Wrap element and tip seal for use in fluid apparatus of the scroll type and method for making same

A wrap element and tip seal for use in fluid apparatus of the scroll type comprising

• a. a wrap element defining at least a first flank surface of generally spiroidal configuration about a reference axis, said flank surface extending generally in an axial direction and terminating in a tip surface lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said reference axis;
• b. a groove disposed within said tip surface of spiroidal configuration generally conforming to that of said flank surface, said groove including at least a radially outer lateral wall and having a width measured therefrom in a generally radial direction with respect to said axis and a depth measured in an axial direction from said tip surface;
• and
• c. a tip seal disposed at least partially within said groove comprising a relatively rigid strip of material having been wound about its longitudinal axis into a spiroidal configuration generally conforming to that of said groove and having a cross section taken in a plane substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis wherein at least the radially outer surface thereof is convex in a radially outward direction, constructed in accordance with the method comprising winding said strip of relatively rigid material into said generally spiroidal configuration about a reference axis in an operation in which the strip of material is subject to a degree of twist about its longitudinal axis.