Scroll-type positive fluid displacement apparatus

Claim 2

In a positive fluid displacement apparatus into which a fluid is introduced through an inlet port for circulation therethrough and subsequently withdrawn through a discharge port, and in which two scroll members having wraps which make moving line contacts to seal off and define at least one moving pocket of variable volume and zones of different fluid pressure when one of said scroll members is driven to orbit said other scroll member while maintaining a fixed angular relationship therewith, the improvement comprising driving means including means to provide a centripetal radial force adapted to oppose a fraction of the centrifugal force acting upon said other orbiting scroll member, whereby the radial sealing force between said scroll member is maintained at a level to minimize both wear and internal fluid leakage.

Claim 3

main drive shaft means rotatable on said first axis and adapted to be rotated by said motor means, and

Claim 4

main drive shaft means rotatable on said first axis and adapted to be rotated by said motor means, and

Claim 5

main drive shaft means rotatable on said first axis and adapted to be rotated by said motor means, and

Claim 6

main drive shaft means rotatable on said first axis and adapted to be rotated by said motor means, and

Claim 7

main drive shaft means rotatable on a first axis and adapted to be rotated by said motor means; and

Claim 8

main drive shaft means rotatable on a first axis and adapted to be rotated by said motor means; and

Claim 9

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further characterized by having coupling means separate and distinct from said driving means, and wherein the radial constraints within said apparatus are limited to said moving line contacts between said wraps and are controlled through said means to provide said centripetal radial force.

Claim 10

scroll orbiting means associated with said one of said scroll members, adapted to effect orbital motion of said one of said scroll members and including means to provide a centripetal raidal force adapted to oppose a fraction of the centrifugal force acting upon said one of said scroll members, whereby the radial sealing force between said scroll members is maintained at a level to minimize both wear and internal fluid leakage;

Claim 11

scroll orbiting means associated with said one of said scroll members, adapted to effect orbital motion of said one of said scroll members and including means to provide a centripetal raidal force adapted to oppose a fraction of the centrifugal force acting upon said one of said scroll members, whereby the radial sealing force between said scroll members is maintained at a level to minimize both wear and internal fluid leakage;

Claim 12

eccentric shaft means rotatable on said second axis and adapted to be rotated by said motor means; i. weighted mass means associated with said main drive shaft means adapted to substantially balance out radial inertial forces generated in the orbiting of said scroll driver means; and j. housing means defining a fluid-tight volume around said scroll members and having low-pressure port means.

Claim 13

eccentric shaft means rotatable on said second axis and adapted to be rotated by said motor means; i. weighted mass means associated with said main drive shaft means adapted to substantially balance out radial inertial forces generated in the orbiting of said scroll driver means; and j. housing means defining a fluid-tight volume around said scroll members and having low-pressure port means.

Claim 14

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including axial sealing means comprising means to withdraw a portion of fluid from the zone of highest pressure and scroll member sealing volume means adapted to contain the fluid withdrawn from said zone of highest pressure to generate axial sealing forces which are substantially proportional to said highest pressure.

Claim 15

eccentric shaft means rotatable on a second axis parallel to said first axis and spaced therefrom by a distance no greater than the orbit radius of said one of said scroll members, said eccentric shaft means being adapted to be rotated by said motor means.

Claim 16

eccentric shaft means rotatable on a second axis parallel to said first axis and spaced therefrom by a distance no greater than the orbit radius of said one of said scroll members, said eccentric shaft means being adapted to be rotated by said motor means.

Claim 17

coupling means adapted to prevent relative angular motion of said scroll members, said coupling means being separate and distinct from said scroll orbiting means whereby the radial constraints within said apparatus are limited to said moving line contacts between said wraps and are controlled through said means to provide said centripetal radial force;

Claim 18

coupling means adapted to prevent relative angular motion of said scroll members, said coupling means being separate and distinct from said scroll orbiting means whereby the radial constraints within said apparatus are limited to said moving line contacts between said wraps and are controlled through said means to provide said centripetal radial force;

Claim 19

eccentric shaft means rotatable on said second axis and adapted to be rotated by said motor means; and j. weighted mass means associated with said main drive shaft means adapted to substantially balance out radial inertial forces generated in the orbiting of said scroll driver means.

Claim 20

eccentric shaft means rotatable on said second axis and adapted to be rotated by said motor means; and j. weighted mass means associated with said main drive shaft means adapted to substantially balance out radial inertial forces generated in the orbiting of said scroll driver means.

Claim 21

axial sealing means including means to define a sealing volume in pressure applying relationship with said one of said scroll members and means to conduct fluid from the zone of highest pressure into said sealing volume, whereby said one of said scroll members is forced into axial sealing relationship against the other of said scroll members;

Claim 22

axial sealing means including means to define a sealing volume in pressure applying relationship with said one of said scroll members and means to conduct fluid from the zone of highest pressure into said sealing volume, whereby said one of said scroll members is forced into axial sealing relationship against the other of said scroll members;

Claim 23

An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said fluid is a gas and said inlet port is a low-pressure port, whereby said apparatus is a compressor.

Claim 24

fluid inlet means in fluid communication with the zone of lowest pressure, and

Claim 25

fluid inlet means in fluid communication with the zone of lowest pressure, and

Claim 26

An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said fluid is a gas and said inlet port is a high-pressure port, whereby said apparatus is an expansion engine.

Claim 27

An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said fluid is a liquid and said apparatus is a pump.

Claim 28

fluid discharge means in fluid communication with said zone of highest pressure; b. means to introduce fluid to be compressed into said fluid inlet means of the first of said compressor stages; c. means to withdraw compressed fluid from said fluid discharge means of the last of said compressor stages; d. conduit means connecting said fluid discharge means of each but the last of said stages with said inlet means of that cOmpressor stage which is next in said series; e. intercooler means associated with said conduit means; f. aftercooler means associated with said means to withdraw compressed fluid from said fluid discharge means of the last of said stages; g. means to orbit said scroll driver means of each of said compressor stages.

Claim 29

fluid discharge means in fluid communication with said zone of highest pressure; b. means to introduce fluid to be compressed into said fluid inlet means of the first of said compressor stages; c. means to withdraw compressed fluid from said fluid discharge means of the last of said compressor stages; d. conduit means connecting said fluid discharge means of each but the last of said stages with said inlet means of that cOmpressor stage which is next in said series; e. intercooler means associated with said conduit means; f. aftercooler means associated with said means to withdraw compressed fluid from said fluid discharge means of the last of said stages; g. means to orbit said scroll driver means of each of said compressor stages.

Claim 30

A positive fluid displacement apparatus, comprising in combination a. two scroll members having wrap means which, when one of said scroll members is orbited with respect to the other, make moving line contacts to seal off and define at least one moving fluid pocket of variable volume and zones of different fluid pressure; b. scroll orbiting means associated with said one of said scroll members, adapted to effect orbital motion of said one of said scroll members and including means to provide a centripetal radial force adapted to oppose a fraction of the centrifugal force acting upon said one of said scroll members, whereby the radial sealing force between said scroll members is maintained at a level to minimize both wear and internal fluid leakage; c. coupling means adapted to prevent relative angular motion of said scroll members, said coupling means being separate and distinct from said scroll orbiting means whereby the radial constraints within said apparatus are limited to said moving line contacts between said wraps and are controlled through said means to provide said centripetal radial force; d. axial sealing means including means to define a sealing volume in pressure applying relationship with said one of said scroll members and means to conduct fluid from the zone of highest pressure into said sealing volume, whereby said one of said scroll members is forced into axial sealing relationship against the other of said scroll members; e. porting means associated with the zones of lowest and highest pressures and adapted to permit the circulation of a fluid through said pockets; and f. means to drive said orbiting means.

Claim 31

A positive fluid displacement apparatus, comprising in combination a. two scroll members having wrap means which, when one of said scroll members is orbited with respect to the other, make moving line contacts to seal off and define at least one moving fluid pocket of variable volume and zones of different fluid pressure; b. scroll orbiting means associated with said one of said scroll members, adapted to effect orbital motion of said one of said scroll members and including means to provide a centripetal radial force adapted to oppose a fraction of the centrifugal force acting upon said one of said scroll members, whereby the radial sealing force between said scroll members is maintained at a level to minimize both wear and internal fluid leakage; c. coupling means adapted to prevent relative angular motion of said scroll members, said coupling means being separate and distinct from said scroll orbiting means whereby the radial constraints within said apparatus are limited to said moving line contacts between said wraps and are controlled through said means to provide said centripetal radial force; d. axial sealing means including means to define a sealing volume in pressure applying relationship with said one of said scroll members and means to conduct fluid from the zone of highest pressure into said sealing volume, whereby said one of said scroll members is forced into axial sealing relationship against the other of said scroll members; e. porting means associated with the zones of lowest and highest pressures and adapted to permit the circulation of a fluid through said pockets; and f. means to drive said orbiting means.

Claim 32

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 7 including sprIng means biased to supplement the axial sealing force of said fluid in said sealing volume.

Claim 33

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said scroll orbiting means comprises means defining a cylindrical drive surface associated with said one of said scroll member and having an orbit radius Ror, and scroll driver means defining a cylindrical driving surface and adapted to orbit said one of said scroll member through line contact with said cylindrical drive surface associated with said one of scroll members and having an orbit radius Rod less than Ror, whereby when said scroll driver means is orbited to develop a drive force acting upon said one of said scroll members said centripetal radial force is provided to oppose a fraction of the centrifugal force acting on said one of said scroll members and the difference between said centripetal radial force and said centrifrigal force appears as the only contact force between said scroll members; and wherein said means to drive said orbiting means is connected to said scroll driver means.

Claim 34

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said means defining said cylindrical drive surface comprises housing means having an internal diameter Ds, and said cylindrical driving surface is configured as a piston having an outside diameter Dd which is less than Ds.

Claim 35

A positive fluid dispalcement apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein means defining said cylindrical drive surface comprises a shaft member having an outside diameter Ds, and said cylindrical driving surface is configured as a cylindrical housing having an internal diameter Dd which is greater than Ds.

Claim 36

An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said other of said scroll members is stationary.

Claim 37

An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 including means to rotate said scroll members on separate parallel axes, the distance between said axes being at least as great as the radius of orbit of said one of said scroll members.

Claim 38

A positive fluid displacement apparatus, comprising a. first and second scroll members having wrap means which, when said first scroll member is orbited with respect to said second scroll member, make moving line contacts to define at least one moving fluid pocket of variable volume and zones of different fluid pressure; b. coupling means adapted to prevent relative angular motion of said first and second scroll members; c. means defining a cylindrical drive surface having a diameter Ds associated with said first scroll member and having an orbit radius Ror; d. scroll driver means defining a cylindrical driving surface adapted to orbit said first scroll member through line contact with said cylindrical drive surface associated with said first scroll member, and having a diameter Dd which is less than Ds and an orbit radius Rod less than Ror, whereby when said scroll driver means is orbited to develop a drive force acting upon said first scroll member, a component of said drive force opposes a fraction of the centrifugal force acting on said first scroll member, and the difference between said component of said drive force and said centrifugal force appears as the only contact force between said first and second scroll members thereby to effect continuous radial sealing of said fluid pocket; e. axial sealing means including means to define a sealing volume between said first scroll member and said scroll driver means, conduit means to conduct fluid from the zone of highest pressure into said sealing volume whereby said first scroll member is forced in axial sealing relationship against said second scroll member, and spring means biased to supplement the axial sealing force of said fluid in said sealing volume; f. means to orbit said scroll driver means; and g. porting means associated with said zoneS of highest and lowest pressures.

Claim 39

A positive fluid displacement apparatus, comprising a. first and second scroll members having wrap means which, when said first scroll member is orbited with respect to said second scroll member, make moving line contacts to define at least one moving fluid pocket of variable volume and zones of different fluid pressure; b. coupling means adapted to prevent relative angular motion of said first and second scroll members; c. means defining a cylindrical drive surface having a diameter Ds associated with said first scroll member and having an orbit radius Ror; d. scroll driver means defining a cylindrical driving surface adapted to orbit said first scroll member through line contact with said cylindrical drive surface associated with said first scroll member, and having a diameter Dd which is less than Ds and an orbit radius Rod less than Ror, whereby when said scroll driver means is orbited to develop a drive force acting upon said first scroll member, a component of said drive force opposes a fraction of the centrifugal force acting on said first scroll member, and the difference between said component of said drive force and said centrifugal force appears as the only contact force between said first and second scroll members thereby to effect continuous radial sealing of said fluid pocket; e. axial sealing means including means to define a sealing volume between said first scroll member and said scroll driver means, conduit means to conduct fluid from the zone of highest pressure into said sealing volume whereby said first scroll member is forced in axial sealing relationship against said second scroll member, and spring means biased to supplement the axial sealing force of said fluid in said sealing volume; f. means to orbit said scroll driver means; and g. porting means associated with said zoneS of highest and lowest pressures.

Claim 40

An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said wrap means are configured as involute spirals.

Claim 41

An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said wrap means are configured as arcs of circles.

Claim 42

An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein siad warp means for each of said scroll members comprise two spaced apart involute spirals, one of which terminates short of the center of said scroll member and the other of which terminates at its innermost end in an enlarged section.

Claim 43

An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein at least one of said wrap means terminates at its innermost end in an enlarged wrap section thereby to adjust the volume of said zone of highest pressure.

Claim 44

An apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein each of said wrap means terminates at its innermost end in an enlarged section.

Claim 45

An apparatus in accordance with claim 19 wherein said enlarged wrap sections define a central rectangular volume and said coupling means is located within said rectangular volume.

Claim 46

An apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein said coupling means is of an overall square shape and is configured to provide passages in fluid communication with said conduit means and with said porting means associated with said zone of highest pressure.

Claim 47

An apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein said coupling means is cross-shaped and said enlarged wrap sections have channels adapted to slidably engage the arms of said cross-shaped coupling means.

Claim 48

An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said wrap means of said first scroll member terminates at its innermost end in an enlarged section and said wrap means of said second scroll member is an involute spiral, said enlarged section having porting means which intermittently vents to said porting means associated with said zone of highest pressure and passage means adapted to serve intermittently as said conduit means.

Claim 49

An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said coupling means comprising an annular ring surrounding said wrap means and defines four equally spaced channels and wherein said wrap means have radial extension means adapted to slidably engage said channels.

Claim 50

An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein (ds- Dd)/Ds ranges between about 0.001 and 0.2.

Claim 51

An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said means to orbit said scroll driver means comprises a. motor means; b. main drive shaft means rotatable on a first axis and adapted to be rotated by said motor means; and c. eccentric shaft means rotatable on a second axis parallel to said first axis and spaced therefrom by a distance no greater than the orbit radius of said one of said scroll members, said eccentric shaft means being adapted to be rotated by said motor means.

Claim 52

An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 including weighted mass means associated with said main drive shaft means adapted to substantially balance machine vibrations generated in the orbiting of said scroll driver means.

Claim 53

An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said fluid is a gas and said porting means associated with said zone of highest pressure is the discharge port, whereby said apparatus is a compressor.

Claim 54

An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said fluid is a gas and said porting means associated with said zone of highest pressure is the inlet port, whereby said apparatus is an expansion engine.

Claim 55

An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said fluid is a liquid and said apparatus is a pump.

Claim 56

A positive fluid displacement apparatus, comprising in combination a. two scroll members aligned on parallel axes having end plates with wrap means affixed to facing sides thereof, said wrap means, when one of said scroll members is orbited with respect to the other, being adpated to make moving line contacts to define at least one moving fluid pocket of variable volumE and zones of different fluid pressure; b. coupling means adapted to prevent relative angular motion of said scroll members; c. cylindrical volume defining means centrally positioned on the outer side of said one of said scroll members and having an internal diameter Ds and an orbit radius Ror; d. scroll driver means in the form of a piston having a diameter, Dd, less than Ds and an orbit radius Rod less than ror, said scroll driver means being spaced from said outer side of said one of said scroll members thereby to define with sealing ring means a sealing volume disposed between said scroll driver means and said one of said scroll members; e. conduit means providing fluid communication between said sealing volume and the zone of highest pressure defined by said wrap means thereby to provide a fluid pressure within said sealing volume essentially equal to that in said zone of highest pressure and to generate an axial sealing force between said scroll members substantially proportional to said highest pressure; f. means to rotate said scroll driver means on an axis parallel to the axis of said other of said scroll members thereby to effect the orbiting of said one of said scroll members through rolling line contact between said scroll driver means and the internal wall of said cylindrically volume defining means; and g. porting means associated with the zone of lowest pressure and with said zone of highest pressure and adapted to permit the circulation of a fluid through said pockets.

Claim 57

A positive fluid displacement apparatus, comprising in combination a. two scroll members aligned on parallel axes having end plates with wrap means affixed to facing sides thereof, said wrap means, when one of said scroll members is orbited with respect to the other, being adpated to make moving line contacts to define at least one moving fluid pocket of variable volumE and zones of different fluid pressure; b. coupling means adapted to prevent relative angular motion of said scroll members; c. cylindrical volume defining means centrally positioned on the outer side of said one of said scroll members and having an internal diameter Ds and an orbit radius Ror; d. scroll driver means in the form of a piston having a diameter, Dd, less than Ds and an orbit radius Rod less than ror, said scroll driver means being spaced from said outer side of said one of said scroll members thereby to define with sealing ring means a sealing volume disposed between said scroll driver means and said one of said scroll members; e. conduit means providing fluid communication between said sealing volume and the zone of highest pressure defined by said wrap means thereby to provide a fluid pressure within said sealing volume essentially equal to that in said zone of highest pressure and to generate an axial sealing force between said scroll members substantially proportional to said highest pressure; f. means to rotate said scroll driver means on an axis parallel to the axis of said other of said scroll members thereby to effect the orbiting of said one of said scroll members through rolling line contact between said scroll driver means and the internal wall of said cylindrically volume defining means; and g. porting means associated with the zone of lowest pressure and with said zone of highest pressure and adapted to permit the circulation of a fluid through said pockets.

Claim 58

An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 including preloading spring means located within said cylindrical volume defining means and biased to force said one of said scroll members against said other of said scroll members.

Claim 59

An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said other of said scroll members is stationary.

Claim 60

An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein the end plate of said other of said scroll members includes a peripheral housing wall defining an annular surface adapted to make a fluid seal with the end plate of said one of said scroll members, whereby said scroll members form a housing.

Claim 61

An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 including separate housing means defining a fluid volume around said scroll members wherein said porting means associated with said lowest pressure zone comprises spacings between the outer portions of said wrap means.

Claim 62

An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said porting means associated with said zone of lowest pressure is an inlet port and said apparatus is a compressor.

Claim 63

An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said porting means associated with said zone of highest pressure is an inlet port and said apparatus is an expansion engine.

Claim 64

An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 including means to rotate said scroll members on said axes, the distance between said axes being no greater than the radius of orbit of said one of said scroll members.

Claim 65

An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said wrap means are configured as involute spirals.

Claim 66

An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said wrap means are configured as arcs of circles.

Claim 67

An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said wrap means for each of said scroll members comprise two spaced apart involute spirals, one of which terminates short of the center of said scroll member and the other of which terminates at its innermost end in an enlarged section.

Claim 68

An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein at least one of said wrap means terminates at its innermost end in an enlarged wrap section thereby to adjust the volume of said zone of highest pressure.

Claim 69

An apparatus in accordance with claim 42 wherein each of said wrap means terminates at its innermost end in an enlarged section.

Claim 70

An apparatus in accordance with claim 43 wherein said enlarged wrap sections define a central rectangular volume and said Coupling means is located within said rectangular volume.

Claim 71

An apparatus in accordance with claim 44 wherein said coupling means is of an overall square shape and is configured to provide passages in fluid communication with said conduit means and with said porting means associated with said zone of highest pressure.

Claim 72

An apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said coupling means is cross-shaped and said enlarged wrap sections have channels adapted to slidably engage the arms of said cross-shaped coupling means.

Claim 73

An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said wrap means of said one of said scroll members terminates at its innermost end in an enlarged section and said wrap means of said other of said scroll members is an involute spiral, said enlarged section having porting means which intermittently vents to said porting means associated with said zone of highest pressure and passage means adapted to serve intermittently as said conduit means.

Claim 74

An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said coupling means comprises an annular ring surrounding said wrap means and defines four equally spaced channels and wherein said wrap means have radial extension means adapted to slidably engage said channels.

Claim 75

A positive fluid displacement apparatus, comprising in combination a. a first scroll member having first wrap means affixed to first end plate means and aligned on a first axis; b. a second scroll member having an orbit radius Ror and second wrap means affixed to one side of second end plate means, said second wrap means being adapted to make at least two moving line contacts with said first wrap means as said second scroll member is orbited relative to said first scroll member thereby to form at least one movable pocket of variable volume and zones of different pressures; c. cylindrical housing means affixed to the other side of said second end plate means and defining a scroll driving volume, the internal diameter of said cylindrical housing means being Ds; d. coupling means adapted to prevent relative angular motion of said first and second scroll members; e. scroll driver means rotatable within said cylindrical housing means and having a diameter Dd which is less than Ds and an orbit radius Rod less than Ror whereby said scroll driver makes an essentially line rolling contact with said second scroll member to drive it; f. sealing means providing a fluid seal between said scroll driver means and the internal wall of said annular ring means thereby to define a sealing volume between said scroll driver means and said second scroll member; g. port means providing fluid communication between the zone of highest pressure and said sealing volume; h. porting means associated with the zones of highest and lowest pressure and adapted to permit the circulation of a fluid through said pockets; i. driving means to orbit said scroll driver means about a second axis parallel to said first axis of said first scroll member, the distance between said first and second axes being the orbit radius of said second scroll member, said driving means comprising

Claim 76

A positive fluid displacement apparatus, comprising in combination a. a first scroll member having first wrap means affixed to first end plate means and aligned on a first axis; b. a second scroll member having an orbit radius Ror and second wrap means affixed to one side of second end plate means, said second wrap means being adapted to make at least two moving line contacts with said first wrap means as said second scroll member is orbited relative to said first scroll member thereby to form at least one movable pocket of variable volume and zones of different pressures; c. cylindrical housing means affixed to the other side of said second end plate means and defining a scroll driving volume, the internal diameter of said cylindrical housing means being Ds; d. coupling means adapted to prevent relative angular motion of said first and second scroll members; e. scroll driver means rotatable within said cylindrical housing means and having a diameter Dd which is less than Ds and an orbit radius Rod less than Ror whereby said scroll driver makes an essentially line rolling contact with said second scroll member to drive it; f. sealing means providing a fluid seal between said scroll driver means and the internal wall of said annular ring means thereby to define a sealing volume between said scroll driver means and said second scroll member; g. port means providing fluid communication between the zone of highest pressure and said sealing volume; h. porting means associated with the zones of highest and lowest pressure and adapted to permit the circulation of a fluid through said pockets; i. driving means to orbit said scroll driver means about a second axis parallel to said first axis of said first scroll member, the distance between said first and second axes being the orbit radius of said second scroll member, said driving means comprising

Claim 77

An apparatus in accordance with claim 49 including frame means adapted to support said first scroll member and said main drive shaft means.

Claim 78

An apparatus in accordance with claim 49 wherein said end plate of said first scroll member includes a peripheral housing wall defining an annular surface adapted to make a fluid seal with the end plate of said sEcond scroll member whereby said scroll members form a housing.

Claim 79

An apparatus in accordance with claim 49 including separate housing means defining a fluid volume around said scroll members.

Claim 80

A positive fluid displacement apparatus, comprising in combination a. a first scroll member having first wrap means configured as a single-turn involute spiral, the outer half of which is affixed to an involute spiral skirt member, said first wrap member having two oppositely disposed radial extension members; b. a second scroll member with an orbit radius Ror having second wrap means configured as a single-turn involute spiral the outer half of which is affixed to an involute spiral skirt member, said wrap means having two oppositely disposed radial extension members and terminating at its innermost end in an enlarged section, said enlarged section having porting means and passage means extending throughout the thickness of said wrap, said second wrap means being adapted to make at least two moving line contacts with said first wrap means as said second scroll member is orbited relative to said first scroll member thereby to form at least one movable pocket of variable volume and zones of different pressure; c. cylindrical housing means affixed to said second scroll member defining a scroll driving volume; d. coupling means comprising an annular ring surrounding said wrap means and having channels adapted for slidable engagement with said radial extensions thereby to prevent any relative angular motion of said scroll members; e. scroll driver means rotatable within said cylindrical housing means and having a diameter which is less than the internal wall of said cylindrical housing means and an orbit radius Rod less than Ror whereby said scroll driver makes an essentially line rolling contact with said second scroll member to drive it; f. sealing means providing a fluid seal between said scroll driver means and said internal wall of said cylindrical housing means thereby to define a sealing volume between said scroll driver means and said second scroll member, said sealing volume being in intermittent fluid communication with the zone of highest pressure through said passage means in said enlarged section of said second wrap means; g. a high-pressure fluid port in intermittent fluid communication with the zone of highest pressure through said porting means in said enlarged section of said second wrap means; h. driving means adapted to orbit said scroll driver means about a second axis parallel to said first axis of said first scroll member, the distance between said first and second axes being the orbit radius of said second scroll member, said driving means comprising

Claim 81

A positive fluid displacement apparatus, comprising in combination a. a first scroll member having first wrap means configured as a single-turn involute spiral, the outer half of which is affixed to an involute spiral skirt member, said first wrap member having two oppositely disposed radial extension members; b. a second scroll member with an orbit radius Ror having second wrap means configured as a single-turn involute spiral the outer half of which is affixed to an involute spiral skirt member, said wrap means having two oppositely disposed radial extension members and terminating at its innermost end in an enlarged section, said enlarged section having porting means and passage means extending throughout the thickness of said wrap, said second wrap means being adapted to make at least two moving line contacts with said first wrap means as said second scroll member is orbited relative to said first scroll member thereby to form at least one movable pocket of variable volume and zones of different pressure; c. cylindrical housing means affixed to said second scroll member defining a scroll driving volume; d. coupling means comprising an annular ring surrounding said wrap means and having channels adapted for slidable engagement with said radial extensions thereby to prevent any relative angular motion of said scroll members; e. scroll driver means rotatable within said cylindrical housing means and having a diameter which is less than the internal wall of said cylindrical housing means and an orbit radius Rod less than Ror whereby said scroll driver makes an essentially line rolling contact with said second scroll member to drive it; f. sealing means providing a fluid seal between said scroll driver means and said internal wall of said cylindrical housing means thereby to define a sealing volume between said scroll driver means and said second scroll member, said sealing volume being in intermittent fluid communication with the zone of highest pressure through said passage means in said enlarged section of said second wrap means; g. a high-pressure fluid port in intermittent fluid communication with the zone of highest pressure through said porting means in said enlarged section of said second wrap means; h. driving means adapted to orbit said scroll driver means about a second axis parallel to said first axis of said first scroll member, the distance between said first and second axes being the orbit radius of said second scroll member, said driving means comprising

Claim 82

A positive fluid displacement apparatus, comprising in combination a. a first scroll member having first wrap means affixed to a first end plate which terminates in a peripheral housing wall defining an annular sealing surface, said first end plate being affixed to and supported by a first shaft rotatable on a first axes; b. a second scroll member with an orbit radius Ror having second wrap means affixed to one side of second end plate means adapted to contact said annular sealing surface, said second wrap means being adapted to make at least two moving line contacts with said first wrap means as said second scroll member is orbited relative to said first scroll membEr thereby to form at least one movable pocket of variable volume and zones of different pressures; c. cylindrical housing means affixed to the other side of said second end plate means and defining a scroll driving volume, the internal diameter of said cylindrical housing means being Ds; d. coupling means adapted to prevent relative angular motion of said first and second scroll members; e. scroll driver means rotatable within said cylindrical housing means and having a diameter Dd which is less than Ds and an orbit radius Rod less than Ror whereby said scroll driver makes an essentially line rolling contact with said scroll member to drive it, said scroll driver means being affixed to an supported by a second shaft rotatable on a second axis parallel to and spaced from said first shaft; f. sealing means providing a fluid seal between said scroll driver means and the internal wall of said annular ring means thereby to define a sealing volume between said scroll driver means and said second scroll member; g. means to rotate said first shaft and thereby to rotate said first and second scroll members and through said second scroll member to rotate said scroll driver means and orbit said second scroll member; h. low-pressure porting means adapted to provide fluid communication into the zone of lowest pressure; i. high-pressure porting means extending from the zone of highest pressure through said second shaft and providing fluid communication between said zone of highest pressure and said sealing volume; and j. frame means adapted to support said first and second shafts.

Claim 83

A positive fluid displacement apparatus, comprising in combination a. a first scroll member having first wrap means affixed to a first end plate which terminates in a peripheral housing wall defining an annular sealing surface, said first end plate being affixed to and supported by a first shaft rotatable on a first axes; b. a second scroll member with an orbit radius Ror having second wrap means affixed to one side of second end plate means adapted to contact said annular sealing surface, said second wrap means being adapted to make at least two moving line contacts with said first wrap means as said second scroll member is orbited relative to said first scroll membEr thereby to form at least one movable pocket of variable volume and zones of different pressures; c. cylindrical housing means affixed to the other side of said second end plate means and defining a scroll driving volume, the internal diameter of said cylindrical housing means being Ds; d. coupling means adapted to prevent relative angular motion of said first and second scroll members; e. scroll driver means rotatable within said cylindrical housing means and having a diameter Dd which is less than Ds and an orbit radius Rod less than Ror whereby said scroll driver makes an essentially line rolling contact with said scroll member to drive it, said scroll driver means being affixed to an supported by a second shaft rotatable on a second axis parallel to and spaced from said first shaft; f. sealing means providing a fluid seal between said scroll driver means and the internal wall of said annular ring means thereby to define a sealing volume between said scroll driver means and said second scroll member; g. means to rotate said first shaft and thereby to rotate said first and second scroll members and through said second scroll member to rotate said scroll driver means and orbit said second scroll member; h. low-pressure porting means adapted to provide fluid communication into the zone of lowest pressure; i. high-pressure porting means extending from the zone of highest pressure through said second shaft and providing fluid communication between said zone of highest pressure and said sealing volume; and j. frame means adapted to support said first and second shafts.

Claim 84

An apparatus in accordance with claim 54 wherein said low-pressure porting means includes shaft passage means defined within said first shaft and passage means connecting said shaft passage means and the zone of lowest pressure.

Claim 85

A postive fluid displacement compressor, comprising in combination a. at least two compressor stages arranged in series, each of said compressor stages comprising in combination

Claim 86

A postive fluid displacement compressor, comprising in combination a. at least two compressor stages arranged in series, each of said compressor stages comprising in combination

Claim 87

A compressor in accordance with claim 56 wherein at least one of said wrap means in each of said compressor stages terminates at its innermost end in an enlarged wrap section thereby to adjust the volume of said zones of highest pressure.

Claim 88

A compressor in accordance with claim 56 wherein said means to orbit said scroll driver means of each of said stages comprises, in combination