THRUST BEARING/COUPLING COMPONENT FOR SCROLL-TYPE ORBITING MACHINERY AND SCROLL- TYPE MACHINERY INCORPORATING THE SAME

摘要

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREA thrust bearing/coupling component for use in scroll-type apparatus which may be a compressor, expander, fluid pumpor vacuum pump. The resulting apparatus is particularly suitedfor use as auxiliary equipment in automotive power systems. Thecomponent of this invention comprises rotating or oscillatingload carrying members, preferably ball bearings, confined with-in facing indentations cut in the orbiting scroll member endplate surface and an associated surface in a member stationarywith respect to the orbiting scroll member. The thrust bearing/coupling component couples the stationary and orbiting scrollmembers in a predetermined angular relationship and it maybe used to carry either expansive or compressive axial loadson the scroll members to achieve efficient radial sealing ofthe moving scroll fluid pockets while controlling surface wear-ing so that the scroll apparatus may be operated for an ex-tended period of time without servicing.