Scroll apparatus with pressurizable fluid chamber for axial scroll bias

A positive fluid displacement apparatus, comprising in combination

• a. a first stationary scroll member comprising first wrap means affixed to a first end plate having a peripheral cylindrical housing member terminating in an outwardly directed flange;
• b. a second orbiting scroll member comprising second wrap means affixed to a second end plate terminating in a peripheral annular extension, said first and second wrap means making moving line contacts when said second scroll member is orbited to seal off and define at least one moving pocket of variable volume and zones of different fluid pressure;
• c. scroll orbiting means including crankshaft means associated with said second scroll member, adapted to effect orbital motion of said second scroll member;
• d. coupling means adapted to prevent relative angular motion of said first and second scroll members;
• e. housing means enclosing said crankshaft means and being affixed through sealing means to said flange of said first scroll member thereby to define an internal housing volume;
• and
• f. axial load-carrying means comprising a pressurizable fluid chamber within said housing means whereby the fluid pressure within said chamber forces said second orbiting scroll member into axial contacting relationship with said first stationary scroll member to provide axially directed forces through fluid pressure loading within said housing, and means connecting said pressurizable fluid chamber with an external source of a pressurized fluid, said pressurizable fluid chamber being isolated from said moving pocket.

A multistage compressor comprising, in combination

• a. a first-stage compressor;
• b. a second-stage compressor;
• c. first fluid conduit means, including intercooler means, connecting the exhaust port of said first-stage compressor with the inlet port of said second-stage compressor;
• d. second fluid conduit means, including after-cooling means, connecting the exhaust port of said second-stage compressor with compressed-fluid utilization means;
• and
• e. motor means;
• each of said first-stage and second-stage compressors comprising, in combination
• 1. a first stationary scroll member comprising first wrap means affixed to a first end plate having a peripheral cylindrical housing member terminating in a flange;
• 2. a second orbiting scroll member comprising second wrap means affixed to a second end plate terminating in a peripheral annular extension, said first and second wrap means making moving line contacts when said second scroll member is orbited to seal off and define at least one moving pocket of variable volume and zones of different fluid pressure;
• 3. scroll orbiting means including crankshaft means coupled to said motor means for effecting orbital motion of said second scroll member;
• 4. coupling means adapted to prevent relative angular motion of said first and second scroll members;
• 5. housing means enclosing said crankshaft means and being affixed through sealing means to said flange of said first scroll member thereby to define an internal housing volume;
• and
• 6. axial load-carrying means comprising a pressurizable fluid chamber within said housing means whereby the fluid pressure within said chamber forces said second orbiting scroll member into axial contacting relationship with said first stationary scroll member to provide axially directed forces through fluid pressure loading within said housing, and means connecting said pressurizable fluid chamber with an external source of a pressurized fluid, said pressurizable fluid chamber being isolated from said moving pocket.