Electrochemical machining of scroll wraps
AssigneeTecumseh Products Company
InventorsMichael W. Misiak, John M. Bourg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for electrochemically machine lapping a matched set of fixed and orbiting scroll members for use in a scroll compressor. The orbiting scroll member is orbited in a short stroke relative to the fixed scroll member while an electrolyte is pumped between the scroll wraps. An electric current is passed through the fixed and orbiting scroll wraps to thereby electrochemically machine away high profile areas on corresponding metal wear surfaces. During the machining process, the clearance spacing between the scrolls is tightly controlled to prevent contact between the scrolls.
Claims13
A method for electrochemical machine lapping a set of two scroll members, said method comprising:
- intermeshing said scroll members so that a clearance space exists between said scroll members;
- pumping an electrolyte into said clearance space;
- and
- applying an electric current between said scroll members and through said electrolyte, whereby electrochemical removal of metal from said scroll set takes place.
A method of treating the surface areas of interfitting scroll members to reduce leak paths between said members, said method comprising:
- orbiting said interfitting scroll members relative to one another;
- exposing the surface areas between said scroll members to an electrolyte solution;
- and
- applying a voltage across said scroll members to electrochemically remove portions of said scroll member surface areas thereby reducing leak paths therebetween.
A compressor comprising:
- a housing;
- a scroll set disposed within said housing, said scroll set including a fixed scroll member and an orbiting scroll member both having electrochemically machined surfaces prepared by orbiting said scroll members together, exposing areas between said scroll set to an electrolyte solution, and applying an electric charge to one of the scroll members to electrochemically remove portions of said scroll set;
- and
- drive means to orbit said orbiting scroll relative said fixed scroll.
An apparatus for electrochemically machining the respective surfaces of a complementary pair of fixed and orbiting scroll members for use in a scroll compressor, comprising:
- a mechanism for holding the fixed and orbiting scroll members in aligned positions such that the involute wrap faces of the fixed and orbiting scroll members interfit;
- a supply of electrolyte between said fixed and orbiting scroll members;
- a source of electric current applying electric current through said electrolyte between said fixed scroll member and said orbiting scroll member;
- and
- driving means for orbiting said orbiting scroll member relative said fixed scroll member during the application of said current to enable electrochemical machining of the fixed and orbiting scroll members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.