EP0825331A1 - Scroll fluid displacement machine - Google Patents
Scroll fluid displacement machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0825331A1 EP0825331A1 EP97306186A EP97306186A EP0825331A1 EP 0825331 A1 EP0825331 A1 EP 0825331A1 EP 97306186 A EP97306186 A EP 97306186A EP 97306186 A EP97306186 A EP 97306186A EP 0825331 A1 EP0825331 A1 EP 0825331A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- scroll
- bearing
- machine according
- machine
- drive shaft
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- 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.)
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01C—ROTARY-PISTON OR OSCILLATING-PISTON MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01C21/00—Component parts, details or accessories not provided for in groups F01C1/00 - F01C20/00
- F01C21/10—Outer members for co-operation with rotary pistons; Casings
- F01C21/102—Adjustment of the interstices between moving and fixed parts of the machine by means other than fluid pressure
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2230/00—Manufacture
- F04C2230/60—Assembly methods
- F04C2230/602—Gap; Clearance
Definitions
- This invention relates to scroll type fluid displacement machines and more particularly to means for adjusting the operating clearance and parallelism between fixed and orbiting scrolls and also to means for counteracting thrust and radial loadings present during operation of the machine.
- Scroll fluid displacement machines such as scroll compressors for example, include a fixed scroll with a fixed spiral or involute mounted on the fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll having a spiral or involute that is movable in a circular path relative to the fixed scroll by an eccentric drive shaft.
- the involute of the orbiting scroll is adapted to interengage with the fixed involute as it is moved along the circular path, thereby to form spiral regions of limited extent which move radially inwardly or outwardly.
- oil-less scroll-type displacement machines include an adjustment assembly for setting the clearance between the fixed and orbiting involutes and achieving the required parallelism therebetween.
- Such a required adjustment assembly is complex in design, includes a large number of discrete parts and increases the manufacturing and overall costs associated with the scroll machine.
- alignment between the scroll involutes is difficult to achieve, is a very time consuming step in the assembly of scroll machines, and requires that a large degree of precision be exercised by the technician assembling the machine.
- the high degree of precision required can result in frequent assembly errors.
- the fact that the step is time consuming and requires such a complex adjustment device is due in large part to the arrangement of bearings used in conventional oil-less scroll machines.
- the means for achieving the desired clearance between the involutes is comprised of a shim sandwiched between the eccentric drive shaft and the bearing, and the means for achieving the alignment between the scroll involutes comprises a back up ring and thrust seal located in a groove formed on the fixed scroll, along the outer periphery of the first involute.
- Figures 1, 2, and 3 generally illustrate a first embodiment scroll machine 10.
- the scroll machine described will be an oil-less scroll compressor.
- the scroll machine 10 may be any scroll-type machine including, but not limited to, a scroll motor for a tool, a scroll pump, a scroll compressor or any other apparatus that conveys a volume of fluid in the general manner described hereinafter.
- the scroll compressor 10 compresses a fluid in a known manner and includes a number of features and components which are also known.
- the known features of compressor 10 and the operation thereof are shown and described in US-A-5,391,065.
- the scroll compressor 10 includes a first fixed scroll 12 formed in a compressor housing 14. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first scroll includes a first wrap or involute 16. A groove 18 is formed in the fixed scroll 12 adjacent the outer periphery of the first involute 16 and extends completely around the involute 16. The groove forms an opening along face 19 of the fixed scroll 12.
- the compressor 10 also includes an orbiting scroll 20 that has a second wrap or involute 22 made integral with the scroll along scroll face 23.
- the second involute is adapted to interengage with the first involute in a known manner.
- the entirety of the orbiting scroll moves along a predetermined circular path but does not rotate as it moves.
- the orbiting scroll 20 and fixed scroll 12 interengage to form spiral regions of limited extent which move radially inwardly, thereby compressing a volume of fluid such as air.
- the orbiting scroll 20 includes a recess 24 provided along the orbiting scroll opposite the second involute 22 and forms an opening along the face 25.
- the faces 19 and 23 are separated by a predetermined acceptable distance thereby achieving the desired clearance between the involutes of the scroll members.
- a carrier 30 is joined to the orbiting scroll along the face 25 by conventional connection means such as a threaded fastener, such as a bolt or the like.
- the connection means is generally identified as 32 in Figures 2 and 3.
- the carrier includes an integral hub 34 that is closed at one end.
- the hub defines a cavity 35 and includes an annular bearing shoulder 36 located in the cavity adjacent the closed end of the hub.
- a seat 38 for a seal member 64 is provided at the open end of the hub.
- a housing section 40 supports an eccentric drive shaft 42 which in turn is supported by bearings 44 and 46 which are conventional radial ball bearings. Other bearings and bearing arrangements may be used. For example, the bearings also both may be tapered, angular contact or needle bearings or may be any combination of radial, tapered, needle or angular contact bearings.
- the eccentric shaft has at least one step 43, a shaft stem 52, and a drive end 48.
- a pulley or gear (neither shown) or other member which is adapted to be connected to a prime mover such as an electric motor may be mounted along the drive shaft 42 at the shaft drive end.
- the prime mover which is not shown, produces the required rotation of the shaft 42 about axis 50.
- the eccentric drive shaft stem 52 is operably connected to the orbiting scroll 20 to drive the orbiting scroll along a predetermined circular path. As shown most clearly in Figure 2, the carrier 30 is adapted to receive stem 52, step 43 and a portion of drive shaft 42.
- At least one passive eccentric guide shaft assembly 66 is employed.
- the rotation of the orbiting scroll is inhibited by the or each guide shaft assembly 66 and as a result, the controlled movement of the orbiting scroll along the predetermined circular path is achieved.
- the or each guide shaft assembly executes eccentric rotations corresponding to the eccentricity of the eccentric drive shaft 42 through use of an eccentric guide shaft 68.
- the eccentric guide shaft 68 is supported at the ends by bearings 70 and 72 which in turn are supported in the carrier 30 and housing 40 respectively.
- bearing 70 is a needle bearing and bearing 72 is a radial ball bearing.
- the bearings counteract radial loadings during operation of the scroll compressor 10.
- three like eccentric guide shaft assemblies 66 are provided and are arranged symmetrically around the eccentric guide shaft 42 each being separated from the next adjacent assembly by approximately 120° as illustrated in Figure 1.
- the scroll compressor 10 allows for angular compliant alignment between the fixed involute walls and orbiting scroll involute walls thus the potential for damage to the machine is reduced.
- the shaft stem 52 is supported by first and second bearings 60a and 60b which in turn are mounted side-by-side along the stem.
- the bearings and stem are located in the hub cavity 35, with one side of the bearing 60a located against the shoulder 36.
- a shaft seal 64 is mounted on the eccentric drive shaft 42 at a location along the shaft step 43. The seal 64 sealingly abuts seat 38 when the bearings 60a and 60b and stem 52 are located in cavity 35. In this way, the seal 64 prevents bearing lubricant from leaking out of cavity 35 and also prevents dirt and other undesirable matter from entering the cavity and damaging the bearings 60a and 60b.
- Centrally located bearings 60a and 60b are both angular contact bearings and the bearings counteract thrust and radial loadings present during operation of the compressor 10.
- two bearings are disclosed in a side-by-side arrangement; however, any suitable number of bearings may be used. Since the angular contact bearings 60a and 60b counteract thrust and radial loadings, the radial ball and needle bearings 70 and 72 previously described above, may be used in the guide shaft assemblies 66. Additionally, since the thrust loadings are counteracted by the bearings 60a and 60b rather than by the guide shaft assembly bearings, it is contemplated that only one guide shaft assembly may be used. By this bearing arrangement manufacturing costs are reduced. Counteracting thrust pressure loadings at centrally located angle bearings is different than conventional oil-less scroll bearing arrangements which counteract thrust loadings along the outer periphery of the orbiting scroll.
- a shim 62 is sandwiched between the bearing 60b and shaft step 43 as shown in Figure 3.
- the shim serves to locate the orbiting scroll 20 along the axis 50 relative to the housing 14 so that the faces 19 and 23 are separated by a predetermined acceptable distance.
- the shim is preferably made from a steel or alloy steel material. As a result of separating faces 19 and 23 by the acceptable distance, proper clearance between the fixed and orbiting involute faces is achieved.
- the thickness of the shim may be increased or decreased to increase or decrease the separation distance between the faces 19 and 23.
- the shim represents a means for adjusting the location of the orbit along axis 50 and, in part it replaces more complicated adjustment assemblies of conventional scroll machines.
- the shim may be located between two components of the compressor 10 to produce the required separation distance between the faces 23 and 19.
- the shim member 62 may be located between the face 17 of the housing 14 and the face 41 of the housing section 40; between the back of the housing 40 and bearing 44; between the bearings 60a and 60b; and between the bearing 60a and the closed side of the hub 34.
- the compressor 10 includes alignment means 80 which is comprised of a back up ring 82 and thrust seal 84. Together the thrust seal and back up ring achieve the required parallelism and angular alignment between the fixed and orbiting scroll members.
- the back up ring 82 is located in the groove 18 and is positioned between the closed side of the groove and the thrust seal 84 and counteracts the pressure moment created by gas loading - see Figure 2.
- the back up ring 82 and thrust seal 84 create the alignment force to maintain the scrolls in proper parallelism.
- the back up ring member 82 is preferably made from either Neoprene, Viton ® (Viton is a registered trademark of E.I. Dupont), or rubber and the preferred material has a low spring rate. (A spring rate of about 0.09 lb/mm/mm - 0.040824 kg/mm/mm - is preferred.)
- the preferred thrust seal member should have a relatively low coefficient of wear. The preferred thrust seal has a coefficient of wear of about 6 x 10 -10 in 3 min/lb•ft hr (0.12 x 10 -3 mm 3 /N.Km) and is made from material known as Torlon (a registered trademark of the Amoco Corporation).
- the alignment means comprising the combination thrust seal and backup ring serves dynamically to align the orbit and housing and therefore eliminates the need for complex adjustment assemblies typically included in conventional oil-less scroll machines.
- Using the angular contact bearings allows the orbit to align axially with the fixed involute using the loading of the thrust seal and back up ring.
- the assembly of the compressor is simplified; therefore, assembly costs are minimised by using the angular contact bearings, shims and alignment means.
- Figure 4 discloses a second embodiment in which the scroll compressor generally referred to as 100 in Figure 4 operates in the same manner as first embodiment machine 10 and includes the housing 14 and 40, scroll members 12 and 20, alignment means 80 comprised of back up ring 82 and thrust seal 84, carrier 30 with hub 34, hub cavity 35, shoulder 36, eccentric drive 42, seal 64, shim 62 and at least one guide assembly 66.
- the scroll compressor 100 includes a spherical bearing 102 that is located in the cavity 35 of the hub 34 with one side of the bearing 102 located against bearing shoulder 36.
- the shim 62 is sandwiched between the opposite side of the bearing 102 and step 43 in the same way as the shim is sandwiched between the bearing 60b and the step as described for the first embodiment.
- the spherical bearing counteracts thrust and radial loadings during operation of the compressor 100.
- the bearing 102 compensates misalignment between the scrolls 12 and 20.
- bearings 70 and 72 are used to support the guide shaft assembly 66. Therefore, in the same way that first embodiment compressor 10 reduced manufacturing costs by simplifying assembly of the machine and eliminating angular contact bearings along the outer periphery of the carrier, assembly of the compressor 100 is simplified and as a result manufacturing costs are reduced.
- Both the first and second embodiment compressors are less sensitive to misalignment over time due to the effects of temperature.
- Figures 5 and 6 disclose a third embodiment of the scroll machine 200, which operates in the same manner as machines 10 and 100.
- the third embodiment scroll machine or compressor 200 includes a fixed scroll 210 with first involute 211 and an orbiting scroll 212 with second involute 213 where the involutes 211 and 213 are adapted to interengage in the manner previously described.
- the third embodiment also includes a carrier 214, like the carrier 30 that is joined to the orbiting scroll 212 by conventional connection means 215.
- a centrally located carrier hub 216 having a closed side and an open side defines a cavity 217.
- Annular grooves are provided along the interior of the hub and the grooves are adapted to receive conventional seal members.
- the compressor 200 includes an eccentric drive shaft 222 having a shaft stem 224.
- Eccentric guide shaft assemblies 220 are also provided to produce the required motion of the orbiting scroll along a predetermined circular path. At least one guide shaft assembly is required.
- Bearings 226 and 227 support the eccentric drive and are located in a compressor housing 228.
- Bearings 230a and 230b are located along the length of the shaft stem 224 and are angular contact bearings like the bearings 60a and 60b described above.
- the bearings are mounted on the shaft stem in a side-by-side arrangement and the assembled stem and bearings are located in cavity 217 of the hub 216 with the outer periphery of the bearings in sealing engagement with seals and one side of the bearing 230a located against a thrust spring 240 as shown in Figure 5.
- the thrust spring may be a bellville washer for example and is set between the orbiting scroll and bearing 230a. Although two angular contact bearings are used, it should be understood that one or any suitable number of bearings may be used.
- the combination of bearings 230a and 230b and thrust spring counteract thrust loadings that are present during operation of the scroll compressor.
- Alignment means 250 for achieving the required alignment between the first and second involutes is comprised of alignment plate 252 and three adjustment screws 254 - see Figure 6.
- the alignment plate is located against one side of the bearing 230b and is mounted on the shaft and is supported on the shaft by a bearing sleeve member 255.
- An alignment means access opening for each screw is provided in housing 228 and accommodates access to the alignment means. Each access opening is closed by plug member 256 when access to the alignment bolt is not required.
Abstract
A scroll fluid displacement machine that produces thrust
loads during operation such as an oil-less compressor,
includes a housing (14), a scroll (12) fixed to the housing
and having an involute (16), an orbiting scroll (20) having
an involute (22) interengaging the other involute and
mounted on an eccentric drive shaft (42). The drive shaft
(42) moves the orbiting scroll member through a
predetermined path relative to the fixed scroll and the
machine includes a bearing (60a,b) for supporting the
orbiting scroll and counteracting axial thrust present
during operation of the machine. The bearing (60a,b) is
mounted at one end of the drive shaft (42). The machine
incorporates means for achieving a desired alignment and
clearance between the two involutes (16,22).
Description
This invention relates to scroll type fluid displacement
machines and more particularly to means for adjusting the
operating clearance and parallelism between fixed and
orbiting scrolls and also to means for counteracting thrust
and radial loadings present during operation of the
machine.
Scroll fluid displacement machines, such as scroll
compressors for example, include a fixed scroll with a
fixed spiral or involute mounted on the fixed scroll and an
orbiting scroll having a spiral or involute that is movable
in a circular path relative to the fixed scroll by an
eccentric drive shaft. The involute of the orbiting scroll
is adapted to interengage with the fixed involute as it is
moved along the circular path, thereby to form spiral
regions of limited extent which move radially inwardly or
outwardly.
As a volume of fluid, such as air, is compressed or
expanded by movement through the spiral regions of limited
extent, radially and axially directed pressure loadings are
produced. The bearings in conventional oil-less scroll-type
machines are arranged to counteract the radial and
thrust loadings. In conventional lubricated scroll
machines, bearings do not counteract thrust and radial
loadings, rather, such loadings are counteracted by an
oldham ring. Conventional bearing arrangements for
oil-less scroll machines include a central needle bearing
which is mounted on the eccentric drive shaft to support
one end of the eccentric drive shaft and to transmit drive
torque to the orbiting scroll. Additionally, conventional
oil-less scroll machines commonly include six sets of
grease filled angular contact bearings along the outer
periphery of the orbiting scroll. These grease filled
bearings are used to counteract the pressure loadings
present during expansion and compression of the fluid and
also to support the rotation of guide shafts to create the
required orbital motion of the orbiting scroll.
Incorporating such a large number of grease filled bearings
in the scroll machine design significantly increases the
manufacturing cost of the scroll machine.
In addition to counteracting the pressure loads present
during operation of the machine, other variables that must
be considered in order to maximise the efficiency of
scroll-type fluid displacement machine are the clearance
and parallelism between the orbiting and fixed involutes.
If the clearance between the involutes is too large, the
fluid will leak from between the involutes, resulting in an
increase in the power consumption by the scroll machine, a
reduction in the machine capacity, and potentially, an
overall reduction in the life of the bearings. If the
clearance between the orbiting and fixed involutes is
reduced to zero, or the required parallelism between the
involutes is not achieved, the orbiting involute will
engage the fixed involute as it is moved during operation,
and by this engagement will likely cause significant damage
to the machine.
In order to prevent damage to the scroll machine and
maximise machine efficiency, oil-less scroll-type
displacement machines include an adjustment assembly for
setting the clearance between the fixed and orbiting
involutes and achieving the required parallelism
therebetween. Such a required adjustment assembly is
complex in design, includes a large number of discrete
parts and increases the manufacturing and overall costs
associated with the scroll machine. However, even using
conventional adjustment assemblies, alignment between the
scroll involutes is difficult to achieve, is a very time
consuming step in the assembly of scroll machines, and
requires that a large degree of precision be exercised by
the technician assembling the machine. The high degree of
precision required can result in frequent assembly errors.
The fact that the step is time consuming and requires such
a complex adjustment device is due in large part to the
arrangement of bearings used in conventional oil-less
scroll machines.
In summary, conventional adjustment assemblies and bearing
arrangements in scroll machines increase manufacturing
costs of the scroll machines and do not enable a technician
to simply establish the required clearance and the required
parallelism between involutes.
Preferably, the means for achieving the desired clearance
between the involutes is comprised of a shim sandwiched
between the eccentric drive shaft and the bearing, and the
means for achieving the alignment between the scroll
involutes comprises a back up ring and thrust seal located
in a groove formed on the fixed scroll, along the outer
periphery of the first involute.
For a better understanding of the invention and to show how
the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be
made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in
which:-
Referring to the drawings, wherein similar reference
characters designate corresponding parts throughout the
several views, Figures 1, 2, and 3 generally illustrate a
first embodiment scroll machine 10. For purposes of
describing the preferred embodiments, the scroll machine
described will be an oil-less scroll compressor. However,
the scroll machine 10 may be any scroll-type machine
including, but not limited to, a scroll motor for a tool,
a scroll pump, a scroll compressor or any other apparatus
that conveys a volume of fluid in the general manner
described hereinafter.
The scroll compressor 10 compresses a fluid in a known
manner and includes a number of features and components
which are also known. The known features of compressor 10
and the operation thereof are shown and described in
US-A-5,391,065.
The scroll compressor 10 includes a first fixed scroll 12
formed in a compressor housing 14. As shown in Figures 1
and 2, the first scroll includes a first wrap or involute
16. A groove 18 is formed in the fixed scroll 12 adjacent
the outer periphery of the first involute 16 and extends
completely around the involute 16. The groove forms an
opening along face 19 of the fixed scroll 12.
The compressor 10 also includes an orbiting scroll 20 that
has a second wrap or involute 22 made integral with the
scroll along scroll face 23. The second involute is adapted
to interengage with the first involute in a known manner.
The entirety of the orbiting scroll moves along a
predetermined circular path but does not rotate as it
moves. During operation of the scroll compressor 10, as
the orbiting scroll is moved along the predetermined
circular path relative to the fixed scroll, the orbiting
scroll 20 and fixed scroll 12 interengage to form spiral
regions of limited extent which move radially inwardly,
thereby compressing a volume of fluid such as air.
As shown in Figure 3, the orbiting scroll 20 includes a
recess 24 provided along the orbiting scroll opposite the
second involute 22 and forms an opening along the face 25.
When the compressor 10 is assembled and includes the
present construction, the faces 19 and 23 are separated by
a predetermined acceptable distance thereby achieving the
desired clearance between the involutes of the scroll
members.
A carrier 30 is joined to the orbiting scroll along the
face 25 by conventional connection means such as a threaded
fastener, such as a bolt or the like. The connection means
is generally identified as 32 in Figures 2 and 3. The
carrier includes an integral hub 34 that is closed at one
end. The hub defines a cavity 35 and includes an annular
bearing shoulder 36 located in the cavity adjacent the
closed end of the hub. A seat 38 for a seal member 64 is
provided at the open end of the hub.
A housing section 40 supports an eccentric drive shaft 42
which in turn is supported by bearings 44 and 46 which are
conventional radial ball bearings. Other bearings and
bearing arrangements may be used. For example, the
bearings also both may be tapered, angular contact or
needle bearings or may be any combination of radial,
tapered, needle or angular contact bearings. The eccentric
shaft has at least one step 43, a shaft stem 52, and a
drive end 48. A pulley or gear (neither shown) or other
member which is adapted to be connected to a prime mover
such as an electric motor may be mounted along the drive
shaft 42 at the shaft drive end. The prime mover, which is
not shown, produces the required rotation of the shaft 42
about axis 50. The eccentric drive shaft stem 52 is
operably connected to the orbiting scroll 20 to drive the
orbiting scroll along a predetermined circular path. As
shown most clearly in Figure 2, the carrier 30 is adapted
to receive stem 52, step 43 and a portion of drive shaft
42.
In order to achieve the desired displacement of the
orbiting scroll 20 along the predetermined circular path
with respect to fixed scroll 16 without rotating, at least
one passive eccentric guide shaft assembly 66 is employed.
The rotation of the orbiting scroll is inhibited by the or
each guide shaft assembly 66 and as a result, the
controlled movement of the orbiting scroll along the
predetermined circular path is achieved.
The or each guide shaft assembly executes eccentric
rotations corresponding to the eccentricity of the
eccentric drive shaft 42 through use of an eccentric guide
shaft 68. The eccentric guide shaft 68 is supported at the
ends by bearings 70 and 72 which in turn are supported in
the carrier 30 and housing 40 respectively. In the first
embodiment, bearing 70 is a needle bearing and bearing 72
is a radial ball bearing. The bearings counteract radial
loadings during operation of the scroll compressor 10. In
the first embodiment, three like eccentric guide shaft
assemblies 66 are provided and are arranged symmetrically
around the eccentric guide shaft 42 each being separated
from the next adjacent assembly by approximately 120° as
illustrated in Figure 1.
The scroll compressor 10 allows for angular compliant
alignment between the fixed involute walls and orbiting
scroll involute walls thus the potential for damage to the
machine is reduced.
Turning now to Figure 3, the shaft stem 52 is supported by
first and second bearings 60a and 60b which in turn are
mounted side-by-side along the stem. The bearings and stem
are located in the hub cavity 35, with one side of the
bearing 60a located against the shoulder 36. A shaft seal
64 is mounted on the eccentric drive shaft 42 at a location
along the shaft step 43. The seal 64 sealingly abuts seat
38 when the bearings 60a and 60b and stem 52 are located in
cavity 35. In this way, the seal 64 prevents bearing
lubricant from leaking out of cavity 35 and also prevents
dirt and other undesirable matter from entering the cavity
and damaging the bearings 60a and 60b.
Centrally located bearings 60a and 60b are both angular
contact bearings and the bearings counteract thrust and
radial loadings present during operation of the compressor
10. For purposes of disclosing the first embodiment, two
bearings are disclosed in a side-by-side arrangement;
however, any suitable number of bearings may be used.
Since the angular contact bearings 60a and 60b counteract
thrust and radial loadings, the radial ball and needle
bearings 70 and 72 previously described above, may be used
in the guide shaft assemblies 66. Additionally, since the
thrust loadings are counteracted by the bearings 60a and
60b rather than by the guide shaft assembly bearings, it is
contemplated that only one guide shaft assembly may be
used. By this bearing arrangement manufacturing costs are
reduced. Counteracting thrust pressure loadings at
centrally located angle bearings is different than
conventional oil-less scroll bearing arrangements which
counteract thrust loadings along the outer periphery of the
orbiting scroll.
A shim 62 is sandwiched between the bearing 60b and shaft
step 43 as shown in Figure 3. The shim serves to locate
the orbiting scroll 20 along the axis 50 relative to the
housing 14 so that the faces 19 and 23 are separated by a
predetermined acceptable distance. The shim is preferably
made from a steel or alloy steel material. As a result of
separating faces 19 and 23 by the acceptable distance,
proper clearance between the fixed and orbiting involute
faces is achieved. In order to accommodate variations in
the dimensions of orbiting and fixed scrolls and still
achieve the required predetermined acceptable separation
distance the thickness of the shim may be increased or
decreased to increase or decrease the separation distance
between the faces 19 and 23. Using the proper thickness
shim, the distance between the face 23 and face 19 will be
within tolerance and the required clearance between the
involutes will be achieved. Thus the shim represents a
means for adjusting the location of the orbit along axis 50
and, in part it replaces more complicated adjustment
assemblies of conventional scroll machines.
Generally, the shim may be located between two components
of the compressor 10 to produce the required separation
distance between the faces 23 and 19. In addition to the
location between the bearing 60b and shaft step 43, the
shim member 62 may be located between the face 17 of the
housing 14 and the face 41 of the housing section 40;
between the back of the housing 40 and bearing 44; between
the bearings 60a and 60b; and between the bearing 60a and
the closed side of the hub 34.
The compressor 10 includes alignment means 80 which is
comprised of a back up ring 82 and thrust seal 84.
Together the thrust seal and back up ring achieve the
required parallelism and angular alignment between the
fixed and orbiting scroll members.
The back up ring 82 is located in the groove 18 and is
positioned between the closed side of the groove and the
thrust seal 84 and counteracts the pressure moment created
by gas loading - see Figure 2. The back up ring 82 and
thrust seal 84 create the alignment force to maintain the
scrolls in proper parallelism.
The back up ring member 82 is preferably made from either
Neoprene, Viton ® (Viton is a registered trademark of E.I.
Dupont), or rubber and the preferred material has a low
spring rate. (A spring rate of about 0.09 lb/mm/mm -
0.040824 kg/mm/mm - is preferred.) The preferred thrust
seal member should have a relatively low coefficient of
wear. The preferred thrust seal has a coefficient of wear
of about 6 x 10-10 in3 min/lb•ft hr (0.12 x 10-3 mm3/N.Km) and
is made from material known as Torlon (a registered
trademark of the Amoco Corporation).
The alignment means comprising the combination thrust seal
and backup ring serves dynamically to align the orbit and
housing and therefore eliminates the need for complex
adjustment assemblies typically included in conventional
oil-less scroll machines. Using the angular contact
bearings allows the orbit to align axially with the fixed
involute using the loading of the thrust seal and back up
ring. The assembly of the compressor is simplified;
therefore, assembly costs are minimised by using the
angular contact bearings, shims and alignment means.
Figure 4 discloses a second embodiment in which the scroll
compressor generally referred to as 100 in Figure 4
operates in the same manner as first embodiment machine 10
and includes the housing 14 and 40, scroll members 12 and
20, alignment means 80 comprised of back up ring 82 and
thrust seal 84, carrier 30 with hub 34, hub cavity 35,
shoulder 36, eccentric drive 42, seal 64, shim 62 and at
least one guide assembly 66.
In addition to these components, the scroll compressor 100
includes a spherical bearing 102 that is located in the
cavity 35 of the hub 34 with one side of the bearing 102
located against bearing shoulder 36. The shim 62 is
sandwiched between the opposite side of the bearing 102 and
step 43 in the same way as the shim is sandwiched between
the bearing 60b and the step as described for the first
embodiment.
The spherical bearing counteracts thrust and radial
loadings during operation of the compressor 100. The
bearing 102 compensates misalignment between the scrolls 12
and 20. As a result of the use of the centrally located
spherical bearing 102, bearings 70 and 72 are used to
support the guide shaft assembly 66. Therefore, in the
same way that first embodiment compressor 10 reduced
manufacturing costs by simplifying assembly of the machine
and eliminating angular contact bearings along the outer
periphery of the carrier, assembly of the compressor 100 is
simplified and as a result manufacturing costs are reduced.
Both the first and second embodiment compressors are less
sensitive to misalignment over time due to the effects of
temperature.
Figures 5 and 6 disclose a third embodiment of the scroll
machine 200, which operates in the same manner as machines
10 and 100. The third embodiment scroll machine or
compressor 200 includes a fixed scroll 210 with first
involute 211 and an orbiting scroll 212 with second
involute 213 where the involutes 211 and 213 are adapted to
interengage in the manner previously described.
The third embodiment also includes a carrier 214, like the
carrier 30 that is joined to the orbiting scroll 212 by
conventional connection means 215. A centrally located
carrier hub 216 having a closed side and an open side
defines a cavity 217. Annular grooves are provided along
the interior of the hub and the grooves are adapted to
receive conventional seal members.
The compressor 200 includes an eccentric drive shaft 222
having a shaft stem 224. Eccentric guide shaft assemblies
220 are also provided to produce the required motion of the
orbiting scroll along a predetermined circular path. At
least one guide shaft assembly is required. Bearings 226
and 227 support the eccentric drive and are located in a
compressor housing 228.
Alignment means 250 for achieving the required alignment
between the first and second involutes is comprised of
alignment plate 252 and three adjustment screws 254 - see
Figure 6. The alignment plate is located against one side
of the bearing 230b and is mounted on the shaft and is
supported on the shaft by a bearing sleeve member 255. An
alignment means access opening for each screw is provided
in housing 228 and accommodates access to the alignment
means. Each access opening is closed by plug member 256
when access to the alignment bolt is not required.
After the machine 200 is assembled, conventional gauges or
other means are used to measure the alignment between the
scrolls. If the scrolls are determined to be misaligned,
the plugs 256 are removed and the screws 256 are tightened
against the plate 254 or loosened to move the orbiting
scroll and thereby achieve the required alignment between
the first and second involutes.
Claims (12)
- A scroll fluid displacement machine which produces axial thrust during operation, the machine comprising:a) a housing (14);b) a fixed scroll (12) fixed to the housing, the fixed scroll having a first involute (16);c) an orbiting scroll (20) having a second involute (22) adapted to interengage the first involute (16),d) an eccentric drive shaft (42), the orbiting scroll (20) being mounted along the length of the drive shaft, said drive shaft (42) being for moving the orbiting scroll (20) member through a predetermined path relative to the fixed scroll (12); ande) a first bearing means (60a, 60b) for supporting the orbiting scroll and counteracting the axial thrust during operation of the fluid displacement machine, said first bearing being mounted at one end of the drive shaft (42); characterised by:-f) means for achieving a desired alignment and clearance between the first and second involutes (16, 22).
- A machine according to claim 1, wherein the first bearing means is at least one angular contact bearing (60a, 60b).
- A machine according to claim 2, wherein there are two angular contact bearings (60a, 60b) located side-by-side.
- A machine according to claim 1, wherein the first bearing means comprises a spherical bearing.
- A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, and further including a carrier (30) having a hub (34), which defines a cavity (35) and also having a bearing seat (36) located in the cavity, said bearing means being located in said cavity.
- A machine according to claim 5, wherein the alignment means comprises an alignment plate (252) mounted on the eccentric drive shaft (255) and mounting means (254).
- A machine according to claim 6, wherein the machine includes a thrust spring (240) located in said cavity (35) between one side of said hub (34) and said first bearing means (60a, b), said mounting means (254) for said alignment plate being adapted to be connected to the carrier (30).
- A machine according to claim 7, wherein the thrust spring is a bellville washer and said mounting means comprises three screws (254).
- A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first involute (16) has an outer periphery and wherein said fixed scroll (12) includes a groove (18) adjacent the outer periphery, said alignment means comprising a backup ring (82) and thrust seal member (84) located in said groove.
- A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for achieving the desired clearance comprises a shim member (62) sandwiched between the bearing means (60a, b) and the eccentric drive shaft (42).
- A scroll fluid displacement machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the machine is a compressor.
- A machine according to claim 11, wherein said compressor is an oil-less scroll compressor.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US70061896A | 1996-08-16 | 1996-08-16 | |
US700618 | 1996-08-16 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0825331A1 true EP0825331A1 (en) | 1998-02-25 |
Family
ID=24814232
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP97306186A Withdrawn EP0825331A1 (en) | 1996-08-16 | 1997-08-14 | Scroll fluid displacement machine |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0825331A1 (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE4100328A1 (en) * | 1990-01-11 | 1991-07-18 | Toyoda Automatic Loom Works | Bearing arrangement for spiral compressor - is designed to prevent bearing overload by careful arrangement of bearing centres |
US5391065A (en) * | 1993-10-26 | 1995-02-21 | Ingersoll-Rand Company | Parallel adjustment assembly for a scroll compressor |
WO1995021329A1 (en) * | 1994-02-01 | 1995-08-10 | Charles Grenci | Improved oil free scroll vacuum pump |
WO1995027143A1 (en) * | 1994-04-05 | 1995-10-12 | Puritan-Bennett Corporation | Scroll compressor |
-
1997
- 1997-08-14 EP EP97306186A patent/EP0825331A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE4100328A1 (en) * | 1990-01-11 | 1991-07-18 | Toyoda Automatic Loom Works | Bearing arrangement for spiral compressor - is designed to prevent bearing overload by careful arrangement of bearing centres |
US5391065A (en) * | 1993-10-26 | 1995-02-21 | Ingersoll-Rand Company | Parallel adjustment assembly for a scroll compressor |
WO1995021329A1 (en) * | 1994-02-01 | 1995-08-10 | Charles Grenci | Improved oil free scroll vacuum pump |
WO1995027143A1 (en) * | 1994-04-05 | 1995-10-12 | Puritan-Bennett Corporation | Scroll compressor |
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