <NUM>) is secured to the orbiting scroll <NUM>. An O-ring or other gasket or seal may be provided between the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM>. The orbiting scroll <NUM> comprises an involute positioned on a side opposite the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM> and extending toward the fixed scroll <NUM>. The involute of the orbiting scroll <NUM> is positioned relative to the involute of the fixed scroll <NUM> so that an orbiting motion of the orbiting scroll <NUM> relative to the fixed scroll <NUM> creates pockets of continuously varying size for compressing or expanding a working fluid therein.

The orbiting scroll jacket <NUM> may comprise a crankshaft bearing, to which an eccentric crankshaft driven by the motor <NUM> is operably connected. In this configuration, the motor <NUM> is in force-transmitting communication with the orbiting scroll <NUM> via the crankshaft and the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM>.

The orbiting scroll <NUM> also comprises a protrusion <NUM> in which a cross hole for channeling coolant is provided, and a protrusion <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) in which a cross hole <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) is provided.

Also shown in <FIG> are other components for transporting fluid through the scroll device <NUM>. A cross channel <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) extends through a protrusion <NUM> as well as the protrusion <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), thus providing a path for coolant to flow from the inlet <NUM> into the housing <NUM>. A barbed hose fitting <NUM> is fixedly or removably secured to the block <NUM> in fluid communication with the cross channel <NUM>. Another barbed hose fitting <NUM> is fixedly or removably secured to a block <NUM> on the orbiting scroll <NUM>. A first end of a flexible conduit <NUM> (which may be, for example, a flexible tube, a flexible hose, or a flexible bellows) is fixedly or removably secured to the barbed hose fitting <NUM> on a first side of the scroll device <NUM>, and a second end of the flexible conduit <NUM> is fixedly or removably secured to a barbed hose fitting <NUM> on a second side of the scroll device <NUM>. The flexible conduit <NUM> channels fluid received via the inlet <NUM> to the orbiting scroll <NUM>, and more specifically to a cooling chamber formed between the orbiting scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM>. A first end of another flexible conduit <NUM> is fixedly or removably secured to the barbed hose fitting <NUM> on the first side of the scroll device <NUM>, and a second end of the flexible conduit <NUM> is fixedly or removably secured to a barbed hose fitting <NUM> on the second side of the scroll device <NUM>. The flexible conduit <NUM> channels fluid from the orbiting scroll <NUM> to the fixed scroll <NUM>. Pinch hose clamps or similar clamps may be used to secure the ends of the flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> to the barbed hose fittings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, respectively.

The flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> may be positioned perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular, or at least at an obtuse angle) to the orbital axis <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of the orbiting scroll <NUM>. The orbital axis <NUM> extends longitudinally relative to the scroll device <NUM> (e.g. from one end to another end of the scroll device <NUM>). The flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> curve around the orbital axis <NUM>. The flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> cross from one side of the orbital axis <NUM> to an opposite side thereof. The flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> are subject to bending motion when the scroll device <NUM> is running (e.g., because the flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> are connected at one end to a stationary portion of the scroll device <NUM>, and at another end to an orbiting portion of the scroll device <NUM>). In contrast, if liquid coolant tubes were positioned substantially parallel to the orbital axis <NUM> (and still connected at one end to a stationary portion of a scroll device and at another end to an orbiting portion of the scroll device), then the tubes would be subject to torsional loading during operation of the scroll device. Additionally, the flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> are provided with an extended length to reduce force concentrations therein. For example, in some embodiments the flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> may be about <NUM>% longer than the minimum length needed to reach between the barbed hose fittings to which the flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> are attached. In other embodiments, the flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> may be about <NUM>% longer than the minimum length required, and in still other embodiments the flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> may be between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% longer than the minimum length required. The configuration of the flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM>, angled to the orbital axis <NUM> and with an extended length, beneficially increases the useful life of the flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> by reducing or eliminating torsional loading as well as concentrated bending stresses.

In some embodiments, the flexible conduits <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be provided with a spiral, spring-like, or coiled shape. The use of such a shape increases the overall length of the flexible conduit, thus beneficially reducing force concentrations.

The flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> can withstand high cycle fatigue and continual bending stress. The flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> may be tubes or hoses, and may be made of or comprise, for example, rubber, plastic, fabric, metal, or any combination thereof. The flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> may be made of one or more composite or fiber-reinforced materials. The flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> may be subject to one or more treatments during manufacture thereof to improve the properties thereof. For example, in embodiments of the present invention using flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> made or comprised of rubber, the rubber contained in the flexible conduits <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be vulcanized rubber. In some embodiments, a scroll device as described herein may utilize a conduit that comprises multiple rigid sections pivotably or rotatably connected to each other, rather than a flexible conduit.

In some embodiments of the present invention, one or both of the flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> may be flexible bellows. The flexible bellows may be made of metal, plastic, or any other material, which material may be selected, for example, based on the temperature of the coolant to be channeled through the flexible bellows, the pressure of the coolant to be channeled through the flexible bellows, and/or the chemical composition of the coolant to be channeled through the flexible bellows.

The fixed scroll jacket <NUM> and the fixed scroll <NUM> form a first cooling chamber through which coolant may be channeled to cool the fixed scroll <NUM>, while the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM> form a second cooling chamber through which coolant may be channeled to cool the orbiting scroll <NUM>. The first cooling chamber is positioned opposite the involute of the fixed scroll <NUM>, and the second cooling chamber is positioned opposite the involute of the orbiting scroll <NUM>. In the scroll device <NUM>, the fixed scroll jacket <NUM> defines a wall of the first cooling chamber of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM> defines a wall of the second cooling chamber of the orbiting scroll <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the fixed scroll jacket and/or the orbiting scroll jacket may define more or less of the boundaries of the first and second cooling chambers, respectively, than the fixed scroll jacket <NUM> and/or the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM>. The fixed scroll jacket <NUM> and the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM> are not limited to the shape or form shown in the figures of this application, but may be any coolant retention device in any suitable shape or form. Additionally, in some embodiments either or both of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM> may comprise a cooling chamber therein that does not require the use of a fixed scroll jacket <NUM> and an orbiting scroll jacket <NUM>, respectively.

The cooling chamber formed between the fixed scroll <NUM> and the fixed scroll jacket <NUM>, and the cooling chamber formed between the orbiting scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM>, may have a cylindrical volume in some embodiments and a non-cylindrical volume in others. In some embodiments, one or both of the cooling chambers may comprise a passageway that channels coolant from an inlet thereof to an outlet thereof. Also in some embodiments, the cooling chambers may be defined entirely by the fixed scroll <NUM> and/or by the orbiting scroll <NUM>, without the use of a fixed scroll jacket or an orbiting scroll jacket, respectively, or of any other coolant retention device.

An O-ring or other gasket or seal may be provided between the fixed and orbiting scrolls <NUM> and <NUM> and the fixed and orbiting scroll jackets <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, to reduce leakage of coolant from the cooling chamber.

The flexible conduit <NUM> enables transfer of liquid coolant received via the inlet <NUM> to the the orbiting scroll <NUM>, and more specifically to the cooling chamber formed between the orbiting scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM>. The flexible conduit <NUM> enables transfer of liquid coolant from the orbiting scroll <NUM> to the fixed scroll <NUM>, and more specifically to the cooling chamber formed between the fixed scroll <NUM> and the fixed scroll jacket <NUM>.

In <FIG> and throughout the drawings, arrows (other than on lead lines) represent the flow of liquid coolant relative to the scroll device <NUM> and/or the various components of the scroll device <NUM>.

<FIG> provides a close-up view of the inlet <NUM> and surrounding areas of the scroll device <NUM>, with portions of the scroll device <NUM> shown in phantom to enable visualization of aspects thereof. As shown in <FIG>, a cross channel <NUM> extends through the protrusions <NUM> and <NUM>, thus providing a channel for liquid coolant received via the inlet <NUM> to pass through the housing <NUM> and into the flexible conduit <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) via the barbed hose fitting <NUM> (also shown in <FIG>). Heat generated by operation of the scroll device <NUM> transfers to the coolant as the coolant flows through the cross channel <NUM>. In some embodiments, the inlet <NUM> and cross channel <NUM> may be positioned on the opposite side of the fixed scroll <NUM>, with the inlet machined into or otherwise provided in the protrusion <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) instead of the protrusion <NUM>. Indeed, in some embodiments the inlet <NUM> may be positioned anywhere on the fixed scroll <NUM> that does not interfere with operation of the scroll device <NUM>, provided that associated components of the scroll device <NUM> (including, for example, the protrusions <NUM> or <NUM> and <NUM> and the cross channel <NUM>) are configured to channel coolant received via the inlet <NUM> into a cooling chamber of the fixed scroll <NUM> or into one of the flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> generally, although not shown in detail in the figures, the orbiting scroll <NUM> is driven by the motor <NUM> via an eccentric center shaft. Balance weights may be used to on the orbiting scroll <NUM> and/or on the center shaft to counterbalance the orbital motion of the orbiting scroll <NUM> and prevent undesirable vibrations of the scroll device <NUM>. The eccentric center shaft may be supported by a front bearing or a pair of front bearings and a rear bearing or a pair of rear bearings. In some embodiments, the bearings and the motor <NUM> may be mounted in the housing <NUM>, while in other embodiments the motor <NUM> and/or the bearings may be mounted outside the housing <NUM>. A center line of the idler shafts of the idler shaft assembles <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is offset from a center line of the center shaft that drives the orbiting scroll (or, in the case of a scroll expander, that is driven by the orbiting scroll).

As noted above, the orbiting scroll <NUM> is coupled to a center shaft that moves or orbits the orbiting scroll <NUM> eccentrically. The orbiting scroll <NUM> follows a fixed path with respect to the fixed scroll <NUM>, creating a series of crescent-shaped pockets between the involutes of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM>. In embodiments where the scroll device <NUM> is a scroll compressor, the working fluid moves from one or more inlets at the periphery of the scroll involutes toward a discharge outlet at or near the center of the scroll involutes (e.g., port <NUM>) through increasingly smaller pockets, resulting in compression of the working fluid. Similar principles apply for a scroll vacuum pump and a scroll expander. With respect to scroll expanders, compressed fluid is introduced into a small pocket between the orbiting scroll <NUM> and the fixed scroll <NUM> (via, for example, the port <NUM>). The pressure exerted by the compressed fluid pushes on the involute walls with sufficient force to cause the orbiting scroll <NUM> to orbit relative to the fixed scroll <NUM>, which in turn allows the compressed fluid to expand. The orbiting scroll of a scroll expander may be operatively coupled to a generator (e.g., via an eccentric center shaft) so as to convert the kinetic energy of the orbiting scroll into electrical energy.

Referring now to <FIG>, the flow of liquid coolant through the scroll device <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Once coolant enters the scroll device <NUM> via the coolant inlet <NUM> and traverses the housing <NUM> through the cross channel <NUM>, the coolant passes through the barbed hose fitting <NUM> and into the flexible conduit <NUM>. The flexible conduit <NUM>, which bends around the center axes of the fixed scroll <NUM> and of the orbiting scroll <NUM> (and thus around the orbital axis <NUM> of the orbiting scroll <NUM>), and which may remain substantially perpendicular to the center axes and/or the orbital axis, carries the coolant to the orbiting scroll <NUM>. More specifically, the coolant passes through the flexible conduit <NUM> and the barbed hose fitting <NUM> into a cross hole <NUM> in the block <NUM>, which directs the coolant into a cooling chamber between the orbiting scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM>. Cooling fins within the cooling chamber facilitate the transfer of heat from the orbiting scroll <NUM> to the coolant, and also direct the coolant through the cooling chamber and into another channel (not shown) in the block <NUM>, which in turn directs the coolant into the flexible conduit <NUM> via the barbed hose fitting <NUM>. Coolant entering the flexible conduit <NUM> via the barbed hose fitting <NUM> is carried to the block <NUM> via the barbed hose fitting <NUM>. A cross channel (not shown) directs the coolant through the housing <NUM> and into the block <NUM>, where a cross hole <NUM> (visible in <FIG>, in which the fixed scroll jacket <NUM> has been removed) channels the coolant into a cooling chamber between the fixed scroll <NUM> and the fixed scroll jacket <NUM>. As with the orbiting scroll cooling chamber, cooling fins within the fixed scroll cooling chamber facilitate the transfer of heat from the fixed scroll <NUM> to the coolant. The cooling fins further channel the coolant to the coolant outlet <NUM>, from which point the heated coolant may be transferred to an external heat sink, heat exchanger, or other cooling system where heat may be extracted from the coolant in preparation for recirculation of the coolant through the scroll device <NUM>, or returned to a coolant source or repository, or discarded.

Although <FIG> illustrate one possible configuration for routing coolant through a scroll device, the present invention encompasses other configurations as well. For example, one or both of the cross-channels <NUM> and <NUM> through the housing <NUM> may, in some embodiments, be located in other positions of the housing <NUM>. Additionally, one or both of the cross-holes <NUM> and <NUM> (together with one or more of the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) may be positioned elsewhere on the scroll device. In some embodiments, one or both of the protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> may comprise a valve or other access port enabling coolant to be inserted directly into or extracted directly from the coolant channels therein. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or both of the protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> may comprise a valve or other access port enabling coolant to be inserted directly into or extracted directly from the coolant channels therein.

Further, a scroll device with liquid cooling such as the scroll device <NUM> may be configured, in some embodiments, to route coolant from the inlet to the orbiting scroll <NUM> (including to a cooling chamber associated with the orbiting scroll <NUM>) to the fixed scroll <NUM> (including to a cooling chamber associated with the fixed scroll <NUM>). In other embodiments, such a scroll device may be configured to route coolant from the inlet to the fixed scroll <NUM> (including to a cooling chamber associated with the fixed scroll <NUM>) and then to the orbiting scroll <NUM> (including to a cooling chamber associated with the orbiting scroll <NUM>). In still further embodiments, coolant may be routed only to the orbiting scroll <NUM> (including to a cooling chamber associated with the orbiting scroll <NUM>) or only to the fixed scroll <NUM> (including to a cooling chamber associated with the fixed scroll <NUM>). In some embodiments, for example, the fixed scroll <NUM> may be liquid cooled, while the orbiting scroll <NUM> may be air cooled. In other embodiments, the fixed scroll <NUM> may be air cooled, while the orbiting scroll <NUM> may be liquid cooled.

<FIG> illustrates a cross section of a cooling chamber <NUM>, which is representative of the cooling chamber formed between the orbiting scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM> of the scroll device <NUM>, and also demonstrates the principle of operation of the cooling chamber formed between the fixed scroll <NUM> and the fixed scroll jacket <NUM> of the scroll device. Coolant flows into the cooling chamber <NUM> through the inlet <NUM>. Cooling fins <NUM> direct the coolant through the cooling chamber <NUM> along a circuitous path that enables the coolant to flow past the cooling fins <NUM> and extract heat therefrom. The cooling fins route the coolant to the outlet <NUM>, from which point the coolant may be routed to another cooling chamber or to a heat exchanger for cooling the now-heated coolant. Aspects of the cooling fins <NUM>, including, for example, the material of manufacture of the cooling fins, the thickness of the cooling fins, the location of the cooling fins, and/or the surface finish of the cooling fins, may be selected to facilitate heat transfer from the scroll with which the cooling fins <NUM> are associated (e.g., the fixed scroll or the orbiting scroll) to coolant flowing through the cooling chamber <NUM>.

Although <FIG> illustrates one configuration of cooling fins <NUM>, other configurations of cooling fins <NUM> are possible. More specifically, in addition to being configured to channel coolant from the inlet <NUM> to the outlet <NUM>, the cooling fins <NUM> may be configured to channel more coolant to portions or areas of the cooling chamber <NUM> adjacent to the hottest parts of the fixed or orbiting scroll on which the cooling chamber <NUM> is positioned. For example, the cooling fins <NUM> may be configured to channel more coolant to the center of the cooling chamber <NUM>. Additionally, in some embodiments all of the cooling fins <NUM> may extend from the fixed or orbiting scroll to the fixed or orbiting scroll jacket, while in other embodiments one or more of the cooling fins <NUM> may extend only partially from the fixed or orbiting scroll toward the fixed or orbiting scroll jacket. Still further, the cooling fins may be configured to maximize or improve heat transfer from the fixed or orbiting scroll to the coolant flowing through the cooling chamber <NUM>.

While <FIG> illustrates a cooling chamber <NUM> having an inlet <NUM> on one side and an outlet <NUM> on an opposite side, in other embodiments or examples then not necessarily within the scope of the claimed invention anymore the inlet <NUM> and/or outlet <NUM> may be positioned elsewhere around the circumference of the cooling chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or both of the inlet and the outlet may be positioned on the jacket that covers the cooling chamber <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional view of a fixed scroll <NUM> and an orbiting scroll <NUM> of a scroll device such as the scroll device <NUM>, as well as of a fixed scroll cooling jacket <NUM> and an orbiting scroll cooling jacket <NUM>. As shown in this view, the fixed scroll involute <NUM> and the orbiting scroll involute <NUM> form a plurality of pockets <NUM>, in which a working fluid is compressed (for scroll devices other than scroll expanders) or expanded (for scroll expanders). The fixed scroll involute <NUM> comprises a tip seal groove in which a tip seal <NUM> is fitted. The tip seal <NUM> presses against the orbiting scroll <NUM> and reduces leakage of working fluid from one pocket <NUM> to another. The orbiting scroll involute <NUM> also comprises a tip seal groove in which a tip seal <NUM> is fitted. The tip seal <NUM> presses against the fixed scroll <NUM> and also reduces leakage of working fluid from one pocket <NUM> to another.

The fixed scroll jacket <NUM> and the fixed scroll <NUM>, as well as the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM>, each form a cooling chamber <NUM> therebetween. Cooling fins <NUM> within the cooling chambers <NUM> are configured to facilitate heat transfer from the fixed scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM> to coolant flowing through the cooling chambers <NUM>. The cooling fins <NUM> also channel fluid from an inlet to each cooling chamber to an outlet from each cooling chamber.

Also shown in <FIG> is a crankshaft bearing <NUM>, which is mounted in the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM> and is operably connected to one end of an eccentric crankshaft <NUM>. In scroll devices other than scroll expanders, the eccentric crankshaft <NUM>, driven by a motor, causes the orbiting scroll <NUM> to orbit relative to the fixed scroll <NUM>. In scroll expanders, expansion of the working fluid causes the orbiting scroll <NUM> to orbit relative to the fixed scroll <NUM>. The eccentric crankshaft <NUM> is operably connected to a generator, and the orbiting motion of the orbiting scroll causes the eccentric crankshaft <NUM> to rotate, thus turning the generator to generate electricity.

<FIG> and <FIG> depict a scroll device <NUM> according to an example of the present disclosure not in the scope of the claimed invention. The scroll device <NUM> comprises a fixed scroll <NUM> mated to an orbiting scroll <NUM>, which orbiting scroll <NUM> is operably connected to a motor <NUM>. The motor <NUM> may be the same as or similar to the motor <NUM>. The fixed scroll <NUM>, which may be the same as or similar to the fixed scroll <NUM>, has three idler shaft assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> being spaced approximately <NUM>° apart. The idler shaft assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be the same as or similar to the idler shaft assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. As with other embodiments described herein, any mechanical coupling other than the idler shaft assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be used to secure the orbiting scroll <NUM> to the fixed scroll <NUM> and to ensure a proper range of the motion of the orbiting scroll <NUM> relative to the fixed scroll <NUM>. For example, an Oldham ring may be used instead of the idler shaft assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The fixed scroll <NUM> is mated to the orbiting scroll <NUM> via the idler shafts of the idler shaft assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The orbiting scroll <NUM> may be the same as or similar to the orbiting scroll <NUM>. The idler shafts enable the orbiting scroll <NUM> to orbit relative to the fixed scroll <NUM>. The scroll device <NUM> also comprises a center shaft <NUM> that is connected to the motor <NUM>. The center shaft <NUM> is supported by a front bearing <NUM> or a pair of front bearings and a rear bearing (not shown) or a pair of rear bearings. The motor <NUM> drives the center shaft <NUM>. The orbiting scroll <NUM> has a first involute and the fixed scroll <NUM> has a second involute.

In order to balance the rotary motion of the orbiting scroll <NUM>, a pair of balance weights may be positioned co-axially with the first involute to dynamically balance the orbiting scroll <NUM>. Also, a pair of counterweights may be positioned on the center shaft to dynamically balance the orbiting scroll <NUM>. The orbiting scroll <NUM> is coupled to the center shaft that moves or orbits the orbiting scroll eccentrically, following a fixed path with respect to the fixed scroll <NUM>, creating a series of crescent-shaped pockets between the two scrolls <NUM> and <NUM>. The scroll device <NUM> utilizes the same principle of operation as the scroll device <NUM>.

The scroll device <NUM> comprises an inlet flexible tube or bellows <NUM> which is connected to a coolant inlet <NUM>, and an outlet flexible tube or bellows <NUM> which is connected to a coolant outlet <NUM>. Liquid coolant (not shown) may flow into the inlet bellows <NUM> from the inlet <NUM> and then into cooling fins (not shown) associated with the orbiting scroll <NUM> before exiting through the outlet flexible tube or bellows <NUM> and the coolant outlet <NUM>. In other examples, the inlet <NUM> and flexible tube or bellows <NUM> may be configured to channel coolant from the inlet <NUM> through the flexible tube or bellows <NUM> to cooling fins associated with the fixed scroll <NUM>, and the outlet <NUM> and flexible tube or bellows <NUM> may be configured to channel coolant from the fixed scroll <NUM> through the flexible tube or bellows <NUM> to the outlet <NUM>. In still other examples, the inlet <NUM> and flexible tube or bellows <NUM> may be configured to channel coolant from the inlet <NUM> to cooling fins associated with one of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM>, whereupon another flexible tube or bellows may be configured to channel coolant to the other of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM>, from which the flexible tube or bellows <NUM> may be configured to channel coolant to the outlet <NUM>. In accordance with examples of the present disclosure, a flexible tube or bellows may be used to channel coolant to, from, or in between any one or more of the fixed scroll <NUM> (including any cooling fins or cooling chambers associated therewith), the orbiting scroll <NUM> (including any cooling fins or cooling chambers associated therewith), the motor <NUM> (including any cooling fins or cooling chambers associated therewith), and any other component in need of cooling or through which coolant must be routed to achieve desired cooling of the scroll device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an alternative example of a scroll device <NUM> not in the scope of the claimed invention, in which the flexible tubes or bellows <NUM> and <NUM> extend away from the fixed scroll <NUM> and toward the front of the housing <NUM> instead of toward the rear of the scroll device <NUM>. In this example, the coolant inlet and outlet, although not visible, are positioned on the front of the housing <NUM>.

Torsional stress may accelerate the degradation of flexible tubing. Accordingly, while the present disclosure encompasses the use of either flexible tubing or bellows in the scroll device <NUM>, the use of bellows to channel coolant in the examples of <FIG> and <FIG> may be beneficial given the torsional stresses to which flexible tubing would be subjected if flexible tubing were used in the configuration of the scroll device <NUM>. On the other hand, the bellows may better withstand the stresses and loading resulting from movement of the orbiting scroll <NUM> relative to the fixed scroll <NUM>, and thus may last longer.

High pressure scroll devices tend to require high power motors to drive them (in the case of scroll compressors and vacuum pumps) or tend to drive high power generators (in the case of scroll expanders). Such devices thus require large motors or generators that may rely on forced conduction with the surrounding environment, which is highly dependent on the surrounding temperatures. In accordance with examples of the present disclosure, liquid cooling can also be applied to the motor or generator, allowing a reduction in overall size while maintaining a predictable and consistent motor or generator temperature.

With reference now to <FIG>, a scroll device <NUM> according to embodiments of the present invention, which may be the same as or substantially similar to the scroll device <NUM>, comprises a motor <NUM>, a housing <NUM>, a motor coolant jacket <NUM>, and a coupling <NUM>. The motor coolant jacket <NUM> comprises a coolant inlet <NUM> and a coolant outlet <NUM>, and at least partially defines a sealed motor heat sink <NUM>. Coolant pumped into or otherwise received by the coolant inlet <NUM> flows through the motor heat sink <NUM>, absorbing heat from both the rotor and stator of the motor <NUM> to reduce the temperature of the motor <NUM>. The coolant then exits the motor coolant jacket <NUM> via the coolant outlet <NUM>, at which point the coolant can be circulated to external heat exchangers, returned to a coolant source or repository, or discarded.

The motor coolant jacket <NUM> and/or the motor heat sink <NUM> may comprise one or more cooling fins.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the scroll device <NUM>, wherein a portion of the housing <NUM> is removed. Visible in <FIG> are a fixed scroll <NUM>, as well as two idler shafts <NUM> spaced <NUM> degrees from each other (with a third not visible) and a fixed scroll jacket <NUM>. An orbiting scroll <NUM>, an orbiting scroll jacket <NUM>, and barbed hose fittings <NUM> and <NUM> are also visible. The barbed hose fitting <NUM> is in fluid communication with a cooling chamber defined by the orbiting scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM>. Each of the barbed hose fittings <NUM> and <NUM> is adapted to have a flexible conduit secured thereto, for the transfer of coolant from one side of the scroll device <NUM> to the other side, in the same manner as described elsewhere herein.

In <FIG>, in which the housing <NUM> is shown in phantom, a scroll device <NUM> is substantially similar to the scroll device <NUM> of <FIG>, but is configured with a protrusion <NUM> supporting a barbed hose fitting <NUM>. In this embodiment, the flexible conduit <NUM> is attached at one end to a barbed hose fitting (not visible) in fluid communication with the cooling chamber formed between the orbiting scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM>, and at the other end to the barbed hose fitting <NUM>, which is in fluid communication with a coolant channel (not shown) that transfers the coolant to the motor coolant jacket <NUM>, and/or to a motor heat sink such as the motor heat sink <NUM> (such as that shown in <FIG>). This removes the need for external hosing or tubing to transfer coolant from the orbiting scroll <NUM> (or from the fixed scroll <NUM>) to the motor coolant jacket <NUM>.

Other configurations of the flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> of the scroll device <NUM> are possible. The flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> may be arranged as needed to channel coolant from a coolant inlet, to one or more cooling chambers including a cooling chamber associated with the fixed scroll <NUM>, a cooling chamber associated with the orbiting scroll <NUM>, and a cooling chamber associated with the motor coolant jacket <NUM>.

The components of the scroll device <NUM> may be the same as or similar to the corresponding components of the scroll device <NUM>.

<FIG> provides a perspective view of a scroll device <NUM>, which is similar to the scroll device <NUM>. In the scroll device <NUM> of <FIG>, flexible metal bellows <NUM> and <NUM> are used instead of flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM>. The flexible metal bellows <NUM> and <NUM> are shown as being connected to the barbed hose fittings <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, so as to route coolant from a coolant inlet <NUM> through the barbed hose fitting <NUM> and the flexible metal bellows <NUM> and into the cooling chamber defined by the orbiting scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM>. After passing through that cooling chamber, the coolant is routed through the barbed hose fitting <NUM> and into the flexible metal bellows <NUM>, which routes the coolant toward a cooling chamber defined by the fixed scroll <NUM> and the fixed scroll jacket <NUM>.

According to the present disclosure, various embodiments of a scroll device such as the scroll device <NUM> may be configured to route cooling to one or more of the fixed scroll <NUM>, the orbiting scroll <NUM>, and the motor coolant jacket <NUM>, in any order. For example, coolant may be routed to the orbiting scroll <NUM> and then to the motor coolant jacket <NUM> before being circulated to an external heat exchanger and then back to the orbiting scroll <NUM>. As another example, coolant may be circulated from the orbiting scroll <NUM> to the fixed scroll <NUM> to the motor coolant jacket <NUM> before being circulated to an external heat exchanger and then back to the orbiting scroll <NUM>. In some embodiments, coolant may be routed to the motor coolant jacket <NUM> without the use of any external tubes, hoses, bellows, or other conduits, while in other embodiments, coolant may be routed to the motor coolant jacket via a tube, hose, bellows, or other conduit that channels the coolant to the coolant inlet <NUM>. In sum, embodiments of the scroll device <NUM> may utilize flexible tubes, hoses, bellows, or other conduits to route coolant between or among two or more of a cooling chamber defined by the fixed scroll <NUM> and the fixed scroll jacket <NUM>, a cooling chamber defined by the orbiting scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM>, the coolant jacket <NUM>, an external heat exchanger, and/or any other desired location.

Turning now to <FIG>, a scroll device <NUM> according to embodiments of the present invention comprises many components that are the same as or substantially similar to the components of the scroll devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> described elsewhere herein. The scroll device <NUM> comprises a fixed scroll <NUM> and a fixed scroll jacket <NUM> defining a cooling chamber <NUM>; an orbiting scroll <NUM> and an orbiting scroll jacket <NUM> defining a cooling chamber <NUM>; a plurality of idler shaft assemblies <NUM>, each comprising an idler shaft <NUM> supported by a plurality of bearings <NUM>; flexible conduits <NUM> and <NUM> for routing coolant between or among two or more of the various cooling chambers of the scroll device <NUM>, an external heat exchanger, and/or any other desired location; a crankshaft <NUM> for driving the orbiting scroll <NUM>, the center drive shaft <NUM> supported by a crankshaft bearing <NUM> in the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM> as well as a plurality of crankshaft bearings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> provided in a coupling <NUM> that extends between a drive motor of the scroll device <NUM> and a housing <NUM> of the scroll device <NUM>; and a coupling jacket <NUM> attached to the coupling <NUM> and configured to define a cooling chamber <NUM> between the coupling <NUM> and the coupling jacket <NUM>. To prevent or reduce the likelihood of coolant leakage from one or more of the cooling chambers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, one or more O-rings or other seals or gaskets may be provided between the fixed scroll <NUM> and the fixed scroll jacket <NUM>; between the orbiting scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM>; and/or between the coupling <NUM> and the coupling jacket <NUM>.

As described elsewhere herein, the crankshaft <NUM> is operably connected (either directly or indirectly, e.g., by a belt or chain) at one end to a motor (not shown), which drives the crankshaft <NUM>. An opposite end of the crankshaft <NUM> engages the crankshaft bearing <NUM>. The crankshaft <NUM> is eccentric, which allows the crankshaft <NUM> to drive the orbiting scroll <NUM> (via the crankshaft bearing <NUM> and the orbiting scroll jacket <NUM>) in an orbiting motion relative to the fixed scroll <NUM>.

Rotation of the crankshaft <NUM> causes rotation of the bearings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, which may result in the generation of a significant amount of heat. To cool the bearings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, coolant may be routed into and through the cooling chamber <NUM> defined by the coupling <NUM> and coupling jacket <NUM>. Cooling the bearings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in this way may beneficially increase the useful life of the bearings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and reduce the likelihood of premature failure thereof.

Use of a coupling jacket <NUM> to form a cooling chamber <NUM> is not limited to the scroll device <NUM>. Any of the scroll devices described herein may be modified to include a coupling jacket <NUM> and a cooling chamber <NUM>, so as to enable cooling of bearings such as the bearings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

From the aforementioned description, the scroll devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> from the machine class of scroll compressors, vacuum pumps, and expanders have been described. The scroll devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are capable of expanding and compressing a fluid cyclically to evacuate a line, device, or space connected to the scroll devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> without intrusion of the nearby atmosphere. The scroll devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> receive their motive power directly from a motor or alternatively from a motor connected to a magnetic coupling, further minimizing the incidence of atmospheric intrusion within the housing and the working fluid. The present disclosure and its various components may adapt existing equipment and may be manufactured from many materials including but not limited to metal sheets and foils, elastomers, steel plates, polymers, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, various alloys, and composites.

In embodiments of the present invention, a fixed scroll involute and/or an orbiting scroll involute may comprise a coated or plated involute wall. The coating or plating may be an abrasion-resistant lubricant. The coating or plating may be a self-lubricating coating or plating. The coating or plating may be dry and/or solid. The coating or plating may be or comprise polytetrafluoroethylene. The coating or plating may be resistant to corrosion and useable in environments with temperatures between <NUM> degrees Celsius and <NUM> degrees Celsius, or between <NUM> degrees Celsius and <NUM> degrees Celsius, or between <NUM> degrees Celsius and <NUM> degrees Celsius, or between <NUM> degrees Celsius and <NUM> degrees Celsius. The coating or plating may beneficially reduce or eliminate the existence of gaps in between the fixed scroll involute and the orbiting scroll involute, and may also beneficially reduce friction between the fixed scroll involute and the orbiting scroll involute.

From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein a scroll device having liquid cooling through use of flexible conduits, which may be, for example, flexible tubes, flexible hoses, or flexible bellows. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject scroll device are possible and contemplated.

Although a barbed fitting has been used for illustration purposes herein, it is possible and contemplated that other types of fittings, such as compression or flared fittings, could be used. The type of fitting is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The fixed scroll jackets and orbiting scroll jackets described herein are not limited to the shape or form illustrated in the figures, but may be any coolant retention device suitable for forming a cooling chamber adjacent the fixed and orbiting scroll, respectively, and may comprise more or less of the boundary of a cooling chamber than illustrated or suggested by the figures. Additionally, in some embodiments the fixed scroll and/or the orbiting scroll may entirely define the boundaries of a cooling chamber therein, such that no scroll jacket or coolant retention device is needed.

The term "flexible conduit" is used herein to describe a flexible member to transmit a liquid coolant from one area or volume of a scroll device to another area or volume of the scroll device, and includes without limitation flexible tubes, flexible hoses, flexible metal rods, flexible bellows, and other flexible hollow connectors or devices. The flexible conduit may be made of any suitable material including the materials identified herein.

Although the inlet is described herein as being formed in the housing, the inlet could be in any stationary portion of the scroll device, or more particularly in any portion of the fixed scroll that does not interfere with operation of the scroll device. Other combinations could be equally advantageous, depending on the application, such as the inlet being in a stationary the fixed scroll with a flexible conduit extending between the fixed scroll and orbiting scroll, and with a second flexible conduit extending between the fixed scroll and housing. Other combinations are also contemplated by the present disclosure, such as using a flexible conduit for moving the liquid coolant to or from the orbiting scroll from or to the fixed scroll and/or a motor jacket.

A major heat transfer path in fixed and orbiting scrolls such as those described herein is from the working fluid (e.g., the fluid being compressed by a scroll compressor, or expanded by a scroll expander) into the involute walls, then through the involute walls, through cooling fins (if provided), and into the coolant. In some embodiments of the present invention, the involutes of the fixed scroll and/or orbiting scrolls of a scroll device as disclosed herein may be formed of walls that are thicker than currently utilized for such scroll devices. A portion or all of the involute walls may then be hollowed out from the back side of the respective scroll (e.g., from the side of the scroll that partially defines a cooling chamber), whether by machining or otherwise. In alternative embodiments, the involute(s) may be fully or partially hollow as formed. In either case, with the involute walls partially or fully hollowed out, coolant can flow within the involute walls, reducing the distance that heat must travel before reaching the coolant and resulting in more effective cooling. In some embodiments of the present invention, the involute walls may be fully or partially hollow and there may be no cooling fins within the corresponding cooling chamber (e.g., the cooling chamber of the orbiting scroll, defined by the orbiting scroll and an orbiting scroll jacket, and/or the cooling chamber of the fixed scroll, defined by the fixed scroll and a fixed scroll jacket). In other embodiments of the present invention, the involute walls may be fully or partially hollow, and one or more cooling fins may also be provided in the corresponding cooling chamber. Such cooling fins may or may not be configured to channel fluid from an inlet to the cooling chamber, into the fully or partially hollow involute walls, and to an outlet from the cooling chamber.

Alternatively, the involutes of the fixed and/or orbiting scrolls of a scroll device as disclosed herein may comprise cooling channels formed or otherwise incorporated into the involutes of the fixed and/or orbiting scrolls. In such embodiments, liquid coolant may circulate through the involutes themselves, either instead of or in addition to flowing through a cooling chamber such as the cooling chamber <NUM>. While such an arrangement would require involutes with a greater width than would otherwise be necessary, the coolant would circulate closer to the working fluid, thus permitting improved temperature management. Cooling channels formed or otherwise incorporated into the involute(s) could be machined, cast, or 3D-printed into the involute(s).

Additionally, one or more holes may be drilled into the involute of the fixed scroll and/or into the involute of the orbiting scroll of a scroll device as disclosed herein. Holes in the fixed scroll involute may be in fluid communication with a cooling chamber of the fixed scroll as disclosed herein, and holes in the involute of the orbiting scroll may be in fluid communication with a cooling chamber of the orbiting scroll as disclosed herein. In embodiments provided with such holes, coolant may flow into the channels to provide improved cooling of the involute(s). Moreover, the coolant may be selected (and the coolant circulation system of the scroll device configured) to ensure that the temperature of the coolant approaches but does not exceed the boiling temperature of the coolant, so as to achieve an improved heat transfer coefficient.

In some embodiments in which one or more holes are drilled into the involute of the fixed scroll and/or into the involute of the orbiting scroll, a copper rod may be pressed into one or more of the holes. Because copper has a high thermal conductivity (e.g., about twice as high as the thermal conductivity of aluminum), the use of copper rods as described improves heat transfer (if the thermal conductivity of the copper is higher than the thermal conductivity of the metal from which the involute is formed, which may be, for example, aluminum) from the involute to the coolant. The copper rod(s) may extend from the hole and into the cooling chamber or passageway or other coolant flow path to further improve heat transfer to the coolant.

Also in some embodiments, a heat exchanger plate (which may, for example, comprise copper tubes cast therein or otherwise affixed thereto, copper fins, and/or any other materials and structures adapted for improved heat transfer) may be mounted to one or both of the fixed and orbiting scrolls of a scroll device as described herein. Such a heat exchanger plate may be mounted inside a cooling chamber as described herein, and/or may perform the functions of a jacket or coolant retention device as described herein, and/or may be provided with one or more coolant passageways so as to allow the circulation of coolant therethrough.

Also in some embodiments of the present invention, 3D metal printing may be used to manufacture the fixed scroll (including the involute thereof), orbiting scroll (including the involute thereof), and/or other components of a scroll device. While 3D-printed scrolls would likely still need final machining to achieve required tolerances, this would beneficially enable liquid coolant channels to be formed inside the component in question during 3D printing thereof, without regard for the limitations that accompany normal machining/drilling operations. Indeed, complex cooling channels and/or cooling channel networks may be incorporated into a 3D-printed scroll, including through the involute thereof and the back side thereof. By utilizing such channels, formed directly within the fixed scroll and/or the orbiting scroll, to cool the scroll, the need for a scroll jacket and a cooling chamber may be eliminated.

The present invention will work equally as well for other types of scroll devices where idler shafts are not used, such as scroll compressors with Oldham rings or a bellows for alignment of the scrolls.

Therefore, the present invention provides a new and improved scroll device from the machine class of compressors, vacuum pumps, and expanders for gases that incorporates liquid cooling through the use of one or more flexible conduits.

The present invention provides a scroll type device that is capable of operating at lower temperatures than existing scroll devices designed to operate at comparable pressures.

The present invention also provides a scroll device that is capable of longer life as compared to other scroll type devices. The present disclosure provides a scroll device that is capable of reducing heat generated by the scroll device through the use of a cooling fluid or liquid that may flow through through one or more flexible conduits.

The present disclosure further provides a scroll device that has channels or cooling fins for a cooling fluid or liquid to flow therein to reduce the temperature of components of the scroll device, such as involutes and bearings, so that the useful life thereof is increased.

The present disclosure also provides a scroll device that employs a fin design to force the flow of any cooling fluid or liquid within the scroll device to reduce any stagnated flow of the cooling fluid or liquid.

The present disclosure is also directed to a scroll device that employs flexible conduits such as flexible tubes or bellows to allow a cooling fluid or liquid to flow therein to cool the scroll device.

Ranges have been discussed and used within the forgoing description. One skilled in the art would understand that any sub-range within the stated range would be suitable, as would any number or value within the broad range, without deviating from the invention. Additionally, where the meaning of the term "about" as used herein would not otherwise be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the term "about" should be interpreted as meaning within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.

Throughout the present disclosure, various embodiments have been disclosed. Components described in connection with one embodiment are the same as or similar to like-numbered components described in connection with another embodiment.

Claim 1:
A scroll device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a fixed scroll (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a first involute and a first cooling chamber;
an orbiting scroll (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a second involute and a second cooling chamber, the orbiting scroll (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) mounted to the fixed scroll (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) via a mechanical coupling, the orbiting scroll (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to orbit relative to the fixed scroll (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) around an orbital axis (<NUM>); the orbital axis (<NUM>) extending longitudinally from one end to another end of the scroll device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and
a flexible conduit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in fluid communication with the first cooling chamber and the second cooling chamber,
characterized in
that the flexible conduit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extends around the orbital axis (<NUM>) from a first side of the scroll device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to a second side of the scroll device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the flexible conduit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) curves around the orbital axis (<NUM>) and crosses from one side of the orbital axis (<NUM>) to an opposite side thereof.