Scroll machine with discharge passage through orbiting scroll plate and associated lubrication system

Claim 1

A scroll machine for compressing a fluid comprising a. two scroll plates with intermeshed involute wrap elements defining pockets in which fluid is compressed as the plates orbit relative to each other; b. means for driving one of the scroll plates in orbital motion relative to the other scroll plate, said driving means including a drive shaft rotatably connected to the one driven scroll plate at a point eccentrically disposed relative to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft; c. a shell hermetically enclosing the scroll plates and the driving means; d. means for dividing substantially the entire volume enclosed by the hermetic shell into a first part that is at suction pressure and a second part that is at discharge pressure; e. a passage through said driven scroll plate, adjacent the axial center of its involute wrap element and in fluid communication with the second volume enclosed by the shell, said passage being operative to discharge substantially all the fluid compressed by the orbital motion of the scroll plates; f. an oil reservoir disposed in the second part of the volume enclosed by the shell; g. means for delivering oil from the oil reservoir to the radially outer ends of the involute wrap elements, said oil thereafter being carried with the fluid as it is compressed and discharged through said passage in said driven scroll plate; and h. means disposed adjacent the scroll plate for separating the compressed fluid from the oil and for delivering the oil thus separated to one or more bearing surfaces disposed adjacent the passage.