Oscillating Working Member Patents (Class 91/339)
  • Patent number: 9915241
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a seal assembly that includes a compressible seal slidably mounted on a central longitudinal shaft of a rotor assembly, the seal having a first lateral surface adapted for contacting a first end surface of a first stator and a first end surface of the second stator and a first end surface of a first longitudinal vane and a first end surface of a second longitudinal vane, a compression member slidably mounted on the shaft, and a locking piston slidably mounted on the shaft, the locking piston including an opening sized to receive the shaft, an end surface adapted to contact the compression member, a circumferential surface sized to be received in the bore of the housing, and a lateral surface adapted to receive actuation fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph H. Kim, Robert P. O'Hara, Shahbaz H. Hydari
  • Patent number: 7827901
    Abstract: The invention relates to positive-displacement free-piston heat machines with variable working chambers, which could be applied as an internal or external combustion engine, compressor, pump. The machine comprises two analogous assemblies of pistons, each consisting of two or more vanes having form of symmetrical star and attached to the hub. The assemblies of pistons are placed in the cylindrical cavity that is limited by two concentric cylindrical surfaces and two planes at the ends. The vanes the different assemblies are alternately displaced in the cavity. When the assemblies of pistons swing in opposite directions, variable working chambers are got between the adjacent vanes. The external loading or driving devices are connected directly to the assemblies of pistons either by coaxial shafts, radial junctions, planar or cylindrical rings. The machine with two bodies swinging in opposite direction presents well-balanced mechanical system, and vibration of the frame is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventors: Sigitas Kudarauskas, Leonas Antanas Kucinskas
  • Publication number: 20090081061
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a peripherally pivoted oscillating vane machine (OVM). The OVM has been optimized for performance and efficiency. This has been accomplished by reducing loads on the drive mechanism and by employing de-phased motion of the peripherally pivoted vanes in conjunction with improved porting configurations as well as valve actuation and manufacture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: STEPHEN M. CHOMYSZAK, JEDD MARTIN, JAMES T. FERENTINOS, HAI-PING MA, FRANCISCO LEON
  • Patent number: 7419134
    Abstract: A valve actuation assembly includes a housing and a vane connected to a shaft. The vane is at least partially disposed within the housing. The valve actuation assembly further includes a valve assembly connected to the housing and a feedback device connected to at least one of the vane and the shaft. The feedback device is configured to apply a feedback force to the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Michael Gruel
  • Patent number: 6497172
    Abstract: A rotary actuator has a cushion mechanism for stopping a vane at a rotational terminal end position in a cushioning manner. The cushion mechanism has first and second openings. The first opening discharges an exhaust air pressed out from a cylinder hole by a rotating vane to an external portion without limiting a flow amount. The second opening discharges the exhaust air to the external portion in a state of limiting a flow amount. A flow amount adjusting mechanism connects to the second opening. The first opening is provided at a position sealed by the vane before the vane of a hole surface in the cylinder hole reaches a rotational terminal end position. The second opening is provided at a position which is not sealed by the vane after the vane reaches the rotational terminal end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Hirano, Kenji Koiwa, Kiyoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6227152
    Abstract: There is described an internal combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder and a crankcase (5), which together with the cylinder forms a common, circular cylindrical tubular body (1), and comprising an oscillating piston (7) rotatably mounted about the cylinder axis and separating a cylinder space (4) defined by radial walls (3) from the crankcase (5), which oscillating piston is in drive connection with a crankshaft (16) parallel to the cylinder axis via a connecting link guide (17) for at least one crank pin (18) of the crankshaft (16), which is provided on the crankcase side of the oscillating piston (7). To create advantageous constructional conditions, it is proposed that the crank pin (18) is supported on the connecting link guide (17) via a roller (19), and that the tubular body (1) forming the cylinder and the crankcase (5) is thermally insulated to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Walter Freller
  • Patent number: 6179545
    Abstract: A flip-over ramp assembly is normally stowed in a horizontal position in a recess in a vehicle floor, and can be pivoted upward and outwards to a downward sloping deployed position, after the vehicle door has been opened. The flip-over ramp assembly comprises a mounting enclosure and a ramp which are pivotably connected at their adjacent edges by a hinge which provides a horizontal axis for movement of the ramp between deployed and stowed positions. A driving mechanism comprises an actuator and a driving shaft which is rotatably connected to the actuator. A pair of linkage assemblies are connected to the driving shaft, where the actuator drives the driving shaft which in turn moves the linkage assemblies to lift the ramp to the stowed or deployed position. A positioning cam rotates with the driving shaft for indicating the position of the ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Ricon Corporation
    Inventors: Lee B. Petersen, Jr., John C. Hall
  • Patent number: 5152254
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (20) which includes an oscillating piston (52) and rotary valves (34) and (36) is shown. Oscillating movement of piston shaft (50) is transmitted to oscillating idler shaft (66). Outer and inner coaxial shafts (82) and (84) are connected by direction reversing gears (88) for counterrotation of the shafts. Outer shaft (82) is connected to oscillating shaft 66 through gear sets (102) and (104), and inner shaft (84) is connected thereto through gear sets (106) and (108). Gear sets (102) and (106) include one-way overrunning clutches (110) and (112), and gear sets (104) and (108) include electromagnetically controlled friction clutches. (See FIG. 1) In FIG. 13, mechanically operated clutches (200A) and (200B) are used in place of the electromagnetically controlled friction clutches shown in FIG. 1, and in FIG. 17, sector gear sets (244) and (246) connect oscillating shaft 66 to respective coaxial shafts (82) and (84).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Inventor: Masami Sakita
  • Patent number: 5086732
    Abstract: The four stroke concentric oscillating rotary vane internal combustion engine performs the four stroke Otto cycle inside four arcuate combustion chambers formed between the shell, rotor cylinder and two transverse end plates analogous to the engine cylinder; two fixed diametrically opposed vanes inwardly projecting from the shell serving as cylinder heads; and two fixed diametrically opposed vanes projecting outwardly from the rotor cylinder functioning as pistons. An output shaft mechanism orchestrates the synchronized operations of the fuel injection and spark ignition systems, pair of cranking mechanisms controlling the rotary strokes of the rotor, and pair of forced porting mechanisms forcing the complete removal of combustion byproducts from and sufficient supply of air into the combustion chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Inventor: Cornelio L. Seno
  • Patent number: 5042345
    Abstract: The vertically reciprocal upper blade assembly of a sheet metal squaring shear is activated in a substantially vertical path past a fixed lower blade by means of one or more reciprocal rotary hydraulic actuators. The output drive shaft of the hydraulic actuator(s) is connected to one or more drive straps by an eccentric cam which is keyed to the drive shaft and rotatably received within the straps. The horizontal gap between the upper blade and the lower blade is precisely controlled by suspending the blade supporting gib bracket from pins on the side walls of the apparatus housing and adjustably connecting the gib plate to the pins by eccentric cams. The gib mounting system also provides for adjusting the angle of the upper blade with respect to the lower blade. An improved hold down assembly limits the stroke of the hold down pins to maintain a slight clearance between the hold down pins and the bed surface at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Wysong & Miles company
    Inventors: Paul F. Hawkins, Leon F. Wagoner
  • Patent number: 4966102
    Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention is in the form of a rotary compression/combustion assembly (10) adaptable to be utilized as an internal combustion engine, a fluid pump or as fluid compressor device. The assembly (10) operates by the interaction of a variety of subassemblies, and is formed to be generally symmetrical about a central axis (11). A chamber subassembly (12), of cylindrical shape, is divided into five subchambers (54-62) by four vane subassmeblies (14). Each vane member (44) pivots about its own pivot axis to create a variable volume combustion/compression chamber (54-60) between the vane member (44) and the frame side wall (32) of the cylinder frame (24). A rotor subassembly (16), including a drive shaft (86) and a rotor blade (88) interacts with vane members (44) with the position of the rotor blade (88) determining, or being determined by, depending upon mode of use, the volume of each subchamber (54-60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventor: Joy P. Mulakken
  • Patent number: 4951615
    Abstract: A four stroke internal combustion engine including a combustion chamber, a movable assembly, a stationary assembly and a motion conversion mechanism. The combustion chamber is formed between the stationary assembly and the movable assembly so as to be located radially of the predefinable pivot point. The movable assembly and the stationary assembly are cooperatively associated one with another such that the movable assembly is capable of being made to undergo oscillating motion about the aforementioned predefinable pivot point in a semicircular path about the stationary assembly. Motion is imparted to the movable assembly by virtue of the forces produced during combustion in the combustion chamber acting on a vane which projects outwardly of the movable assembly into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Inventor: Nikolaos S. Pahis
  • Patent number: 4399947
    Abstract: A valve mechanism for a water actuated waste disposal unit includes a reciprocating control valve for actuating an operating piston with cutters attached thereto. The control valve is cycled by a pilot valve. Passages in the valve mechanism are constructed and arranged for optimum operation and cycle time with minimum leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Wastemate Corp.
    Inventors: Leonard G. Spelber, Abraham I. Tucker
  • Patent number: 4290341
    Abstract: A rotary engine employs one or more flap-type pistons which swing about a fixed pivot. Power is transmitted from the pistons to the output shaft by pins connected to the piston which ride in figure eight grooves in a pair of spaced discs connected to the output shaft. The discs are spring-loaded toward each other to provide side seals along the sides of the pistons. Ports in the discs register with a working chamber in the appropriate sequence for the intake and exhaust strokes. Hence conventional valving is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1981
    Inventor: Karl J. Scheibengraber
  • Patent number: 4272229
    Abstract: A pivotal piston machine or compressor including a disc-like pivotal piston oscillating on a bearing axis, such oscillatory movement being effected by engagement of a roller-type cam follower of a crank arm driven by a crankshaft, with cam surfaces formed on the pivotal piston, and angled member for limiting the oscillating movement at opposite ends of the pivotal stroke of the piston. The angled member serves as a separating wall between two compression chambers and a delivery chamber. A pair of pivotal pistons may be arranged adjacent each other to utilize a common air intake and provide a compound piston machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: WABCO Westinghouse GmbH
    Inventor: Wilhelm Pape
  • Patent number: 4257752
    Abstract: A rotary piston machine is shown that is operable with a compressible fluid; such as a rotary pump, compressor or engine construction. There is a housing having an inner and an outer ring member that are rotatably mounted on a common axis. The outer ring has at least two diametrically opposed inwardly directed segmental pistons. The inner ring has at least two diametrically opposed outwardly directed segmental pistons so as to define working chambers therebetween. An oscillating coupling means is positioned within the inner ring and flexibly joined to both ring members as well as rotating around a fixed offset crankpin to cause the inner and outer pistons to change position with relation to each other as the two ring members revolve around their common axis so as to create compression and expansion strokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Inventor: Raymond M. Fogarty
  • Patent number: 4220284
    Abstract: A snap-action toggle valve reverses the direction of an oscillating sprinkler powered by a paddle-piston motor. Adjustable stops on the sprinkler tube trip the valve at the end of each sweep, alternately opening left and right motor chamber channels interconnected to a sprinkler supply channel feeding the sprinkler tube without interruption. A special vane on the sprinkler tube where it intercepts the sprinkler supply channel prevents vortex action. The edges of the paddle-piston are sealed to the motor chamber by a flanged slip-on wiper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1980
    Assignee: Burgess Vibrocrafters, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Beiswenger, Frank A. Smiesko, Dhananjay V. Chaphalkar
  • Patent number: 4106291
    Abstract: A hydrostatic drive is disclosed in combination with a machine tool such as a sand core molding machine. A machine of this type comprises a fixed carriage and a core molding die mounted for rotation on the carriage. The drive includes a reversible fluid power motor having an output shaft. The motor output shaft is connected to a fail safe fluid power brake, and the brake shaft is, in turn, connected to a power transmission unit. When fluid power is applied to the brake and the motor, brake override means operate to release the brake to permit the motor shaft, brake shaft and tranmission to be turned by the motor and thereby operate the movable die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Lambert Brake Corporation
    Inventor: George H. Morgan
  • Patent number: 4099448
    Abstract: An oscillating engine having synchronized oppositely-rotating vaned rotors in adjacent arcuate chambers. Intake and exhaust openings for each chamber are located adjacent to each other near at least one of the extreme positions of oscillation of each respective rotor. A rotary valve member positioned adjacent both to the intake opening and the exhaust opening of each chamber is actuated intermittently by a chain and sprocket drive in timed relation with the rotor oscillation between positions where the valve alternately closes each intake and exhaust opening to positions where the valve alternately partially opens each intake and exhaust opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Inventor: Gerald H. Young
  • Patent number: 4084487
    Abstract: A non-impacting nut running pneumatic tool in which torque pulses are transmitted by an oscillating air motor through a one-way clutch and reduction gearing to the work. A torque responsive cam clutch member responds to a predetermined delivered torque to cause stalling of the motor by blocking off escape of exhaust air and to cause discontinuance of further torque transmission to the work by disabling the drive connection. Manually operable adjusting means is provided to regulate the value of torque delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1978
    Assignee: Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company
    Inventor: William K. Wallace
  • Patent number: 4082229
    Abstract: A waste disposal unit having cutters which are driven with a rotary reciprocating motion by a water powered piston moving in a toroidal chamber. An automatic servo controlled valve, responsive to differential pressure on opposite sides of the piston, reverses the piston direction at the end of a stroke, or when an obstruction is encountered. The driving water is exhausted into the cutting chamber to flush waste material through the stacked cutters, which are arranged to reduce the waste material progressively to small particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1978
    Assignee: Piranha Products
    Inventor: Frank Carlisle Boosman
  • Patent number: 4027576
    Abstract: A pump or motor having a cylindrical housing member and a shaft member extending coaxially therethrough. The shaft member carries shaft vanes which project radially from the shaft member into close proximity with an inner cylindrical surface of the cylindrical housing member while the cylindrical housing member carries cylinder vanes which are fixed to the cylinder housing member and project therefrom radially toward and into close proximity with the shaft member. The ends of the shaft vanes are fixed with a pair of circular flanges which have outer peripheral edges next to the inner surface of the cylindrical member, these flanges extending across the opposed ends of the cylinder vanes. Axially extending sealing members extend along the outer edges of the shaft vanes between the latter and the inner surface of the cylinder member while annular sealing members extend along the peripheral edges of the flanges engaging the latter and the inner surface of the cylinder member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: Kitazawa Shoji Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Chifuru Nomura
  • Patent number: 4027475
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a drive system including an engine with a rotor which has oscillatory motion. The engine may be of either an internal or external combustion type. The drive system further includes a conversion device coupled to the engine rotor and adapted to convert the oscillatory motion of the engine rotor to unidirectional energy. The power output of the system may be controlled by controlling the speed and length of stroke of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: Advanced Power Systems
    Inventor: Lawrence R. Folsom
  • Patent number: 3971217
    Abstract: A fluid operated reciprocatable device has an outer, usually fixed, member nd an inner relatively movable member joined by a resilient member e.g., of rubber. The outer member is closed at one end so as to form an enclosure into which fluid under pressure can be admitted so as to displace the inner member in a given axial direction relative to the outer member. When a pulsating pressure is applied to the fluid the inner member vibrates axially in accordance with the pulses. The resilient member is proportioned so that its dimension in the axial direction is large in comparison with the thickness between the outer and inner members, e.g. 4 times larger. The properties of the resilient member are chosen so that it acts not only as a seal between the outer and inner members to contain fluid, but as a return spring whereby the inner member is returned, between fluid pulses, from an axially displaced position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1976
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventors: Donald Firth, Keith Foster, Christopher John Hooke
  • Patent number: 3937130
    Abstract: A low friction seal assembly for a fluid energy translating device seals a pair of pressure fluid chambers from one another. The assembly is mounted in a movable member of the device and has an elastic member which mechanically and hydraulically biases a seal member into engagement with the walls of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1976
    Assignee: Abex Corporation
    Inventors: Cecil E. Adams, Ellis H. Born