Some Design Problems of Scroll Compressor

Abstract

The design problems of scroll compressors are discussed in this paper. The critical machine element in a scroll compressor is the thrust bearing when the compressor is employed for air conditioning and refrigeration, over a long period of operation. Not only the thrust, but also the moment acts on the thrust bearing. The theory of Rumbarger is applied to describe the load condition of the thrust bearing. How to optimize the geometric shape of the spiral elements is also of prime interest to the designers. We explain in this paper how the spiral geometry can be optimized when the stability condition, weight, thrust, and outer diameter of the orbiting scroll are taken into account. This optimum design would minimize the overturning moment of an orbiting scroll when the outer diameter of the thrust bearing is predetermined.