Abstract: The crankshaft and orbiting scroll of a scroll compressor are drivingly connected through a bearing. The bearing is made up of a plurality of roller elements of varying diameters in line contact with both the crankshaft and the orbiting scroll and serving to locate the crankshaft and orbiting scroll eccentrically with respect to each other and thereby provide radial compliancy.

Abstract: A tip seal for scroll type compressors is provided to seal the tips of the scroll wraps of the stationary and orbiting scrolls. The seal consists of a "C" shaped cross sectional spring formed to fit in a slot in the tip of the scroll wraps. The spring is coated with a Teflon based material to seal the scroll tip from the high pressure side to the low pressure side and the center of the "C" shaped cross sectional spring is filled with an O-ring type neoprene material extending through at least part of the length of the spring to seal the core of the spring against leakage of fluid being compressed.

Abstract: A scroll compressor has a pair of mating scrolls that are disposed on parallel, eccentric axes, and each of these scrolls has a scroll plate and a spiral, involute wrap. The scrolls are driven so that one of them orbits about the axis of the other scroll while maintaining a fixed azimuthal relationship to it. The orbital motion causes a compressible fluid to enter at the periphery of the scrolls, and be carried and compressed by pockets formed between the mating wraps of these scrolls. The compressed gas is discharged out a discharge port at the center of one of the scrolls. The discharge port is bored diagonally into the scroll plate of the one scroll so that it has an elongated elliptical aperture at the center of the scroll plate. The port is machined into the scroll from the wrap side of the scroll. The enlarged size of the port aperture reduces the resistance to fluid flow and hence reduces the back pressure, thereby increasing the compressor efficiency.

Abstract: Axial compliancy is achieved in a scroll compressor by providing a fluid pressure bias to the back of the orbiting scroll. The fluid pressure bias is supplied by one or more pockets configured to combine the efficient use of the available area with ease of manufacture.

Abstract: A multi-functional, single member serves as a muffler to attenuate noise, as a separator plate between the suction and discharge gases/pressures, and to carry check valve structure to avoid reverse rotation and for efficiency enhancement at off-design conditions.

Abstract: In a reciprocating compressor, the separator plate separating the suction and discharge plenums acts as a spring relative to the valve plate assembly. Under liquid slugging conditions the valve plate moves against the biasing force of the separator plate to establish a relief passage between the piston cylinder and the suction plenum.