GB2358675A

GB2358675A - A rotary engine pump or motor

Info

Publication number: GB2358675A
Application number: GB0031622A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gong He Ping
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-01-27
Filing date: 2000-12-22
Publication date: 2001-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-22
Also published as: GB0031622D0; GB0001789D0; GB2358675B

Abstract

An engine, pump or motor includes a twin-horned rotor 7 formed with an elongated slot receiving a sliding block 6 keyed to a shaft 4, which rotates about an origin O. As the rotor 7 rotates within a chamber it reciprocates relative to the shaft 4. Rotor 7 has a cross section represented by two curves A'C'B' and A'D'B' which are mirror images. The chamber cross section is represented by two different curves ACB and ADB which are symmetrical about an X axis and intersect a Y axis at the same points A and B, a distance R apart. A line from one curve ACB to the other ADB, through origin O, has a length R. Curve ACB may be an arc of a circle with radius r and its centre a distance e from origin O, along the X axis, such that R <SP>2</SP>=4(r<SP>2</SP>-e<SP>2</SP>). Each tip of the rotor may include a ceramic cylinder (11, fig 5) for sealing engagement with the chamber.

Description

1 2358675 1 1 ENGINES. PUMPS & MOTORS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to engines, pumps and motors, and is concerned with the provision of an improved form of engine, pump or motor which includes a twin-homed rotor.

One example of an engine having a twin-horned rotor is described in US Patent Specification No. 3,873,245. This includes a generally elliptical rotor mounted on a shaft that is positioned eccentrically within a cylindrical chamber. The rotor has an elongated slot which extends along its major axis and the shaft is contained within this slot so that, as the rotor rotates within the cylindrical chamber, the rotor reciprocates along its major axis relative to the shaft.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of engine, pump or motor which includes a twin-homed rotor. It is a more specific object of the invention to provide an engine, pump or motor which is economical to produce and has an increased efficiency as compared to the engine described in US Patent Specification No. 3,873,245.

2 Summarv of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided an engine, pump or motor which includes a twin-horned rotor arranged for rotation within a chamber, the rotor being formed with an elongated slot within which a sliding block is mounted, the sliding block being keyed to a shaft on which the rotor is mounted so that, as the rotor rotates within the chamber, it reciprocates relative to the shaft, the relationships between the axis of rotation of the shaft, the cross-sectional configuration of the chamber and the crosssectional configuration of the rotor being such that:- a) the axis of rotation of the shaft can be represented by the point of intersection "0" of 'X' and 'Y' axes, b) a part of the cross-section of the chamber can be represented by a first curve which is symmetrical relative to the 'X' axis and intersects the 'Y' axis at points spaced apart by a distance "R", c) another part of the cross-section of the chamber can be represented by a second curve, which is different to the first curve, but which is also symmetrical relative to the W' axis and intersects the 'Y' axis at the same points as said first curve, d) the relationship between the first curve and the second curve is such that a line drawn from any point on the first curve through the point of intersection "0" so as to intersect the second curve has a length "R", and 3 e) the cross-section of the rotor can be represented by two curves which are mirror images of one another and correspond substantially to the first curve of the cross-section of the chamber.

The first curve of the cross-section of the chamber is preferably an arc of a circle.

Said arc of the circle preferably has a radius Y' and has its centre on the "X" axis at a distance "e" from the point "0" such that R 2 = 4(r2 - e 2).

The relationship between "e" and Y' is preferably such that "e" is between 50% and 90% of Y. The more preferred range is from 60% to 80% of Y The first curve of the cross-section of the chamber may alternatively be of some other shape. For example, it may be a section of an ellipse.

Brief Description of the Drawincis

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the stator chamber, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the rotor, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rotor within the stator, 4 Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the rotor within the stator, and Figure 5 is a detail view of a tip of the rotor.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The point of intersection 0 of the 'X' and 'Y' axes of Figure 1 represents the axis of rotation of a shaft 4 (see Figures 3 and 4), which axis extends at right angles to the plane of Figure 1. Figure 1 shows the internal configuration of the chamber of the stator 2. As shown, there is a point 01 on the 'X' axis which is at a distance 'W' from the point of intersection 0 and a curve ACB is drawn which is an arc of a circle of radius 'Y' having its centre at point 01. The points A and B are the points at which this arc of radius Y' intersects the 'Y' axis. The distance AB equals "R", where R 2 = 4(r2- e 2) and the chord AB has its centre at the point of intersection 0. The distances AO and OB are equal.

The ratio of 'W' to Y' may be varied as required. For example, (W' may be 60% of 'Y, or 80% of 'Y. The selection of the ratio of "e" to 'Y' will depend on the required operating parameters, but 'W' will typically be within the range of from 50% to 90% of "e'.

The configuration of the closed curvate figure ACBD is such that, when a line is drawn through the point of intersection 0 from any point on curve ACB to curve ADIB, the length of this line equals "R". The interior of the chamber of the stator 2 thus has a crosssection ACBID defined in part by a short curve ACB and in part by a long curve BDA, both of which curves are symmetrical relative to the 'X' axis.

As shown, the curve ACB is an arc of a circle and is symmetrical relative to the 'W axis. This is the preferred configuration, though curve ACB may alternatively be a section of some other curvate figure, for example, it may be a section of an ellipse, parabola, hyperbola, cycloid or involute.

The cross-sectional boundary of the rotor 7 is shown in Figure 2 and comprises a first curve A1C1131, which corresponds to curve ACB and has the same centre and radius as curve ACB, and a second curve A1D1131, which is a mirror image of the first curve A1C1131. The distance between the two ends of the rotor 7 is thus the same as the distance between the two points A and B, i.e. it is 1 equal to "R'.

Turning next to Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen that the device, which can be an engine, pump or motor, comprises a main body 2 sandwiched between a front cover 8 and a rear cover 9. The interior of the body 2 provides the stator chamber which has a first inlet or exhaust opening 1 and a second inlet or exhaust opening 5. The openings 1 and 5 may be formed in the body 2 or in one of the two covers 8 and 9.

6 The rotor 7, which has the external configuration shown in Figure 2, is arranged for rotation about the point of intersection 0 of the 'X' and 'Y' axes, and includes an elongated slot within which a sliding block 6 is arranged to move. The sliding block 6 is connected by a key 3 to a shaft 4 which rotates about the axis 0.

During rotation of the shaft 4 about the axis 0, relative sliding movement will occur between the block 6 and the sides of the slot in the rotor 7 but, because the distance between the two ends of the rotor 7 is equal to "R" and because the configuration of the stator chamber is such that the length of a line drawn through the point of intersection is also equal to "R", regardless of the angular position at which said line is drawn, the opposite ends of the rotor 7 will remain in contact with the internal wall of the body 2.

Sealing engagement between the ends of the rotor 7 and the internal wall of the body 2 can be achieved by the arrangement shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5, a bronze seating 10 is provided at each tip of the rotor 7 and supports a ceramic cylinder 11, which has rolling engagement with the wall of the body 2. The shape of the bronze seating 10 is such that it provides a pair of flexible fins 12 which serve to urge the ceramic cylinder 11 into engagement with the wall of the body 2 and define a space within which a lubricant is received.

The shapes of the rotor 7 and the interior of the body 2 are such that, in theory, the gap between the surface A1C1131 and the adjacent surface of the body 2 can be of zero volume when the 7 rotor 7 is in the angular position shown in Figure 3. When the rotor 7 has turned through 900 from the position shown in Figure 3, the central axis of the rotor 7 will extend horizontally and two working volumes of equal size will be afforded, one above the rotor 7 and the other below the rotor 7. As the rotor 7 turns through a further 900, the size of the working volume below the rotor 7 will steadily decrease until a position is reached in which the curve A1D1131 is in contact with the wall of the chamber and the size of the working volume has been reduced to zero. An infinite compression ratio can accordingly theoretically be obtained.

It is envisaged that, when used as a pump, a number of devices of a standard size will be produced, in order the simplify production procedures, and then the appropriate number of devices will be bolted together to provide the required pump output.

If used as an internal combustion engine, the efficiency of the device will be substantially greater than that obtained with engines, such as the Wankel engine, which have a multi-horned rotor.

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Claims

Claims:-

1. An engine, pump or motor which includes a twin-horned rotor arranged for rotation within a chamber, the rotor being formed with an elongated slot within which a sliding block is mounted, the sliding block being keyed to a shaft on which the rotor is mounted so that, as the rotor rotates within the chamber, it reciprocates relative to the shaft, the relationships between the axis of rotation of the shaft, the crosssectional configuration of the chamber and the cross-sectional configuration of the rotor being such that:- a) the axis of rotation of the shaft can be represented by the point of intersection "0" of 'X' and 'Y' axes, b) a part of the cross-section of the chamber can be represented by a first curve which is symmetrical relative to the 'X' axis and intersects the 'Y' axis at points spaced apart by a distance "R", c) another part of the cross-section of the chamber can be represented by a second curve, which is different to the first curve, but which is also symmetrical relative to the 'X' axis and intersects the 'Y' axis at the same points as said first curve, d) the relationship between the first curve and the second curve is such that a line drawn from any point on the first curve through the point of intersection "W so as to intersect the second curve has a length "R", and e) the cross-section of the rotor can be represented by two curves which are mirror images of one another and correspond substantially to the first curve of the cross-section of the chamber.

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2. An engine, pump or motor as claimed in Claim 1, in which the first curve of the cross-section of the chamber is an arc of a circle.

3. An engine, pump or motor as claimed in Claim 1, in which said arc of the circle has a radius Y' and has its centre on the "X' axis at a distance 'W' from the point "0" such that R 2 = 4(r2 - e 2).

4. An engine, pump or motor as claimed in Claim 3, in which the relationship between "e" and T is such that "e" is between 50% and 90% of "e'.

5. An engine, pump or motor as claimed in Claim 4, in which cce" is from 60% to 80% of V.

6. An engine, pump or motor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which each tip of the rotor includes a ceramic cylinder which has rolling engagement with the wall of the stator.

7. An engine, pump or motor as claimed in Claim 6, in which each ceramic cylinder is supported by a seating which includes a pair of fins acting on the ceramic cylinder and defining a space within which a lubricant is received.

8. An engine, pump or motor constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.