Patent ID: 8641392

Claim:
A scroll compressor for compressing fluid, comprising: a first scroll compressor body having a first base and a first scroll rib projecting from the first base to a first scroll tip; a second scroll compressor body having a second base and a second scroll rib projecting from the second base, the first and second bases being axially spaced apart with the first and second scroll ribs mutually received in each other about an axis to define at least one compression chamber between an intake region and an outlet region, wherein relative movement between the first and second scroll compressor bodies is adapted to compress fluid from the intake region to the outlet region; a generally scroll shaped groove defined in the first scroll tip; a tip seal situated in the groove and projecting axially from the first scroll rib, the tip seal adapted to sealingly engage the second base; and wherein the first scroll tip includes: a first zone having an average first width measured generally perpendicular to the axis; a thrust zone with at least one opening therein for the intake region having an average second width measured generally perpendicular to the axis, the second width wider than the first width for carrying reverse thrust loads.