Scroll-type compressor with oil passageway in thrust bearing

Abstract

A scroll-type compressor is disclosed which has a novel thrust bearing for supporting an orbiting scroll. The thrust bearing is annular and is supported by a bearing support frame which has a plurality of oil return holes formed therein. The diameter of the thrust bearing is smaller than the diameter of the orbiting scroll and of an Oldham coupling which guides the orbiting scroll. The thrust bearing has a plurality of oil passageways for lubricating oil formed therein whose inner ends open onto the central hole and whose outer ends communicate with the oil return holes and do not extend to the outer periphery of the bearing. The oil passageways are always covered by the orbiting scroll. In one form of the invention, the oil passageways are in the form of grooves formed in the upper surface of the bearing and through holes which communicate between the outer ends of the grooves and the oil return holes. In another form of the invention, the oil passageways are slits formed through the depth of the bearing. In another form of the invention, the oil passageways are a combination of slits formed through the depth of the bearing, through holes which communicate with the oil return holes, and grooves formed in the upper surface of the bearing which extend between the slits and the through holes.