Scroll fluid device using flexible toothed ring synchronizer

A scroll fluid device comprising:

• at least one pair of meshed axially extending involute spiral wraps having base centers and defining at least one chamber between the wraps that moves radially between an inlet zone and an outlet zone when one wrap is orbited by translation along a curvilinear orbit radius about an orbit center relative to the other wrap;
• wrap support means secured to and supporting each wrap;
• means for mounting the wrap support means for relative orbital motion relative to each other;
• synchronizer means for preventing relative rotation of one wrap relative to the other notwithstanding said relative orbital motion;
• said synchronizer means including a plurality of sprocket teeth means affixed to each wrap support means, said sprocket teeth means spaced symmetrically about the center of a base circle of each wrap;
• and a flexible ring synchronizer element spanning said sprocket teeth means and including a plurality of ring teeth elements coupled at all times with at least one of the sprocket teeth of both the wrap support means, while uncoupled from the sprocket teeth means of one of the wrap support means at a first location located on a line diametrically extending through said orbit center, and including said base centers of said wraps, and uncoupled from the teeth means of the other wrap support means at a second location located on said line on the diametric opposite side of said orbit center from said first location;
• whereby forces tending to cause rotation of one wrap support means relative to the other are reacted through the ring teeth elements and the sprocket teeth means and transmitted between the wrap support means while said ring synchronizer accommodates said relative orbital motion to thereby prevent relative rotation between the wraps.