GB788555A - Improvements in or relating to inflation equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

788,555. Axial-flow blowers; turbines. KIDDE CO., Ltd., W. March 21, 1956 [March 28, 1955], No. 8960/55. Classes 110 (1) and 110 (3). In an inflation system for an inflation bag such as an inflatable dinghy, in which the inflation bag is inflated by means of the release of gas from a supply of gas under pressure, and a pump driven by the gas during expansion forces external air into the inflation bag, the pump comprises a cylindrical casing adapted to be secured in the wall of the inflation bag, a turbine stator arranged axially of the casing, a turbine rotor arranged about the stator and spaced from the sides of the casing so as to leave an annular air passage between the rotor and the casing sides, air impelling means driven by the rotor arranged in the air passage, air inlet means arranged in the end of the casing, air outlet means in the opposite end of the casing and non-return valve means closing the outlet means. The turbine-driven blower shown in Fig. 1 is secured at a flange 2 directly in the wall of an inflation bag by moulding or bonding. Alternatively, a shoulder 2<SP>1</SP> may be threaded to take a clamping nut. Carbon dioxide or other gas is admitted from one or more storage bottles by way of bores 7, 8 in a stationary shaft 5 to a turbine comprising a stator 6 fixed to the shaft 5 and a rotor 15 journalled on ball bearings 12, 14 mounted on the shaft 5. The gas is exhausted by way of bores 9, 10 into the inflation bag, a non-return valve (not shown) being provided on the threaded end 11 of the shaft 5. Blades 26 on the outside of the rotor 15 draw in atmospheric air through holes 27 and deliver it into the inflation bag through holes 28 and a non- return valve formed by a rubber disc 29. The stator 6 has three lands each with twelve lefthand helical grooves 21, and the rotor 15 has three lands 23 each with fourteen right-hand helical grooves 24, Fig. 5. The difference in the number of grooves in the rotor and stator ensures that there is always a proportion of grooves in register to permit passage of the gas. The rotor 15 is in two halves secured together by studs. Seals 18 of bronze or other metal are provided. In an alternative construction, Fig. 6, the blades 26 are carried by a cylindrical rotor 33, preferably of oil-impregnated sintered bronze, which is journalled directly on bearing surfaces 32 and is driven from the rotor 15 through reduction gearing 38, 35, 34.