Scroll manufacturing method and tool

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein said mold further comprises a second molding member with an end surface having an indentation within which the end plate of the scroll is formed, said second molding member being placed over said first molding member.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 wherein the metal forming process is a casting process.

Claim 6

A manufacturing tool for making a scroll for use in a scroll type fluid displacement apparatus, said scroll being formed by a spiral element and an end plate, said tool comprising: (a) a first molding member having an end plate, a first involute element having an inner side wall and an outer side wall extending from one end surface of said end plate, a tubular outside wall extending from one end surface of said end plate to enclose said first involute element, and a plurality of arc shaped holes formed through said end plate and placed along the outer side of said first involute element; (b) a second involute element having an inner side wall and an outer side wall rotatably coupled to said first molding member and interfitting with said first involute element in a disposition to define a radial gap between the inner side wall of said first involute element and the outer side wall of said second involute element, said second involute element having a plurality of pins projecting axially from an axial end of said second involute element and penetrating through said arc shaped holes in said end plate of said first molding member; (c) a rotatable member having a plurality of holes extending in the axial direction, said pins of said second involute element having axial end portions extending into said holes in said rotatable member to couple said rotatable member to said second involute element and to transmit the rotation of said rotatable member to said second involute element so that the relative rotation between said first and second involute elements adjusts the size of said radial gap; and (d) a second molding member having an indentation in its axial end surface facing said first and second involute elements, said second molding member being attachable to said first molding member during the manufacturing process to define a space within which the end plate of the scroll is formed.

Claim 7

A manufacturing tool for making a scroll for use in a scroll type fluid displacement apparatus, said scroll being formed by a spiral element and an end plate, said tool comprising: (a) a first molding member having an end plate, a first involute element having an inner side wall and an outer side wall extending from one end surface of said end plate, a tubular outside wall extending from one end surface of said end plate to enclose said first involute element, and a plurality of arc shaped holes formed through said end plate and placed along the outer side of said first involute element; (b) a second involute element having an inner side wall and an outer side wall rotatably coupled to said first molding member and interfitting with said first involute element in a disposition to define a radial gap between the inner side wall of said first involute element and the outer side wall of said second involute element, said second involute element having a plurality of pins projecting axially from an axial end of said second involute element and penetrating through said arc shaped holes in said end plate of said first molding member; (c) a rotatable member having a plurality of holes extending in the axial direction, said pins of said second involute element having axial end portions extending into said holes in said rotatable member to couple said rotatable member to said second involute element and to transmit the rotation of said rotatable member to said second involute element so that the relative rotation between said first and second involute elements adjusts the size of said radial gap; and (d) a second molding member having an indentation in its axial end surface facing said first and second involute elements, said second molding member being attachable to said first molding member during the manufacturing process to define a space within which the end plate of the scroll is formed.

Claim 8

The manufacturing tool of claim 5 wherein a hollow tube extends from said rotatable member and a shaft extends from the end plate of said first molding member, said shaft extending into and being rotatable relative to said hollow tube.

Claim 9

The manufacturing tool of claim 5 wherein the length of said outside wall of said first molding member is larger than the length of said first and second involute elements to form a circular indentation within which a part of the end plate of the scroll is formed.

Claim 10

The manufacturing tool of claim 7 wherein a radial flange extends along an axial end portion of said first involute element and a cut-out portion extends along an axial end portion of said second involute element, said radial flange being disposed in said cut-out portion with a gap between said radial flange and an axial side wall of said cut-out portion.