AU593644B2

AU593644B2 - Motor assembly

Info

Publication number: AU593644B2
Application number: AU72521/87A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jose Luis Santa
Original assignee: Joe Santa and Associates Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Joe Santa and Associates Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1986-05-05
Filing date: 1987-05-05
Publication date: 1990-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 2007-05-05
Also published as: AU7252187A

Description

r .:s i asrrPnr 593644 S F Ref: 17221 FORM COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 7 -s i 7

F

Class Int. Class

(ORIGINAL)

OR OFFICE USE: FEE STAMP TO VALUE OF J, ATTACHED MAIL Application Number: Lodged: PH5744 CC r 5 May 1986 Accepted: Published: 0 Priority: Related Art: Name and Address of Applicant: I CC Joe Santa Associates Pty Ltd Lot 260, Torrens Avenue Cardiff New South Wales 2285

AUSTRALIA

Jose Luis Santa, V Se Actual Inventor: Address for Service: I tC I I <c 11 Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys, Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia c I

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Complete Specification for the invention entitled: MOTOR ASSEMBLY The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us 5815q/2 1: c::7 L~ I -1 t 2 The present invention relates to air compressors and motors and more particularly, but not exclusively, to air motors employed in the mining industry.

Generally in the mining industry, each piece of apparatus is provided with its own motor. The motors between different pieces of apparatus are generally different and accordingly the problems in respect of repairs and spare parts is exacerbated by the number of different motors. Still further, due to the construction of these motors, the pieces of apparatus are generally heavy with the result that these pieces of apparatus require several men to move them.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.

There is further disclosed herein an air motor or compressor comprising a hollow main body formed of plastics material; a shaft rotatably supported by the body so as to be rotatable about a fixed axis; a plurality of external faces formed on said body and arranged in opposing o0 parallel pairs, which faces are parallel to said fixed axis; a passage extending through each face so that the passages of opposing faces are Io aligned in a direction transverse of said fixed axis; a metal cylinder :-.2Dp fixed within each passage; a piston reciprocally mounted within each o- cylinder; a cylinder head closing the radially outer end of each cylinder so as to cooperate therewith in defining a variable volume working space with the associated piston; piston rod means coupling the pistons of opposing cylinders and engaging said shaft so that power is tranmsitted therebetween; and valve means to coordinate the delivery and exit of a !working gas from the working spaces, said valve means is fixed to said shaft so as to rotate therewith, which valve means includes a plurality of gas inlet passages located at spaced locations angularly about the fixed axis of said shaft, said body being formed with a cylindrical exterior S3b surface, coaxial with respect to said fixed axis, which cylindrical surface E i provides a mounting means enabling the motor or compressor to be mounted in an apparatus using the motor or compressor.

There is further disclosed herein a rotary air motor or compressor i comprising: a hollow main body formed of plastics material; a shaft rotatably supported by said hollow main body so as to be rotatable about a fixed axis; 361 I 'V 1 1 1 1 1 2a a plurality of external faces formed on said hollow main body and arranged in opposing parallel pairs, each of said external faces being parallel to said fixed axis; '1 4 a cylinder mounting passage extending through each said external face so that said cylinder mounting passages of opposing ones of said external faces are aligned in a direction transverse of said fixed axis; a metal cylinder fixed within each of said cylinder mounting passages, each said cylinder having a plurality of exhaust passages located adjacent a radially inner end of each said cylinder; a piston reciprocally mounted within each said metal cylinder; a cylinder head of plastic material closing a radially outer end of each said cylinder so as to cooperate with each said cylinder in defining a variable volume working space with the associated piston; piston rod means coupling said pistons of opposing ones of said cylinders and engaging said shaft so that power is transmitted between said piston rod means and said shaft; 0004q 0 fluid flow passages in said main hollow body and communicating with S and extending to said working spaces and through which high and low o *0 pressure air passes to and from said working spaces; and, 2D valve means connected to said shaft so as to be driven thereby and including at least a first high pressure valve passage to receive high pressure air, and that at least a second low pressure valve passage to receive low pressure air, said valve means being rotatably driven to sequentially connect said first high pressure valve passage and said second low pressure valve passage to said fluid flow passage extending to each 0 ~said working space to permit the delivery to and exit from said working spaces of said high pressure air and said low pressure air.

There Is further disclosed herein a rotary air motor or compressor comprising: S 0 a hollow main body formed of plastics material; a shaft rotatably supported by said hollow main body so as to be rotatable about a fixed axis, said shaft including an eccentric shaft portion having an eccentric rotational axis spaced from said fixed axis and parallel thereto; a plurality of external faces formed on said hollow main body and arranging opposing parallel pairs, each of said external faces being 'TRIi arallel to said fixed axis; -r r o% 2b a cylinder mounting passage extending through each said external face so that said cylinder mounting passages of opposing ones of said external faces are aligned in a direction transverse of said fixed axis; a metal cylinder fixed within each of said cylinder mounting passages, each said cylinder having a plurality of exhaust passages located adjacent a radially inner end of each said cylinder; a piston reciprocally mounted within each said metal cylinder; a cylinder head of plastic material closing a radially outer end of each said cylinder so as to cooperate with each said cyli'nder in defining a variable volume working space with the associated piston piston rod means coupling said pistons of opposing ones of said cylinders and engaging said shaft so that power is transmitted between said piston rod means and said shaft; fluid flow passages in said hollow main body and communicating with and extending to said working spaces and through which high and low pressure air passes to and from said working spaces; and, valve means connected to said shaft so as to be driven thereby and S including at least a first high pressure valve passage to receive high pressure air, and that at least a second low pressure valve passage to eao receive low pressure air, said valve means being rotatably driven to S sequentially connect said first high pressure valve passage and said second low pressure valve passage to said fluid flow passage extending to each said working space to permit the delivery to and exit from said working spaces of said high pressure air and said low pressure air.

There is further disclosed herein a rotary air motor or compressor t tr S comprising: t t S C a hollow main body formed of plastics material; a shaft rotatably supported by said hollow main body so as to be rotatable about a fixed axis, said shaft including an eccentric shaft 31J portion having an eccentric rotational axis spaced from said fixed axis and parallel thereto; a plurality of external faces formed on said hollow main body and arranging opposing parallel pairs, each of said external faces being parallel to said fixed axis; a cylinder mounting passage extending through each said external face so that said cylinder mounting passages of opposing ones of said external CCf faces are aligned in a direction transverse of said fixed axis; x n 001 NT

I:;

2c a metal cylinder fixed within each of said cylinder mounting passages, each said cylinder having a plurality of exhaust passages located adjacent a radially inner end of said cylinder; a piston reciprocally mounted within each said metal cylinder; a cylinder head of plastic material closing a radially outer end of each said cylinder so as to be cooperate with each said cylinder in defining a variable volume working space with the associated piston; piston rod means coupling said pistons of opposing ones of said cylinders and engaging said shaft so that power is transmitted between said piston rod means and said shaft, each said piston rod means including a piston rod having a slot extending transverse of said eccentric axis and engaging said eccentric shaft portion, with each said slot also extending transverse of the longitudinal axis of the associated cylinders; fluid flow passages in said main hollow body and communicating with and extending to said working spaces and through which high and low pressure air passes to and from said working spaces; and, a valve means connected to said shaft so as to be driven thereby and including at least a first high pressure valve passage to receive high pressure air, and at least a second low pressure valve passage to receive 2D low pressure air, said valve means being rotatably driven to sequentially o connect said first high pressure valve passage 7nid said second low pressure valve passage to said fluid flow passage extending to each said working space to permit the delivery to and exit from said working spaces of said high pressure air and said low pressure air.

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; 00I *Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a mine drilling apparatus; Figure la is a schematic end elevation of a portion of the apparatus of Figure 1 sectioned along t'he line II-II; "30 Figure 2 are schematic side elevations of pieces of apparatus employing the motor used in the drilling apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic parts exploded view of the motor employed in the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1.

In Figure 1 there is schematically depicted a mine drilling apparatus The drilling apparatus 10, as an example, could be employed to drill passages to receive mine roof bolts. The apparatus 10 includes a support 4 leg 11 upon which there is mounted a drive unit 12 to rotate a drill bit t p /8001 -r0 13. Extending from the drive unit 12 is a control handle 14 having control -d levers 15 manipulated by a user of the apparatus The handle 14 includes a yoke 16 pivotally attached to the drive unit 12 to enable pivoting of the handle 14 about the axis 17. The handle 14 also includes a valve assembly 18 operated by the control levers 15. The control levers 15 operate linkages 19 which extend to the valves within the valve assembly 18. The valve assembly 18 controls the delivery of water and air under pressure to the drive unit 12 and leg 11. More particularly, the valve assembly 18 is provided with a water inlet 20 and an air inlet 21.

Water is then delivered from the valve assembly 18 via the yoke 16 to the drive unit 12 so that water for lubrication and cooling purposes may be delivered to the drill bit 13. The yoke 16 may be also employed to deliver air to the leg 11. Additionally, extending from the valve assembly 18 is a conduit 22 joining the passage 23 with the motor 24. The control levers manipulate the rods 19 to actuate the valves within the valve assembly 18.

It should be appreciated that the valves within the valve assembly 18 may be o% of a simple on-off construction or of a variable resistance type so that the S flow rate of water or air may be varied.

oa S The drive unit 12 includes the motor 24 and a gearbox 25. The motor °2 24 is more fully depicted in Figure 3 and includes a main hollow body 26 formed of plastics material such as nylon. The body 26 is generally hollow so as to define a crankcase 27 from which there extends passages 28. The S passages 28 are of circular configuration and are adapated to receive metal cylinders 29. Reciprocally mounted within each cylinder 29 is a piston 4*5 while closing one end of each cylinder 19 is a head 31. Each head 31 has a O, cavity within where the cylinder 29 is received. The pistons 30 are arranged in pairs with the pistons of each pair being connected by a piston rod 32. Each piston rod 32 has a slot 33 extending generally transverse to Sthe longitudinal axis of the pistons 30. The cylinders 29 are so arranged that the pistons 30 reciprocate along perpendicular axis. Each piston its associated cylinder 29 and head 31 co-operate to define a variable volume working space to which air under pressure is delivered to cause reciprocation of the associated piston 30. The slots 33 intersect to define an aperture which rotates about a central axis extending normal to the longitudinal axis of both pairs of pistons 30 as well as shoe the intersection thereof. Rotatably supported by the housing 26 is a valve member 34 which also forms the drive output for the motor 24. The valve member 34 has a main body 35 which is rotated about the axis 36 defined by the passage 37 formed in the body 26. Extending from the valve body 35 is a JMC/281t 3

I

driven shaft 38 which is received within the recess defined by the j| intersection of the slots 33. The shaft 38 is fixed to the valve body eccentrically relative to the axis 36. By interreaction of the slots 33, Swith the shaft 38, the valve body 35 is caused to rotate about the axis 36.

Concentric with the axis 36 is a shaft 39 provided with a gear 40 meshingly engaged with a gear 41 (see Fig. The gear 41 is meshingly engaged with a further gear 42 coupled to the drill bit 13.

The valve body 35 is provided with valve passages 43, 44, 45 and 46 j1 which provide for the passage of air under pressure to the working space defined by the pistons 30, their associated cylinders 29 and heads 31. As an example, the passages 44 and 45 could be used as inlet passages for air under pressure, depending on the direction of travel of the motor 24, and the passages 43 and 46 used as exhaust passages. The passages 43 to 46 are selectivelyr k-ig4^e r- withpassages 57 extending to the heads 31 for the inlet of air under pressure as well as the ducting of exhaust air from the working space, by being angularly displaced about the valve body 35 relative to the eo position of the shaft 38. The cylinders 29 are provided with plurality of passages 47 which allow for the escape of some exhaust air into the interior o of the body 26 as the top of the piston passes the passages 47.

2b' The motor 24 may also be used with other pieces of mining equipment as o oi best seen in Figure 2. For example, the motor 24 could be used to drive a winch 48, a portable hand-borer 49, a horizontal borer 50, a roof bolter 51 or 52, a multi-purpose drive assembly 53 or a pump 54.

The body 26 of the motor 24 is formed of plastics material such as I 25 nylon. The wearing parts, such as the cylinders 29 would be formed of the appropriate metal. Additionally, other portions of the drilling apparatus 12 may also be formed of plastics material in order to reduce the weight thereof. For example, the gearbox housing 55 and its associated cover 56 may also be formed of plastics material. Additionally, the heads 31 may also be formed of plastics material, such as nylon.

The body 26 is provided with planar faces 58 through which the passages 28 pass. The faces 58 are parallel to the axis 36, and are arranged in parallel opposing pairs. The body also has a cylindrical surface 59 enabling mounting to the motor 24 in the appropriate apparatus. I The surface 59 is co-axial with respect ot the axis 36.

Extending through the surface 59 are a plurality of passages to deliver air to, and duct air from the passages 43 to 46.

The leg 11 is provided with a double acting ram 57 to raise and lower the drill bit 13.

JMC/281t 4 i

Claims

1. An air motor or compressor comprising a hollow main body formed of plastics material; a shaft rotatably supported by the body so as to be rotatable about a fixed axis; a plurality of external faces formed on said body and arranged in opposing parallel pairs, which faces are parallel to A said fixed axis; a passage extending through each face so that the passages of opposing faces are aligned in a direction transverse of said fixed axis; a metal cylinder fixed within each passage; a piston reciprocally mounted within each cylinder; a cylinder head closing the radially outer end of each cylinder so as to cooperate therewith in defining a variable volume working space with the associated piston; piston rod means coupling the pistons of opposing cylinders and engaging said shaft so that power is tranmsitted therebetween; and valve means to coordinate the delivery and jl exit of. a working gas from the working spaces, said valve means being fixed to said shaft so as to rotate therewith, which valve means includes a exterior surface, coaxial with respect to said fixed axis, which cylindrical surface provides a mounting means enabling the motor or compressor to be mounted in an apparatus using the motor or compressor.

2. A rotary air motor or compressor comprising: a hollow main body formed of plastics material; a shaft rotatably supported by said main body so as to be rotatable about a fixed axis; i a aa plurality of external faces formed on said main body and arranged bi in opposing parallel pairs, said external faces being parallel to said fixed axis; a cylinder mounting passage extending through each said external face so that said mounting passages of opposing faces are aligned In a direction transverse of said fixed axis; f 't t a metal cylinder fixed within each of said mounting passages; a piston reciprocally mounted within each said cylinder; a cylinder head of plastic material closing a radially outer end of each said cylinder so as to co-operate therewith in defining a variable volume working space with the associated piston; AN piston rod means coupling said pistons of opposing ones of said pylinders and engaging said shaft so that power is transmitted therebetween; A ~iLN/14361 (V i :i r i iB i 3 c~ r E i rr. e A i" i said shaft Includes an eccentric shaft portion having an eccentric rotational axis spaced from said fixed axis but parallel thereto; passage means communicating with said working spaces and through which high and low pressure air passes to and from said working spaces; and valve means connected to said shaft so as to be driven thereby and including a high pressure first valve passage to receive high pressure air, and a low pressure second valve passage to receive low pressure air, the valve means being driven to sequentially connect the first and second passages to said passage means to permit the delivery to and exit from said working spaces of said high pressure air and said low pressure air.

3. The motor or compressor of Claim 1 wherein said shaft includes an eccentrical shaft portion having an eccentric rotational axis spaced from said fixed axis but parallel thereto; and each piston rod means includes a piston rod having a slot extending transverse of said eccentric axis and engaging said eccentric portion, with each slot also extending transverse of the longitudinal axis of the associated cylinders.

4. The motor or compressor of Claim 2, wherein each piston rod means includes a piston rod having a slot extending transverse of said eccentric axis and engaging said eccentric portion, with each slot also extending transverse of the longitudinal axis of the associated cylinders.

5. The motor or compressor of Claim 4 wherein said valve means is fixed to said shaft so as to rotate therewith, which valve means Includes a plurality of gas IP passages lorried at spaced locations angularly about the fixed axis of said shaft.

6. The motor or compressor of Claim 3 or Claim 5 wherein each cylinder is provided with a plurality of exhaust passages located adjacent the radially inner end of each cylinder.

7. The motor or compressor of Claim 1 wherein each cylinder head is formed of a plastics material.

8. A rotary air motor or compressor comprising: a hollow main body formed of plastics material; S' a shaft rotatably supported by said hollow main body so as to be rotatable about a fixed axis; a plurality of external faces formed on said hollow main body and arranged in opposing parallel pairs, each of said external faces being parallel to said fixed axis; 'I 4361 i i :i r iK 1 a cylinder mounting passage extending through each said external face so that said cylinder mounting passages of opposing ones of said external faces are aligned in a direction transverse of said fixed axis; P P 0 0 #0 06 0 p0 p p0 op psi t I *0 1 t 14361 i-I ".7 a metal cylinder fixed within each of said cylinder mounting passages, each said cylinder having a plurality of exhaust passages located adjacent a radially inner end of each said cylinder; a piston reciprocally mounted within each said metal cylinder; a cylinder head of plastic material closing -,ally outer end of each said cylinder so as to cooperate with each said cylinder in defining a variable volume working space with the associated piston; piston rod means coupling said pistons of opposing ones of said cylinders and engaging said shaft so that power is transmitted between said piston rod means and said shaft; fluid flow passages in said ma hollow(body and communicating with and extending to said working spaces and through which high and low pressure air passes to and from said working spaces; and, valve means connected to said shaft so as to be driven thereby and S including at least a first high pressure valve passage to receive high pressure air, and that at least a second low pressure valve passage to receive low pressure air, said valve means being rotatably driven to sequentially connect said first high pressure valve passage and said second low pressure valve passage to said fluid flow passage extending to each c said working space to permit the delivery to and exit from said working spaces of said high pressure air and said low pressure air. h

9. The motor or compressor of claim 8 wherein said main body is formed with a cylindrical exterior surface, co-axial with respect to said fixed axis, said cylindrical surface providing a mounting means enabling said motor or compressor to be mounted in an apparatus using said motor or compressor.

A rotary air motor or compressor comprising: a hollow main body formed of plastics material; a shaft rotatably supported by said hollow main body so as to be Srotatable about a fixed axis, said shaft including an eccentric shaft 74portion having an eccentric rotational axis spaced from said fixed axis and parallel thereto; a plurality of external faces formed on said hollow main body and arranging opposing parallel pairs, each of said external faces being parallel to said fixed axis; KLN/14361 'I- It I i '4 I 1 c: r1 4.D 4.( C 4 4. 4. t 4 4. 4. a cylinder mounting passage extending through each said external face so that said cylinder mounting passages of opposing ones of said external faces are aligned in a direction transverse of said fixed axis; a metal cylinder fixed within each of said cylinder mounting passages, each said cylinder having a plurality of exhaust passages located adjacent a radially inner end of said cylinder; a piston reciprocally mounted within each said metal cylinder; a cylinder head of plastic material closing a radially outer end of each said cylinder so as to cooperate with each said cylinder in defining a variable volume working space with the associated piston; piston rod means coupling said pistons of opposing ones of said cylinders and engaging said shaft so that power is transmitted between said piston rod means and said shaft, each said piston rod means including a piston rod having a slot extending transverse of said eccentric axis and engaging said eccentric shaft portion, with each said slot also extending transverse of the longitudinal axis of the associated cylinders; fluid flow passages in said main hollow body and communicating with and extending to said working spaces and through which high and low pressure air passes to and from said working spaces; and, valve means connected to said shaft so as to be driven thereby al;d including at least a first high pressure valve passage to receive high pressure air, and at least a second low pressure valve passage to receive low pressure air, said valve means being rotatably driven to sequentially connect said first high pressure valve passage and said second low pressure valve passage to said fluid flow passage extending to each said working space to permit the delivery to and exit from said working spaces of said high pressure air and said low pressure air.

11. An air motor or compressor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this SEVENTEENTH day of AUGUST 1989 Joe Santa Associates Pty Limited a~r I i I KLN/14361 Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON II