Scroll Pump Thrust Bearing With Thermal Break for Gap Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-contacting scroll pumps face challenges in maintaining the small gap between intermeshed scrolls due to thermal expansion mismatch, leading to potential contact and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a thrust bearing assembly with a thermal break mechanism, utilizing a coupling structure with a hollow section or inserts to match thermal expansion rates, ensuring stable axial support and reducing heat transfer, thereby maintaining the scroll gap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a thrust bearing assembly is used to maintain the gap between scrolls, then the scroll gap is maintained, but thermal expansion mismatch causes instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescroll gap maintenanceVSAvoidthermal expansion stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling structure is designed with specific thermal expansion characteristics that match the housing material. By selecting materials with compatible thermal expansion coefficients and designing the coupling geometry to accommodate thermal growth, the system maintains stable axial positioning of the orbiting scroll throughout operation, preventing thermal expansion-induced contact with the fixed scroll.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling structure is specifically designed to accommodate thermal expansion of the orbiting scroll. The design includes features such as expansion gaps, flexible coupling elements, or thermally compliant materials that allow the scroll to expand thermally without transmitting excessive forces to the fixed scroll, thereby maintaining the gap while accommodating thermal growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

2Stability of the object's composition

If the coupling structure is rigid to maintain axial position, then axial support is stable, but heat transfer from the second plate increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial position stabilityVSAvoidheat transfer to coupling structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A thermal break or thermal isolation element is introduced between the second plate and the coupling structure. This intermediary component reduces heat transfer from the second plate to the coupling structure and housing, while still allowing the coupling structure to perform its axial positioning function. The thermal break acts as a mediator that decouples thermal and mechanical functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling structure is divided into functionally separate segments: a mechanical coupling portion for axial positioning and a thermal isolation portion for heat reduction. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function - the mechanical portion maintains axial stability while the thermal portion reduces heat transfer to the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution maintains the scroll gap effectively, enhancing operational stability and efficiency by preventing thermal expansion-induced contact between scrolls.

Implementation Method 1

a ball bearing located between the first plate and the second plate, the ball bearing being configured to roll against the first and second plates during orbiting of the orbiting scroll

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall bearing: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 2

the coupling structure comprises a thermal break for reducing heat transfer from the second plate to the coupling structure during operation of the non-contacting scroll pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal break: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

The coupling structure may comprise a pin comprising a hollow section. The hollow section may extend axially from proximate to an end of the pin which is in contact with the second plate. The thermal break may be provided at least partially by the hollow section.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 4

a coupling structure extending between the housing and the second plate to couple the housing to the second plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical coupling: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS20260016007A1Scroll pump

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 EDWARDS LTD

AI summary

A non-contacting scroll pump, the non-contacting scroll pump comprising a housing, an orbiting scroll located within the housing, and a thrust bearing assembly located within the housing for axially supporting the orbiting scroll. The thrust bearing assembly comprises a first plate fixed to the orbiting scroll, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, a ball bearing located between the first plate and the second plate, the ball bearing being configured to roll against the first and second plates during orbiting of the orbiting scroll. The thrust bearing assembly further comprises a coupling structure extending between the housing and the second plate to couple the housing to the second plate, wherein the coupling structure comprises a thermal break for reducing heat transfer from the second plate to the coupling structure during operation of the non-contacting scroll pump.