Scroll type fluid displacement apparatus with reinforced wrap seals

Claim 2

In a scroll type fluid displacement apparatus including a pair of scroll members each comprising an end plate and a spiral wrap means extending from one surface of said end plate and provided with a groove which is formed in the axial end surface thereof along the spiral curve, both wrap means interfitting at an angular offset to make a plurality of line contacts to define at least one pair of sealed off fluid pockets, drive means operatively connected to one of said scroll members to cause said one scroll member to undergo orbital motion relative to the other scroll member, and prevent rotation of said one scroll member, whereby said fluid pockets change volume and pressure by the orbital motion of said one scroll member, and an elongated seal element disposed within each of said grooves of said wrap means and urged into contact with the adjacent end plate by the varying fluid pressure in the groove from the adjacent fluid pockets, and improvement comprising an elongated and substantially rigid reinforcement member secured to and supporting said seal element along substantially the entire length of said seal element for rigidifying said seal element to prevent localized bending thereof and effect uniform sealing.

Claim 3

The improvement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sealing element comprises a sliding member adapted to engage the end plate of the opposite scroll member, and said reinforcement member comprises a core member affixed to said sliding member.

Claim 4

The improvement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said core member is inserted near the longitudinal center of said sliding member.

Claim 5

The improvement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sliding member is affixed to the axial end surface of said core member.

Claim 6

The improvement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sliding member comprises two separate portions affixed to opposite side surfaces of said core member.

Claim 7

The improvement as claimed in claim 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein said sliding member is made of plastic.

Claim 8

The improvement as claimed in claim 6 wherein said plastic is PTFE.

Claim 9

The improvement as claimed in claim 7 wherein said core member is made of steel.

Claim 10

The improvement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reinforcement member is a channel-shaped guide member which embraces said sealing element.

Claim 11

The improvement as claimed in claim 9 wherein said sealing element is made of plastic.

Claim 12

The improvement as claimed in claim 10 wherein said plastic is PTFE.

Claim 13

The improvement as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein said sealing element has a pair of stepped shoulders, and said guide member has inwardly facing flange portions for engaging said shoulders and firmly holding said sealing element to prevent axial movement thereof.

Claim 14

The improvement as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein said sealing element has an indentation on each side surface thereof, and said guide member has an inwardly projecting portion on booth side walls thereof which engage said indentations and firmly hold said sealing element to prevent axial movement thereof.

Claim 15

In a scroll type fluid displacement apparatus: a housing having a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port; a fixed scroll member fixedly disposed relative to said housing and having an end plate from which first spiral wrap means extends into the interior of said housing; an orbiting scroll member having an end plate from which a second spiral wrap means extends, and said first and second wrap means interfitting at an angular and radial offset to make a plurality of line contacts to define at least one pair of sealed off fluid pockets; driving means including a drive shaft rotatably supported by said housing and operatively connected to said orbiting scroll member to effect orbital motion of said orbiting scroll member and prevent rotation of said orbiting scroll member, whereby said fluid pockets change volume and pressure by the orbital motion of said orbiting scroll member; a groove in the axial end surface of both of said wrap means along the spiral curve; an elongated seal element disposed within each of said grooves and urged into contact with the adjacent end plate by the varying fluid pressure in the groove from the adjacent fluid pockets; and an elongated and substantially rigid reinforcement member secured to and supporting said seal element along substantially the entire length of said seal element for rigidifying said seal element to prevent localized bending thereof and effect uniform sealing.

Claim 16

In a scroll type fluid displacement apparatus: a housing having a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port; a fixed scroll member fixedly disposed relative to said housing and having an end plate from which first spiral wrap means extends into the interior of said housing; an orbiting scroll member having an end plate from which a second spiral wrap means extends, and said first and second wrap means interfitting at an angular and radial offset to make a plurality of line contacts to define at least one pair of sealed off fluid pockets; driving means including a drive shaft rotatably supported by said housing and operatively connected to said orbiting scroll member to effect orbital motion of said orbiting scroll member and prevent rotation of said orbiting scroll member, whereby said fluid pockets change volume and pressure by the orbital motion of said orbiting scroll member; a groove in the axial end surface of both of said wrap means along the spiral curve; an elongated seal element disposed within each of said grooves and urged into contact with the adjacent end plate by the varying fluid pressure in the groove from the adjacent fluid pockets; and an elongated and substantially rigid reinforcement member secured to and supporting said seal element along substantially the entire length of said seal element for rigidifying said seal element to prevent localized bending thereof and effect uniform sealing.

Claim 17

The improvement as claimed in claim 14 wherein said seal element comprises a sliding member adapted to engage the end plate of the opposite scroll member, and said reinforcement member comprises a core member affixed to said sliding member.

Claim 18

The improvement as claimed in claim 15 wherein said sliding member is made of PTFE.

Claim 19

The improvement as claimed in claim 16 wherein said core member is made of steel.

Claim 20

The improvement as claimed in claim 14 wherein said reinforcement member is a channel-shaped guide member which embraces said sealing element.

Claim 21

The improvement as claimed in claim 9 or 18 wherein said guide member has springy protrusions on its bottom surface which contact the bottom of said groove and urge said sealing element into engagement with the end plate of the opposite scroll member.