Scroll-type fluid displacement device having sliding surface thrust bearing

A scroll-type fluid displacement apparatus comprising:

• a shell body having a lubricant sump and an inlet port and an outlet port, the working fluid and lubricant enters the apparatus thorough the inlet port;
• a first scroll member fixed to the shell body having a first end plate and from which a first scroll element extends;
• a second scroll member having a second end plate and from which a second scroll element extends;
• said first and second scroll elements positioned relative to one another such that they meet at line contacts and form sealed off pockets and suction chambers;
• a shaft driving said second scroll member to make a non-rotational orbiting motion relative to said first scroll member, thereby changing the volume of the sealed off pockets;
• a stationary sliding surface thrust bearing supporting said second scroll member, said stationary sliding surface thrust bearing includes a working surface;
• an oldham ring preventing rotation of said second scroll member;
• and
• at least two circuits to allow working fluid and lubricant to continue to flow from said inlet port, a first circuit of said circuits includes a intermediate passage to make most working fluid from said inlet port change its direction of flow and flow to said suction chambers;
• and
• a second circuit of said circuits includes a first passage which is the direct extension of said inlet port to allow most of the lubricant to flow to said lubricant sump;
• a second passage to allow lubricant from said first passage to flow to a central chamber of said stationary sliding surface thrust bearing and a third passage on the working surface of said stationary sliding surface thrust bearing allowing the mixture of the working fluid and lubricant mist from said second passage to flow through and thereby to lubricate the stationary thrust bearing and then flow to said suction chambers.