(57) A scroll-type compressor having improved tip seal elements (9) at the ends of scrolls
(1, 2) of the compressor. Grooves (5) are formed in the ends of the stationary and
orbiting scrolls (1, 2) of the compressor opposite the ends of the scrolls' end plates
(11, 12). Tip seal elements (9) made of an expandable material and which are capable
of being inflated preferably in response to a pressure difference between a high pressure
side of the compression chamber of the compressor and the low pressure side thereof,
are disposed along the grooves (5). In one embodiment the tip seal elements take the
form of a hollow tube (9) having one end closed and the other end in communication
with the high pressure side. In another embodiment, the tip seal elements are tubes
in which a fluid such as a coolant is sealed. In still another embodiment, the tip
seal elements take the form of a thin resilient strip sealed to the end surfaces of
the grooves except for an innermost end portion, which is in fluid communication with
the high pressure side of the compression chamber.
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