Thrust bearing/coupling component for orbiting scroll-type machinery and scroll-type machinery incorporating the same

Claim 2

A thrust bearing/coupling component capable of simultaneously coupling an orbiting scroll member having a predetermined orbit radius and a stationary scroll member in predetermined angular relationship as said orbiting scroll member is orbited with respect to said stationary scroll member and carrying axial loads imposed on said scroll members, comprising in combination (a) a plurality of first circular spaced indentations cut in one surface of said orbiting scroll member; (b) a plurality of second circular spaced indentations of the same cross sectional configuration as said first indentations cut in a surface maintained stationary with respect to said orbiting scroll member and facing said first indentations, the centers of all of said indentations being located on circles having the same radius; (c) an axial load carrying rolling sphere movable within each facing pair of said indentations, the relative diameters of said spheres and of said indentations being such as to permit said spheres to travel a distance equal to one-half of said orbit radius of said orbiting scroll member in all directions from their central positions thereby to maintain said predetermined angular relationship between said scroll members.

Claim 3

A thrust bearing/coupling components in accordance with claim 1 wherein said stationary surface is provided by housing means enclosing said scroll members whereby said component carries expansive axial loads tending to force apart said scroll members.

Claim 4

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 1 wherein said stationary surface is provided by said stationary scroll member whereby said component carries compressive loads tending to force together said scroll members.

Claim 5

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cross sectional configuration of said circular indentations includes at least one chamfered section.

Claim 6

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cross sectional configuration of said circular indentations is rectangular.

Claim 7

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 1 including sphere retaining ring means interposed between said facing surfaces and having cut therethrough spaced holes of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said spheres.

Claim 8

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 1 including sphere retaining ring means interposed between said facing surfaces and having cut therethrough spaced holes of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said spheres.

Claim 9

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 1 including (e) a third plurality of circular indentations cut in another surface of said orbiting scroll member; (f) a fourth plurality of circular indentations cut in another surface maintained stationary with respect to said orbiting scroll member and facing said third indentations, said third and fourth indentations having the same cross sectional configuration and having centers located on circles of the same radius; and (g) an axial load carrying rolling sphere movable within each facing pair of said third and fourth indentations, the relative diameters of said spheres and of said third and fourth indentations being such as to maintain said predetermined angular relationship between said scroll members.

Claim 10

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 8 wherein said stationary surfaces are provided by said stationary scroll member and by housing means enclosing said scroll members.

Claim 11

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 8 wherein both of said stationary surfaces are provided by housing means enclosing said scroll members.

Claim 12

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 8 wherein said third and fourth circular indentations are sized to permit said spheres to travel a distance equal to one-half of said orbit radius of said orbiting scroll member in all directions from their central positions.

Claim 13

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 8 wherein said cross sectional configuration of said third and fourth circular indentations includes at least one chamfered section.

Claim 14

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 8 wherein said cross sectional configuration of said third and fourth circular indentations is rectangular.

Claim 15

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 8 wherein said spheres within said facing pairs of said third and fourth indentations are of a diameter different from said spheres within said facing pairs of said first and second indentations.

Claim 16

A thrust bearing/coupling component capable of simultaneously coupling an orbiting scroll member and a stationary scroll member in predetermined angular relationship as said orbiting scroll member is orbited with respect to said stationary scroll member and carrying axial loads imposed on said scroll members, comprising in combination (a) load carrying rolling members; (b) a ring member having a plurality of uniformly spaced bearing pads having first and second oppositely disposed surfaces in each of which is cut an indentation to provide a plurality of first and second oppositely disposed indentations; (c) a plurality of third indentations cut in one surface or said orbiting scroll member corresponding in location to said first indentations and defining therewith a first plurality of tracks for said load carrying rolling members retained therein; (d) a plurality of fourth indentations cut in a surface maintained stationary with respect to said orbiting scroll member corresponding in location to said second indentations and defining therewith a second plurality of tracks for said load carrying rolling members retained therein; said first and second tracks being of a size and configuration which permit said load carrying rolling members to undergo oscillatory motion over a distance equal to the orbit radius associated with said orbiting scroll member, and the longer axes of said first tracks being perpendicular to those of said second tracks.

Claim 17

A thrust bearing/coupling component capable of simultaneously coupling an orbiting scroll member and a stationary scroll member in predetermined angular relationship as said orbiting scroll member is orbited with respect to said stationary scroll member and carrying axial loads imposed on said scroll members, comprising in combination (a) load carrying rolling members; (b) a ring member having a plurality of uniformly spaced bearing pads having first and second oppositely disposed surfaces in each of which is cut an indentation to provide a plurality of first and second oppositely disposed indentations; (c) a plurality of third indentations cut in one surface or said orbiting scroll member corresponding in location to said first indentations and defining therewith a first plurality of tracks for said load carrying rolling members retained therein; (d) a plurality of fourth indentations cut in a surface maintained stationary with respect to said orbiting scroll member corresponding in location to said second indentations and defining therewith a second plurality of tracks for said load carrying rolling members retained therein; said first and second tracks being of a size and configuration which permit said load carrying rolling members to undergo oscillatory motion over a distance equal to the orbit radius associated with said orbiting scroll member, and the longer axes of said first tracks being perpendicular to those of said second tracks.

Claim 18

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 15 wherein said load carrying rolling members are spheres.

Claim 19

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 15 where in said load carrying rolling members are rollers.

Claim 20

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 15 wherein said stationary surface is provided by housing means enclosing said scroll members whereby said component carries expansive loads tending to force apart said scroll members.

Claim 21

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 15 where said stationary surface is provide by said stationary scroll member whereby said component carries compressive loads tending to force together said scroll members.

Claim 22

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 16 including (e) a second ring member having a plurality of uniformly spaced bearing pads having first and second oppositely disposed surfaces in each of which is cut an indentation to provide a plurality of third and fourth oppositely disposed indentations; (f) a plurality of fifth indentations cut in another surface of said orbiting scroll member corresponding in location to said third indentations and defining therewith a third plurality of tracks for load carrying rolling members retained therein; (g) a plurality of sixth indentations cut in a surface maintained stationary with respect to said orbiting scroll member corresponding in location to said fourth indentations and defining therewith a fourth plurality of tracks for said load carrying rolling members retained therein; said third and fourth tracks being of a size and configuration which permit said load carrying rolling members to undergo oscillatory motion over a distance equal to the orbit radius associated with said orbiting scroll member and the longer axes of said third tracks being perpendicular to those of said fourth tracks.

Claim 23

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 20 wherein said stationary surfaces are provided by said stationary scroll member and by housing means enclosing said scroll members.

Claim 24

A thrust bearing/coupling component in accordance with claim 20 wherein both of said stationary surfaces are provided by housing means enclosing said scroll members.

Claim 25

A positive fluid displacement apparatus suitable as a fluid compressor, expander or pump, comprising in combination (a) a stationary scroll member comprising a stationary end plate and a stationary involute wrap; (b) an orbiting scroll member, comprising an orbiting end plate and an orbiting involute wrap; (c) means to orbit said orbiting scroll member with a predetermined orbit radius respect ot said stationary scroll member whereby said involute wraps make moving line contacts to seal off and define moving pockets of variable volume including a central pocket; (d) housing means enclosing said stationary and orbiting scroll members and defining a peripheral fluid zone therearound and (e) a thrust bearing/coupling component capable of simultaneously coupling said orbiting and stationary scroll members in predetermined angular relationship and carrying axial loads imposed on said scroll members, comprising in combination (1) a plurality of first circular spaced indentations cut in one surface of said orbiting scroll member, (2) a plurality of second circular spaced indentations of the same cross sectional configuration as said first indentations cut in a surface maintained stationary with respect to said orbiting scroll member and facing said first indentations, the centers of all of said indentations being located on circles having the same radius, and (3) an axial load carrying rolling sphere movable within each facing pair of said indentations, the relative diameters of said spheres and of said indentations being such as to permit said spheres to travel a distance equal to one-half of said orbit radius of said orbiting scroll member in all directions from their central positions thereby to maintain said predetermined angular relationship between said scroll members.

Claim 26

A positive fluid displacement apparatus suitable as a fluid compressor, expander or pump, comprising in combination (a) a stationary scroll member comprising a stationary end plate and a stationary involute wrap; (b) an orbiting scroll member, comprising an orbiting end plate and an orbiting involute wrap; (c) means to orbit said orbiting scroll member with a predetermined orbit radius respect ot said stationary scroll member whereby said involute wraps make moving line contacts to seal off and define moving pockets of variable volume including a central pocket; (d) housing means enclosing said stationary and orbiting scroll members and defining a peripheral fluid zone therearound and (e) a thrust bearing/coupling component capable of simultaneously coupling said orbiting and stationary scroll members in predetermined angular relationship and carrying axial loads imposed on said scroll members, comprising in combination (1) a plurality of first circular spaced indentations cut in one surface of said orbiting scroll member, (2) a plurality of second circular spaced indentations of the same cross sectional configuration as said first indentations cut in a surface maintained stationary with respect to said orbiting scroll member and facing said first indentations, the centers of all of said indentations being located on circles having the same radius, and (3) an axial load carrying rolling sphere movable within each facing pair of said indentations, the relative diameters of said spheres and of said indentations being such as to permit said spheres to travel a distance equal to one-half of said orbit radius of said orbiting scroll member in all directions from their central positions thereby to maintain said predetermined angular relationship between said scroll members.

Claim 27

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein said stationary surface is provided by said housing means whereby said component carries expansive axial loads tending to force apart said scroll members.

Claim 28

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein said stationary surface is provided by said stationary scroll member whereby said component carries compressive loads tending to force together said scroll members.

Claim 29

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein said cross sectional configuration of said circular indentations includes at least one chamfered section.

Claim 30

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein said cross sectional configuration of said circular indentations is rectangular.

Claim 31

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 23 including sphere retaining ring means interposed between said facing surfaces and having cut therethrough spaced holes of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said spheres.

Claim 32

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein said stationary and orbiting involute wraps each comprises essentially one and one-half turns and said apparatus is a pump.

Claim 33

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein said stationary and orbiting involute wraps each comprises multiple turns and said apparatus is a compressor or expander.

Claim 34

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 23 including sphere retaining ring means interposed between said facing surfaces and having cut therethrough spaced holes of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said spheres.

Claim 35

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein said thrust bearing/coupling component also comprises (4) a third plurality of circular indentations cut in another surface of said orbiting scroll member; (5) a fourth plurality of circular indentations cut in another surface maintained stationary with respect to said orbiting scroll member and facing said third indentations, said third and fourth indentations having the same cross sectional configuration and having centers located on circles of the same radius; and (6) an axial load carrying rolling sphere movable within each facing pair of said third and fourth indentations, the relative diameters of said spheres and of said third and fourth indentations being such as to maintain said predetermined angular relationship between said scroll members.

Claim 36

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 32 wherein said stationary surfaces are provided by said stationary scroll member and by said housing means.

Claim 37

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 32 wherein both of said stationary surfaces are provided by said housing means.

Claim 38

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 32 wherein said third and fourth circular indentations are sized to permit said spheres to travel a distance equal to one-half of said orbit radius of said orbiting scroll member in all directions from their central positions.

Claim 39

A positive fluid displacement apparatus suitable as a fluid compressor, expander or pump, comprising in combination (a) a stationary scroll member comprising a stationary end plate and a stationary involute wrap; (b) an orbiting scroll member, comprising an orbiting end plate and an orbiting involute wrap; (c) means to orbit said orbiting scroll member with respect to said stationary scroll member whereby said involute wraps make moving line contacts to seal off and define moving pockets of variable volume including a central pocket; (d) housing means enclosing said stationary and orbiting scroll members and defining a peripheral fluid zone therearound; and (e) a thrust bearing/coupling component capable of simultaneously coupling said orbiting and stationary scroll members in predetermined angular relationship and carrying axial loads imposed on said scroll members, comprising in combination (1) load carrying rolling members, (2) a ring member having a plurality of uniformly spaced bearing pads having first and second oppositely disposed surfaces in each of which is cut an indentation to provide a plurality of first and second oppositely disposed indentations, and (3) a plurality of third indentations cut in one surface of said orbiting scroll member corresponding in location to said first indentations and defining therewith a first plurality of tracks for said load carrying rolling members retained therein; and (4) a plurality of fourth indentations cut in a surface maintained stationary with respect to said orbiting scroll member corresponding in location to said second indentations and defining therewith a second plurality of tracks for said load carrying rolling members retained therein, said first and second tracks being of a size and configuration which permit said load carrying rolling members to undergo oscillatory motion over a distance equal to the orbit radius associated with said orbiting scroll member and the longer axes of said first tracks being perpendicular to those of said second tracks.

Claim 40

A positive fluid displacement apparatus suitable as a fluid compressor, expander or pump, comprising in combination (a) a stationary scroll member comprising a stationary end plate and a stationary involute wrap; (b) an orbiting scroll member, comprising an orbiting end plate and an orbiting involute wrap; (c) means to orbit said orbiting scroll member with respect to said stationary scroll member whereby said involute wraps make moving line contacts to seal off and define moving pockets of variable volume including a central pocket; (d) housing means enclosing said stationary and orbiting scroll members and defining a peripheral fluid zone therearound; and (e) a thrust bearing/coupling component capable of simultaneously coupling said orbiting and stationary scroll members in predetermined angular relationship and carrying axial loads imposed on said scroll members, comprising in combination (1) load carrying rolling members, (2) a ring member having a plurality of uniformly spaced bearing pads having first and second oppositely disposed surfaces in each of which is cut an indentation to provide a plurality of first and second oppositely disposed indentations, and (3) a plurality of third indentations cut in one surface of said orbiting scroll member corresponding in location to said first indentations and defining therewith a first plurality of tracks for said load carrying rolling members retained therein; and (4) a plurality of fourth indentations cut in a surface maintained stationary with respect to said orbiting scroll member corresponding in location to said second indentations and defining therewith a second plurality of tracks for said load carrying rolling members retained therein, said first and second tracks being of a size and configuration which permit said load carrying rolling members to undergo oscillatory motion over a distance equal to the orbit radius associated with said orbiting scroll member and the longer axes of said first tracks being perpendicular to those of said second tracks.

Claim 41

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said load carrying rolling members are spheres.

Claim 42

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said load carrying rolling members are rollers.

Claim 43

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said stationary surface is provided by said housing means whereby said component carries expansive loads tending to force apart said scroll members.

Claim 44

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said stationary surface is provided by said stationary scroll member whereby said component carries compressive loads tending to force together said scroll members.

Claim 45

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said stationary and orbiting involute wraps each comprise essentially one and one-half turns and said apparatus is a pump.

Claim 46

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said stationary and orbiting involute wraps each comprise multiple turns and said apparatus is a compressor or expander.

Claim 47

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said thrust bearing/coupling component also comprises (5) a second ring member having a plurality of uniformly spaced bearing pads having first and second oppositely disposed surfaces in each of which is cut an indentation to provide a plurality of third and fourth oppositely disposed indentations, (6) a plurality of fifth indentations cut in another surface of said orbiting scroll member corresponding in location to said third indentations and defining therewith a third plurality of tracks for said load carrying rolling members retained therein, and (7) a plurality of sixth indentations cut in a surface maintained stationary with respect to said orbiting scroll member corresponding in location to said fourth indentations and defining therewith a fourth plurality of tracks for said load carrying rolling members retained therein; said third and fourth tracks being of a size and configuration which permit said load carrying rolling members to undergo oscillatory motion over a distance equal to the orbit radius associated with said orbiting scroll member and the longer axes of said third tracks being perpendicular to those of said fourth tracks.

Claim 48

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 43 wherein said stationary surfaces are provided by said stationary scroll member and by said housing means.

Claim 49

A positive fluid displacement apparatus in accordance with claim 43 wherein both of said stationary surfaces are provided by said housing member.