Specific embodiment
In the Detailed description of the invention of the invention patent, the structure and size and shape of the components of diagram do not represent actual
The structure and size and shape of components do not represent the actual size proportionate relationship between components yet, and diagram is only with concise
Mode is explained the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 1 shows that the axial plane cross-sectional view of one of single cylinder body embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 show the fixation of the present embodiment
The 3-D view of disk and couple rotor assembly.Its structure includes annulus rotation cylinder body GT, spiral rib plate LJ, fixed disk P, coupling
Rotor C.It is the rotation cylinder body for having annular cavity K, the axial plane section view figure of annular cavity that annulus, which rotates cylinder body GT,
Shape is circle.Annulus rotates cylinder body GT and is provided with cylinder body annular groove along annular cavity K, and fixed disk P is located in cylinder body annular groove and fixed
On the body of steam turbine.Spiral rib plate LJ is located in annular cavity K, rotates cylinder body along the circular arc EDS maps of K, and with annulus
GT is coupled integral composition annulus duct and rotates cylinder body.Couple rotor C is mounted on fixed disk P, and is located at annular cavity K
Interior, the outer circular edge of couple rotor C and the inner surface of annular cavity K form mechanical engagement, that is to say, that matching between them
Conjunction can be big clearance fit, is also possible to small clearance fit or is engaged, the pivot center R of couple rotor C and solid
The pivot center 0 of price fixing P is perpendicular, and tangent with the annulus axis Q of annular cavity K.Couple rotor C is opened along radial direction
Have coupling slot (as shown in Figure 2), spiral rib plate LJ can pass through coupling slot, with the rotation of annulus rotation cylinder body GT, spiral bar
Plate LJ is slidably engaged with coupling slot, and pushes couple rotor C around own rotation axis R rotation.Spiral rib plate LJ is along circle
The circular arc EDS maps of toroidal cavity K so that annulus rotation cylinder body GT is with even speed when being rotated, couple rotor C because coupling slot with
Slidably engaging for spiral rib plate LJ and around own rotation axis R with uniform revolving speed rotation.
If setting couple rotor direction as shown in Figure 1 rotates, the starting point of couple rotor C and spiral rib plate LJ from
Start to engage on the left of fixed disk P, with the rotation of annulus rotation cylinder body GT, motive force of the couple rotor C in spiral rib plate LJ
The clearing end of the spiral rib plate LJ on the right side of one week arrival fixed disk P of lower rotation is acted on, then coupling slot and spiral rib plate LJ are detached from
Engagement.Coupling slot is returned to the left side of fixed disk P with the rotation of couple rotor C, starts with the starting point of spiral rib plate LJ next
A engagement process.Couple rotor C will be between the arc surface, fixed disk P and spiral rib plate LJ three of annulus duct rotation cylinder body GT
Space be divided into higher-pressure region and low-pressure area.Inflating medium enters higher-pressure region in the left side aperture V of fixed disk P from cylinder body GT and expands
Pressure is generated, pushes annulus duct rotation cylinder body GT to rotate around the pivot center 0 of fixed disk P to low-pressure area side, thus defeated
Torque out, while the gas in this cylinder body after the work done of low-pressure area is discharged under the thrust of rotor C from right side aperture E.
In order to make it easy to understand, the fixed disk of Fig. 2 uses cross-sectional view.
In order to illustrate the above process, show spiral rib plate LJ in arc surface 1-m-n (Fig. 1 of annular cavity K with Fig. 3
It is shown) on one week plan view is circumferentially unfolded.Although the arc surface in space expands into a circular plane and can lose accurately
Property, but can concisely show its working principle.
It is the developed curve G of spiral rib plate LJ shown in Fig. 3.The starting point of spiral rib plate LJ is located at 31 points at minor diameter
Position.Annulus duct rotation cylinder body rotates counterclockwise, and to understand convenient for narration, it is clockwise around axis 0 to also correspond to couple rotor C
Direction rotates: its coupling slot is engaged since 31 points with spiral rib plate LJ, when couple rotor C turns over 1/4 week, coupling slot
When going to 33 point with couple rotor C, p area of the higher-pressure region between tri- points of 31-32-33,32-33 camber line is approximately 1~n circular arc
The 1/4 of length;Couple rotor C rotation 1/2 week, when coupling slot reaches 35 point, higher-pressure region increases by 4 points of 32-33-35-34
Between the area q;Couple rotor C is from turning over 3/4 week, and when coupling slot reaches 37 point, higher-pressure region is further added by 34-35-37-36
The area r between 4 points;Couple rotor C is from turning over one week, and when coupling slot reaches 38 point, higher-pressure region increases 36-37-38-31
The area s between 4 points.34-35,36-37,31-38 arc length respectively may be about 1/2,3/4 long and overall length of 1~n circular arc.Such as
Fruit will be set as opening area between 31-32 and 38-41, couple rotor C starts when going to the position 32-33 by expanding gas
Pressure, by the region between 31-38-39-33,33-39-40-35,35-40-41-37,37-41-38 point be referred to as t,
U, the area v, w, then remove p region, and the partial region for the q that couple rotor C is passed through and r, s, t, u, v are power output position
The region set, from the area p to the area s, the forced area of couple rotor C or GT increase rapidly, from the area t to the area w, with media expansion
Continue, the forced area of couple rotor C and GT gradually reduces again, be more than from the area q to the area s within the scope of 180 °, torque it is defeated
Continuity out becomes larger.When couple rotor C goes to the area t, couple rotor C has turned through one week stroke from initial position.At this moment,
The coupling slot of couple rotor C and the clearing end of spiral rib plate LJ are disengaged from, and initially enter the starting point side of fixed disk P,
Meshing state is again gone into the starting point of spiral rib plate LJ, into next work done period.It is identical as this circulation, from 31
→ 33 → 35 start next working stroke.Therefore, next when couple rotor C, which goes to 38 points to 39 points, enters the area u
Expansion working state carries out simultaneously.When couple rotor C mentioned above is started the cycle over from 31 points, this upper job is followed
Ring has entered the area t, and therefore, expansion space stroke has 11/4 week to 11/2 week each time, that is, 450 °~540 ° of work done
Range.In 2 weeks 720 ° of rotating distances, the stroke there are about 360 ° is two expansion works while carrying out.Couple rotor C's
While the work done of higher-pressure region side, the other side gradually becomes low-pressure area, while gas is being discharged, therefore the present embodiment has very
High efficiency and output torque, this is also compared with prior art, the present invention a major reason of inflating medium can be saved.
Shown in Fig. 4, for two axial plane cross-sectional view of the single cylinder body embodiment of the present invention, same as the previously described embodiments, knot
Structure includes that annulus rotation cylinder body GT, spiral rib plate, fixed disk P, couple rotor 3-D image and cylinder body as shown in Figure 5 are opened
The position of hole V and E and these openings.Annulus rotates the mode of the installation of cylinder body GT, the rotation of couple rotor, the work of cylinder body GT
It is same as the previously described embodiments to make mode etc..Except that: the arc-shaped surface of annulus rotation cylinder body GT is dispersed with annulus axis Q
For symmetrical 4 spiral rib plate LJ1, LJ2, LJ3, LJ4,4 coupling slots of couple rotor shown in Fig. 5 are respectively corresponded, in Fig. 4
Shown in upper half slice location, spiral rib plate LJ4 just between starting point and clearing end annulus duct rotate cylinder body
The position of open slot, therefore be fixed disk P and occupy, for convenience of explanation, the position of LJ4 is still indicated in Fig. 4.Fig. 6 is aobvious
The working principle diagram for having shown embodiment described in Fig. 4 shows the installation site and work shape of 2 couple rotors C1, C2 in figure
State, 2 couple rotors are symmetrical between each other at coplanar state, cylinder body GT and transmission shaft shown in Fig. 4 with arc axis Q
X1 combines as a whole, and the details industry technical staff being actually coupled has known various ways, repeats no more herein.
Identical as Fig. 3, Fig. 6 shows 4 spiral rib plate LJ1, LJ2, LJ3, LJ4 in the arc surface 1- of annular cavity K
One week plan view is circumferentially unfolded on m-n (shown in Fig. 4), shown in Fig. 6, inner circle 1-2-3-4 indicates adjacent with the side fixed disk P
Spiral rib plate starting point circular arc 1, outer circle 8-12-16-20 indicates the termination of the spiral rib plate adjacent with the other side fixed disk P
The circular arc n, 4 spiral rib plates LJ1, LJ2, LJ3, LJ4 at end respectively since point 1,2,3,4, terminate at point 8,12,16,
20, the angle between every two adjacent spiral rib plates occupies 90 ° of circular arc space, that is, two on couple rotor respectively
The radial angle of adjacent coupling slot is 90 ° (shown in Fig. 5), such as 1~17,17~14,14~11,11~8 occupy 1 respectively
The length 1/4 of~8 line segments, it is other as identical according to this between 2~12,3~16,4~20.Cylinder body in fixed disk two sides is open
V, E encloses (as shown in Figure 4) each along the circumferential openings one of cylinder body, shows in Fig. 6, in couple rotor rotation as air inlet
It is at least separated by a couple rotor with the V and E of gas outlet, this is necessary.
Fig. 7 shows three view of single cylinder body embodiment of the invention, structure packet identical as embodiment illustrated in fig. 4
Include one of annulus rotation cylinder body GT2, spiral rib plate LJ21, LJ22, LJ23, LJ24, fixed disk P2, couple rotor C, shape
3-D image and cylinder body aperture V and E as shown in Figure 5, the mode of couple rotor rotation, working method of cylinder body GT2 etc. with
Above-described embodiment is identical.Except that: volume fixed disk P2 shared in annulus duct rotating cylinder body is annulus duct cylinder
The half of body volume.Upper half slice location shown in Fig. 7, spiral rib plate LJ24 is just between starting point and clearing end
The position of fixed disk P2 the position of LJ24 is still indicated in Fig. 7 therefore for convenience of explanation.Fig. 8 passes through 3-D view
Show the fixed disk P2 of embodiment illustrated in fig. 7 and the structure of rotor combination, the position that V and E are open is located on fixed disk P2
(as shown in Figure 7, Figure 8), 3 couple rotors, using the pivot center of fixed disk P2 as symmetry axis symmetry arrangement;High pressure expanding gas
Enter cylinder body GT2 by the air inlet V of fixed disk P2 and pushes GT2 rotation acting.It in other examples, can be using more
Spiral rib plate and more rotors, no longer repeat one by one herein.
Fig. 9 shows four view of single cylinder body embodiment of the invention, wherein left side is surfaces of revolution view, right side is axis
Face cross-sectional view, it is identical as embodiment illustrated in fig. 4, structure include annulus duct rotation cylinder body GT7, spiral rib plate LJ31, LJ32,
One of LJ33, LJ34, fixed disk P7, couple rotor C and cylinder body aperture V and E, the mode of couple rotor rotation, annulus are contained
It is identical as embodiment illustrated in fig. 4 that road rotates working method of cylinder body GT7 etc..Except that: the structure and installation of rotating disc P7
The position of mode, V and E opening, upper half slice location shown in Fig. 9, spiral rib plate LJ31 is just at starting point and end
The position of spiral duct rotation cylinder body GT7 open slot between not-go-end, therefore be fixed disk P7 and occupy, for convenience of explanation, according to
The position of LJ31 is so indicated in Fig. 7, high pressure expanding gas enters cylinder body by air grid PV, the air inlet V of fixed disk P7
GT7 pushes cylinder body rotation acting, and the inflating medium after acting is discharged by the gas vent E of cylinder body GT7, and Figure 10 is shown
The working principle diagram of embodiment described in Fig. 9 shows the installation site and work shape of 3 couple rotors C1, C2, C3 in figure
State, it is 120 degree that 3 couple rotors C1, C2, C3, which are symmetrical mutual angle with arc axis Q, of course, it is possible to using four
The scheme of a couple rotor or more couple rotors, and three couple rotors are used in the present embodiment, three can be made
Rotor is in different stresses, in this way advantageous as the rotation cylinder body output phase of steam turbine to uniform torsion.
Identical as Fig. 6, Figure 10 shows 4 spiral rib plate LJ31, LJ32, LJ33, LJ34 in the circle of annular cavity K
One week plan view is circumferentially unfolded on cambered surface 1-m-n (shown in Figure 10), inner circle 51-52-53-54 is indicated and the inside fixed disk P7
The circular arc l of adjacent spiral rib plate starting point, outer circle 58-62-66-70 indicate the spiral rib plate adjacent on the outside of fixed disk P7
The circular arc n of clearing end, unlike n radius ratio 1 the big thickness of fixed disk of radius.4 spiral rib plate LJ31, LJ32,
LJ33, LJ34 since point 51,52,53,54, terminate at point 58,62,66,70, every two adjacent spiral bars respectively
Angle between plate occupies 90 ° of circular arc space respectively, if setting starts, couple rotor C1 is located at 51~58 positions, coupling
Close rotor C2, C3 be located at position shown in Fig. 10, between spiral rib plate LJ31 and spiral rib plate LJ32 higher-pressure region and low pressure
The variation in area (region of layouting in Figure 10) illustrates working principle: annulus duct rotation cylinder body rotates counterclockwise, for convenient for chatting
Understanding is stated, also correspond to couple rotor and be rotated clockwise around axis 0: couple rotor C1 is gone at present from point 1~8
The position of C2, corresponding couple rotor C3 go to the position of current C1, at this point, the region 51-52-55 is the mistake that inflating medium enters
Journey, in rotation process between spiral rib plate LJ31 and LJ32, only couple rotor C2 is made by the direct Thrust of inflating medium
With with rotation, locating radius of turn gradually increases the volume of the inflating medium of the closed area between couple rotor C2 and C3
Add, because of force area near the 57-60 point of the radius ratio couple rotor C3 of the force area near the 59-56 point of couple rotor C2
Radius it is small, therefore, couple rotor C3 is by clockwise thrust, and the 58-61 section of couple rotor C1 enters exhaust area
Then in the state that do not stress.The mistake that a pressure area of the above process between couple rotor C2 and C3 changes from high pressure to low pressure
Journey, other pressure areas are also that same mode changes, this transition process is that inflating medium continues from 51-52-53-54 circular arc
Neighbouring air inlet V spray into and continue the exhaust outlet E near 58-62-66-70 arc position discharge process, couple rotor with
Rotating power suffered by cylinder body is active force and reaction force, and in this process, the inflating medium of each pressure area is constantly
Push cylinder body GT7 rotation and output torque.4 spiral rib plate LJ21, LJ22, LJ23, LJ24 of Fig. 7 and embodiment illustrated in fig. 8
It equally can circumferentially be unfolded to form a plane shown in Fig. 10 on the arc surface 1-m-n (shown in Fig. 7) of annular cavity K
Working principle diagram repeats no more herein.
Figure 11 shows the schematic diagram of one of arrangement mode of spiral rib plate of the invention, working principle and Fig. 4, Fig. 9
Illustrated embodiment is identical, unlike: among 4 spiral rib plates, spiral rib plate LJ11 and spiral rib plate LJ21 are series connection, spiral
Gusset LJ12 connects with spiral rib plate LJ22, that is, the starting point or termination of spiral rib plate LJ11 and spiral rib plate LJ12
Hold corresponding with the clearing end of the spiral rib plate LJ21 of the other side fixed disk P and spiral rib plate LJ22 or starting point respectively, rotation
Cylinder body rotates one week around rotation axis 0, and the same coupling slot and former and later two spiral rib plates of couple rotor slidably engage, also
It is that couple rotor wants rotation 2 weeks;And spiral rib plate LJ11 and spiral rib plate LJ12 is parallel connection, spiral rib plate LJ21 and spiral bar
Plate LJ22 is in parallel, that is, 2 in the present embodiment, 2 series-connected helical reinforcing plate structures in parallel, and has several couple rotors, but each
Only there are two coupling slots for couple rotor, and the every rotation of rotation cylinder body one week, spiral duct rotates the cylinder that cylinder body then sucked and excluded 2 times
The gas of body volume.
Figure 12 shows a kind of cut-away view of the embodiment of one of steam turbine of 4 cylinder bodies combination, and the steam turbine of diagram is by spiral shell
Rotation duct cylinder body GT3, GT4, GT5, GT6 are formed and are bound up with transmission shaft X6, their common fixed disk P6 are as vapour
Turbine shell together with body connection, wherein gas outlet E3, E4, E5 of GT3, GT4, GT5 respectively with GT4, GT5, GT6
Air inlet V4, V5, V6 connection, therefore the air inlet of steam turbine is exactly the air inlet V3 of GT3, the exhaust outlet of steam turbine is exactly GT6
Exhaust outlet E6, diagram it can be seen that GT3, GT4, GT5, GT6 diameter of cylinder and volume be sequentially increased, cylinder body GT4, GT5,
GT6 uses multiple tracks spiral rib plate parallel connection multiple tracks spiral rib plate cascaded structure, such as GT4 using 42 cascaded structures in parallel, and GT5 is adopted
With 43 cascaded structures in parallel, GT6 is using 44 cascaded structures in parallel;While multiple couple rotor structures are used, such as GT3, GT4,
The structure of 2,4,6,8 rotors is respectively adopted in GT5, GT6;One week cylinder body GT3, GT4 of the every rotation of transmission shaft in this way,
GT5, GT6 pass through 1 times of own vol, 2 times, 3 times, 4 times of gas respectively, if the work of the annulus duct cylinder body of GT6 is held
Product is 10 times of GT3, then from air inlet V3 to gas outlet E6, the volume after inflating medium work done is exaggerated 40 times.Thus may be used
To find out, no matter the initial pressure of inflating medium is how many, can be held by the various combination of several cylinder bodies, such as cylinder body
Product, root diameter, the diameter of rotor, the quantity of spiral rib plate and arrangement mode, the quantity of rotor etc., finally by inflating medium
The energy of (such as gas of high temperature and high pressure steam, compressed gas, burning expansion etc.) is converted into the defeated of transmission shaft to the maximum extent
Torque out.Under the operating condition of steam turbine startup stage and the high-power output of needs, the inflating medium in high-pressure area, such as into
The initial gas of port V3 can be directly inputted to air inlet V5, V6 of annulus cylinder body such as GT5, GT6 of depression, in this way
Steam turbine can be made to provide biggish torque in a short period of time.
Figure 13 shows two cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the four cylinder bodies combination of embodiment illustrated in fig. 7, the steam turbine of diagram
It is made of spiral duct cylinder body GT11, GT12, GT13, GT14 and is bound up with transmission shaft X11, their fixed disk P11,
P12, P13, P14 as steam turbine casing together with body connection, wherein gas outlet E11, E12 of GT11, GT12, GT13,
E13 is connected to air inlet V12, V13, V14 of GT12, GT13, GT14 respectively, and the air inlet of steam turbine is exactly the air inlet of GT11
V11, the exhaust outlet of steam turbine are exactly the exhaust outlet E14 of GT14, and diagram is it can be seen that annulus cylinder body GT11, GT12, GT13, GT14
Annulus axis diameter it is identical, but cylinder body volume is sequentially increased, identical as embodiment illustrated in fig. 12, cylinder body GT12, GT13,
GT13 uses multiple tracks spiral rib plate parallel connection multiple tracks spiral rib plate cascaded structure, such as GT12 using 42 cascaded structures in parallel, GT13
Using 43 cascaded structures in parallel, GT14 is using 44 cascaded structures in parallel;While multiple couple rotor structures are used, such as GT11,
The structure of 3,6,9,12 rotors is respectively adopted in GT12, GT13, GT14;One week cylinder body of the every rotation of transmission shaft in this way
GT11, GT12, GT13, GT14 pass through 1 times of own vol, 2 times, 3 times, 4 times of gas respectively, if the annulus duct of GT14
The swept volume of rotation cylinder body is 5 times of GT11, the then body from air inlet V11 to gas outlet E14, after inflating medium work done
Product is exaggerated about 20 times.
Figure 14 shows three cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the four cylinder bodies combination of embodiment illustrated in fig. 7, the steam turbine of diagram
It is made of spiral duct cylinder body GT21, GT22, GT23, GT24 and is bound up with transmission shaft X2, their fixed disk P21,
P22, P23, P24 as steam turbine casing together with body connection, wherein gas outlet E21, E22 of GT21, GT22, GT23,
E23 is connected to air inlet V22, V23, V24 of GT22, GT23, GT24 respectively, and the air inlet of steam turbine is exactly the air inlet of GT21
V21, the exhaust outlet of steam turbine are exactly the exhaust outlet E24 of GT24, diagram it can be seen that annulus cylinder body GT21, GT22, GT23,
The diameter and cylinder body volume of the annulus axis of GT24 are sequentially increased, using multiple tracks spiral rib plate parallel connection multiple tracks spiral rib plate tandem junction
Structure and the multiple couple rotor structures of use are identical as embodiment illustrated in fig. 13, but from air inlet V21 to gas outlet E24, expansion
Volume after medium work done is exaggerated about 40 times or more.As Figure 12, embodiment illustrated in fig. 13, pass through several cylinder bodies
Various combination, such as the quantity and arrangement mode, rotor of the diameter of cylinder body volume, root diameter, annulus axis, spiral rib plate
Quantity etc., finally most by the energy of inflating medium (such as gas of high temperature and high pressure steam, compressed gas, burning expansion etc.)
Limits it is converted into the output torque of transmission shaft.It is high under the operating condition of steam turbine startup stage and the high-power output of needs
The inflating medium of baric area can be directly inputted to the annulus cylinder body of depression.Figure 12, Figure 13, embodiment illustrated in fig. 14 can
With using multiple cylinder body combining forms more than 2 cylinders, Fig. 4, Fig. 7, embodiment illustrated in fig. 9 can be shown in Figure 12, Figure 13, Figure 14
Mix and match is carried out in embodiment, can satisfy a variety of different requirements by the above various forms of combinations.
Figure 15 shows the cross-sectional view of one of embodiment of two cylinder bodies combination of embodiment illustrated in fig. 9, the steam turbine of diagram
It is made of spiral duct cylinder body GT7, GT8, that is, increases a cylinder body GT8, cylinder body GT8 and cylinder in embodiment shown in Fig. 9
The structure of body GT7 is identical, but the direction of rotation of spiral rib plate is on the contrary, in this way as their fixed disk P7, P8 and output shaft X7
When being coupled as one, air inlet V7, V8 are tied as common air inlet, such as by the fixed disk air grid of respective cylinder body
Shown in the arrow of Figure 15;Gas after work done is discharged by exhaust outlet E7, E8 of respective cylinder body.The present embodiment has structure tight
Gather, output power the characteristics of.
About the supply system and control system of inlet duct, exhaust apparatus, inflating medium, sealing system, lubricating system,
Supporting arrangement, safety guard etc., those skilled in the art has known, and is widely applied in this field, no longer exists
This is repeated one by one.
Figure 16 show the local axial plane cross-sectional view of the embodiment on spiral rib plate equipped with gusset ring, the gusset ring BH of diagram
Cross section is T-shaped shape, the cross-sectional width of one end close to spiral rib plate thickness and contacted with fixed disk P, the other end
It is mounted in the groove of spiral rib plate LJ, elastic device TZ, elasticity dress is housed between spiral rib plate LJ and gusset ring BH
Setting TZ can be leaf spring, or the magnetic material that installation is at the same level, in this way when annulus duct rotation cylinder body GT runs at high speed and solid
The rigid contact of price fixing P reforms into Elastic Contact, to keep the contact between gusset ring BH and fixed disk P, improves high pressure
The sealing performance in area.
Figure 17 show the rotor axial plane partial sectional view of the embodiment on couple rotor equipped with rotor ring, because of cylinder body GT
In rotation, the outer rim of rotor C needs to keep mechanical engagement with the inner cavity casing wall of cylinder body GT, just can guarantee the close of pressure area in this way
Envelope property makes the energy of inflating medium be converted into the pressure to rotor and cylinder body to greatest extent, but rotor and cylinder body are rigidity
Structure, it is therefore desirable to rotor ring ZH is installed therebetween, just as the effect of the piston ring of linear reciprocation oscillating-piston engine
Equally, it is illustrated as a kind of rotor ring of twin nuclei, two rotor ring ZH are mounted in respective groove, and mounting means makes
Identical as the piston-engined piston ring of linear reciprocating with principle, this is no longer going to repeat them.
Present invention could apply in the steam turbine of the prior art, can be used as a composition portion of existing steam turbine
Point, such as instead of the turbine of higher-pressure region, or making full use of for exhaust area gas overbottom pressure, expansion can be improved in this way to be situated between
The utilization rate of mass-energy amount.
Engine according to the present invention can be manufactured using multiple material, such as various metal materials, high-strength alloy
Material and ceramic material etc..
Above-described embodiment diagrammatically illustrates the present invention, but the above-described embodiment illustrated by way of illustration is not
Limitation of the present invention, the present invention are defined by the claims.