In Opposite Directions Patents (Class 418/265)
  • Patent number: 11828181
    Abstract: A positive displacement rotary fluid pump assembly includes a pump housing and a rotor supported within the housing for rotation about an axis offset with respect to a housing axis and including a plurality of chambers of increasing volume on an low pressure side of the pump and of decreasing volume on a high pressure side of the pump. A fluid inlet communicates with the plurality of the chambers of increasing volume for admitting fluid into the pump under a first low pressure, and a fluid outlet communicates with a plurality of the chambers of decreasing volume for selectively expelling fluid from the pump under a second higher pressure. At least one fluid control valve is operative to selectively close one or more of the chambers of decreasing volume from communication with the fluid outlet when the fluid pressure in such chambers is below the predetermined value and to open one or more other chambers of decreasing volume when the fluid pressure in such chambers is at or above the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Charles H. Tuckey
  • Patent number: 11578724
    Abstract: A rotary compressor is provided that may include a rotational shaft, first and second bearings configured to support the rotational shaft in a radial direction, a cylinder disposed between the first and second bearings to form a compression space, a rotor disposed in the compression space to form a contact point forming a predetermined gap with the cylinder and coupled to the rotational shaft to compress a refrigerant as the rotor rotates, and at least one vane slidably inserted into the rotor, the at least one each vane coming into contact with an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder to separate the compression space into a plurality of regions. The at least one vane may include a pin that extends upward or downward, and a lower surface of the first bearing or an upper surface of the second bearing may include a rail groove into which the pin may be inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seokhwan Moon, Seseok Seol, Kiyoul Noh
  • Patent number: 11549508
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vane pump for conveying liquids, in particular viscous oils, which vane pump includes: a rotor having sliding slots in which movable vanes are held and can be countersunk in relation to a rotor radius (r); a pump housing including a pump chamber, which encloses the rotor; and an inlet and an outlet, which open into the pump chamber at at least one end face of the rotor; radial elevations protruding, with respect to the sliding slots, over the circumference of the rotor, which elevations form a rotor radius (r) on either side of the vanes that can be countersunk, and radial pockets being recessed, relative to the rotor radius (r), between the radial elevations. Within the radial elevations, recesses are formed on the at least one end face of the rotor at which the inlet and the outlet open, which recesses provide rotating anticipatory control geometry for reducing pressure spikes in the vane cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: NIDEC GPM GmbH
    Inventor: Sebastian Sieder
  • Patent number: 11441566
    Abstract: A rotary compressor may include a rotary shaft; a plurality of plates that supports the rotary shaft; a cylinder provided between the plurality of plates to define a compression space, and provided with a vane slot; a roller slidably coupled to the rotary shaft inside of the cylinder, and having a hinge groove on an outer circumferential surface thereof; and a vane, a first end of which is slidably coupled to the vane slot of the cylinder, and a second end of which is rotatably coupled to the hinge groove of the roller. At least one of first and second axial end surfaces of the roller facing the plurality of plates is provided with a dimple portion having a predetermined depth. With this structure, contact surfaces between the roller and the plate may be prevented from being in close contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jingyu Lee, Sangmin Na, Wonbae Park
  • Patent number: 11346341
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pump having a rotor and a plurality of vanes. The rotor is attached to a motor that rotates it in first and second directions and is located in a cavity. The plurality of vanes are each pivotally coupled to the rotor so as the rotor rotates, the vanes selectively push fluid from an inlet port out through an outlet port. The plurality of vanes each have an end selected from the group consisting of a lobe, no lobe, and a rod located in the lobe. Each of the plurality of vanes also includes a pivot pin configured to fit in a corresponding receptacle located in the rotor so that each of the plurality of vanes is pivotable with respect to the rotor inside the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Tuthill Corporation
    Inventor: Jacob J. Berry
  • Patent number: 11319692
    Abstract: A ripper assembly is disclosed. The ripper assembly may include a ripper cross-member defining at least a first ripper shank pocket. The ripper cross member may include a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The front wall may connect to the rear wall, to define a perimeter of the at least first ripper shank pocket, the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall, and to also define a longitudinal axis and a free end disposed along the longitudinal axis adjacent the perimeter of the at least first ripper shank pocket. At least one of the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall and the second side wall may define a retention boss aperture and a retention mechanism pocket in communication with the retention boss aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Byron Lynn Gerber
  • Patent number: 10883502
    Abstract: A hermetic compressor is provided that may include a vane that is inserted into a roller, rotates with the roller, and is pushed out toward an inner circumference of a cylinder by rotation of the roller to divide the compression chamber into a plurality of spaces. The vane may include a body having a sealing surface that contacts the inner circumference of the cylinder and inserted into the roller; and a guide that extends from an axial end of the body in a direction crossing a direction the vane slides out, and that is slidably inserted into a guide groove formed on at least one of the first bearing or the second bearing to restrain the vane from sliding out of the roller toward the inner circumference of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seokhwan Moon, Seoungmin Kang, Byeongchul Lee
  • Patent number: 10316840
    Abstract: A rotary device for use with a fluid includes a housing, a rotor, a ring, and at least one vane. The housing includes a tubular surface defining, in part, a tubular volume. The housing is segregated into at least a pumping zone positioned between first and second working zones. The first working zone is configured to receive a fluid and the second working zone is configured to output the fluid. The rotor is mounted for rotation about a rotation axis. The rotor includes a body mounted within the tubular volume. The body includes a plurality of slots. The ring is at least indirectly coupled to the housing by way of a bearing. The at least one vane is associated with one slot of the plurality of slots. The at least one vane is connected at least indirectly to the ring and configured to rotate within the tubular volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: WindTrans Systems Ltd
    Inventors: Dan Patterson, Andrew Masse
  • Patent number: 9441626
    Abstract: A rotary device for use with a fluid, having a housing, a rotor, and a vane having a respectively associated wiper. The housing has a tubular surface defining in part a tubular volume, the tubular volume segregated into at least a pumping zone and a working zone. The rotor is mounted for rotation and has a body mounted within the tubular volume and a plurality of slots. Each slot extends at least generally radially from the axis. Each vane is mounted at least partially within each slot. As the rotor rotates, each vane rotates within the tubular volume and extends and retracts within the tubular volume. The wiper contacts the tubular volume of the housing while the respectively associated vane rotates through the pumping zone, and wherein the wiper does not contact the tubular volume of the housing while the respectively associated vane rotates through the working zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: WindTrans Systems Ltd
    Inventors: Dan Patterson, Andrew Masse
  • Patent number: 9115716
    Abstract: There is provided a vane compressor with a plurality of vanes having a structure in which a rotor portion and a rotary shaft are unitarily formed so as to reduce bearing sliding loss of the rotary shaft and reduce gas leakage loss by narrowing a space formed between the rotor portion and the inner peripheral surface of a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Sekiya, Hideaki Maeyama, Shinichi Takahashi, Tetsuhide Yokoyama, Tatsuya Sasaki, Hideto Nakao, Hirotsugu Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9057266
    Abstract: A rotary engine and a hydraulic motor including non-rotary outer and inner casings; a power shaft with an eccentric part; a driving eccentric ring between the outer and inner casings and mounted on the eccentric part; a combustion or pressure chamber between the eccentric ring and the inner casing such that the eccentric ring drives the power shaft by substantially non-rotating eccentric movement; dividers for dividing the combustion chamber into at least two parts, the dividers extend through the inner casing and are in contact with an inner surface of the driving eccentric ring; and an eccentric device (or control) for driving the dividers back and forth with respect to the inner casing. The eccentricity of the eccentric device corresponds with the eccentricity of the eccentric part of the power shaft. The eccentric device has a guide groove which implements an eccentric path and to which the dividers are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Greittek OY
    Inventors: Tapio Viitamäki, Markus Viitamäki
  • Patent number: 9057267
    Abstract: A rotary engine using a swing vane separating expansion chambers is provided for operation with a pressurized fuel or fuel expanding during a rotation of the engine. A swing vane pivots about a pivot point on the rotor yielding an expansion chamber separator ranging from the width of the swing vane to the length of the swing vane. The swing vane optionally slidingly extends to dynamically lengthen or shorten the length of the swing vane. The combination of the pivoting and the sliding of the vane allows for use of a double offset rotor in the rotary engine and the use of rotary engine housing wall cut-outs and/or buildups to expand rotary engine expansion chamber volumes with engine rotation yielding corresponding increases in rotary engine power and/or efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Patent number: 8863724
    Abstract: Engines and methods execute a high efficiency hybrid cycle, which is implemented in a volume within an engine. The cycle includes isochoric heat addition and over-expansion of the volume within the engine, wherein the volume is reduced in a compression portion of the cycle from a first quantity to a second quantity, the volume is held substantially constant at the second quantity during a heat addition portion of the cycle, and the volume is increased in an expansion portion of the cycle to a third quantity, the third quantity being larger than the first quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: LiquidPiston, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolay Shkolnik, Alexander C. Shkolnik
  • Patent number: 8733317
    Abstract: A rotary engine has a rotor that has rockers pivoting in chambers. As each rocker pivots, it rotates an outer crankshaft. Each outer crankshaft has a spur gear that engages a stationary ring gear. Spur gear rotation causes the gears and the outer crankshafts to revolve around the ring gear. This cause the rotor to rotate. As the rotor rotates, successive chambers are positioned at the intake, compression, ignition, and exhaust positions. Igniting the fuel in the ignition position pushes the rocker inward to rotate the outer crankshaft associated with that rocker to cause the rotor to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Gotek Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Herbruck
  • Patent number: 8398388
    Abstract: A vane pump may include an oval fixed portion of which an outer circumference may be oval, a rotation ring that may be rotatably disposed outside of the oval fixed portion with a gap and in which blade slots may be formed in a predetermined depth along a circular interior circumference of the rotation ring at a predetermined interval from each other, blades of which one end thereof may be slidably inserted into the blade slots respectively and of which the other end slidably contacts an outer surface of the oval fixed portion, an elastic member coupled to the rotation ring and elastically pushing the blades towards the oval fixed portion, and a drive portion connected to the rotation ring and rotating the rotation ring such that oil may be sucked through an expanding space that may be formed between at least two of the blades and oil may be pumped through a shrinking space that may be formed between at least two of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hang Cheol Cho, Jin Young Hwang, Seok Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 8323012
    Abstract: A controlled-clearance sealing compressor device that provides precision rotor centering directly with respect to the stator housing, vane centering with respect to rotor (not the stator) and the dynamic balance design of the gliders required for practical single and dual vane devices. The devices uses roller bearings to control the radial position of the vane and control rods or pins are used to control axial positioning of the vane, its ‘centralization’ with respect to the rotor and the endplates. The positive displacement rotary vane compressors and vacuum pumps have friction reduction, efficiency enhancement and exceedingly long operating life as a result of the non-contact gas sealing of the process gas within the rotary vane compressors and vacuum pumps. In an embodiment the positive displacement compressing device is used in transportation vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 8225607
    Abstract: The housing of a vane-type machine has a largely cylindrical space for accommodating the vane cells. A shaft is eccentrically arranged in the housing. First and second guide plates are provided on the shaft. Slides displaceable largely radially to the shaft in the direction of the inner housing wall are guided by the guide plates. A vane cell is formed with the participation of two adjacent slides of the adjacent region of the inner housing wall and the volume of the vane cells in the region of an inlet opening differs from the volume of the vane cells in the region of an outlet opening. To increase the speed of the shaft and the temperature of the medium, the slides are lubricated by pressure oil and radially and axially guided by a guideway, which is fixed with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Stegmair, Daniel Stegmair
  • Patent number: 7740460
    Abstract: A controlled-clearance sealing compressor device that provides precision rotor centering directly with respect to the stator housing, vane centering with respect to rotor (not the stator) and the dynamic balance design of the gliders required for practical single and dual vane devices. The devices uses roller bearings to control the radial position of the vane and control rods or pins are used to control axial positioning of the vane, its ‘centralization’ with respect to the rotor and the endplates. The positive displacement rotary vane compressors and vacuum pumps have friction reduction, efficiency enhancement and exceedingly long operating life as a result of the non-contact gas sealing of the process gas within the rotary vane compressors and vacuum pumps. In an embodiment the positive displacement compressing device is used in transportation vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7695261
    Abstract: A positive displacement pump having a centrally disposed rotor within a housing, the rotor having inwardly and outwardly moving vanes for movement of fluid through the pump. Races in end walls of the housing partly or entirely control movement of the vanes. A dam is movably positioned at the housing's fluid discharge port, the dam having upper and lower ends, the lower end of the dam extending into the housing and being positioned so as to be close to or in sliding contact with the surface of the rotor. This pump construction is extremely versatile in its construction and applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: 1564330 Ontario Inc.
    Inventor: Albert W. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20100028189
    Abstract: A rotary pump includes a stator having a chamber delimited by a circumferential wall, a cylindrical rotor tangent to the circumferential wall of the chamber and suitable for being driven in rotation around an axis eccentric with respect to the chamber, and at least a vane diametrically traversing the rotor by delimiting in the rotor two half shells, mutually separated by the walls guiding the vane. The two half shells are hollow, and inside these hollow half shells are housed elastic leaf springs forming one-way valves with respect to four passageways formed in the half shells; the discharge of the air-oil mixture takes place, after a centrifugation and a partial recycling, through passageways, also in the case of a counter rotation of the pump. This configuration allows a bidirectional use of the same rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: VHIT S.P.A
    Inventor: Leonardo Cadeddu
  • Patent number: 7192264
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic motor having an outer casing and eccentric means for rotating a power shaft by means of fluid through a pressure chamber arrangement. The eccentric means comprise an eccentric part formed in the power shaft, a first eccentric ring between the outer casing and an inner casing, and a second eccentric ring mounted with bearings around the eccentric part and connected fixedly and concentrically to the first eccentric ring, whereby the pressure chamber arrangement is located between the first eccentric ring and the inner casing so that the first eccentric ring drives the power shaft through the second eccentric ring, and the eccentric rings form a substantially non-rotating entity that only performs an eccentric movement and by means of this eccentric movement rotates the power shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Tapio Viitamäki
  • Patent number: 7163034
    Abstract: A portable fluid transfer apparatus for handling volatile fuels or other chemicals comprises a jug-like container of a convenient volume having a removable cap that can be screwed or clamped onto the neck of the jug and mounted atop the cap is a manually operable rotary vane pump having a first inlet/outlet port disposed within the container when the cap is in place and a second inlet/outlet port external of the jug or container. An elongated, suction/discharge hose having a tether for anchoring the end of the hose in place is affixed to the second inlet/outlet. Manual actuation of the vane pump is then used to transfer a liquid from or into the portable container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: Normal Alton Franks
  • Patent number: 7143737
    Abstract: A rotary engine includes pistons disposed in operating chambers of a rotary member. The pistons are guided by guiding pieces engaged in a guiding groove formed at a housing so that the operating chambers are expanded. Each of the operating chambers includes an intake/exhaust port, which is opened or closed by a shutoff valve and a shutoff plate guided along guiding grooves formed at the housing. An exhaust chamber is caved in the housing so that an explosion stroke is carried out at the rear part of the exhaust chamber, whereby a rotating force is obtained. Compressed air is supplied into the operating chambers through air-supplying channels, which are opened or closed by shutoff valves, so that gas left in the operating chambers is forcibly discharged. Consequently, introduction of lubricant through the intake/exhaust ports or leakage of pressure is prevented, and large power is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventor: Dong-Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 6883488
    Abstract: A rotary combustion engine includes a driving eccentric ring arranged between a non-rotary outer casing and a non-rotary inner casing for rotating a power shaft situated inside the inner casing. In order to drive the eccentric ring, a combustion chamber arrangement is provided between the inner and the outer non-rotary casings for burning a mixture of fuel and air supplied thereto, the power shaft being provided with an eccentric element. In order to minimize the number of rotating components, a second eccentric ring is mounted by a bearing around the power shaft inside the aforementioned non-rotary inner casing, this second ring being coaxial with and fixed to the driving eccentric ring, and the eccentric ring arrangement being a substantially non-rotary unit that only performs an eccentric motion, which makes the power shaft rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Tapio Viitamäki
  • Patent number: 6835055
    Abstract: A vacuum pump of the rotary vane type, comprises a casing (50) having a cylindrical inner wall surface (52), a first (54; 54′) and a second (56; 56′) end wall at opposite sides of said casing defining a fluid cavity therein, fluid inlet (60) and outlet (62) ports in open communication with said fluid cavity, and a rotor (64; 64′) extending between said end walls carried by a drive shaft (70) for rotation about an axis eccentric to said casing inner wall surface, said rotor being provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending radial slots (66) about the periphery thereof. Further, there are provided a plurality of vanes (68), each being radially slidably carried within a respective of said slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Delaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Mats Stellnert
  • Patent number: 6688869
    Abstract: A motor for converting fluid pressure to rotational motivation and pump for moving fluid, comprising a first drum provided within a second drum. The first drum is provided with a pair of vanes, each provided with a generally heart-shaped slot around a drum shaft. The orientation of the drum shaft and shape of the slots cause the vanes to extend and retract relative to the inner drum as fluid pressure or mechanical motion rotate the inner drum relative to the outer drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Thermal Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward L. Simonds
  • Patent number: 6659067
    Abstract: A family of sliding vane rotary power devices provides an internal combustion engine, a pump, a compressor, a fluid-driven motor, an expander device, a fluid-driven pump, and a compressor or a throttling device. All of these devices have an improved method of vane actuation comprising a freely sliding element partially enclosed by a medially extended outer vane portion and partly enclosed at its ends by a mirror-image encircling cam groove formed in a circumferentially-split external housing. As the rotor turns, the sliding elements engage the encircling extended vane portion and the mirror-image cam grooves cause the vanes to reciprocate radially in respective rotor slots while the outer vane tips follow the wall contour of the rotor with a minimal clearance so that the cavities rotate with the rotor and expand and contract as the rotor turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Osamah Mohammed Al-Hawaj
  • Patent number: 6623261
    Abstract: A rotary vane apparatus where the rotor has a rotational axis and carries at least one vane which is supported by a vane guide apparatus for rotation about a stator axis which is spaced from the rotor axis a preselected amount and where both the rotor and vane have axial flat surfaces which are rotated adjacent to stationary flat surfaces of a stator or stator endplates, the invention provides axial adjustment of the vane with respect to the flat surface of the stator endplates and independently provides an adjustment of the rotor end surfaces with respect to the stator end surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6616433
    Abstract: A motor for converting fluid pressure to rotational motivation and pump for moving fluid, comprising an outer race centered about a first axis and an inner race centered about a second axis. The first axis is different from, but parallel to, the second axis. A plurality of vanes is coupled for movement relative to the inner race and a fluid is provided into the vane at a pressure sufficient to cause the vane to rotationally drive the inner race relative to the outer race. Alternatively, the inner race may be driven directly to pump fluid between the inner race and the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Thermal Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward L. Simonds
  • Patent number: 6503071
    Abstract: A single vane gas displacement apparatus comprises a stator housing with a right cylindrical bore enclosing an eccentrically mounted rotor which also has a radial slot in which is movably radially positioned a single vane. The vane is tethered to antifriction vane guide assemblies concentric with the housing bore. Then vane has a preselected center of gravity located proximate to the housing bore axis. An option is to have a port in said vane for ducting high-pressure gas to the inlet side to react against the rotor slot to reduce vane contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6435851
    Abstract: A rotary-vane pumping machine has a core structure that includes a stator assembly defining a contoured surface of a stator cavity, a rotor spinning around a rotor shaft axis that is fixed relative to the stator cavity, and end plates disposed on either side of the rotor. The rotor has a plurality of radial vanes slots for housing a corresponding plurality of vanes that slide within the radial vane slot of the rotor. Each of the plurality of vanes has side walls, a tip portion, and a base portion, and the base portion has one or more tabs extending from at least one axial end of the vane. The plurality of vanes, stator cavity, and rotor define a plurality of chamber cells. The core structure is substantially made of low coefficient of thermal expansion Invar materials to achieve precise non-contact sealing clearances between components of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Mallen Research Ltd., Partnership
    Inventor: Brian D. Mallen
  • Publication number: 20020068003
    Abstract: A single vane gas displacement apparatus comprises a stator housing with a right cylindrical bore enclosing an eccentrically mounted rotor which also has a radial slot in which is movably radially positioned a single vane. The vane is tethered to antifriction vane guide assemblies concentric with the housing bore. Then vane has a preselected center of gravity located proximate to the housing bore axis. An option is to have a port in said vane for ducting high-pressure gas to the inlet side to react against the rotor slot to reduce vane contact therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20010055538
    Abstract: A vane pump or motor has structural features for ensuring a substantially constant relationship between rotor vanes (30) and a surrounding wall 44) of a rotor chamber (15) of a stator (16). This is done by changing shapes of either the surrounding wall or the guide tracks to be out of round such that, during a full rotation, the arrangement of the rotor vanes (30) to the surrounding wall (44) remains the same. That is, a diameter (b) of the rotor chamber (15) in an axial plane (a-a), defined by maximum and minimum radial movement of a rotor vane (30), is greater than a diameter (c) perpendicular thereto, or a diameter (d) of the guide tracks (59) perpendicular to the axial plane is greater than a diameter (e) lying in the axial plane (a-a) of the guide tracks (59). An intake and an exhaust are provided in one of two symmetrical sections of the rotor chamber (15) defined by the axial plane (a-a). Elastic guide rings, rotatable with the rotor, can also be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Willi Schneider, Bernd Hess
  • Patent number: 6296462
    Abstract: A rotary positive-displacement fluid machine comprising a rotor eccentrically mounted in a casing for rotation about an axis, the rotor having recesses respectively receiving vanes which oscillate in the recesses as the rotor rotates. Each vane is connected by a crank to an arm for oscillation about a vane axis which is located inwards of the outer extremity of the tip which itself has a clearance fit within the casing. The tip of each vane is preferably curved about an axis parallel to the respective vane axis. The machine may be connected to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and driven by the pressure difference between the ambient air and that at the engine inlet manifold. Alternatively, the device may be operated as a heat pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Driver Technology Limited
    Inventors: Ronald William Driver, David Peter Davidson
  • Publication number: 20010014294
    Abstract: A rotary-vane pumping machine has a core structure that includes a stator assembly defining a contoured surface of a stator cavity, a rotor spinning around a rotor shaft axis that is fixed relative to the stator cavity, and end plates disposed on either side of the rotor. The rotor has a plurality of radial vanes slots for housing a corresponding plurality of vanes that slide within the radial vane slot of the rotor. Each of the plurality of vanes has side walls, a tip portion, and a base portion, and the base portion has one or more tabs extending from at least one axial end of the vane. The plurality of vanes, stator cavity, and rotor define a plurality of chamber cells. The core structure is substantially made of low coefficient of thermal expansion Invar materials to achieve precise non-contact sealing clearances between components of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventor: Brian D. Mallen
  • Patent number: 6162034
    Abstract: A rotary vane pumping machine have a core structure and peripheral components interfacing with the core structure. The core structure includes a stator assembly defining a contoured surface of a stator cavity, a rotor spinning around a rotor shaft axis that is fixed relative to the stator cavity, and end plates disposed on either side of the rotor. The rotor has a plurality of radial vanes slots for housing a corresponding plurality of vanes that slide within the radial vane slot of the rotor. The plurality of vanes, stator cavity and rotor define a plurality of chamber cells. The core structure is substantially made of low coefficient of thermal expansion Invar materials to achieve precise non-contact sealing clearances between components of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Mallen Research Ltd., Partnership
    Inventor: Brian D. Mallen
  • Patent number: 6120273
    Abstract: A rotary vane pumping machine having a rotary-linear vane guidance structure, including a translation ring disposed at each axial end of the pumping machine, the translation ring rotating around a fixed hub, with the fixed hub being eccentric to a rotor shaft axis, with the rotor spinning around the rotor shaft axis which is a fixed rotational axis relative to a stator cavity. A plurality of vanes are disposed in a corresponding plurality of vane slots in the rotor, each of the vanes having a tip portion and a base portion, with the base portion having a protruding tab extending from each axial end therefrom. A plurality of linear channels are formed in each translation ring, wherein the protruding tabs extending from the base portion of each of the plurality of vanes communicate with a respective linear channel in the translation ring, whereby the rotor rotation causes rotation of the vanes and a corresponding rotation of the translation ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Mallen Research Corporation
    Inventor: Brian D. Mallen
  • Patent number: 6120271
    Abstract: A vane slot assembly and installation method for a rotary vane pumping machine including a rotor with a rotor axis of rotation. The rotor has a vane slot with two opposing, azimuthally separated, slot side walls. The rotor has a primary slot gear rack disposed radially along a first slot side wall. A radially reciprocating vane is movably disposed between the slot side walls. The vane has side walls facing the slot side walls, and has a primary vane gear rack disposed radially along a first vane side wall facing the first slot side wall. A plurality of vane slot rollers are movably disposed between the first slot side wall and the first vane side wall. The rollers have axes of rotation substantially parallel to the rotor axis and include an aligned roller having a primary roller gear. The primary roller gear engages the primary vane gear rack and the primary slot gear rack. As a result, friction-reducing roller bearings between the vane and the rotor slot are properly aligned radially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Mallen Research Corporation
    Inventor: Brian D. Mallen
  • Patent number: 6086348
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump for internal combustion engines which has an integrated feed pump with an outer ring and an inner ring, the latter being coupled to a drive shaft of the fuel injection pump via a toothing. The individual teeth of this toothing extend with their respective end face and tooth bottom along a respective circular arc about a center point, which is located in the radial plane of the drive shaft extending through these teeth along the axis of the drive shaft. As a result, an increased angular offset between the drive shaft and the plane of the inner ring without the risk of wear is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Nothdurft, Wolfgang Fehlmann, Clemens Senghaas
  • Patent number: 6036462
    Abstract: A rotary vane machine having a rotary-linear vane guidance structure, including a translation ring disposed at each axial end of the machine, the translation ring rotating around a fixed hub, with the fixed hub being eccentric to a rotor shaft axis, with the rotor spinning around the rotor shaft axis which is a fixed rotational axis relative to a stator cavity. A plurality of vanes are disposed in a corresponding plurality of vane slots in the rotor, each of the vanes having a tip portion and a base portion, with the base portion having a protruding tab extending from each axial end therefrom. A plurality of linear channels are formed in each translation ring, wherein the protruding tabs extending from the base portion of each of the plurality of vanes communicate with a respective linear channel in the translation ring, whereby the rotor rotation causes rotation of the vanes and a corresponding rotation of the translation ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Mallen Research Ltd. Partnership
    Inventor: Brian D. Mallen
  • Patent number: 5946903
    Abstract: An external combustion engine for driving a power shaft, which includes a rotary combustion chamber having an eccentric rotor and a plurality of telescoping vanes extending from the rotor to the inner walls of the combustion chamber. The vanes divide the combustion chamber into individual compression and combustion cells. As the rotor rotates the cells become progressively smaller in volume compressing a flammable mixture of fuel and air. At the point of maximum compression the mixture is ignited. The expanding gasses are permitted to escape into an adjacent expansion chamber in which rides a reciprocating piston, driving the piston and producing work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Michael Mason Marquard
  • Patent number: 5560741
    Abstract: A non-contact vane-type fluid-displacement machine includes a stator housing having an annular interior surface defining an interior bore and a rotor supported in an eccentric position in the interior bore of the stator housing relative to the annular interior surface thereof to undergo rotation relative to the stator housing about a central rotational axis. The rotor has a plurality of slots radially defined therein relative to the rotational axis. The machine also has a plurality of vanes disposed in the radial slots of the rotor. The vane is mounted to the rotor to undergo reciprocable movement in a radial direction relative to the rotational axis of the rotor such that an outer tip portion of the vane is maintained in a non-contacting substantially sealed relationship with the annular interior surface of the stator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5551854
    Abstract: A non-contact vane-type fluid-displacement machine includes a stator housing having an annular interior surface defining an interior bore and a rotor supported in an eccentric position in the interior bore of the stator housing relative to the annular interior surface thereof to undergo rotation relative to the stator housing about a central rotational axis. The rotor has at least one slot radially defined therein relative to the rotational axis. The machine also has at least one vane disposed in radial slot of the rotor. The vane is mounted to the rotor to undergo reciprocable movement in a radial direction relative to the rotational axis of the rotor such that an outer tip portion of the vane is maintained in a non-contacting substantially sealed relationship with the interior surface of the stator housing. Improved features of the machine relate to a plurality of low profile vane guide assemblies for positioning the vanes of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5501586
    Abstract: A non-contact rotary vane gas expanding apparatus functions to convert controlled expansion of gas under pressure to rotary motive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5374172
    Abstract: A single rotating vane gas compressor comprising a casing having a longitudinal bore with end plate means. A generally right cylindrical rotor is eccentrically for rotation within the bore; it carrier within a radial slot thereof a vane freely slidable in a radial direction. The radial travel of the vane is controlled by the vane being pivotally mounted on an axle the two ends of which are held by the inner race of a bearing means positioned in the end plate means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5366361
    Abstract: A vane pump has a casing, a rotor rotatably mounted in the casing, and a plurality of vanes mounted in the rotor and projecting variable amounts from an outer peripheral wall of the rotor. The outer peripheral wall of the rotor and an inner peripheral wall of the casing are shaped cylindrical. The rotor has an axis of rotation offset from the center of the inner peripheral wall of the casing. Stationary cams concentric with the inner wall of the casing act on proximal ends of the vanes, so that distal ends of the vanes revolve in close vicinity of but not in pressure contact with the inner wall of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Mori, Chikara Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5304049
    Abstract: A rotary pump-motor-meter comprises a rotor assembly including a shaft (38) and one or more hub members (37) coaxially affixed to the shaft, that supports a plurality of flaps (40) disposed about the shaft (38), each of which flaps has a round first edge and a crescent trailing edge and is supported by the hub member (37) pivotably about a pivot axis coinciding with the center of the round first edge disposed adjacent to the shaft (38), which rotor assembly is rotatably disposed within a cylindrical cavity with two port openings in a parallel and eccentric relationship, wherein one or more circular cam guides disposed adjacent to the rotor assembly in a rotable arrangement about a cam axis guides a plurality of cam rollers (41), each of which cam rollers is anchored to one end face of the flaps (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Hyok S. Lew
  • Patent number: 5181843
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an internally constrained vane rotary compressor employing a floating carrier ring, containing a plurality of non-continuous cam surfaces to guide a corresponding plurality of vanes about the interior of a stator, resulting in improved compressor performance. The invention features a triple roller assembly operating in conjunction with the carrier ring to both guide and constrain each vane. In addition, the invention describes a method for increasing the operating efficiency in rotary vane compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Autocam Corporation
    Inventors: Edward W. Hekman, Frederick A. Hekman
  • Patent number: 5169298
    Abstract: A constrained rotary vane compressor having a rotor-vane assembly within a stator often exhibits unwanted noise and vibration effects. The present invention offers a design and method to decrease noise and vibration effects of such compressors by the incorporation of an oil skive formed in the interior wall of the stator. The oil skive rids the vane tips of any excess liquid which may have collected on the rotating vanes, which otherwise may impact certain interior regions of the stator resulting in unwanted noise and vibration of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Autocam Corporation
    Inventors: Edward W. Hekman, Frederick A. Hekman
  • Patent number: 5160252
    Abstract: A fluid displacement machine of the vane type which can be operated as a compressor or motor utilizes a cylindrical rotor equipped with one or more tethered sliding vanes wherein the rotor and vane set is rotatably located eccentrically inside an internal conforming casing profile between opposing endplates to define enclosed variable volume compartments. [Each vane is fitted on opposite sides eith tethers which are pivotally-mounted remotely from the vane tips. The tethers engage, through anti-friction means, circular annuli located within the endplates which are eccentric with the hollow casing profile.] Anti-friction tether-to-annuli means are used, one in the form of freely-rotating caged roller bearings interposed between the tethers and the respective internal annuli, and another in the form of tethers equipped with trunnioned bearings which directly engage these internal annular surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards