EP0240739A1 - Spiralverdichterschmiersystem - Google Patents

Spiralverdichterschmiersystem Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0240739A1
EP0240739A1 EP87103234A EP87103234A EP0240739A1 EP 0240739 A1 EP0240739 A1 EP 0240739A1 EP 87103234 A EP87103234 A EP 87103234A EP 87103234 A EP87103234 A EP 87103234A EP 0240739 A1 EP0240739 A1 EP 0240739A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
scroll
end plate
inlet port
passageway
orbiting scroll
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP87103234A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0240739B1 (de
Inventor
Kiyoshi Terauchi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sanden Corp
Original Assignee
Sanden Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP1982148267U external-priority patent/JPS5952193U/ja
Application filed by Sanden Corp filed Critical Sanden Corp
Priority to EP87103234A priority Critical patent/EP0240739B1/de
Publication of EP0240739A1 publication Critical patent/EP0240739A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0240739B1 publication Critical patent/EP0240739B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04CROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04C29/00Component parts, details or accessories of pumps or pumping installations, not provided for in groups F04C18/00 - F04C28/00
    • F04C29/02Lubrication; Lubricant separation

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a fluid displacement apparatus, and more particularly, to a scroll type fluid compressor.
  • Scroll type fluid displacement apparatus are well known in the prior art.
  • U.S. Patent No. 801,182 discloses a scroll type fluid displacement apparatus including two scroll members each having a circular end plate and a spiroidal or involute spiral ele­ment. These scroll members are maintained angularly and radially offset so that spiral elements interfit to make a plurality of line contacts between their spiral curved surfaces, thereby to seal off and define at least one pair of fluid pockets.
  • the relative orbital motion of the two scroll members shifts the line contacts along the spiral curved surfaces and, therefore, the fluid pockets change in volume.
  • the volume of the fluid pockets increases or decreases dependent on the direction of the orbital motion. Therefore, scroll type fluid displacement apparatus are applicable to compress, expand or pump fluids.
  • scroll type fluid dis­placement apparatus are particularly well-suited for use as a refrigerant compressor in an automobile air conditioner.
  • the refrigerant compressor for an automobile air conditioner be compact in size and light in weight, since is placed in the engine com­partment of an automobile.
  • the refrigerant compressor is generally coupled to a electromagnetic clutch for transmitting the output of an engine to the drive shaft of the compressor. The weight of the electromagnetic clutch is therefore added to the weight of the compressor to thereby increase the total weight of compressor unit.
  • the orbiting scroll is supported for cantilever and driving mechanism for oribiting scroll is concentrated upon the rear end of the orbiting scroll. Furthermore, the fluid inlet port which is formed in the housing is placed on the outer peripheral portion of spiral element or rear end portion of fixed scroll to introduce the fluid into the interior of the housing without pressure loss of compress fluid.
  • a prior compressor disclosed in EP-A-0 133 625, has a fluid inlet port formed in its housing and located adjacent an outer peripheral portion of the spiral element of the orbiting scroll member.
  • a step portion is formed in the fluid inlet port. This step portion projects radially inwardly from an inner wall of fluid inlet port.
  • the housing is formed with a first oil passage way, one end of which opens at the inner wall of fluid inlet port, and a second oil passage way, which extends from the first passage way to a shaft seal cavity including a shaft seal assembly.
  • refrigerant gas is introduced into the interior of the housing through inlet port. The oil mist in the suction gas strikes against the step portion in the inlet port and the oil is separated out.
  • the separated oil flows into the first oil passageway and then flows on to the shaft seal cavity through the second oil passage way.
  • the oil which flows into the shaft seal cavity lubricates and cools the shaft seal assembly and returns to the interior of the housing while lubricating the bearing portions.
  • the step portion for separating and accumulating oil must be formed in the fluid inlet port and the oil passageway extending between the shaft seal cavity and the fluid inlet port must be formed in the housing, with a resultant increase in the wall thickness of the housing. Therefore, the construction and forming of the housing is complicated and the diameter of the housing is increased.
  • EP-A-O 077 214 which falls within the terms of Article 54(3) EPC, discloses a scroll type compressor having orbiting and fixed scroll members disposed within a housing formed of a front end plate and a cup-shaped casing.
  • a rotation preventing/thrust bearing device is disposed between the front end plate and the orbiting scroll member.
  • a fluid inlet port is formed in the cup-shaped casing, close to the orbiting scroll member and the rotation preventing/­thrust bearing device.
  • the inlet port extends from a first axial location, which is between opposed surfaces of a peripheral portion of an end plate of the orbiting scroll member, to a second axial location, which is between two plate elements together forming an orbiting ring of the rotation preventing/thrust bearing device and each secured to the end plate of the orbiting scroll member.
  • a scroll type compressor including a housing comprising a front end plate and a cup-shaped casing, a fixed scroll fixedly disposed within said housing and having a first circular end plate from which a first wrap extends, an orbiting scroll having a second circular end plate from which a second wrap extends, said first and second wraps interfitting at an angular and radial offset to make a plurality of line contacts to define at least one pair of sealed off fluid pockets, a driving mechanism operatively connected with said orbiting scroll to effect orbital motion of said orbiting scroll while rotation of said orbiting scroll is prevented by a rotation preventing/thrust bearing device, and thus changing the volume of said fluid pockets due to the orbital motion of said orbiting scroll, said rotation preventing/thrust bearing device being located between an inner end surface of said front end plate and an end surface of said second circular end plate of said orbiting scroll, and a fluid inlet port is formed in said cup-shaped casing, characterised in that said fluid inlet port is located radially out
  • the rotation preventing mechanism may include a fixed ring fastened against the inner surface of said front end plate, an orbiting ring fastened against the end surface of said circular end plate and ball elements each of which is retained a pair of holes formed in both rings.
  • a cut-out portion is suitable formed in the periphery of the fixed ring, at the same angular position as the fluid inlet port.
  • An oil passageway may be formed in the front end plate to an interior portion of the casing with a shaft seal cavity in the front end plate. In this construction, lubri­cation and cooling of bearing portions can be easily done.
  • a prior compressor has the lubricating mechanism which is shown in Figure 1.
  • a fluid inlet port 2 is formed in housing 1 and located at an outer peripheral portion of a spiral element 3a of orbiting scroll 3.
  • a step portion 2a is formed in fluid inlet port 2.
  • Step portion 2a projects radially inwardly from an inner wall of fluid inlet port 2.
  • Housing 1 is formed with a first oil passageway 4 one end of which opens at the inner wall of fluid inlet port 2 and second oil passageway 5 one end of which opens at a shaft seal cavity 6 includes a shaft seal assembly 7.
  • refrigerant gas is introduced into the interior of the housing 1 through inlet port 2.
  • the oil mist suction gas is struck against step portion 2a and separates the oil.
  • first oil passageway 4 Following the flow of suction gas separated oil flows into first oil passageway 4, and then flows out to the shaft seal cavity 6 through second oil passageway 5.
  • the oil which flows into the shaft seal cavity lubricates and cools the shaft seal assembly 7 and returns to the interior of housing 1 while lubricating the bearing portions.
  • step portion for separating and accumulating the oil must be formed in the fluid inlet port and oil passageway connected between shaft seal cavity and fluid inlet port must be formed in housing with increase the wall thickness of housing. Therefore, the construction and forming of the housing will be complicated and increase the diameter of housing.
  • a refrigerant compressor unit in accordance with the present invention includes a compressor housing 10 comprising a front end plate 11 and a cup shaped casing 12 which is attached to one side surface of front end plate 11.
  • An opening 111 is formed in the center of front end plate 11 for penetrating or passage of a drive shaft 13.
  • An annular projection 112 concentric with opening 111 is formed on the inside face of front end plate 11 and projects towards cup shaped casing 12.
  • An outer peripheral surface of an annular projection 112 contacts an inner wall surface of cup shaped casing 12.
  • Cup shaped casing 12 is fixed to front end plate 11 by a fastening means, for example, bolts-nuts (not shown). The open portion of cup shaped casing 12 is thereby covered and closed by front end plate 11.
  • An O-ring member 14 is placed between front end plate 11 and the open portion of cup shaped casing 12, to thereby secure a seal between the fitting or mating surfaces of front end plate 11 and cup shaped cas­ing 12.
  • Front end plate 11 has an annular sleeve portion 17 projecting outwardly from the front or outside surface thereof.
  • Sleeve 17 surrounds drive shaft 13 and defines a shaft seal cavity.
  • sleeve portion 17 is formed separately from front end plate 11. Therefore, sleeve portion 17 is fixed to front end surface of front end plate 11 by a suitable fastening means, for example, screws (not shown). Alternatively, the sleeve portion 17 may be formed integral with front end plate 11.
  • Drive shaft 13 is rotatably supported by sleeve portion 17 through a bearing 19 disposed within the front end portion of sleeve portion 17.
  • Drive shaft 13 is formed with a disk rotor 131 at its inner end portion, which is rotatably supported by front end plate 11 through a bearing 16 disposed within opening 111 of front end plate 11.
  • a shaft seal assembly 20 is assembled on drive shaft 13 within the shaft seal cavity of front end plate 11.
  • Drive shaft 13 is coupled to an electromagnetic clutch (not shown) which may be disposed on the outer peripheral portion of sleeve portion 17.
  • drive shaft 13 is driven by an external drive power source, for example, a motor of a vehicle, through a rotation force transmitting means such as sn electromagnetic clutch.
  • a fixed scroll 25, an orbiting scroll 26, a driving mechanism for orbiting scroll 26 and a rotation preventing/thrust bearing means 37 for orbiting scroll 26 are disposed in the inner chamber of cup shaped casing 12.
  • the inner chamber is formed between the inner wall of cup shaped casing 12 and front end plate 11.
  • Fixed scroll 25 includes a circular end plate 251 and a wrap or spiral element 252 affixed to or extending from one major side surface of circular plate 251.
  • a bottom plate 122 of cup shaped casing 12 is formed with a plurality of legs 253 axially projecting from its inner end surface, as shown in Figure 2.
  • each leg 253 is fitted against the other major side surface of circular end plate 251.
  • Fixed scroll 25 is fixed by a plurality of by screws 27 each of which screw into circular end plate 251 from the outside of bottom plate portion 122 through leg 253.
  • a first sealing member 28 is disposed between the end surface of each leg 253 and the inner surface of bottom plate portion 122, to thereby prevent fluid leakage along screws 27.
  • a groove 256 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of circular plate 251 and a second seal ring member 29 is disposed therein to form a seal between the inner surface of cup shaped portion 12 and the outer peripheral surface of circular plate 251.
  • cup shaped portion 12 is parti­tioned into two chambers by circular plate 251; a rear or discharge chamber 30, in which legs 253 are disposed, and a front or suction chamber 31, in which spiral element 251 of fixed scroll 25 is disposed.
  • Cup chaped casing 12 is provided with a fluid inlet port 35 and a fluid outlet port 36, which respectively are connected to the front and rear chambers 31, 30.
  • a hole or discharge port 254 is formed through the circular plate 251.at a position near to the center of spiral element 252. Discharge port 254 connects the fluid pocket formed in the center of the interfitting spiral element and rear chamber 30.
  • Orbiting scroll 26 is disposed in front chamber 31.
  • Orbiting scroll member 26 also comprises a circular end plate 261 and a wrap or spiral element 262 affixed to or extending from one side surface of circular end plate 261.
  • Spiral element 262 and spiral element 252 inter­fit at angular offset of 180° and a predetermined radial offset.
  • a pair of fluid pockets are thereby defined between spiral elements 252, 262.
  • Orbiting scroll 26 is connected to the drive mechanism and to the rota­tion preventing/thrust bearing mechanism. These last two mechanisms effect orbital motion of the orbiting scroll member 26 by rotation of drive shaft 13, to thereby compress fluid passing through the compressor unit.
  • Drive shaft 13 which is rotatably supported by sleeve portion 17 through ball bearing 19, is formed with disk rotor 131.
  • Disk rotor 131 is rotatably supported by front end plate 11 through ball bearing 16 disposed within opening 111 of front end plate 11.
  • a crank pin or drive pin 15 projects axially inwardly from an end surface of disk rotor 131 and is radially offset from the center of drive shaft 13.
  • Circular plate 261 of orbiting scroll 26 is provided with a tubular boss 263 projecting axially outwardly from the end surface opposit to the side from which spiral element 262 extends.
  • a discoid or short axial bushing 33 is fitted into boss 263, and is rotatably supported therein by a bearing, such as a needly bearing 34.
  • Bushing 33 has a balance weight 331 which is shaped as a portion of a disk or ring and extends radially from bushing 33 along a front surface thereof.
  • An eccentric hole 332, as shown in Figure 3, is formed in bushing 33 radially offset from the center of bushing 33.
  • Drive pin 15 is fitted into the eccentrically disposed hole 332, within which a bearing 32 may be inserted.
  • Bushing 33 is therefore driven by the revolution of drive pin 15 and permitted to rotate by needle bearing 34.
  • the spiral element of orbiting scroll 26 is thus pushed against the spiral element of fixed scroll 25 due to the moment created between the driving point and the reaction force acting point of the pressurized gas.
  • Rotation preventing/thrust bearing device 37 is placed between the inner end surface of front end plate 11 and the end surface of circular end plate 261 of orbiting scroll 26 which faces the inner end surface of front end plate 11.
  • Rotation preventing/thrust bearing device 37 includes a fixed ring 371 which is fastened against the inner end surface of front end plate 11, an orbiting ring 372 which is fastened against the end surface of circular end plate 261, and bearing elements, such as a plurality of spherical balls 373. Both rings 371 and 372 have a plurality of pairs of adjacent circular indentations or holes 374 and 375 and one ball 373 is retained in each of these pairs of holes 374 and 375.
  • both ring 371 and 372 are formed by separat plate elements 371a and 372a, and ring elements 371b and 372b which have the plurality of pairs of holes 374 and 375.
  • the elements of each ring are respectively fixed by suitable fastening means.
  • the plate and ring elements may be formed integral with one an­other.
  • orbiting scroll 26 In operation, the rotation of orbiting scroll 26 is prevented by balls 373, which interact with the edges of holes 374 and 375 to prevent rotation. Also, these balls 373 carry the axial thrust load from orbit­ing scroll 26. Thus, orbiting scroll 26 orbits while maintaining its angular orientation with respect to fixed scroll 25.
  • the cup-shaped casing 12 is formed with a fluid inlet port 35 and this fluid inlet port 35 is located in the casing 12 at a location radially outwardly of and at the same axial location as a portion of the rotation preventing/thrust bearing device 37. Therefore, the refrigerant gas which is introduced into the suction chamber 31 through the fluid inlet port 35 strikes against a part of the rotation preventing/thrust bearing device 37.
  • the lubricating oil which exists within the refrigerant gas as an oil mist, is separated from the suction gas. After separating, the oil adheres to the balls and to the surfaces of the orbiting and fixed rings which are contacted by the rolling surfaces of the balls, and lubricates the rolling surfaces.
  • the suction gas also cools and lubricates parts of the bearing portion disposed within cup-shaped casing 12.
  • FIGs 5 and 6 show another embodiment of a compressor according to this invention, in which the lubricating mechanism for the shaft seal assembly is modified.
  • a lubricating oil passageway 113 is formed in the front end plate 11 for connecting the shaft seal cavity of the front end plate 11 to the suction chamber 31.
  • the outer peripheral portion of fixed ring 371 is provided with a cut-out portion 40 which is located at the same angular position as the fluid inlet port 35.
  • One end of the oil passageway 113 opens at the inner surface of front end plate 11 adjacent to the cut-out portion 40 of fixed ring 371. As shown in Figure 6, a part of the opening of the oil passageway 113 is covered by the fixed ring 371.
  • the cut-out portion 40 In operation, a part of the suction refrigerant gas which is introduced into the suction chamber 31 through fluid inlet port 35 strikes against a bottom surface 401 of cut-out portion 40.
  • the lubricating oil is separated from the suction refrigerant gas and accumulates on a bottom surface 401 of cut-out portion 40.
  • the accumulated oil flows into oil passageway 113, and then flows out to the shaft seal cavity of front end plate 11.
  • the oil which flows into the shaft seal cavity lubricates and cools the shaft seal assembly 20 and returns to suction chamber 31 through bearing 16 while lubricate bearing 16.
  • the cut-out portion 40 is arc-­shaped.
  • the cut-out portion 40 may be U-shaped, as shown in Figure 7.
  • the bottom surface 401 of cut-out portion 40 usually makes a right angle with the end surface of fixed ring 371.
  • the bottom surface 401 of cut-out portion 40 may be formed by an inclined surface, as shown in Figure 5.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Rotary Pumps (AREA)
EP87103234A 1982-09-30 1983-09-30 Spiralverdichterschmiersystem Expired - Lifetime EP0240739B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP87103234A EP0240739B1 (de) 1982-09-30 1983-09-30 Spiralverdichterschmiersystem

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP148267/82U 1982-09-30
JP1982148267U JPS5952193U (ja) 1982-09-30 1982-09-30 スクロ−ル型圧縮機
EP87103234A EP0240739B1 (de) 1982-09-30 1983-09-30 Spiralverdichterschmiersystem

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP83305951.2 Division 1983-09-30

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0240739A1 true EP0240739A1 (de) 1987-10-14
EP0240739B1 EP0240739B1 (de) 1991-03-20

Family

ID=26107750

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87103234A Expired - Lifetime EP0240739B1 (de) 1982-09-30 1983-09-30 Spiralverdichterschmiersystem

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0240739B1 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6068458A (en) * 1997-01-27 2000-05-30 Sanden Corporation Scroll-type fluid displacement apparatus
FR2787524A1 (fr) * 1998-12-14 2000-06-23 Sanden Corp Compresseur du type a volute

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3874827A (en) * 1973-10-23 1975-04-01 Niels O Young Positive displacement scroll apparatus with axially radially compliant scroll member
US4082484A (en) * 1977-01-24 1978-04-04 Arthur D. Little, Inc. Scroll-type apparatus with fixed throw crank drive mechanism
EP0009350A1 (de) * 1978-09-04 1980-04-02 Sanden Corporation Kompressoren des Exzenterspiraltyps
EP0012616A1 (de) * 1978-12-16 1980-06-25 Sanden Corporation Kompressor mit ineinandergreifenden Spiralelementen

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3874827A (en) * 1973-10-23 1975-04-01 Niels O Young Positive displacement scroll apparatus with axially radially compliant scroll member
US4082484A (en) * 1977-01-24 1978-04-04 Arthur D. Little, Inc. Scroll-type apparatus with fixed throw crank drive mechanism
US4082484B1 (de) * 1977-01-24 1983-06-21
EP0009350A1 (de) * 1978-09-04 1980-04-02 Sanden Corporation Kompressoren des Exzenterspiraltyps
EP0012616A1 (de) * 1978-12-16 1980-06-25 Sanden Corporation Kompressor mit ineinandergreifenden Spiralelementen

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
No search, Declaration under Rule 45 EPC *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6068458A (en) * 1997-01-27 2000-05-30 Sanden Corporation Scroll-type fluid displacement apparatus
FR2787524A1 (fr) * 1998-12-14 2000-06-23 Sanden Corp Compresseur du type a volute

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0240739B1 (de) 1991-03-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0107409B1 (de) Kompressor der Spiralbauart mit Schmiersystem
US4538975A (en) Scroll type compressor with lubricating system
US4340339A (en) Scroll type compressor with oil passageways through the housing
EP0122469B1 (de) Schmiereinrichtung für Verdrängungsanlage mit ineinandergreifenden Spiralelementen
EP0066457B1 (de) Mechanismus der Antriebslagerung für eine umlaufende Spirale einer Verdrängermaschine vom Spiraltyp
EP0059925B1 (de) Antriebsmittel für eine Fluidumverdrängungsanlage mit Exzenterspiralelementen
EP0009350B1 (de) Kompressoren des Exzenterspiraltyps
US4470778A (en) Scroll type fluid displacement apparatus with oil separating mechanism
US5427511A (en) Scroll compressor having a partition defining a discharge chamber
EP0077213B1 (de) Fluidumverdrängungsmaschine mit Spiralelementen
EP0331449B1 (de) Spiralverdichter
EP0078148A1 (de) Vorgespannte Antriebseinrichtung für kreisendes, fluidverdrängendes Maschinenteil
EP0118900A1 (de) Schmierungseinrichtung für Verdrängermaschine mit ineinandergreifenden Spiralelementen
EP0078128B1 (de) Stützenlager für Fluidumverdrängungsmaschine
US5738504A (en) Rotation preventing device for orbiting member of fluid displacement apparatus
US6231324B1 (en) Oldham coupling for scroll machine
AU658530B2 (en) Orbiting member fluid displacement apparatus with rotation preventing mechanism
EP0065261A2 (de) Axialdichtung für eine Spiralverdrängermaschine
EP0743454B1 (de) Spiralverdrängungsanlage für Fluid
EP0240739A1 (de) Spiralverdichterschmiersystem
EP0070617B1 (de) Einrichtung vom Spiraltyp zum Fördern von Fluid
GB2167131A (en) Scroll-type rotary fluid-machine

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 107409

Country of ref document: EP

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19871124

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19890102

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 107409

Country of ref document: EP

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT SE

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3382225

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19910425

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
EAL Se: european patent in force in sweden

Ref document number: 87103234.8

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20020904

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20020910

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20020925

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20021011

Year of fee payment: 20

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20030929

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed