US3860365A - Seals and methods and means of sealing for rotary engines and the like - Google Patents

Seals and methods and means of sealing for rotary engines and the like Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3860365A
US3860365A US356885A US35688573A US3860365A US 3860365 A US3860365 A US 3860365A US 356885 A US356885 A US 356885A US 35688573 A US35688573 A US 35688573A US 3860365 A US3860365 A US 3860365A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
seal
groove
blade
trailing
leading
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US356885A
Inventor
William H Bibbens
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US356885A priority Critical patent/US3860365A/en
Priority to AU68288/74A priority patent/AU495272B2/en
Priority to IT50740/74A priority patent/IT1011343B/en
Priority to FR7415282A priority patent/FR2238037B1/fr
Priority to SE7405849A priority patent/SE403927B/en
Priority to CA198,854A priority patent/CA1011257A/en
Priority to DE2421495A priority patent/DE2421495A1/en
Priority to GB1954774A priority patent/GB1473561A/en
Priority to BR3610/74A priority patent/BR7403610D0/en
Priority to JP49050170A priority patent/JPS5048308A/ja
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3860365A publication Critical patent/US3860365A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01C—ROTARY-PISTON OR OSCILLATING-PISTON MACHINES OR ENGINES
    • F01C19/00—Sealing arrangements in rotary-piston machines or engines
    • F01C19/02—Radially-movable sealings for working fluids

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A sealing assembly for providing a sliding seal between two members, such as the housing and rotor of a rotary engine.
  • a groove is formed in one member and extends substantially transversely of the direction of movement of that member relative to the other member.
  • the seal blade is received in the groove and has a tip portion which projects from the groove for sliding, sealing engagement with a surface of the other member.
  • Cooperating cam surfaces are provided on the trailing side wall of the groove and the trailing side surface of the seal blade which are operable in response to forces urging the trailing side surface into contact with the trailing side wall to produce reaction force components urging the blade to extend from the groove.
  • Coupling seal recesses are formed at opposite ends of the groove, and a coupling seal member is received in each of the recesses.
  • the coupling seal member and seal blade are interengageable with each other in such a manner that the coupling seal members are urged to project axially from the respective coupling seal recesses while simultaneously urging the seal blade toward a centered positionin the groove and to extend from the groove.
  • This invention relates generally to seals and methods and means of sealing as related to rotary machines and is particularly concerned with seals and means of sealing for relatively moving parts of eccentric rotor engines of the type commonly referred to as Wankel engines although the invention is not restricted to eccentric rotary engines and will have application to other types of machines, pumps, compressors and the like.
  • the present invention is concerned with any device wherein it is necessary to provide slidable seals for use with moving pressure chambers, wherein the chambers are defined by two or more relatively moving members.
  • Eccentric rotor engines are engines of the type wherein a rotor (sometimes referred to as a rotary piston") is eccentrically mounted within an enclosed cavity of a housing and is rotatable about its own axis, which axis is eccentric to a rotatable main shaft axis, the main shaft being mounted in the housing.
  • the rotor cooperates with the cavity walls to define a plurality of chambers that expand and contract volumetrically as the rotor rotates within the cavity, and thereby provide the four phases of intake, compression, expansion (or ignition and expansion) and exhaust, to transmit power.
  • the most commonly known eccentric rotor engine (not claimed as a part of this invention) is the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
  • the Wankel engine includes a housing having a cavity having a surface which is commonly referred to as a trochoidal surface, and will be so referred to herein.
  • a rotor which may be of substantially triangular configuration, or of other configurations, is received in the cavity.
  • the rotor has end faces extending transversely to its rotary axis, and has convex or formed sides extending between its apices.
  • Each of the sides of the rotor cooperate with the trochoidal surfaceof the cavity to define a chamber, the walls of each chamber being defined by the trochoidal surface of the cavity, one of the convex or formed sides of the rotor, and the end walls of the housing that extend transversely to the trochoidal surface.
  • a difficult problem with rotary engines of the type discussed in the preceding paragraph is that of maintaining reliably effective sealing between chambers to contain variable and different pressures, which chambers are defined as the rotor rotates about an axis within the housing.
  • Reliable seals must be provided between the end faces of the rotor and the opposing end wall surfaces of the housing as well as between the apex portions of the rotor and the trochoidal surface of the housing.
  • the apex portions of the rotor member are provided with apex seals that are slidably mounted in retaining grooves in the rotor, the retaining grooves having sides machined ina predetermined angular relationship with radial lines that extend from the axis of the rotor to each apex of the rotor so that, each apex seal moves outwardly and inwardly within its retaining groove as it sweeps along the trochoidal surface with which it is slidingly engaged.
  • Side seals are provided within the opposite end faces of the rotor and extend between the apex portions of the rotor. The side seals engage the surfaces of the end walls of the cavity fixed to the rotor housing.
  • coupling seals are slidably mounted within the end faces of the rotor for axial movement in a direction parallel to the axis of the rotor.
  • the coupling seals also serve as a junction seal between the side seals and apex seals.
  • the ends of the side seals abut the coupling seals, and theapex seals are received in grooves formed in the coupling seals.
  • the coupling seals are conventionally of cylindrical shape and are received in cylindrical openings formed radially inwardly of the respective apices of the rotor.
  • the coupling seal face seats against the adjacent end wall surface of the rotor housing and sweeps along such surface in a trochoidal path having generally the same configuration as the trochoidal surface of the cavity as the rotor rotates within the cavity.
  • the coupling seals, side seals, and. the apex seals are resiliently biased toward engagement with the respective surfaces against which they are toseal. It is important that each apex seal, side seal and coupling seal always remain in contact with their respective sealing surfaces; however, the seals should be. freely movable with respect to rotor in order to accommodate surface irregularities due to manufacturing tolerances, heat distortions, wear, etc, and so that the seals will always be free for quick return movement to maintain coactive contact with theirrespective sealing surfaces if caused to move out of contact therewith by adverse forces.
  • any frictional forces tending to retard its return movement to sealing engagement with the trochoidal surface increases the amount of leakage and thus decreases the power of the engine, wastes fuel, and causes the loss of emissions control.
  • a coupling seal is caused to move out of engagement with the end wall surface of the chamber, any frictional forces tending to retard its return movement to sealing engagement with the end wall surface increases (1 the amount of leakage and hence the loss of power, (2) high fuel consumption, and (3) the loss of emissions control.
  • any vundesirable frictional forces which would retard its return movement to its sealing engagement would cause leakages from its respective chamber, allowing loss of power, loss of emissions control, and waste of fuel.
  • the intermittently high unit load pressure exerted on the apex seal blade also increases the likelihood of fatigue, damage, wear, and distortion to the trochoidal surface of the housing, reducing the life of the engine and of the apex seal, further contributing to inadequate, unreliable and unstable sealing conditions.
  • an object of this invention to provide a construction with a sealing means between relatively movable members of a rotary engine and the like wherein the differential in the contact pressure between the surfaces of the seal members and the surfaces with which the seal members are engaged during each cycle of operation of the rotary engine or the like is minimized without losing sealing effectiveness.
  • a further object is to provide a construction with a sealing means that will produce a sliding seal between two members of rotary engines and the like, one of which members moves relative to the other, wherein a seal blade is received in a groove in said one member, the groove extending substantially transversely of the direction of relative movement between the two members, in which cooperating cam surfaces are provided between the groove and the seal blade, which cooperating cam surfaces are coactively responsive to forces urging the seal blade into contact with one of the side walls of the groove in such a manner as to produce advantageousreaction force components urging the seal blade to slidably cam itself outwardly from the groove to thereby maintain sealing engagement with the surface of the other member.
  • a further object is to provide a component sealing construction with a provision for a sealing means that will minimize the adverse effects of friction force between the drive wall of the groove and the trailing side surface of the seal blade.
  • a further object is to provide an apex sealing arrangement for rotary engines and the like that will minimize the shock loading on the apex seal blade caused by the intermittent and instantaneous pressure rise at ignition and explosion of the fuel without reducing the sealing efficiency of the apex seal.
  • Still another object of this invention is to provide an apex sealing arrangement for rotary engines and the like that will (I) increase the power output by minimizing leakage from zones of relatively high pressure to zones of relatively low pressure, (2) provide better control of the content of the exhaust emissions by reducing the amount of unburned fuel in the emissions caused by leakage during the ignition and expansion phase of each cycle of the engine, (3) provide for greater efficiency of operation by reducing the fuel consumption without sacrificing power output, and (4) reduce the wear of the sealing components and of the housing and thereby provide a longer operating life for the sealing components and housing.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide an apex sealing arrangement for rotary engines and the like wherein friction forces that would normally tend to retard movement of the sealing members produce compensating reaction forces tending to urge the sealing members to move in a sealing direction without retardation.
  • a further object is.to provide an apex sealing ar rangement for rotary engines and the like wherein the high pressures on the apex seals produced by ignition of the fuel are redistributed to reduce the impact forces on the individual seals and thereby decrease the wear on the related engine parts.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide an apex seal assembly for rotary engines and the like including a retaining member with which the apex seal and coupling seal can be assembled together and calibrated and the entire assembly installed as a unit on the rotor of a rotary engine or the like.
  • a still further object is to provide an apex seal assembly for rotary engines and the like having an apex seal blade and a coupling seal member wherein the apex seal blade and coupling seal have coacting surfaces operable to produce desirable reaction components of force in response to forces ordinarily adverse to the sealing function of the assembly, which reaction component increase the sealing function of the assembly.
  • a still further object is to provide a rotor for a rotary engine or the like wherein the apex portions of the rotor are defined by a retaining member that is installed separately onto the rotor so that side seal grooves can be more easily cut into the rotor prior to installation of the retaining member.
  • a further object is to provide a rotor for a rotary engine or the like wherein the apex portions of the rotor are defined by a retaining member that is installed separately onto the rotor and which can be made of a material different from but compatible with the material of the rotor so that the retaining member does not have to meet the requirements of the rotor material in addition to the requirements of the material of the retaining member.
  • a further object is to provide a retaining member for installation onto the rotor of a rotary engine or the like to form an apex portion thereof, the retaining member being formed with slots for receiving the ends of side seal strips with a clearance being provided between the surface of the slots and the ends of the side seal strips to eliminate adverse friction forces between the side seal strips and retaining member and at the same time provide a baffling effect for the escapement of fluid pressure around the ends of the side seal strips without retarding movement of the coupling seals.
  • Still another object is to provide a rotor for a rotary engine or the like having side seals, coupling seals and apex seals wherein the coupling seals do not frictionally engage the side seals so that the side seals and coupling seals do not interfere with the scaling functions of each other, and wherein the coupling seals and apex seals are coactively engageable with each other to urge each other toward sealing engagement with their respective sealing surfaces.
  • a still further object is to provide a seal blade for the apex of the rotor of a rotary engine or the like wherein the seal blade has a tip with a working surface for slidable, sealing engagement with another surface wherein the trailing portion of the working surface has a larger radius of curvature than the leading portion thereof, and which trailing portion of the blade tip is levered in the manner of a bell crank to always assure contact with the trochoidal surface of the housing and to accommodate changes in the trochoidal surface due to heat, force distortion, manufacturing tolerances, and changes in the contour of the surface engaged thereby.
  • a further object is to provide a seal blade for the apex of a rotary engine or the like having a cam surface formed on the trailing surface thereof for coactively engaging the trailing side wall of the groove in which it is adapted to be received in sucha manner that the seal blade is urged in a direction towardthe trailing side wall and outwardly of such groove.
  • Another object is to provide a seal blade for the rotor of a rotary engine or the like having a coupling seal cam surface formed thereon for coactively engaging a coupling seal member in such a manner that the seal blade and coupling seal are urged toward sealing engagement with their respective sealing surfaces by their coactive engagement.
  • a further object is to provide a coupling seal member for a rotary engine or the like having a cylindrical body formed with a groove for receiving an end portion of an apex seal blade, and having a seal blade contact member for coactively engaging a cam surface formed on such seal blade to produce constant reaction compo nents of force urging the coupling seal toward engagement with the surface it is adapted to sealingly engage.
  • a further object is to providev a sealing construction and means of sealing for rotary engines and the like that will constantly urge outward radial forces and axial forces to resist inwardforces of the sealing members when saidsealing members are cooperating. with sealing surface of the non-retaining seal members throughouteach complete revolution of the rotating member.
  • Another object is to provide freely slidable sealing members for rotary engines and the like to constantly resist forces and friction that would otherwise retard the sealing members free movement in an. outward direction toward the sealing surface with which they coactively cooperate.
  • a further object is to decrease the high load pressures on the workingsealing surfaces of the seals of rotary engines and the like while providing free movement of the slidable. members without losing sealingeffectiveness or proper sealing between the seals and the cooperating members.
  • a further object is to provide. an assembly including a pair of oppositvely extending side sealslots in said coupling seal member, each of said coupling seal side seal slots being positioned in alignment with a respective one of said side seal slots in said retaining member to form an extension thereof, the respectiv e end portions of said side seal strips being received in'the's'lots in said coupling seal member, and wherein a clearance is always maintained between the end portions ofsaid side seal strips and the surfaces of the respective-side seal slots in said coupling seal members in all positions of said coupling seal member.
  • an apex ing assembly including an apex seal blade retaining member, an apex seal blade and a pair of opposite hand coupling seal members biased outwardly by springs.
  • the retaining member may consist simply of the apex portion of the rotor for the rotary engine, or may be a separate member that can be installed separately onto the rotor to define the apex portion thereof.
  • the retaining member is formed with a groove for receiving the apex seal blade, and a pair of coupling seal recesses at each end which communicate with the apex seal blade groove.
  • the coupling seal member is formed with a contact arm that responds to frictional forces between the coupling seal and the end wall of the cavity in which the rotor is received to urge the apex seal blade toward the trailing side wall of the slot in which it is received.
  • the apex seal blade is formed with cam surfaces on its leading side surface for engagement by the contact arms of the coupling seals to bias the coupling seals axially outwardly toward engagement with each end wall, surface of the cavity.
  • the ends of the apex seal blades are relieved on their lower portions so that any intermittent contact with the end wallzsurfaces ofthe engine, cavity by the ends of the seal blade will produce forces further maintaining the apex seal blade in sealing en-. gagement with its sealing surfaces.
  • the trailing side wall of the slot in which the seal blade is received is formed-with a cam surface, and the trailing sidesurface through ports in the apex seal assembly, and operate to.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary engine rotor? and trochoidal chamber having a prior art, conventional apex sealing arrangement;
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the distribution of the radial forces exerted by the apex seal on the trochoidal surface of the engine cavity, the FIG. 2 diagram illustrating the forces exerted by conventional apex seal assemblies, and one typifying a more desirable force pattern, as well as the theoretically ideal force pattern;
  • FIG. 3 is a view of a rotary engine diagrammatically illustrating the various positions and conditions affecting the apex seal during rotation of the rotor; 1
  • FIG. 4 is a graphical illustration ofthe velocity variations of each of the apex seals during rotation of the rotor
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are graphic illustrations illustrating the apex seal velocity change in relationship to the change of the rake angle of the apex seal with respect to the surface of the engine cavity;
  • FIGS; 6A-6E are fragmentary sectional views of an apex seal of ,the engine of FIG. .1 illustrating the change in the position and conditions of the sea] as the seal moves along the surface of the cavity of the engine from the lefthand firing position to the right-hand firing position;
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 are elevational views of a typical rotary engine rotor and trochoidal chamber of the type illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the positions of the rotor creating adverse sealing conditions at the apex seal blades;
  • FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a rotary engine rotor and trochoidal chamber, the rotor having apex seal assemblies according to one form of the invention.
  • FIG. 10 is an enlarged elevational view of an apex seal assembly of the engine of FIG. 9;
  • FIG. 11 is a side view, on a slightly reduced scale, of the sealing assembly of FIG. 10 taken on lines llll;
  • FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on lines l313 of FIG. 10;
  • FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 10 on an enlarged scale
  • FIG. 14A is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on lines 14A14A of FIG. 11;
  • FIG. 14B is a view illustrating the manner in which an apex seal according to the present invention tends to resist separation from the trochoid surface and cooperating sealing surfaces due to skipping and distortions in the trochoid surface as compared with one conventional apex seal construction;
  • FIGS. 15 through 19 are views similar to FIG. 10 illustrating the change in. the position of the apex seal, coupling seal, and side seal, and illustrating sealing surfaces with the side walls of the trochoidal chamber as the seals move from the left-hand firing position to the right-hand firing position;
  • FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the coupling seal and spring used with the assembly of FIG. 10;
  • FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the apex seal blade used with an assembly of FIG. 10;
  • FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the apex seal retainer used with an assembly of FIG. 10;
  • FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 10 of an apex seal assembly according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken on lines 24-24 of FIG. 23;
  • FIGS. 25 and 26 are sectional views taken on lines 25-25 and 26-26, respectively, of FIG. 24;
  • FIG. 27 is a view similar to FIG. 9, partially in section. of a rotary engine rotor-and trochoid housing according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. 28, 29 and 30 areenlarged fragmentary views of each of the apexportions of the rotor of the engine of FIG. 27;
  • FIG. 31 is a view similar to FIG. 27 with the rotor in a different position
  • FIGS. 32, 33 and 34 are enlarged fragmentary views of each of the apex portions 'of therotorin the position of FIG. 31;
  • FIG. 35 is a view similar to FIG. 27 with the rotor in still different position;
  • FIGS. 36, 37 and 38 are enlarged fragmentary views of each of the apex portions of the rotor in the position of FIG. 35;
  • FIG. 39 is a view similar to FIG. 27.with the rotor in still another position; and i FIGS. 40, 41 and 42 are enlarged fragmentary views of each of the apex portions of the rotor in the position of FIG. 39.
  • reference numeral 20 collectively designates a rotary engine housing having a cavity 22 formed with a trochoidal surface 24 having an inwardly projecting upper lobe 28 and an'inwardly projecting lower lobe 26.
  • the cavity 22 has a central axis designated by reference numeral 21.
  • the cavity 22 is further defined by the inner surfaces 27a and 29a of end plates 27 and 29, respectively, closing the opposite ends of the cavity. Fragmentary portions of the end plates 27 and 29 are illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • Intake and exhaust ports 23 and 25, respectively, are illustrated in the trochoidal wall 24 of the cavity on opposite sides of the lobe 26. In some conventional rotary engines and the like, the intake and exhaust ports are formed in the end plates rather than in the trochoid surface.
  • Eccentrically rotatably mounted in the cavity 22 is a rotor collectively designated by reference numeral 30, the rotor 30 being of triangular configuration with convex side walls.
  • the axis of the engine housing and cavity 22 is indicated by reference numeral 21, while the axis of the rotor is indicated by reference numeral 31.
  • the rotor 30 includes an end face 32 disposed in opposed relationship with the surface 27a of the end plate 27, an end face 32 disposed in opposed relationship with the surface 29a of the end plate 29, and three side walls 34, the side walls being individually designated by reference numerals 34a, 34b and 340.
  • the apex portions of the rotor are designated by references characters X, Y and Z.
  • the side wall 34b extends between the apex portions X and Y
  • the side wall 34c extends between the apex portions Y and Z
  • the side wall 34a extends between the apex portions Z and X.
  • side seal members 36 Mounted in the end face 32 and extending along each of the side walls between the apex portions are side seal members 36, the side seals 36 being designated individually by reference numerals 36a, 36b and 36c which are disposed adjacent to the side walls 340, b and c, respectively.
  • the side seals 36 are provided to sealingly engage the surface 27a of the end plate 27.
  • the ends of the side seals engage coupling seals 38x, 38y and 382 located at the apex portions X, Y and Z, respectively.
  • apex seal blades 40 Also mounted in the apex portions are are apex seal blades 40, the apex seal blades being individually designated by reference numerals 40x, y and z at the apex portions X, Y and Z, respectively.
  • Similar side seals and coupling seals are provided on the end face 32 of the rotor'to sealingly engage the end face 29a.
  • the apex sealv blades 40 engage the trochoidal surface 24 and sweep along the surface 24 as the rotor 30 rotates

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Sealing Devices (AREA)
  • Fuel-Injection Apparatus (AREA)
  • Gasket Seals (AREA)

Abstract

A sealing assembly for providing a sliding seal between two members, such as the housing and rotor of a rotary engine. A groove is formed in one member and extends substantially transversely of the direction of movement of that member relative to the other member. The seal blade is received in the groove and has a tip portion which projects from the groove for sliding, sealing engagement with a surface of the other member. Cooperating cam surfaces are provided on the trailing side wall of the groove and the trailing side surface of the seal blade which are operable in response to forces urging the trailing side surface into contact with the trailing side wall to produce reaction force components urging the blade to extend from the groove. Coupling seal recesses are formed at opposite ends of the groove, and a coupling seal member is received in each of the recesses. The coupling seal member and seal blade are interengageable with each other in such a manner that the coupling seal members are urged to project axially from the respective coupling seal recesses while simultaneously urging the seal blade toward a centered position in the groove and to extend from the groove.

Description

United States Patent [191 Bibbens Jan. 14, 1975 SEALS AND METHODS AND MEANS OF SEALING FOR ROTARY ENGINES AND THE LIKE [76] Inventor: William H. Bibbens, 16500 N. Park Dr., Southfield, Mich. 48075 [22] Filed: May 3, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 356,885
[52] US. Cl 418/61 A, 418/113, 418/120, 418/122, 418/142 [51] Int. CL... F0lc 19/02, F04c 15/00, F040 27/00 [58] Field of Search 418/61 A, 113, 119124, 418/142, 237; 227/168 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,831,243 11/1931 Hart et al 418/237 3,127,095 3/1964 Froede 1 418/121 3,142,439 7/1964 Froede 418/61 A 3,180,560 4/1965 Paschke 418/124 3,180,561 4/1965 Paschke 418/120 3,204,615 9/1965 Starmuehler 418/113 3,206,108 9/1965 Abermeth 418/91 3,261,334 7/1966 Paschke 418/123 3,485,217 12/1969 lrgens 418/121 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 626,596 5/1927 France 418/122 993,574 5/1965 Great Britain 418/122 1,154,315 9/1963 Germany 418/142 Primary Examiner-John J. Vrablik Attorney, Agent, or FirmReising, Ethington & Perry [57] ABSTRACT A sealing assembly for providing a sliding seal between two members, such as the housing and rotor of a rotary engine. A groove is formed in one member and extends substantially transversely of the direction of movement of that member relative to the other member. The seal blade is received in the groove and has a tip portion which projects from the groove for sliding, sealing engagement with a surface of the other member. Cooperating cam surfaces are provided on the trailing side wall of the groove and the trailing side surface of the seal blade which are operable in response to forces urging the trailing side surface into contact with the trailing side wall to produce reaction force components urging the blade to extend from the groove. Coupling seal recesses are formed at opposite ends of the groove, and a coupling seal member is received in each of the recesses. The coupling seal member and seal blade are interengageable with each other in such a manner that the coupling seal members are urged to project axially from the respective coupling seal recesses while simultaneously urging the seal blade toward a centered positionin the groove and to extend from the groove.
43 Claims, 49 Drawing Figures PATEHTEB JAN 1 4 I975 SHEET Ul0F15 PATENTED 3,860,365
sum 02 or RATE OR PERCENT OF INCREASE IN VELOCITY FROM MINIMUM EAL x EAL Y EAL z .56 I80 60 I I 1 ,b 2o *y 26 as a .{zqj mo' I60" I 200' 220' 240' 260' 280' 300 320' 340 360" MIN. L VELOCITY -3so= ROTATION OF ROTOR PATENTEDJAH 1 41975 SHEET D30F 15 PATENTEDJANWQYB 3860.365
SHEET [1'4 [1F 15 g 7/ PR/ORART 51, W 7/ PRIOR ART p2 PRIOR ART PAIENTED 3,860,365
sum DSOF 1s PATENTED 3.880.365
SHEET U7UF 15 PATENTEDJAN 1 4:915
SHEET IODF 15 SHEEI.11UF 1s PATENTEDJAN 1 4197s PMENTED 3.860.365
SHEET 120! 15 "I\\ Z5 FIRlNG POSITION EXHAUST \j INTAKE (TM a fi m 2;
d2? /ii INTAKE EXPANSiON EXPANSION EXHAU T L m I TY r W PATENTEUJANWBYS 3.860.365
saw 130F15 PAIEMEU 3,860,365
SHEEI 1% HF 15 STA RT 0 F COM P RESSION START OF COM PRESSION EXPNSION F EXHAkJST 74 STA ESgIEN COMP PATENTEI] JAN I 4I975 SHEEI 15 0F 15 NEAR PEAK OF COMPRESSION F. OE M mT Am I S EXHAUST POSITION EXHAUST K +T\ NEAR PEAK OF \RESSION /#Z 4 ST NIT COMP a zze g 7 40 N EA R PEAK OF COMPRESSION INTAKE YF\ zxa SEALS AND METHODS AND MEANSOFSEALING FOR noranr ENGINES AND THE LIKE This invention relates generally to seals and methods and means of sealing as related to rotary machines and is particularly concerned with seals and means of sealing for relatively moving parts of eccentric rotor engines of the type commonly referred to as Wankel engines although the invention is not restricted to eccentric rotary engines and will have application to other types of machines, pumps, compressors and the like.
While the problem will be generally discussed below in connection with rotary engines of the Wankel type, the present invention is concerned with any device wherein it is necessary to provide slidable seals for use with moving pressure chambers, wherein the chambers are defined by two or more relatively moving members. Moreover, the invention in its broadest aspects is concerned with confining gases or fluidsbetween at least two zones of different pressures, and more specifically, with providing, by a sealing means and control features resistant to undesirable flow of gas or fluid from a high pressure zone to a low pressure zone between at least two relatively moving members Therefore, the phrase rotary engines and the like as used herein refers not only to eccentric rotor engines of the Wankel type, but to any device having relatively movable members wherein it is necessary to provide slidable seals between the relatively movable members to confine fluids between two or more zones of differential pressures.
Eccentric rotor engines are engines of the type wherein a rotor (sometimes referred to as a rotary piston") is eccentrically mounted within an enclosed cavity of a housing and is rotatable about its own axis, which axis is eccentric to a rotatable main shaft axis, the main shaft being mounted in the housing. The rotor cooperates with the cavity walls to define a plurality of chambers that expand and contract volumetrically as the rotor rotates within the cavity, and thereby provide the four phases of intake, compression, expansion (or ignition and expansion) and exhaust, to transmit power. The most commonly known eccentric rotor engine (not claimed as a part of this invention) is the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,998,065 of Wankel et al. The Wankel engine includes a housing having a cavity having a surface which is commonly referred to as a trochoidal surface, and will be so referred to herein. A rotor which may be of substantially triangular configuration, or of other configurations, is received in the cavity. The rotor has end faces extending transversely to its rotary axis, and has convex or formed sides extending between its apices. Each of the sides of the rotor cooperate with the trochoidal surfaceof the cavity to define a chamber, the walls of each chamber being defined by the trochoidal surface of the cavity, one of the convex or formed sides of the rotor, and the end walls of the housing that extend transversely to the trochoidal surface.
A difficult problem with rotary engines of the type discussed in the preceding paragraph is that of maintaining reliably effective sealing between chambers to contain variable and different pressures, which chambers are defined as the rotor rotates about an axis within the housing. Reliable seals must be provided between the end faces of the rotor and the opposing end wall surfaces of the housing as well as between the apex portions of the rotor and the trochoidal surface of the housing. In conventional rotary engines of this type, the apex portions of the rotor member are provided with apex seals that are slidably mounted in retaining grooves in the rotor, the retaining grooves having sides machined ina predetermined angular relationship with radial lines that extend from the axis of the rotor to each apex of the rotor so that, each apex seal moves outwardly and inwardly within its retaining groove as it sweeps along the trochoidal surface with which it is slidingly engaged. Side seals are provided within the opposite end faces of the rotor and extend between the apex portions of the rotor. The side seals engage the surfaces of the end walls of the cavity fixed to the rotor housing. In order to seal the ends of the apex portions of the rotor, coupling seals are slidably mounted within the end faces of the rotor for axial movement in a direction parallel to the axis of the rotor. The coupling seals also serve as a junction seal between the side seals and apex seals. The ends of the side seals abut the coupling seals, and theapex seals are received in grooves formed in the coupling seals. The coupling seals are conventionally of cylindrical shape and are received in cylindrical openings formed radially inwardly of the respective apices of the rotor. The coupling seal face seats against the adjacent end wall surface of the rotor housing and sweeps along such surface in a trochoidal path having generally the same configuration as the trochoidal surface of the cavity as the rotor rotates within the cavity. 7
In present constructions, the coupling seals, side seals, and. the apex seals are resiliently biased toward engagement with the respective surfaces against which they are toseal. It is important that each apex seal, side seal and coupling seal always remain in contact with their respective sealing surfaces; however, the seals should be. freely movable with respect to rotor in order to accommodate surface irregularities due to manufacturing tolerances, heat distortions, wear, etc, and so that the seals will always be free for quick return movement to maintain coactive contact with theirrespective sealing surfaces if caused to move out of contact therewith by adverse forces. If an apex seal is caused to move out of contact with the trochoidal surface, any frictional forces tending to retard its return movement to sealing engagement with the trochoidal surface increases the amount of leakage and thus decreases the power of the engine, wastes fuel, and causes the loss of emissions control. Similarly, if a coupling seal is caused to move out of engagement with the end wall surface of the chamber, any frictional forces tending to retard its return movement to sealing engagement with the end wall surface increases (1 the amount of leakage and hence the loss of power, (2) high fuel consumption, and (3) the loss of emissions control. Further, if a side seal member is caused to move out of engagement with the end .wall surface of the chamber, any vundesirable frictional forces which would retard its return movement to its sealing engagement would cause leakages from its respective chamber, allowing loss of power, loss of emissions control, and waste of fuel.
With the conventional seal arrangement described in the preceding paragraphs, adverse forces exerted on the various sealing components as the rotor rotates within the trochoidal cavity tend to increase undesirable frictional contact between the apex seal, coupling seal, side seal members and apex seal grooves to thereby retard free movement of the seals with respect to their sealing surfaces. Furthermore, the constantly changing accelerating forces acting on the apex seals due to the eccentric motion of the rotor and the trochoidal path of the apex seals tend to aggravate and cause undesirable frictional engagement and retard return motion of the seals when they are forced out of engagement with their respective sealing surfaces. It is believed that these undesirable conditions are further aggravated by the impact forces on the apex seals defining the ends of the ignition chamber upon firing due to the sudden increase of pressure which tends to force the seals radially outwardly into engagement with the trochoid surface with an amount of pressure that unduly increases the friction forces between the apex seal blades and the trochoidal surface, and that increases the likelihood of the blade coming out of contact with the trochoidal surface when the direction of the blade changes abruptly as is necessary due to the configuration of the path of movement of the apex seal blade. The intermittently high unit load pressure exerted on the apex seal blade also increases the likelihood of fatigue, damage, wear, and distortion to the trochoidal surface of the housing, reducing the life of the engine and of the apex seal, further contributing to inadequate, unreliable and unstable sealing conditions.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a construction with a sealing means between relatively movable members of a rotary engine and the like wherein the differential in the contact pressure between the surfaces of the seal members and the surfaces with which the seal members are engaged during each cycle of operation of the rotary engine or the like is minimized without losing sealing effectiveness.
A further object is to provide a construction with a sealing means that will produce a sliding seal between two members of rotary engines and the like, one of which members moves relative to the other, wherein a seal blade is received in a groove in said one member, the groove extending substantially transversely of the direction of relative movement between the two members, in which cooperating cam surfaces are provided between the groove and the seal blade, which cooperating cam surfaces are coactively responsive to forces urging the seal blade into contact with one of the side walls of the groove in such a manner as to produce advantageousreaction force components urging the seal blade to slidably cam itself outwardly from the groove to thereby maintain sealing engagement with the surface of the other member.
A further object is to provide a component sealing construction with a provision for a sealing means that will minimize the adverse effects of friction force between the drive wall of the groove and the trailing side surface of the seal blade.
A further object is to provide an apex sealing arrangement for rotary engines and the like that will minimize the shock loading on the apex seal blade caused by the intermittent and instantaneous pressure rise at ignition and explosion of the fuel without reducing the sealing efficiency of the apex seal.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an apex sealing arrangement for rotary engines and the like that will (I) increase the power output by minimizing leakage from zones of relatively high pressure to zones of relatively low pressure, (2) provide better control of the content of the exhaust emissions by reducing the amount of unburned fuel in the emissions caused by leakage during the ignition and expansion phase of each cycle of the engine, (3) provide for greater efficiency of operation by reducing the fuel consumption without sacrificing power output, and (4) reduce the wear of the sealing components and of the housing and thereby provide a longer operating life for the sealing components and housing.
Another object of this invention is to provide an apex sealing arrangement for rotary engines and the like wherein friction forces that would normally tend to retard movement of the sealing members produce compensating reaction forces tending to urge the sealing members to move in a sealing direction without retardation.
A further object is.to provide an apex sealing ar rangement for rotary engines and the like wherein the high pressures on the apex seals produced by ignition of the fuel are redistributed to reduce the impact forces on the individual seals and thereby decrease the wear on the related engine parts.
A further object of this invention is to provide an apex seal assembly for rotary engines and the like including a retaining member with which the apex seal and coupling seal can be assembled together and calibrated and the entire assembly installed as a unit on the rotor of a rotary engine or the like.
A still further object is to provide an apex seal assembly for rotary engines and the like having an apex seal blade and a coupling seal member wherein the apex seal blade and coupling seal have coacting surfaces operable to produce desirable reaction components of force in response to forces ordinarily adverse to the sealing function of the assembly, which reaction component increase the sealing function of the assembly.
A still further object is to provide a rotor for a rotary engine or the like wherein the apex portions of the rotor are defined by a retaining member that is installed separately onto the rotor so that side seal grooves can be more easily cut into the rotor prior to installation of the retaining member.
A further object is to provide a rotor for a rotary engine or the like wherein the apex portions of the rotor are defined by a retaining member that is installed separately onto the rotor and which can be made of a material different from but compatible with the material of the rotor so that the retaining member does not have to meet the requirements of the rotor material in addition to the requirements of the material of the retaining member.
A further object is to provide a retaining member for installation onto the rotor of a rotary engine or the like to form an apex portion thereof, the retaining member being formed with slots for receiving the ends of side seal strips with a clearance being provided between the surface of the slots and the ends of the side seal strips to eliminate adverse friction forces between the side seal strips and retaining member and at the same time provide a baffling effect for the escapement of fluid pressure around the ends of the side seal strips without retarding movement of the coupling seals.
Still another object is to provide a rotor for a rotary engine or the like having side seals, coupling seals and apex seals wherein the coupling seals do not frictionally engage the side seals so that the side seals and coupling seals do not interfere with the scaling functions of each other, and wherein the coupling seals and apex seals are coactively engageable with each other to urge each other toward sealing engagement with their respective sealing surfaces.
A still further object is to provide a seal blade for the apex of the rotor of a rotary engine or the like wherein the seal blade has a tip with a working surface for slidable, sealing engagement with another surface wherein the trailing portion of the working surface has a larger radius of curvature than the leading portion thereof, and which trailing portion of the blade tip is levered in the manner of a bell crank to always assure contact with the trochoidal surface of the housing and to accommodate changes in the trochoidal surface due to heat, force distortion, manufacturing tolerances, and changes in the contour of the surface engaged thereby.
A further object is to provide a seal blade for the apex of a rotary engine or the like having a cam surface formed on the trailing surface thereof for coactively engaging the trailing side wall of the groove in which it is adapted to be received in sucha manner that the seal blade is urged in a direction towardthe trailing side wall and outwardly of such groove.
Another object is to provide a seal blade for the rotor of a rotary engine or the like having a coupling seal cam surface formed thereon for coactively engaging a coupling seal member in such a manner that the seal blade and coupling seal are urged toward sealing engagement with their respective sealing surfaces by their coactive engagement.
A further object is to provide a coupling seal member for a rotary engine or the like having a cylindrical body formed with a groove for receiving an end portion of an apex seal blade, and having a seal blade contact member for coactively engaging a cam surface formed on such seal blade to produce constant reaction compo nents of force urging the coupling seal toward engagement with the surface it is adapted to sealingly engage.
A further object is to providev a sealing construction and means of sealing for rotary engines and the like that will constantly urge outward radial forces and axial forces to resist inwardforces of the sealing members when saidsealing members are cooperating. with sealing surface of the non-retaining seal members throughouteach complete revolution of the rotating member.
Another object is to provide freely slidable sealing members for rotary engines and the like to constantly resist forces and friction that would otherwise retard the sealing members free movement in an. outward direction toward the sealing surface with which they coactively cooperate.
A further object is to provide a. sealingconstruction for rotary enginesand the like that will redirect forces to contribute toward constant sealing direction. of said seals to. maintain engagement withthe sealing surfaces irrespective of the positionthat the rotating member takes throughout each revolution about an eccentric axis.
A further object is to decrease the high load pressures on the workingsealing surfaces of the seals of rotary engines and the like while providing free movement of the slidable. members without losing sealingeffectiveness or proper sealing between the seals and the cooperating members.
A further object is to provide. an assembly including a pair of oppositvely extending side sealslots in said coupling seal member, each of said coupling seal side seal slots being positioned in alignment with a respective one of said side seal slots in said retaining member to form an extension thereof, the respectiv e end portions of said side seal strips being received in'the's'lots in said coupling seal member, and wherein a clearance is always maintained between the end portions ofsaid side seal strips and the surfaces of the respective-side seal slots in said coupling seal members in all positions of said coupling seal member. Y
The foregoing, and further objects, are achieved in the present invention by the provision of an apex ing assembly including an apex seal blade retaining member, an apex seal blade and a pair of opposite hand coupling seal members biased outwardly by springs. The retaining member may consist simply of the apex portion of the rotor for the rotary engine, or may be a separate member that can be installed separately onto the rotor to define the apex portion thereof. The retaining member is formed with a groove for receiving the apex seal blade, and a pair of coupling seal recesses at each end which communicate with the apex seal blade groove. The coupling seal member is formed with a contact arm that responds to frictional forces between the coupling seal and the end wall of the cavity in which the rotor is received to urge the apex seal blade toward the trailing side wall of the slot in which it is received. The apex seal blade is formed with cam surfaces on its leading side surface for engagement by the contact arms of the coupling seals to bias the coupling seals axially outwardly toward engagement with each end wall, surface of the cavity. The ends of the apex seal blades are relieved on their lower portions so that any intermittent contact with the end wallzsurfaces ofthe engine, cavity by the ends of the seal blade will produce forces further maintaining the apex seal blade in sealing en-. gagement with its sealing surfaces. The trailing side wall of the slot in which the seal blade is received is formed-with a cam surface, and the trailing sidesurface through ports in the apex seal assembly, and operate to.
control and limit the maximum pressure caused by ignition to reduce the impact forces on the seal blade's'at ignition to reduce distortion of the trochoid surface of the housing and simultaneously reduce wear on the co operating members.
Other objects, advantages and features of the, invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary engine rotor? and trochoidal chamber having a prior art, conventional apex sealing arrangement;
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the distribution of the radial forces exerted by the apex seal on the trochoidal surface of the engine cavity, the FIG. 2 diagram illustrating the forces exerted by conventional apex seal assemblies, and one typifying a more desirable force pattern, as well as the theoretically ideal force pattern;
FIG. 3 is a view of a rotary engine diagrammatically illustrating the various positions and conditions affecting the apex seal during rotation of the rotor; 1
FIG. 4 is a graphical illustration ofthe velocity variations of each of the apex seals during rotation of the rotor;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are graphic illustrations illustrating the apex seal velocity change in relationship to the change of the rake angle of the apex seal with respect to the surface of the engine cavity;
FIGS; 6A-6E are fragmentary sectional views of an apex seal of ,the engine of FIG. .1 illustrating the change in the position and conditions of the sea] as the seal moves along the surface of the cavity of the engine from the lefthand firing position to the right-hand firing position;
FIGS. 7 and 8 are elevational views of a typical rotary engine rotor and trochoidal chamber of the type illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the positions of the rotor creating adverse sealing conditions at the apex seal blades;
FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a rotary engine rotor and trochoidal chamber, the rotor having apex seal assemblies according to one form of the invention;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged elevational view of an apex seal assembly of the engine of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a side view, on a slightly reduced scale, of the sealing assembly of FIG. 10 taken on lines llll;
FIG. 12 is a view on lines 12l2 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on lines l313 of FIG. 10;
FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 10 on an enlarged scale;
FIG. 14A is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on lines 14A14A of FIG. 11;
FIG. 14B is a view illustrating the manner in which an apex seal according to the present invention tends to resist separation from the trochoid surface and cooperating sealing surfaces due to skipping and distortions in the trochoid surface as compared with one conventional apex seal construction; FIGS. 15 through 19 are views similar to FIG. 10 illustrating the change in. the position of the apex seal, coupling seal, and side seal, and illustrating sealing surfaces with the side walls of the trochoidal chamber as the seals move from the left-hand firing position to the right-hand firing position; FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the coupling seal and spring used with the assembly of FIG. 10;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the apex seal blade used with an assembly of FIG. 10;
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the apex seal retainer used with an assembly of FIG. 10;
FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 10 of an apex seal assembly according to another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken on lines 24-24 of FIG. 23;
FIGS. 25 and 26 are sectional views taken on lines 25-25 and 26-26, respectively, of FIG. 24;
FIG. 27 is a view similar to FIG. 9, partially in section. of a rotary engine rotor-and trochoid housing according to another embodiment of the invention;
. FIGS. 28, 29 and 30 areenlarged fragmentary views of each of the apexportions of the rotor of the engine of FIG. 27;
FIG. 31 is a view similar to FIG. 27 with the rotor in a different position;
FIGS. 32, 33 and 34 are enlarged fragmentary views of each of the apex portions 'of therotorin the position of FIG. 31;
FIG. 35 is a view similar to FIG. 27 with the rotor in still different position; v
FIGS. 36, 37 and 38 are enlarged fragmentary views of each of the apex portions of the rotor in the position of FIG. 35;
FIG. 39 is a view similar to FIG. 27.with the rotor in still another position; and i FIGS. 40, 41 and 42 are enlarged fragmentary views of each of the apex portions of the rotor in the position of FIG. 39.
The numerous adverse forces and conditions acting on the apex seals of Wankel engines will first be described in connection with FIGS. 1 through 8 in connection with conventional, prior, art apex sealing assemblies.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 20 collectively designates a rotary engine housing having a cavity 22 formed with a trochoidal surface 24 having an inwardly projecting upper lobe 28 and an'inwardly projecting lower lobe 26. The cavity 22 has a central axis designated by reference numeral 21. The cavity 22 is further defined by the inner surfaces 27a and 29a of end plates 27 and 29, respectively, closing the opposite ends of the cavity. Fragmentary portions of the end plates 27 and 29 are illustrated in FIG. 1. Intake and exhaust ports 23 and 25, respectively, are illustrated in the trochoidal wall 24 of the cavity on opposite sides of the lobe 26. In some conventional rotary engines and the like, the intake and exhaust ports are formed in the end plates rather than in the trochoid surface.
Eccentrically rotatably mounted in the cavity 22 is a rotor collectively designated by reference numeral 30, the rotor 30 being of triangular configuration with convex side walls. The axis of the engine housing and cavity 22 is indicated by reference numeral 21, while the axis of the rotor is indicated by reference numeral 31. The rotor 30 includes an end face 32 disposed in opposed relationship with the surface 27a of the end plate 27, an end face 32 disposed in opposed relationship with the surface 29a of the end plate 29, and three side walls 34, the side walls being individually designated by reference numerals 34a, 34b and 340. The apex portions of the rotor are designated by references characters X, Y and Z. The side wall 34b extends between the apex portions X and Y, the side wall 34c extends between the apex portions Y and Z, and the side wall 34a extends between the apex portions Z and X.
Mounted in the end face 32 and extending along each of the side walls between the apex portions are side seal members 36, the side seals 36 being designated individually by reference numerals 36a, 36b and 36c which are disposed adjacent to the side walls 340, b and c, respectively. The side seals 36 are provided to sealingly engage the surface 27a of the end plate 27. The ends of the side seals engage coupling seals 38x, 38y and 382 located at the apex portions X, Y and Z, respectively. Also mounted in the apex portions are are apex seal blades 40, the apex seal blades being individually designated by reference numerals 40x, y and z at the apex portions X, Y and Z, respectively. Similar side seals and coupling seals are provided on the end face 32 of the rotor'to sealingly engage the end face 29a. The apex sealv blades 40 engage the trochoidal surface 24 and sweep along the surface 24 as the rotor 30 rotates

Claims (43)

1. A coupling seal member for a rotary engine or the like comprising: a cylindrical body; a groove formed in said body and extending along the length thereof; and a seal blade pressure member formed on said coupling seal member adapted to engage a seal blade at least partially received in said groove, said body having an outer end with an upper contacting surface for sliding sealing engagement with a surface of another member, and a lower relieved surface inclined away from said contacting surface.
2. A coupling seal member as claimed in claim 11 wherein said coupling seal member is formed with an extension arm projecting from said cylindrical body on one side of said groove, said seal blade pressure member being formed on said extension arm and being adapted to engage a coupling seal cam surface formed on an apex seal blade received in said groove.
3. A seal blade for a rotary engine or the like adapted for use in a groove of a coupling seal member comprising: a tip portion with a working surface defined thereon, said tip portion having a leading and a trailing edge, a trailing side surface extending from the trailing edge of said tip portion, a leading side surface extending from the leading edge of said tip portion, and a cam surface formed on said trailing side surface, said cam surface comprising a concave surface formed on said trailing side surface, further comprising a pair of coupling seal cam surfaces formed on the leading side surface of said seal blade, the outer ends of said seal blade each having upper and lower surfaces, the lower surfaces being relieved inwardly with respect to the upper surfaces.
4. A seal blade as claimed in claim 3 wherein the working surface of said outer tip portion has a leading portion and a trailing portion and an imaginary rake angle line intersects said tip portion such that the leading portion of said working surface is on one side of said rake angle line and the trailing portion of said working surface is on the other side of said rake angle line, said leading portion having a curvature the radius of which has a center located substantially on said rake angle line, said trailing portion having a curvature the radius of which has a center located on the leading side of said rake angle line, the radius of curvature of said trailing portion being larger than the radius of curvature of said leading portion such that the trailing portion of the working surface extends further from said rake angle line than the leading portion of said working surface.
5. A seal blade as claimed in claim 4 wherein said rake angle intersects the bottom surface of said seal blade at a location closer to said trailing side surface Than the said leading side surface.
6. A rotor for a rotary engine or the like of the type having a housing forming working chambers with a rotor rotatable in the housing and having apex portions with grooves and apex seals received therein for engaging the wall of the housing to form the working chambers and wherein the seal blades are loosely received in the grooves to allow leakage into the grooves from the working chambers, said rotor comprising: a plurality of apex portions; a groove formed in each of said apex portions extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said rotor; a plurality of accumulator passages formed in said rotor, the number of said accumulator passages corresponding to the number of said grooves; each of said accumulator passages having one end communicating with the leading side wall of the groove of one apex portion and its other end communicating with the trailing side wall of the apex portion adjacent to and trailing said one apex portion.
7. A seal blade for a rotary engine or the like comprising: a tip portion with a working surface defined thereon, said tip portion having a leading and a trailing edge; a trailing side surface extending from the trailing edge of said tip portion; a leading side surface extending from the leading edge of said tip portion; said trailing side surface being formed with an upper concave cam surface and a lower convex portion; said leading side surface being concave substantially throughout its length; and outer ends extending between said leading and trailing side surfaces, said outer ends each having an upper surface adjacent the respective tip portions, and a lower surface depending from said upper surface and relieved with respect to said upper surface.
8. A sealing assembly for providing a sliding seal between two members, one of which members is movable relative to the other, said sealing assembly comprising: a groove formed in said one member, said groove extending substantially transversely of the direction of movement of said member relative to the other member, said groove having a leading side wall, a trailing side wall, and a boittom wall extending between said side walls; a seal blade received in said groove, said blade having a tip portion projecting from said groove with a working surface defined thereon for sliding, sealing engagement with a surface of said other member, said blade having a trailing side surface extending from the trailing edge of the outer tip portion and disposed in opposed relationship to said trailing side wall of said groove; said blade having a leading side surface extending from the leading edge of said outer tip portion and disposed in opposed relationship to said leading side wall of said groove; said trailing side wall of said groove being formed with a convex ramp portion adjacent the open end of said groove, and said trailing side surface of said blade being formed with an upper concave portion having a radius of curvature larger than the radius of curvature of said convex ramp portion such that forces urging the surface of said concave portion into contact with said convex ramp portion produce reaction force components between said concave and convex portions that urge said blade to extend from said groove.
9. A sealing assembly for providing a sliding seal between two members, one of which members is movable relative to the other, said sealing assembly comprising: a groove formed in said one member, said groove extending substantially transversely of the direction of movement of said member relative to the other member, said groove having a leading side wall, a trailing side wall, and a bottom wall extending between said side walls; a seal blade received in said groove, said blade having a tip portion projecting from said groove with a working surface defined thereon for sliding, sealing engagement with a surface of said other member, said blade having a trailing side surface extending from the trailing edge of the outer tip portiOn and disposed in opposed relationship to said trailing side wall of said groove; said blade having a leading side surface extending from the leading edge of said outer tip portion and disposed in opposed relationship to said leading side wall of said groove; cooperating convex and concave cam surfaces on said trailing side wall of said groove and trailing side surface of said blade, respectively, operable in response to forces urging said trailing side surface into contact with said trailing side wall to produce reaction force components urging said blade to extend having upper and lower surfaces, the lower surfaces being relieved inwardly with respect to the upper surfaces.
10. A sealing assembly for providing a sliding seal between two members, one of which members is movable relative to the other, said sealing assembly comprising: a groove formed in said one member, said groove extending substantially transversely of the direction of movement of said member relative to the other member, said groove having a leading side wall, a trailing side wall, and a bottom wall extending between said side walls; a seal blade received in said groove, said blade having a tip portion projecting from said groove with a working surface defined thereon for sliding, sealing engagement with a surface of said other member, said blade having a trailing side surface extending from the trailing edge of the outer tip portion and disposed in opposed relationship to said trailing side wall of said groove; said blade having a leading side surface extending from the leading edge of said outer tip portion and disposed in opposed relationship to said leading side wall of said groove; cooperating cam surfaces on said trailing side wall of said groove and trailing side surface of said blade operable in response to forces urging said trailing side surface into contact with said trailing side wall to produce reaction force components urging said blade to extend from said groove, said cam surfaces comprising a convex surface on said trailing side wall and a concave surface on said trailing side surface, said concave surface having a larger radius of curvature than said convex surface such that there is a substantial line contact engagement between the trailing side wall and trailing side surface, further including a pair of cylindrical coupling seal recesses formed in said one member at opposite ends of said groove, a coupling seal member received in each said recesses, said coupling seal members each having a cylindrical body rotatable in the respective coupling seal recess, a groove formed in said body and disposed coextensively with the groove in said one member and receiving an end portion of said seal blade, and means interengageable between each of said coupling seal members and said seal blade operable to urge said coupling seal members to project axially from the respective coupling seal recesses and to simultaneously urge said apex seal blade toward a centered position in said groove and to extend from said groove.
11. A sealing assembly for providing a sliding seal between two members, one of which members is movable relative to the other, said sealing assembly comprising: a groove formed in said one member, said groove extending substantially transversely of the direction of movement of said member relative to the other member, said groove having a leading side wall, a trailing side wall, and a bottom wall extending between said side walls; a seal blade received in said groove, said blade having a tip portion projecting from said groove with a working surface defined thereon for sliding, sealing engagement with a surface of said other member, said blade having a trailing side surface extending from the trailing edge of the outer tip portion and disposed in opposed relationship to said trailing side wall of said groove; said blade having a leading side surface extending from the leading edge of said outer tip portion and disposed in opposed relationship to said leading side wall of said groOve; cooperating cam surfaces on said trailing side wall of said groove and trailing side surface of said blade operable in response to forces urging said trailing side surface into contact with said trailing side wall to produce reaction force components urging said blade to extend from said groove, said cam surfaces comprising a convex surface on one of said trailing side wall and trailing side surface, and a convex surface on the other of said trailing side wall and trailing side surface, said convex surface being formed on said trailing side wall and said concave surface being formed on said trailing side surface, said concave surface having a larger radius of curvature than said convex surface such that there is a substantial line contact engagement between the trailing side wall and trailing side surface, and further including a pair of cylindrical coupling seal recesses formed in said one member at opposite ends of said groove, a coupling seal member received in each of said recesses, said coupling seal members each having a cylindrical body rotatable in the respective coupling seal recess, a groove formed in said body and disposed coextensively with the groove in said one member and receiving an end portion of said seal blade, and means interengageable between each of said coupling seal members and said blade operable to urge said coupling seal members to project axially from the respective coupling seal recesses and to simultaneously urge said apex seal blade toward a centered position in said groove and to extend from said groove.
12. An assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said last named means comprises a pair of coupling seal cam surfaces formed on said seal blade, and a seal blade pressure member formed on each of said coupling seal members, said seal blade pressure members each being engageable with one of said cam surfaces in response to rotation of the respective coupling seal members in their respective recesses.
13. An assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein each of said coupling seal members has an outer end with an upper contacting surface for sliding sealing engagement with a surface spaced from each of the respective ends of said one member, and a lower relieved surface inclined away from said contacting surface toward the respective recess.
14. An assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein said coupling seal cam surfaces are formed on the leading side surface of said seal blade, and wherein said coupling seal members are each formed with an extension arm projecting from said cylindrical body along the leading side surface of said seal blade, said seal blade pressure member being formed on said extension arm and engageable with one of said coupling seal cam surfaces.
15. An assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the outer ends of said seal blade each has upper and lower surfaces, the lower surfaces being relieved inwardly with respect to the upper surfaces.
16. An assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said one member comprises a rotor for a rotary engine or the like.
17. An assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein said rotor has at least one apex portion, and wherein said groove is formed in said apex portion.
18. A sealing assembly for providing a sliding seal between two members, one of which members is movable relative to the other, said sealing assembly comprising: a groove formed in said one member, said groove extending substantially transversely of the direction of movement of said member relative to the other member, said groove having a leading side wall, a trailing side wall, and a bottom wall extending between said side walls; a seal blade received in said groove, said blade having a tip portion projecting from said groove with a working surface defined thereon for sliding, sealing engagement with a surface of said other member, said blade having a trailing side surface extending from the trailing edge of the outer tip portion and disposed in opposed relationship to said trailing side wall of said groove; said bLade having a leading side surface extending from the leading edge of said outer tip portion and disposed in opposed relationship to said leading side wall of said groove; cooperating cam surfaces on said trailing side wall of said groove and trailing side surface of said blade operable in response to forces urging said trailing side surface into contact with said trailing side wall to produce reaction force components urging said blade to extend from said groove, further including at least one cylindrical coupling seal recess formed in said one member at one end of said groove, a coupling seal member received in said recess, said coupling seal member having a cylindrical body rotatable within said recess, said body haaving a groove formed therein and disposed coextensively with the groove in said one member and receiving an end portion of said seal blade, further including means engageable between said coupling seal member and said seal blade operable to urge said coupling seal member to project axially from said coupling seal recess and to simultaneously urge said seal blade toward a centered position in said groove and to extend from said groove.
19. An assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein said last named means comprises a coupling seal cam surface on said seal blade, and a seal blade contact member on said coupling seal member, said seal blade contact member being engageable with said coupling seal cam surface in response to rotation of said coupling seal member with respect to said recess.
20. An assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein said coupling seal member is otherwise out of contact with said seal blade when said seal blade contact member is engaged with said coupling seal recess.
21. An assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein said seal blade contact member is formed on the leading side wall of the groove in said coupling seal member, and said coupling seal cam surface is formed on the leading side surface of said seal blade.
22. An assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein said coupling seal member is formed with an extension arm projecting from said cylindrical body along the leading side surface of said seal blade, said seal blade contact member being formed on said extension arm, and said coupling seal cam surface being formed on the leading side surface of said seal blade.
23. An assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein said coupling seal cam surfaces are formed on the leading side surface of said seal blade, and wherein said coupling seal members are each formed with an extension arm projecting from said cylindrical body along the leading side surface of said seal blade, said seal blade pressure member being formed on said extension arm and engageable with one of said coupling seal cam surfaces.
24. An assembly as claimed in claim 23 wherein said coupling seal member has an outer end with an upper contacting surface extending to the end of said extension arm for sliding engagement with a surface spaced from the associated end of said one member, and a lower relieved surface inclined away from said contacting surface toward the respective recess.
25. An assembly as claimed in claim 24 wherein the leading side wall of the groove in said one member is convex and the leading side surface of said seal blade is concave.
26. An assembly as claimed in claim 25 wherein said seal blade contact member engages said coupling seal cam surface at a point spaced from the substantial line contact between said trailing side surface and trailing side wall on the opposite side thereof from said bottom wall of said groove of said one member to thereby urge the edge of the leading side surface of said seal blade adjacent said bottom wall to engage said leading side wall of said groove in said one member with a substantial line contact.
27. An assembly as claimed in claim 26 wherein said cam surfaces comprise a convex surface on one of said trailing side wall and trailing side surface, and a concave surface on the other of said trailing side wall and traIling side surface.
28. An assembly as claimed in claim 27 wherein said convex surface is formed on said trailing side wall and said concave surface is formed on said trailing side surface.
29. An assembly as claimed in claim 28 wherein said concave surface has a larger radius of curvature than said convex surface such that there is a substantial line contact engagement between the trailing side wall and trailing side surface.
30. An assembly as claimed in claim 29 wherein said convex surface extends from the outer edge of said groove opposite the bottom wall thereof, and said concave surface extends from the trailing edge of said tip portion, and wherein said trailing side wall has a concave lower portion extending from said convex surface toward said bottom wall, and said trailing side surface has a lower convex portion extending from the lower edge of said concave surface.
31. An assembly as claimed in claim 30 wherein the working surface of said outer tip portion has a leading portion and a trailing portion and an imaginary rake angle line intersects said tip portion such that the leading portion of said working surface is on one side of said rake angle line and the trailing portion of said working surface is on the other side of said rake angle line, said leading portion having a curvature the radius of which has a center located substantially on said rake angle line, said trailing portion having a curvature the radius of which has a center located on the leading side of said rake angle line, the radius of curvature of said trailing portion being larger than the radius of curvature of said leading portion such that the trailing portion of the working surface extends further from said rake angle line than the leading portion of said working surface.
32. An assembly as claimed in claim 31 wherein said rake angle line intersects the bottom surface of said seal blade at a location closer to said trailing side surface than to said leading side surface, and wherein said rake angle line intersects the bottom wall of the groove in said one member at a location closer to said trailing side wall than to said leading side wall.
33. An assembly as claimed in claim 32 further including at least one passage extending through said seal blade having an opening in the tip portion on the trailing side of the trailing portion of the working surface thereof.
34. An assembly as claimed in claim 33 further including a seal blade spring received in the groove of said one member and biasing said seal blade outwardly with respect to said groove.
35. An assembly as claimed in claim 34 further including a coupling seal spring received in said coupling seal recess and biasing said coupling seal member to extend outwardly from said recess.
36. An assembly as claimed in claim 35 wherein said seal blade spring has a central portion that rests on the bottom wall of said groove and a pair of spring arms extending upwardly and outwardly in opposite directions from said central portion, and further including a pair of projections on opposite ends of said blade depending below the bottom surface thereof, the junctions between said bottom surface and said projections being curved, and said spring arms being engaged with the respective junctions and having a curvature conforming substantially to said junctions.
37. An assembly as claimed in claim 33 wherein said one member comprises a seal blade retaining member.
38. An assembly as claimed in claim 37 including a rotor for a rotary engine or the like, said retaining member being mounted on said rotor.
39. An assembly as claimed in claim 38 wherein said rotor has at least one apex portion defined by said retaining member.
40. An assembly as claimed in claim 39 further including at least one pair of oppositely extending side seal slots formed in said one end of said retaining member.
41. An assembly as claimed in claim 40 wherein said rotor has an end face lying in substantially coplanar relationship with said one end of said retaining member, at least one pair of side seal strips mounted within said end face, one end of each of said side seal strips being received in a respective one of said side seal slots.
42. An assembly as claimed in claim 41 wherein a clearance is maintained between the ends of said side seal strips and the walls of the respective side seal notches in said retaining member.
43. An assembly as claimed in claim 42 further including a pair of oppositely extending side seal slots in said coupling seal member, each of said coupling seal side seal slots being positioned in alignment with a respective one of said side seal slots in said retaining member to form an extension thereof, the respective ends of said side seal strips being received in the slots in said coupling seal members, and wherein a clearance is always maintained between the ends of said side seal strips and the surfaces of the respective side seal slots in said coupling seal members in all positions of said coupling seal member.
US356885A 1973-05-03 1973-05-03 Seals and methods and means of sealing for rotary engines and the like Expired - Lifetime US3860365A (en)

Priority Applications (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US356885A US3860365A (en) 1973-05-03 1973-05-03 Seals and methods and means of sealing for rotary engines and the like
AU68288/74A AU495272B2 (en) 1973-05-03 1974-04-26 Seals and methods and means of sealing for rotary engines andthe like
FR7415282A FR2238037B1 (en) 1973-05-03 1974-05-02
SE7405849A SE403927B (en) 1973-05-03 1974-05-02 SEALER UNIT FOR PUMPS AND ENGINES SPECIFIC WANKEL TYPES
IT50740/74A IT1011343B (en) 1973-05-03 1974-05-02 IMPROVEMENT IN THE SEALING PROVISIONS IN PARTICULAR FOR ROTATING PISTON MOTORCYCLES AND SIMILAR
CA198,854A CA1011257A (en) 1973-05-03 1974-05-03 Seals and methods and means of sealing for rotary engines and the like
DE2421495A DE2421495A1 (en) 1973-05-03 1974-05-03 SEAL ARRANGEMENT
GB1954774A GB1473561A (en) 1973-05-03 1974-05-03 Sealing between relatively rotatable members
BR3610/74A BR7403610D0 (en) 1973-05-03 1974-05-03 A SEALING SET
JP49050170A JPS5048308A (en) 1973-05-03 1974-05-04

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US356885A US3860365A (en) 1973-05-03 1973-05-03 Seals and methods and means of sealing for rotary engines and the like

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3860365A true US3860365A (en) 1975-01-14

Family

ID=23403366

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US356885A Expired - Lifetime US3860365A (en) 1973-05-03 1973-05-03 Seals and methods and means of sealing for rotary engines and the like

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3860365A (en)
JP (1) JPS5048308A (en)
BR (1) BR7403610D0 (en)
CA (1) CA1011257A (en)
DE (1) DE2421495A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2238037B1 (en)
GB (1) GB1473561A (en)
IT (1) IT1011343B (en)
SE (1) SE403927B (en)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3961871A (en) * 1974-01-23 1976-06-08 Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. Corner seal means for rotary piston type engines
US5592386A (en) * 1992-10-23 1997-01-07 Noranda Inc. Method and apparatus for the detection of reciprocating machine faults and failures
WO2003012290A1 (en) * 2001-07-27 2003-02-13 Manner David B An improved planetary rotary machine using apertures, volutes and continuous carbon fiber reinforced peek seals
US6575719B2 (en) * 2000-07-27 2003-06-10 David B. Manner Planetary rotary machine using apertures, volutes and continuous carbon fiber reinforced peek seals
US20090142686A1 (en) * 2007-11-30 2009-06-04 Satoshi Kojima Image forming method, toner and image forming apparatus
US20110204572A1 (en) * 2008-10-17 2011-08-25 Ip Consortium Limited Seal assembly and method
US20130028777A1 (en) * 2011-07-28 2013-01-31 Eugene Gekht Gas seal arrangement for rotary internal combustion engine
US20130302103A1 (en) * 2012-05-11 2013-11-14 Giuliano Sona Automatic method for milling complex channel-shaped cavities
US8597006B2 (en) 2011-07-28 2013-12-03 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Apex seal for rotary internal combustion engine
US20170009582A1 (en) * 2014-02-25 2017-01-12 Oxford University Innovation Limited Rotary engine seals
US9927801B2 (en) 2012-05-11 2018-03-27 D.P. Technology Corp. Automatic method for milling complex channel-shaped cavities via coupling flank-milling positions
US10344870B2 (en) 2011-07-28 2019-07-09 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Apex seal arrangement for rotary internal combustion engine
CN110094276A (en) * 2019-04-30 2019-08-06 宁波大学 A kind of diaphragm seal of rotary polygonal piston engine

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110925082B (en) * 2019-12-13 2021-10-22 李炳强 Blade rotary engine

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1831243A (en) * 1928-08-20 1931-11-10 Alvin L Hart Rotary fluid operated and operating device
US3127095A (en) * 1964-03-31 Froede
US3142439A (en) * 1961-05-10 1964-07-28 Nsu Motorenwerke Ag Sealing means for rotary engine
US3180560A (en) * 1960-08-29 1965-04-27 Nsu Motorenwerke Ag Sealing system for rotary mechanisms
US3180561A (en) * 1961-06-07 1965-04-27 Nsu Motorenwerke Ag Non-jamming apex seal
US3204615A (en) * 1960-11-09 1965-09-07 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Rotary piston machine
US3206108A (en) * 1962-04-02 1965-09-14 Kloeckner Humboldt Deutz Ag Rotary piston internal combustion engine
US3261334A (en) * 1962-12-11 1966-07-19 Nsu Motorenwerke Ag Lubricating sealing structure for rotary mechanisms
US3485217A (en) * 1967-10-03 1969-12-23 Outboard Marine Corp Apex seal for rotary combustion engine

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3127095A (en) * 1964-03-31 Froede
US1831243A (en) * 1928-08-20 1931-11-10 Alvin L Hart Rotary fluid operated and operating device
US3180560A (en) * 1960-08-29 1965-04-27 Nsu Motorenwerke Ag Sealing system for rotary mechanisms
US3204615A (en) * 1960-11-09 1965-09-07 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Rotary piston machine
US3142439A (en) * 1961-05-10 1964-07-28 Nsu Motorenwerke Ag Sealing means for rotary engine
US3180561A (en) * 1961-06-07 1965-04-27 Nsu Motorenwerke Ag Non-jamming apex seal
US3206108A (en) * 1962-04-02 1965-09-14 Kloeckner Humboldt Deutz Ag Rotary piston internal combustion engine
US3261334A (en) * 1962-12-11 1966-07-19 Nsu Motorenwerke Ag Lubricating sealing structure for rotary mechanisms
US3485217A (en) * 1967-10-03 1969-12-23 Outboard Marine Corp Apex seal for rotary combustion engine

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3961871A (en) * 1974-01-23 1976-06-08 Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. Corner seal means for rotary piston type engines
US5592386A (en) * 1992-10-23 1997-01-07 Noranda Inc. Method and apparatus for the detection of reciprocating machine faults and failures
US6575719B2 (en) * 2000-07-27 2003-06-10 David B. Manner Planetary rotary machine using apertures, volutes and continuous carbon fiber reinforced peek seals
WO2003012290A1 (en) * 2001-07-27 2003-02-13 Manner David B An improved planetary rotary machine using apertures, volutes and continuous carbon fiber reinforced peek seals
US20090142686A1 (en) * 2007-11-30 2009-06-04 Satoshi Kojima Image forming method, toner and image forming apparatus
US20110204572A1 (en) * 2008-10-17 2011-08-25 Ip Consortium Limited Seal assembly and method
US8720898B2 (en) * 2008-10-17 2014-05-13 Ip Consortium Limited Seal assembly and method
US8597006B2 (en) 2011-07-28 2013-12-03 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Apex seal for rotary internal combustion engine
US20130028777A1 (en) * 2011-07-28 2013-01-31 Eugene Gekht Gas seal arrangement for rotary internal combustion engine
US8851870B2 (en) * 2011-07-28 2014-10-07 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp Gas seal arrangement for rotary internal combustion engine
US10344870B2 (en) 2011-07-28 2019-07-09 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Apex seal arrangement for rotary internal combustion engine
US20130302103A1 (en) * 2012-05-11 2013-11-14 Giuliano Sona Automatic method for milling complex channel-shaped cavities
US8977382B2 (en) * 2012-05-11 2015-03-10 D.P. Technology Corp. Automatic method for milling complex channel-shaped cavities
US9423788B2 (en) 2012-05-11 2016-08-23 D.P. Technology Corp. Automatic method for milling complex channel-shaped cavities
US9927801B2 (en) 2012-05-11 2018-03-27 D.P. Technology Corp. Automatic method for milling complex channel-shaped cavities via coupling flank-milling positions
US20170009582A1 (en) * 2014-02-25 2017-01-12 Oxford University Innovation Limited Rotary engine seals
US10294791B2 (en) * 2014-02-25 2019-05-21 Oxford University Innovation Limited Rotary engine seals
CN110094276A (en) * 2019-04-30 2019-08-06 宁波大学 A kind of diaphragm seal of rotary polygonal piston engine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1011257A (en) 1977-05-31
IT1011343B (en) 1977-01-20
FR2238037B1 (en) 1978-03-31
GB1473561A (en) 1977-05-18
AU6828874A (en) 1975-10-30
JPS5048308A (en) 1975-04-30
FR2238037A1 (en) 1975-02-14
DE2421495A1 (en) 1974-11-21
BR7403610D0 (en) 1974-12-24
SE403927B (en) 1978-09-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3860365A (en) Seals and methods and means of sealing for rotary engines and the like
CA1036563A (en) Rotary compressor with labyrinth sealing
EP0746671B1 (en) Axial vane rotary device and sealing system therefor
US5224850A (en) Rotary device with vanes composed of vane segments
US4018548A (en) Rotary trochoidal compressor
EP0808411B1 (en) Rotary device with slidable vane supports
US3193188A (en) Rotor and seal construction for rotary mechanisms
US3127095A (en) Froede
US4395206A (en) Seal compensated geometry rotary motion device
US4548560A (en) Seal system in rotary engine
US3176909A (en) Sealing structures
US7097436B2 (en) Apex split seal
US4137024A (en) Rotor for rotary piston mechanism
US3899272A (en) Rotary mechanism having apex seals with low contact pressure
CA2496157C (en) Vane-type rotary apparatus with split vanes
US4859159A (en) Spiral compressor with setback portion on radially outer peripheral wall
US3988081A (en) Grooved compression seals for rotary engines
US3551080A (en) Rotary piston engine comprising fluid biased vane seals
US3193189A (en) Seal means for rotary mechanisms
US3752607A (en) Rotary machine apex seal
US3932075A (en) Rotor and sealing grid for rotary engines
US3721510A (en) Rotor apex seal damping device
US3142439A (en) Sealing means for rotary engine
US3873250A (en) Apex seal having gas pressure bias for a rotary engine
CA1060801A (en) Apex seal assembly