Tip seal supporting structure for a scroll fluid device

Abstract

A tip seal supporting structure for use in a scroll fluid device includes intermeshing involute scroll elements mounted for relative orbital movement. Each of the scroll elements includes an involute spiral wrap which is secured to a respective wrap support plate at one axial end thereof. Each involute spiral wrap is provided with a tip seal in the other axial end thereof which engages with the wrap support plate of the other scroll element. One of the wrap support plates includes a substantially, centrally located fluid passage into which the innermost end of the involute spiral wrap of the other scroll element extends during a predetermined portion of the relative orbital movement between the scroll elements. In one embodiment of the invention, a tip seal supporting structure in the form of a bridge extends across a predetermined portion of this central fluid passage and functions to axially support the innermost portion of the tip seal that extends into this fluid passage during relative orbital movement of the scroll wraps to thereby prevent destructive vibrational effects, to permit the tip seals to extend into the center of the involute scrolls as much as possible, and to maximize the efficiency of the scroll fluid device. In other embodiments, the tip seal is attached to the involute spiral wrap by a fastener. In an additional embodiment, the end of the tip seal is supported by a shelf member formed integral with the involute spiral wrap.