US1877285A

US1877285A - Swash plate

Info

Publication number: US1877285A
Application number: US566328A
Authority: US
Inventors: Parl O Eckels
Original assignee: ECKELS ENGINEERING CORP
Current assignee: ECKELS ENGINEERING Corp
Priority date: 1931-10-01
Filing date: 1931-10-01
Publication date: 1932-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 1949-09-13

Description

P. O. ECKELS Sept. 13, 1932.

SWASH PLATE Filed Oct. 1, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l P. O. ECKELS SWASH PLATE Sept. 13; 1932-.

Filed Oct. 1, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 P. O. ECKELS SWASH PLATE Sept. 13, 1932.

Filed 001;. l, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Pa)? 0 66%6Z5,

P. O. ECKELS SWASH PLATE Sept. 13, 1932.

Filed Oct. 1, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 gnwntoz Patented Sept. 13, 1932 raai' onczrnts, or cnsvELAnn, OHIO AssIGnoR. TO THE EQKELS nneinnname con.-

r IORA'IION, OFCLEVELANID, OHIO i i WA H. IQ

application .fii afociober 1, 1931. Serial 566,328.

This invention relates to pumps for pump- .mg or compressing fluids and has special reference to improvements in thetype of pump or compressor shownand described in my copending application for patent filed May 31, 1930,.andbearing Serial Number 458,577.

More particularly the present inventionrelates to improvements in' the swash plate shown in said prior application. r

In the construction as d'sclosedin said prior application the sleeve carrying the swash plate is held concentrically of the driving shaft by an anti-friction bearing sur-. .15 rounding the shaft Within the sleeve. 1 For practical reasons it is necessary to use standard sizes of ball bearings but, if such standa-rd sized bearings are used, it becomes impossible fromthe standpoint of proper engineeriug construction to usea drivingshaft above a certain'maximum diameter. Because of this I i limitation of the size ofthe shaft in relation to the sleeve diameter it is necessary, in the former construction, to veryconsiderably enlarge the overall dimensions of the machine for any increase in shaft size made necessary in the construction of machines of larger capacities. For instance, if it is desired to double the capacity of a machine designed for a given capacity the strengthof the driving must be substantially doubled with corresponding increase in size. Astandard ball bearing of size to fit the larger shaft will be of such external diameter as to require a much larger sleeve than the smaller machine. This again will necessitate larger thrust bearings and other parts SQtllZLl] finally the entire ma chine has been greatly enlarged. Y One important object of the invention is t so improve the swash plate arrangement in devices of this character as to eliminate the use of anti-friction bearings between the shaft and sleeve and thereby permit the use of a shaft of any desired size Without making necessary any lncrease in the overall d1mensions of the machine. y

In the swash plate arrangement of said prior application the pistons carry balls which rest on the swaslrplate adjacent its periphery. As the swashrplate is oscillated these bearing balls ride inand out of the swash plate to a certain degree because the balls are held by the pistons to move in a straight line whilethe swash plate periphery describes an equatorial zone of a sphere.

This travel of the balls, even though it is slight in each case, aggregates to anextent producing considerable friction and heat.

A second important object of the invention is to improve the connection between the swash plate and the pistons actuated thereby that all slidingfri'ction will be eliminated and thus there will be substantially no generation of heat at these points.

Devices ofthis kind are generally made to pump or compress at certainfixed rate, the cylinders each having a definite capacity for that purpose. In order to provide pumps or compressors of different capacities it has been customary to vary the dimensions throughout. That is, if the areas of the cylinders are tobe increased the diameter of the entire machine would be increased as well asthe diameter of the drive shaft.

A third important object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of devices ofthischaracter wherein, by minor changes in details, the capacity of the machine may be made to suit the use to which it is desired to be put. 7 r

In devices of this character, as well as in many other mechanisms in the nature of pumps or engines, it isusually desirable to arrange the partsin as compact a manner as possible. Inmulticylinder devices it is usual to employ an intake or supply manifold and an outlet or exhaust manifold so that single supply and exhaust pipes may be connected to the several cylinders.

A fourth important object of theinvention is to provide a novel'manifold arrangement wherein the exhaust and supply manifolds are arranged to'form a single unit thus rendering the mechanism compact.

' Also to the end of obtaining compactness a fifth important object of the invention is to provide a novel valve arrangement for use in connection with such a manifold whereby a single valve element serves to place the several cylinders succesively in communi-' with the exhaust manifold. V

lVith the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafter apparent,the'invention consistsin general ofcerta n novel de tails of construction and combinations of.

parts hereinafter fully described,illustratedin the accompanying drawings and speciiically claimed.

several views, and:'

Figure 1 1s a View of the tudinal axis of the device.

Figure 1. c

Figure 3 1s a showingone end only of. a pump especially in this modification; r 1 V Figure, 6 is an edge v ew, partly in section adapted for the pumping of liquidsj Figure 4c is ahalf end view of'this modi; fication. r V 1 a v Figure 51s a face View of a valve plate used from the intake side of Figure 5,. v

Figure 7 is avlew similar'toFigure 6 from 4 the exhaust side of the plate.

. Figure 8 is a detail view showing the manne'cessary here to be shown. Surroundingthe central, portion of this shaft is a sleeve 11 Which is of considerably greater diameter than the shaft here shown so that, if desired, the shaft size may be increased. The sleeve 11 is-arranged with its axis'at an acute angle.

to the shaft. 10. Fixed on the shaft lO at V each end of the sleeve is a cam 12. Each cam 12 includes a disc portion and the confronting faces of these disc portions are bevelled in planes at right angles to the axis of the sleeve. 1

Each cam 12 has in its bevelled face a recess 13 into which extends a respective end of the sleeve 11. A swash plate. 14: is fixed firmly on the center of the sleeve 11 and a ball race 15 is forcedion the sleeve on each side of the,

swash plate. Coacting ball races 16 surround the sleeve adjacent its ends and rest on the bevelled surfaces of the cams 12. These races 16 are, as is usual, slightly larger than-the sleeve so that the races 16 may revolve. freely on the sleeve without friction thereagainst.

The usual balls 17 are provided between the races 15 and 16. It. is to be noted that the balls and races tend to hold the sleeve in cor-,

' I rect angular relation to the shaft at all times and, the recesses 13 are sufficiently large that a slight'clearance exists between the sleeve and, the walls ofsaid recesses under normal improved device i takenlongitudinally thereof and partly: in; 7 section on a. plan passing through the longivertical section on the axisof'a modified form of the 1nvent1on,fthe view ball bearings will not injuriously affect the mechanism since the engagement ofthe sleeve ends in the recesses will prevent any injurious displacement of the sleeve; V

By means of thGqlIlGChZLHlSHl ust described rotation of the. shaft will 'set* up a gyratory motion in the 'swash plate while yet permits 7 tingthe swash plate toperform such gyratory In the accompanying drawings like char-f V actors of reference indicate like parts inth T movement without rotation on its axis,

* Spaced: from'the respective cams 12 are.

conditions. However, wear or failure ofthe body ends orzheads 18each having a central hollow cylindrical bearing bossl9 wherein is mounted a ball bearing 20 supporting the shaft 10, Each of these hearing bosses has its outer end closed by a cap plate 21.

A series of hollow cylinder bosses 22 are ends toward each other {and the bosses on one end being axially alined with'respect to the bosses on the other end so that they form pairs with-the bosses of each pair on opposite sides of the swash plate 14." Each of these bosses is made of sufficientfdiameter to suit the largest machine within desired limits and in;the proximal ends of .thejbosses are --l1ners 23-which form the cylinders proper.

Theseliners are preferably pressfittedinto the bosses and the internal diameters of the liners aremade to suit the capacity for which the particular machine is designed. Thus by I simple variation in the internal liner diameter the capacity of the machine may be varied cor respondingly. .Slidably mounted in each linor is a hollow piston 24, the'open ends of these pistonsfacing the swash plate. Inthe open spaced around the periphery of each end 18,

.thesle' bosses extending from the respective end of each piston is screwed'a plug 25 having 7 a socket orrecess 26 for the reception ofa pin or piston rod .27. This pin or rod has eachend rounded and one of the rounded endsis seated against the inner end of the socket while the other end projects from the socket and engages the swash plate, the latter being provided with a shallow seat or depression: 28 to receive such end as best shown in Figure 8. The sockets 26 are of slightly greater diameter than the diameter of the pins .orrods 27 so that the latter may oscillate to a sufficient extent to maintain the swash plate ends of the pins in their seats.

By this means no lineal movement of the pins 7 on the swash plate with the accompanying friction can take place. Moreover, it was observed in machinesconstructed in accordance with. the aforesaid prior patent that the swash plate oscillated about its axis over a considerable are during the running of the machine but it wasalso, found that this oscillatory motionrequired but little force for its prevention, the mere grasping 'of the edge of theplate between the thumb and forefinger being sufiicient to arrest all-motion of this character; Consequently, the seating of the pins or rod-s27 in-shallow seats: in the swash its vent such oscillation andthe attendant frictional wear and heating. In order to maintain thepins orvrocls in proper engagement with the swash plate each plug isprovided at its projectingen'd with an annular groove 1 and in these. grooves areseated the ends of p spring clips which are centrally bowed inwardly both to provide means forholding theclips from moving from proper positions by engagement withjhe edge of the swash plate and toimprove the resilient action of the clips. Each of these clips holds the ends tie bolts 31 andare surrounded by a casing of an alined pair of the pistons in proper spaced relation so that asone "piston moves into its cylinder the other moves out.

The two heads or ends are connected by 32 which has a sump or oil reservoir portion. 33. An oilpump is provided at 34 of the usual cylinder and plunger type, the plunger projecting from the cylinder to restagalnst f I the machine.

ures 1 and 2 is especially adapted for use as the swash plate and be there held by a spring 35. This pump. receives oil through a pipe 36 leading from'the sump 33 and delivers oil through a pipe 37 to the upper part of the machine, the oil. dripping fromthe pipe 37 onto the operating parts in the middle of The form of the invention shown in Figa'compressor of gaseous fluids suchas air. 7 In this form there is fitted into the outer endof each cylinder boss a valve cage or plug 36.

Anintake passage or port 37 extends through this cage and is provided at its inner end with a seat for the reception of an inwardly opening spring pressed check or inlet valve i 38. Also the cage is provided with a second passage 39 therethrough having an outwardly facing valve seat atits inner end and prohead has a wall 43 connecting the bosses 19 together and to the boss 22 parallel to the end 18 and the bosses 19 are connected to each other by short walls 44 one of which is tapped as at 45 forconnection of a delivery pipe.

This wall arrangement forms a' receiving chamber 46 communicating with the channels 41 "by ports .47.

Surrounding each group or set of cylinder bosses is arib 48 and radiatingfins 49 extending longitudinally of the outer half of each cylinder from the outer orvalve end thereof to said rib. A cylindrical hood or housing 50 is fitted over these ribs being seated on bosses 51. Theedge of this hood i is spaced fromv the rib 48. The hood 50 is provided with ports 52 in its end and dust filters 53 are arranged to cover the ports 52.

A fan 54. is fixed on theshaft within each hood.

In this form of the invention as the shaft rotates the fans draw air through the filters into the supply chambers producing a slight pressure in these chambers. As the swash plate gyrates each piston .24 is reciprocated and in its movement of protraction from its cylinder draws .air into'the cylinder through the passage 37. As the piston is pushed back intoits cylinder the air in the cylinder is compressed and driven out through the passage 39, branch 40,.groove 41 and port 47 into the receiving chamber 46. Any excess air from the supply chambers flows down along the ribs 49 and thus carries off the heat and keeps thecylinders cool.

In the form of the inventionshown in Figures 3 to .7. inclusive the arrangement is particularly adapted" for-pumping liquids. In

. this arrangement the valve'cages are omitted and the outer or head ends of the cylinders are left open being covered by an annular rim 55 forming part of a rotary valve having its hub 56 fixed on the shaft 10 so that the valve revolvesas theshaft is rotated. One semi-circular segment of the rim 55 constitutes the inlet side while the other semi-circular segment constitutes the outlet side. 7 In the outer face of the inlet side there is provided an annular channel 57 and extending from this channel is a series of inlet ports 58 adapted to successively register with the open ends of the cylinders and :opening through the inner face of the rim. The outlet side of the rim is provided on its inner face with an arcuate channel 59 from whence ports 60 open out through the peripheral edge of the rim. An annular member 61 is rabbeted at 62 to receive the rim 55, the member 61 covering the outer face and peripheral edge of the rim.. The member 61 is thus provided with a plane: inner face confronting the outer face of the rim and with a cylindrical face confronting the peripheral edge of the rim. In the plane inner face is provided an inlet channel 63 extending entirely around the member 61 and is tapped as at 64 to provide means whereby a supply or suction pipe may be connected to the member 61 to communicate with the channel 63. An

annular outlet channel 65 is formed in the cylindrical face of the member 61 and the member is tapped as at 66 to provide means for connection of an outlet pipe communieating with the channel 65. Packing 67 is provided where needed. The channel 63 and channel 57 are const-antly in registry and the ports 60 open constantly into the channel 65.

In this form the parts are so arranged that during the retraction of any piston the ports 5S'are successively brought into registry with the cylinder end so that fluid flows into the cylinder.. As the piston reaches the. end of its stroke the lastofthe ports58 move out the purpose specified.

of registry and immediately thereafter the channel 59 moves into registry with the'cylinder end' so that the retractiveinovement of the piston forces the fluid out of th'ecylinder and through the ports 60 into thechannel from whence it flows out throughthc deliv:

ery; pipe. .The inemberfil thus constitutes a'combined intake and exhaust manifold.

"It is to be observed that not only may the cylindercapacitiesbe varied as will by the employment of proper liners but the capacity of these cylinders may alsoibe' varied by changing the stroke of the pistons. This is readily done by changing the cam members 12, members with greaterthrow or angularity offace'being provided to increase-the stroke and with less throw or angularity to provide shorter stroke. T 7

It is also .to be noted that whilethe present device hasjbeen shown asa pumpyet the action will be reversed if fluid is'supplied to the cylinders under pressureandthe exhaust side of the mechanism opened for free exhaust so that the mechanism may be used as B an engine." In other words, by means of this I mechanism rotary motion may be changed to reciprocating motion orreciprocating motion may be changed to rotary motion. It is therefore to be understood that wherever cylinders are mentioned in the claims appended hereto these cylinders are to be understood as either pump or englne cylinders according to the use to which the device is put. Als0,it is to he understood that, when used as an engine 5 the device will be connected to a suitable source of supply of fluid under pressure such as a steam boiler, so that the pistons will be caused to reciprocate by the action of this fluid under pressure and thereby reciproca tory movement will be converted into rotary movement.

There has thus been provided a simple and efficient deviceof the kinddescribed and for It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the mate rial spirit thereof. It is. not, therefore, desiredto confine'the invention to'the exact 61 form herein shown and described, but it is ranged toeffectgyratorymovement of the swash plate without rotating the plate, cylinders arranged in series on a-circle concene 1 3 L1 1. L trio Wlbll the shaft, plstonsln said cylinders,

and'piston rods eachengaged at one end with a piston for freeoscillatory movement with respect .to the piston and having its other end engaging theswash plate, the last mentioned 7 end of the piston being rounded and the swash plate havin a V shallow recess in rounded'end is received.

2 In a'swash plate apparatus, a shaft, a swash platehaving a centralopenin'g through which'saidshaft passes, said opening being of greater diameter than the shaft to permitrotation of the shaft independently ofthe swash plate, an operative mechanism connecting the shaft a'nd'swash plate and arranged to effect, gyratory movement of the swash plate without rotating the plate, cylinders arranged in series on a circle concentric with the shaft,pistons insaid cylinders, 'rod sockwhich said ets mounted in the ends of the-pistons adjacent the swash plate, each of said sockets having'a rodseat confronting the swash plate 7 and the swash plate having shallow depression' confronting the pistons and forming other rod seats, and rods having, rounded ends and each having one end seated ina'.

respective first mentioned rod seat and its other end seatingin the corresponding shallow depression.

3. Ina swash plate apparatus, a shaft, a swash plate having a central opening through which shaft passes,fsaid opening being of greater diameter thanthe shaft to permit; rotation of the'shaftindependently of the swash plate, an operative mechanism connecting the shaft and swash plate and arranged to effectgyratory movement of the swash plate without rotating the plate, cylinders arranged inrseries on a circle concentric with the shaft, pistonsin said cylinders','means connecting each piston with a respective pointon the swash plate and maintainingcontact with the plate at the same point throughout the gyratory movement of the plate, end members wherein said shaft 7 is journalled, hollow cylinder bosses carried by said end members and having the cylinders fitted in the ends against the swash plate, and valvelcagesprovided with inlet and outlet valves mounted in said bosses at the ends remote fromthe swash plate.

4:. Ina swash plate apparatus, a shaft,a swash platehaving a central opening through which said shaftpasses, said opening being of greater diameter than the shaft topermit rotation. of the shaft independently of the swash plate, an operative mechanism connecting the shaft and swash plate and arranged to effect :gyr'atory movement of the swash plate without rotating the plate, cylinders arranged 1n series on a circle concentric with the shaft, pistons in. said cylinders, means connecting each piston with'a'resp'ective'point on the swash plate and maintaining contact with the plate at the same point throughout the gyratory movement of the plate, end

p swash plate, an operative mechanism connecthollow cylinder bosses carried by said end members and having the cylinders fitted in the ends against the swash plate, valve cages provided with inlet and outlet valves mounted in said bosses at i the ends remote from the swash plate, hoods each mounted on a respective end member and having a ported air through said filteringmeans, and heat radiating fins carried by said cylinder bosses and arranged in the path of air from the fan.

5; In a swash plate apparatus, a shaft, a swash plate having a central opening through which said shaft passes, said opening being of greater diameter than the shaft to permit rotation of the shaft independently of the i ing the shaft and swash plate and arranged.

to effect gyratory movement of the swash plate without rotating the plate, cylinders arranged inseries on a circle concentric with the shaft, pistons in said cylinders, means connecting each piston with a respective point p on the swash plate and maintaining contact swash plate withoutrotating the plate, cyl

with the plate atthe same point throughout the gyratory movement of the plate, hollow end members forming air receiving chambers and each having a central bearing wherein said shaft is journalled, hollow cylinder bosses carried by said end membersand each having a lateral port communicating with a respectivechamber, said cylinders being fitted into the ends of the bosses adjacent the swash plate, and valve cages each fitted in the remainingend ofa cylinder boss and having a peripheral groove wherewith the port of the boss registers, said cage being provided with valved inlet and outlet passages, each outlet passage opening into the groove of the respective cage,

6. In a swash plate apparatus, a shaft,,a swash plate having a central openingthrough which said shaft passes, said opening being of greater diameter than the shaft to permit rotation of the shaft independently of the swash plate, an operative mechanism connecting the shaft and swash plate and arranged to efi'ect gyratory movement of the inders arranged in series on a circle concentric with the shaft, pistons in said cylinders, means connecting each piston with a respective point on the swash plate and maintaining contact with the plate at the same point throughout the gyratory movement of the plate, hollow end members forming air receiving chambers and each having a central bearing wherein said shaft is journalled, hollow cylinder bosses carried by said end members and each having a lateral port communicating with a respective chamber, said cylinders being fitted into the ends of the bosses adjacent the swash plate, valve cages each fitted in the remaining end of a cylinder boss and having a peripheral groove wherewith the port of the boss registers, said 3 cage being provided with valved inlet and outlet passages, each outlet passage opening into the groove of the respective cage, hoods each mounted on a respective end member and having a ported end closure spaced from the end member, air filtering means covering the ports in the end closure, fans each mounted on said shaft in a respective hood and arranged to draw air through said filtering means, and heat radiating fins carried by said cylinder bosses and arranged in the path of air from the fan.

'7. In a swash plate apparatus, a circular series of cylinders, a hollow end member forming an air receiving chamber and supporting said cylinders, each of said cylinders having port communication with said chamher, and a valve cage for each cylinder fitted in the cylinder and having a peripheral groove registering with the port of the respective cylinder, said cage being provided with a valved inlet passage ext-ending therethrough and with a valved outlet passage communicating with the groove.

8. In a swash plate apparatus, a circular series of cylinders, a hollow end member forming an air receiving chamber and supporting said cylinders, each of said cylinders having port communication with said chamber, a valve cage for each cylinder fitted in the cylinder and having a peripheral groove registering with the port of the respective cylinder, said cage being provided with a valved inlet passage extending therethrough and with a valved outlet passage communieating with the groove, a hood mounted on .said end member and covering the valved PARL O. ECKEI IS.