Wrap element and tip seal for use in fluid apparatus of the scroll type and method for making same

Claim 2

A tip seal for use in fluid apparatus of the scroll type comprising a relatively rigid strip of material having been wound about its longitudinal axis into a generally spiroidal configuration about a reference axis and having a cross section taken in a plane substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis wherein at least the radially outer surface thereof in convex in a radially outward direction, constructed in accordance with the method comprising winding said strip of relatively rigid material into said generally spiroidal configuration about a reference axis in an operation in which the strip of material is subject to a degree of twist about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 3

The tip seal of claim 1 wherein said cross section of said strip of material further includes a radially inner surface which is convex in a radially inward direction.

Claim 4

The wrap element and tip seal of claim 1 wherein said strip of material comprises steel.

Claim 5

The tip seal of claim 1 or 2 wherein said cross-section of said strip of material is substantially circular.

Claim 6

The tip seal of claims 1 or 2 wherein said cross section of said strip of material includes a generally flat sealing surface lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said reference axis.

Claim 7

The tip seal of claims 1 or 2 wherein said cross section of said strip of material includes a generally flat base surface lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said reference axis.

Claim 8

The tip seal of claims 1 or 2 wherein said cross section of said strip of material includes a generally flat sealing surface lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said reference axis, and a generally flat base surface also lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said reference axis.

Claim 9

A wrap element and tip seal for use in fluid apparatus of the scroll type comprising a. a wrap element defining at least a first flank surface of generally spiroidal configuration about a reference axis, said flank surface extending generally in an axial direction and terminating in a tip surface lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said reference axis; b. a groove disposed within said tip surface of spiroidal configuration generally conforming to that of said flank surface, said groove including at least a radially outer lateral wall and having a width measured therefrom in a generally radial direction with respect to said axis and a depth measured in an axial direction from said tip surface; and c. a tip seal disposed at least partially within said groove comprising a relatively rigid strip of material having been wound about its longitudinal axis into a spiroidal configuration generally conforming to that of said groove and having a cross section taken in a plane substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis wherein at least the radially outer surface thereof is convex in a radially outward direction, constructed in accordance with the method comprising winding said strip of relatively rigid material into said generally spiroidal configuration about a reference axis in an operation in which the strip of material is subject to a degree of twist about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 10

A wrap element and tip seal for use in fluid apparatus of the scroll type comprising a. a wrap element defining at least a first flank surface of generally spiroidal configuration about a reference axis, said flank surface extending generally in an axial direction and terminating in a tip surface lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said reference axis; b. a groove disposed within said tip surface of spiroidal configuration generally conforming to that of said flank surface, said groove including at least a radially outer lateral wall and having a width measured therefrom in a generally radial direction with respect to said axis and a depth measured in an axial direction from said tip surface; and c. a tip seal disposed at least partially within said groove comprising a relatively rigid strip of material having been wound about its longitudinal axis into a spiroidal configuration generally conforming to that of said groove and having a cross section taken in a plane substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis wherein at least the radially outer surface thereof is convex in a radially outward direction, constructed in accordance with the method comprising winding said strip of relatively rigid material into said generally spiroidal configuration about a reference axis in an operation in which the strip of material is subject to a degree of twist about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 11

The wrap element and tip seal of claim 8 wherein said wrap element defines first and second flank surfaces of generally spiroidal configuration, each of which extends in an axial direction and terminates in said tip surface lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said reference axis.

Claim 12

The wrap element and tip seal of claim 8 further comprising back-up means for imposing a force upon said strip of material in an axial direction away from said wrap element while permitting movement thereof in an axial direction.

Claim 13

The wrap element and tip seal of claim 8 wherein said strip of material comprises steel.

Claim 14

The wrap element and tip seal of claim 8 wherein said groove includes only a radially outer lateral wall and a bottom wall.

Claim 15

The wrap element and tip seal of claim 12 wherein the radially outer lateral wall of said groove is inclined radially outwardly in a direction toward said tip surface.

Claim 16

The wrap element and tip seal of claim 8 wherein said groove further includes a radially inner lateral wall, and wherein said cross section of said strip of material further includes a radially inner surface which is convex in a radially inward direction.

Claim 17

The wrap element and tip seal of claim 14 wherein the radially outer lateral wall of said groove is inclined radially outward toward said tip surface.

Claim 18

The wrap element and tip seal of claim 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 wherein said cross section of said strip of material is substantially circular.

Claim 19

The wrap, element and tip seal of claim 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 wherein said cross section of said strip of material includes a generally flat sealing surface lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said reference axis, said sealing surface lying proximate the tip surface of said wrap element.

Claim 20

The wrap element and tip seal of claim 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 wherein said cross section of said strip of material includes a generally flat base surface lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said reference axis, said base surface lying in a lower portion of said groove.

Claim 21

The wrap element and tip seal of claim 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 wherein said cross section of said strip of material includes a generally flat sealing surface lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said reference axis, and a generally flat base surface also lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said reference axis; said sealing surface lying proximate the tip surface of said wrap element, and said base surface lying in a lower portion of said groove.

Claim 24

The method of claim 20 wherein said strip of material comprises steel.