For Rotary Piston Patents (Class 277/357)
  • Patent number: 11394385
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an input device having adjustable input mechanisms. The input mechanisms of the input device may be dynamically adjusted based on one or more input characteristics associated with a user. Accordingly, the input device may be customized to fit a user's input preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, John C. DiFonzo, Dayu Qu, Zheng Gao, Chang Zhang
  • Patent number: 10954790
    Abstract: An oil seal member is provided at an outside surface of a member performing whirling motion such as a rotary engine rotor. A sliding face of the oil seal member that slides relatively to a stationary-side member is provided with a step extending circumferentially, and has a relatively high surface formed on one radial side with respect to the step and a relatively low surface on the other radial side. The high surface is provided with pumping grooves to pump oil tending to leak from the high surface side into the low surface side, into the high surface side by sliding relatively to the stationary-side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventors: Yuichiro Tokunaga, Masatoshi Itadani, Akira Yoshino
  • Patent number: 10683768
    Abstract: A seal for sealing a space defined by first and second components, the seal including at least one first seal and at least one second seal wherein at least a portion of the at least one first seal is disposed in the at least one second seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brooks E. Snyder, Thomas N. Slavens
  • Patent number: 10479470
    Abstract: A rotary vane steering gear driven by a rotary vane hydraulic actuator, having a body confining an internal hydraulic space in the shape of toroid with a rotation axis (X-X). The body is divided by a plane (A-A) perpendicular to the rotation axis and in case of a circular torus shaped hydraulic space passing through the center point of the circle delimiting the space, the plane divides the space into a movable part (rotor 1.1) and a stationary part (stator 1.2). Both parts are bound by two thrust rings, that are fastened concentrically on the radially opposite sides of the hydraulic space, each to the respective edge of one body part and in radial overlap with the other body part, to create two concentric slewing bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventor: Sławomir Żuławski
  • Patent number: 10352322
    Abstract: A vane cell machine (1) is described comprising a stator (2) and a rotor (3), said rotor (3) having radially displaceable vanes (4) bearing on an inside (5) of the stator (2) and bordering, together with the rotor (3), the stator (2), and a side wall (7) at each axial end of the rotor (3), work chambers (6) the volume of which changes during a rotation of said rotor, at least one side wall (7) bearing an insert in form of a ring (9). Such a machine should be of simple construction. To this end, said ring (9) comprises a centric bore (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Stig Kildegaard Andersen, Poul Erik Hansen, Erik Haugaard
  • Patent number: 10125719
    Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine having an improved oil control ring is provided. The piston has a piston body providing an upper combustion surface and an annular outer wall depending therefrom. A ring belt region including a plurality of ring grooves is formed in the annular outer wall. A first compression ring is disposed in one of the ring grooves and the oil control ring is disposed in another of the ring grooves. The oil control ring has generally parallel, planar upper and lower surfaces, with the upper and lower surfaces having an annular groove recessed therein. A through opening can be formed to bring the annular grooves into fluid communication with one another. The annular grooves collect oil scraped from a cylinder wall and return oil to the crank sump and reduce the contact area between the oil control ring and the wall of the ring groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Tenneco Inc.
    Inventors: Miguel Azevedo, Gregory Salenbien, Matthew Belford
  • Patent number: 9850758
    Abstract: A rotor for a rotary internal combustion engine with a first face seal biased axially outwardly away from the first end face has opposed curled ends abutting a first end seal of a respective one of the adjacent apex portions, and a second face seal biased axially outwardly away from the second end face has opposed curled ends abutting a second end seal of a respective one of the adjacent apex portions. A rotary internal combustion engine and a method of sealing chambers of a Wankel engine are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Eugene Gekht, Jean Thomassin, Sebastien Bolduc, David Gagnon-Martin
  • Patent number: 8967986
    Abstract: To provide a higher sealing capability irrespective of the pressure difference between compression chambers, lips having leading ends extended toward the inner surface of a recessed groove are formed. At least some of the lips have a base end that is shaped to reduce rigidity against extension of the lips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Harashima, Yoshiyuki Kanemoto, Koji Fukui, Susumu Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20140294648
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for sealing a pump chamber of a rotary lobe pump vis-a-vis a fluid-free region of the rotary lobe pump, in particular in the region of a shaft duct, wherein the apparatus has two or more sealing elements, which can be disposed adjacent to a front side of a rotary piston disposed on a shaft in the pump chamber of the rotary lobe pump in such a way that a labyrinth gap extends between the sealing elements, said labyrinth gap being arranged in a radial direction relative to the shaft and in an axial direction in order to extend the seal land. According to the invention, the seal land is larger in a radial direction relative to the shaft than the seal land in an axial direction relative to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Paul Krampe, Thomas Hinners
  • Publication number: 20140159313
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic compensation mechanism for a hinge seal gap in a spherical compressor. A cylindrical hinge is formed around a central pin (10), a rotating disk pin seat (81), and a piston pin seat (16) of the spherical compressor. A fan-shaped insert (14) thicker at both sides and thinner in the center thereof is disposed at the bottom of of a sump (161) on the pin seat of the cylindrical hinge. The shape of the insert (14) matches the shapes of the sump (161) and of the external cylindrical surface of a semi-cylinder (811) on the pin seat of the cylindrical hinge respectively, forming a dynamic seal fit, thus improving the reliability of the seal, adapting to mass production, and enhancing overall performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: XI'AN ZHENGAN ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mengying Wang, Luyi Wang
  • Patent number: 8720898
    Abstract: A corner seal assembly for a rotor of a rotary engine, the assembly comprising a pair of corner seal elements, each seal element of the pair being arranged to provide a seal between the rotor and a respective one of a pair of opposed end faces of the rotary engine, the seals being arranged to be resiliently coupled to one another whereby the seals exert substantially the same force on each one of the pair of opposed end faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: IP Consortium Limited
    Inventor: Timothy Shires
  • Publication number: 20140003988
    Abstract: A seal assembly includes first and second seal elements configured to lie adjacent to one another with a lower portion of each one disposed in a groove and an upper portion of each one projecting above the groove. The groove has a length disposed transverse to the direction of relative motion of a housing and a moving member and is located in the housing. The seal elements are further configured so that a contact surface of the upper portion of each seal element abuts the moving member and configured to allow independent movement of each seal element relative to each other in a direction transverse to the groove length. The seal elements are shaped to define a lubrication channel therebetween that is configured to allow the passage of a lubricant therein so as to lubricate motion of the seal elements relative to each other and relative to the moving member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: LiquidPiston, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolay Shkolnik, Alexander C. Shkolnik
  • Patent number: 8597006
    Abstract: In one aspect, there is described a rotor of a Wankel engine including a plurality of apex seal members each biased by a respective spring, each spring including an axial action portion and a radial action portion, the axial action portion including at least two radially extending band sections with adjacent ones of the band sections being connected by a fold, one of the band sections contacting a radially extending surface of the apex seal member and another of the band sections contacting a radially extending element of the rotor body, and the radial action portion forming a major part of a length of the spring, contacting an axially extending surface of the apex seal member in two spaced apart locations, and contacting the rotor body between the two spaced apart locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Eugene Gekht, Jean Thomassin, Sebastien Bolduc, David Gagnon-Martin
  • Publication number: 20090194949
    Abstract: A sealing system for sealing between an aperture of a machine housing and a rotating machine-shaft protruding through the aperture, said sealing system comprising: (i) a stuffing box for encasing the aperture of the machine housing and a segment of said shaft and, (ii) a viscous fluid type sealant within said stuffing box, wherein the shaft is concentric about its axis of rotation and said segment has at least one variation in its effective external diameter thereby increasing the surface area thereof, in contact with the liquid sealant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Tamar Technological Development Ltd.
    Inventor: Roni Cohen Zada Vaizman
  • Publication number: 20080136113
    Abstract: A rotary device comprises a stator and a rotor. The stator has a cam surface. The rotor has a sleeve and a hub. There is a plurality of vanes reciprocatingly mounted on the rotor. There is a plurality of first longitudinal edge seals disposed on the sleeve. The first longitudinal edge seals each seal at least a portion of a first longitudinal edge of one of the vanes against the sleeve. There is a plurality of second longitudinal edge seals disposed on the hub. The second longitudinal edge seals each seal at least a portion of a second longitudinal edge of one of the vanes against the hub. There is a plurality of end edge seals. The end edge seals each seal a respective end edge of one of the vanes against the cam surface. The end edge seals each are in sealing engagement with respective ones of the first and second longitudinal edge seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Grisar, Kim Luckner, Denis Sankovic
  • Patent number: 7334328
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an axis seal, first, a roll of rolled metal material is cut into metal material plates of a predetermined size. Next, metal material plates are etched from both sides so as to form a predetermined size. Subsequently, the thin metal plates are arranged so as to be in a ring shape, oriented in the same direction, and are welded so as to be fixed. Additionally, during these processes, heat treatment is performed by heating rolls of rolled metal materials or metal material plates or thin metal plates at a predetermined timing, thereby eliminating residual stress (strain).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Uehara, Tanehiro Sinohara, Takasi Nakano, Sin Nisimoto, Takayuki Kurimura, Yuichi Hirakawa, Tatsuji Takahasi, Sin Koga
  • Patent number: 7303380
    Abstract: Corner seal sockets (26) are formed at the end of apex seal slots (58) formed in a rotor (10). A twisted split washer spring (70) is positioned in each socket (26) between the base wall (28) of the socket (26) and the inner end of the corner seal (16). The springs (70) bias the outer end surfaces of the corner seals (16) against the inner side surfaces of the housing sidewalls (20, 22). A radial apex seal slot (32) is formed in each corner seal (16). The base (38) of each slot (32) is substantially semi cylindrical in shape. It and the cylindrical peripheral surface (44) of the corner seal (16) form an arch shaped bight that connects side portions of the corner seals (16) together. End portions of the apex seals (18) extend into the apex seal slots (32) in the corner seals (16). The end portions of the apex seal biasing spring (60) contacts spring abutments (52, 54) which project radially inwardly from the outer ends of the apex seal (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventor: Dave Atkins
  • Patent number: 7275919
    Abstract: Corner seal sockets (26) are formed at the end of apex seal slots (58) formed in a rotor (10). A twisted split washer spring (70) is positioned in each socket (26) between the base wall (28) of the socket (26) and the inner end of the corner seal (16). The springs (70) bias the outer end surfaces of the corner seals (16) against the inner side surfaces of the housing sidewalls (20, 22). A radial apex seal slot (32) is formed in each corner seal (16). The base (38) of each slot (32) is substantially semi cylindrical in shape. It and the cylindrical peripheral surface (44) of the corner seal (16) form an arch shaped bight that connects side portions of the corner seals (16) together. End portions of the apex seals (18) extend into the apex seal slots (32) in the corner seals (16). The end portions of the apex seal biasing spring (60) contacts spring abutments (52, 54) which project radially inwardly from the outer ends of the apex seal (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: David Atkins
  • Patent number: 7178502
    Abstract: A balanced rotary cycling machine suitable for use as an internal combustion engine, compressed gas or steam engine, compressor or pump is disclosed herein. The rotor assembly consists of four articulating pistons where the opposite pistons are inter-linked with each other by pivoted rods comprising a parallelogram mechanism and therefore eliminating a need for pivots between pistons. The rotor assembly rotates inside or outside of a circular or non-circular stator depending on the configuration chosen. A variety of mechanisms for shape deformation of four piston assembly during its rotating cycle is also disclosed herein, as well as detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments, including a four cycle internal combustion engine with circular stator, marine engine with polymer parts and a four cycle automobile rotary engine with conventional oil pan. In addition, a method of operation of external rotary combustion engine, employing a high-pressure compressor and an external combustion chamber, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventor: Paul D. Okulov
  • Patent number: 6575472
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for providing a fluid seal between relatively movable elements, including a hub or a drum and a piston. A groove for retaining a seal is defined in the periphery of one of the rotatable elements, and a spacer element is disposed between the seal and the groove. The seal is formed from a substantially non-deformable material, and the spacer element is substantially non-resilient. The mass of the seal and the spacer element, together with rotational forces acting on the seal and the spacer element, provide a seal between the relatively rotatable elements for preventing flow of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Gilbert W. Younger
  • Patent number: 6428010
    Abstract: A sealing strip is provided for sealing a space between two parts of a machine, for example, a rotary engine. The two parts form a groove for receiving the sealing strip. The sealing strip includes a filler piece, at least one spring element, at least one sealing body and a separating element. The filler piece is divided into two filler piece parts along the longitudinal direction. The filler piece parts are capable of independent longitudinal displacement with respect to one another. A spring element is arranged between the filler piece parts for preloading the filler piece into the groove. Each sealing body is formed in a frame-like shape for surrounding an end of the filler piece. The separating element is arranged between the filler piece parts for separating the filler piece parts and extends longitudinally from an end of the divided filler piece to at least a point where a sealing body surrounds the divided filler piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Andreas Förster, Stefan Schiffler
  • Patent number: 6340160
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for providing a fluid seal between relatively movable elements, including a hub or a drum and a piston. A groove for retaining a seal is defined in the periphery of one of the rotatable elements, and a spacer element is disposed between the seal and the groove. The seal is formed from a substantially non-deformable material, and the spacer element is substantially non-resilient. The mass of the seal and the spacer element, together with rotational forces acting on the seal and the spacer element, provide a seal between the relatively rotatable elements for preventing flow of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Inventor: Gilbert W. Younger
  • Patent number: 6254366
    Abstract: A replaceable seal for a rotor in a rotary fluid machine has a unitary body with integrally formed longitudinal and radial seal portions secured by a friction fit in grooves in the rotor. The longitudinal seal portion includes an outwardly biased seal lip, and an elongated body portion fitting within the groove in the rotor. The elongated body portion has a pair of anchor elements connected by a flat arm element. The radial seal portion has an outwardly biased seal lip, and a retainer post securing the seal in a cavity in the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Dosmatic USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. Walton, Edward Grout, James E. Williams