Scroll pump

Abstract

A non-contacting scroll pump, the non-contacting scroll pump comprising a housing, an orbiting scroll located within the housing, and a thrust bearing assembly located within the housing for axially supporting the orbiting scroll. The thrust bearing assembly comprises a first plate fixed to the orbiting scroll, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, a ball bearing located between the first plate and the second plate, the ball bearing being configured to roll against the first and second plates during orbiting of the orbiting scroll, and a coupling structure extending axially between the housing and the second plate to couple the housing to the second plate, wherein the coupling structure is engaged with the second plate, and wherein the coupling structure comprises a spring arranged to push the coupling structure against the second plate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.