Scroll machine with reverse rotation protection

A scroll machine comprising:

• a first scroll member having a first spiral wrap projecting outwardly from an end plate;
• a second scroll member having a second scroll wrap projecting outwardly from an end plate;
• and
• a drive member for causing said scroll members to orbit relative to one another whereby said spiral wraps will create pockets of progressively changing volume between a suction pressure zone at a suction pressure and a discharge pressure zone at a discharge pressure;
• means defining a leakage path disposed between two elements of said scroll compressor, said leakage path extending from said discharge pressure zone to said suction pressure zone;
• means defining a chamber containing an intermediate pressurized fluid, said intermediate pressurized fluid being at pressure between said suction pressure and said discharge pressure, said chamber being in communication with one of said two elements of said scroll machine to bias said one element into engagement with the other of said two elements to close said leakage path;
• and
• a valve assembly in fluid communication with said chamber and movable between an open condition and a closed condition, said intermediate pressurized fluid biasing said elements to close said leakage path when said valve assembly is in said closed condition, said intermediate pressurized fluid being released from said chamber to said suction pressure zone to open said leakage path when said valve assembly is in said open condition, said valve assembly being located in said closed condition during operation of said scroll machine, said valve assembly being moved from said closed condition to said open condition when pressure of said intermediate pressurized fluid within said chamber exceeds a predetermined value to provide a pressure relief system.