Scroll Compressor Bodies with Scroll Tip Seals and Extended Thrust Region

A scroll compressor for compressing fluid, comprising:

• a first scroll compressor body having a first base and a first scroll rib projecting from the first base;
• a second scroll compressor body having a second base and a second scroll rib projecting from the second base, the first and second bases being axially spaced apart with the first and second scroll ribs mutually received in each other about an axis to define at least one compression chamber between an intake region and an outlet region, wherein relative movement between the first and second scroll compressor bodies is adapted to compress fluid from the intake region to the outlet region;
• a tip seal projecting axially from the first scroll rib and adapted to sealingly engaging the second base for sealing the at least one compression chamber;
• and
• a thrust zone that surrounds the first and second scroll ribs completely except at an opening in the thrust zone, the opening defining the intake region, a first portion of the thrust zone supporting the tip seal, a second portion of the thrust zone being free of the tip seal.

A scroll compressor for compressing fluid, comprising:

• a first scroll compressor body having a first base and a first scroll rib projecting from the first base to a first scroll tip;
• a second scroll compressor body having a second base and a second scroll rib projecting from the second base, the first and second bases being axially spaced apart with the first and second scroll ribs mutually received in each other about an axis to define at least one compression chamber between an intake region and an outlet region, wherein relative movement between the first and second scroll compressor bodies is adapted to compress fluid from the intake region to the outlet region;
• a generally scroll shaped groove defined in the first scroll tip;
• a tip seal situated in the groove and projecting axially from the first scroll rib, the tip seal adapted to sealingly engage the second base;
• and
• wherein the first scroll tip includes:
• a first zone having an average first width measured generally perpendicular to the axis;
• a second thrust zone with at least one opening therein for the intake region having an average second width measured generally perpendicular to the axis, the second width wider than the first width for carrying reverse thrust loads.

A method of carrying reverse thrust loads while axially sealing within a scroll compressor, comprising:

• driving first and second scroll compressor bodies in a first direction during normal operation;
• compressing fluid between first and second scroll compressor bodies, the first scroll compressor body having a first base and a first scroll rib projecting from the first base, the second scroll compressor body having a second base and a second scroll rib projecting from the second base, wherein compressed fluid between the scroll compressor bodies biases the scroll compressor bodies away from each other;
• sealing an interface between the first scroll rib and the second base to facilitate the compressing;
• spacing a reverse thrust surface from the sealing interface;
• engaging the reverse thrust surface with the second base in the event that the first and second scroll compressor bodies are driven in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein a vacuum condition is created pulling the scroll compressor bodies together;
• and
• providing sufficient area of reverse thrust surface to allow a technician sufficient time to correct an improper installation of the scroll compressor bodies in the event of an improper operation that would cause the scroll compressor bodies to be driven in reverse.