US2198965A

US2198965A - Hydraulic torque transmission system

Info

Publication number: US2198965A
Application number: US214468A
Authority: US
Inventors: William E Habig; Philip L S Lum
Original assignee: L A B CORP
Current assignee: L A B Corp
Priority date: 1938-06-18
Filing date: 1938-06-18
Publication date: 1940-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 1957-04-30

Description

April 30 1940 w. E'. HABIG' Er AL I 2,198,955 l l "HYDRAULIC TORQUE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM Filed June 18, 1938 fuzzy .6. Lam.

Patented Apr. 3o, 1940 PATENT' orifice 2,198,965 HYDRAULIC TORCSIUE TRANSMISSION william n. Habig,

Queens village, N. Y., and

Philip' L. S. Lum, Chatham, N. J., assignors to L. A. B. Corporation, Summit, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application June 18, 1938, Serial No. 214,468

8 Claims.

This invention relates generally to a system of transmitting rotary motion between points indirectly or remotely related by means of fluid pressure.

This invention has for an object to provide a fully enclosed synchronous fluid transmission system, including a transmitter and one or more receivers, whereby rotary motion imparted to the transmitter is transmitted in a positive and accurately corresponding degree to the rotatable elements of the receiver or receivers, and in such manner that either continuous rotary motion is attainable or rotative motion of three hundred and sixty degrees or less, as may in any given case be desired;

The invention has for a further object to provide a-novel construction of substantially corresponding transmitter and receiver mechanisms characterized by the possession of a novel arrangement and form of active or reactive uid pressure means, as the case may be, which are cooperative with a rotatable shaft through the agency of a cam transmission means, the ar-` rangement being such that, in preferred form,

said fluid pressure means are disposed in parallel relation to the shaft, thus providing a very compact mechanism capable of operative location in comparatively limited or confined spaces.

The invention has for another object toprovide in connection with a fully enclosed fluid transmission system as above characterized, means to compensate the system with respect to alterations of fluid volume due to expansion and contraction of the fluid in response to temperature or' pressure variations.

Other objects of this invention, not -at this time more particularly enumerated, will be understoodfrorn the following detailed description of the same.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a face view of the hydraulic torque transmission system made according to this invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view thereof, taken on line 2-2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on line 3,-3 in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is another fragmentary sectional view, taken on line 4&4 in Fig. 2.

Similar ,characters of reference are employed in the hereinabove described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

- Referring to the drawing, the reference character A indicates a transmitter mechanism and lneck 2l dependent within the (creo-54.5)

the reference character B indicates a receiver mechanism.

The transmitter mechanism A comprises a main body I0 formed to provide an axial bearing means II in which is journaled one end of an actuator shaft I2. Connected with said main body I0, at its forward end, is a housing shell I3, the outer end wall of which is provided with an axial bearing I4 in which the outer end portion of said actuator shaft I2 is journaled. Said actuator shaft is so related to its bearings I l and It as to be retained against longitudinal movement although free to rotate. Said main body lll is provided 'with a plurality of fluid charged chambers longitudinally disposedand radially spaced equally around andparallel to the axis of said actuator shaft I2. These chambers are at least two in numberl spaced apart. Preferably three chambers spaced apart are used, but, if desired, more than three may be provided. As shown, these chambers are respectively identied by the reference characters I5, It and Il. Said chambers are closed at their rearward ends. Cooperative with each chamber is a longitudinally expandible and contractible bellows member I8. In a preferred arrangement, as shown, each bellows member is secured at its outer open end to an annular anchor plate I9 which is suit'- ably aillxed to the body IU so as to close the open y end of the chamber within which the bellows member is disposed. The inner end of said bellows member I8 is closed by a head-piece or plug 20, the same being provided with an axial bellows member. Afiixed to said neck 2l -is a stem 22 which extends axially outward through the interior o-f the bellows member so as to project from the outer open. end of the latter. In this preferred arrangement the fluid of the system contacts the bellows members externally, but it will be obvious that a reversal of the arrangement, whereby the uid of the system internally contacts the bellows members, may be utilized if desired.

Aflxed to said actuator shaft I2, below the forward end of said main body I0, and within the housing shell I3, is a cam means whichis cooperative. with the stems 22 of the several bellows members I8. This cam means may take various forms, .but in preferred form is of the wobble-plate type and comprises an annular wobble-plate member 23 which is disposed in transversely oblique relation to theeaxis of said actuator shaft and at a desired angular pitch, being secured to the latter by a cross-pin 24' l* erence character 31.

the receiver mechanism B the wobble-plate cam so as to turn therewith. Concentrically related to and surrounding the periphery of the wobbleplate member 23 is a coupler ring 25. I'he bellows-member stems 22 are provided at their free ring 25 by a keeper annulus 3| which is removl ably secured to the coupler ring, as by screws 32. 'I'he above described means for cooperatively relating the cam to the bellows member stems is subject to considerable variation as to detail and form, for. in bare essentials all that is necessary is that a thrusting engagement be established between the cam and the bellows member stems.

A portion 33 of said actuator shaft I2 pro- `jects exteriorly from the housing shell I3, and secured thereto is a crank means which is manipulatable to apply rotary motion to said actuator shaft. For purposes of illustration, said crank means is shown in the form of a dial disc or Wheel 34 having a handle member 35 suitably connected therewith. The face of said dial-disc or wheel 34 may be provided around its peripheral marginal portions with graduations of suitable character to indicate, by reference to a fixed pointer element 36, rotative movement of selective degree. The character and marking of the dial disc or wheel is subject to wide variation, and, depending upon the use to which the system is to be put, any other means for applying motion to the actuator shaft, either continuously or to obtain a single or any part of a single revolution, may be utilized as may be desirable in any given case.

The receiver mechanism B is, in general, the same in structure as the above described transmitter mechanism A, andlike parts thereof are .therefore identified by the same reference characters by which corresponding parts of said transmitter mechanism A are indicated, except that the actuated shaft is indicated by the ref- It will be noted that in is set at a correspondingly transverse but opposite pitch angle to the setting of the wobble-plate cam of said transmitter mechanism A.

Interconnecting corresponding fluid charged chambers of the transmitter and receiver mechanisms A and B are fluid conduits or pipes; for example, extending in intercommunicating relation between the chambers I is a conduit or pipe 38; between the chambers I6 is a conduit or pipe 39; and between the chambers |1 is a conduit or pipe 4U.

Compensating means are provided for guarding the transmitter and receiver mechanisms against relative alterations of phase due to expansion or contraction of the iiuid charges thereof under temperature or pressure variations. The compensating elements may be applied to either the transmitter or receiver. In the arrangement as herein shown, and for the purposesof illustration, the compensating-elements are shown applied to the receiver mechanism B. The compensating arrangement comprises a mounting of the actuated shaft 31 in its bearings in such manner as to permit axial shift thereof. as well as rotative movement.

If desired thel shaft may be yieldably supported subject to axial shift. To so yieldably support the shaft, the same is provided with an abutment pin 4|, or other suitable abutment or stop means, which is positioned outwardly of the wobble-plate cam and in spaced relation to the outer end wall of the housing shell I3. Arranged about the actuated shaft 31, between said abutment pin 4| and the housing shell end wall, is a compression spring 42. If desired, footing discs 43 may be associated with the ends of said spring 42. In the event of expansion of the fluid in the system as a whole, the pressure of such expansion will be transmitted through the bellows members |8 and their stems 22 as a direct downward bodily thrust upon the wobble-plate cam with the result that a downward compensating axial movement or shift will be imparted to the actuator shaft 31. Contraction of the uid in the system operates to eilect an upward compensating axial movement of the shaft 31. The use of the spring 42 is not essential when the bellows member stems have a mechanically coupled relation to the wobble-plate cam, but is essential in simpler designs wherein the bellowsmember stems merely make thrusting contact with the wobble-plate cam.

It may sometimes occur, especially in systems where the transmitter and receiver may be respectively subject to different local temperature conditions, that a relative variation of 'pressure y in the chambers and bellows members vof the-one may occur without corresponding changes in the other, and, due to the respectively different volumes of uid content in the several chambers and bellows members, pressure may be greater in one chamber and bellows member than in its fellows. To permit compensation and equalization of uid pressure as between the several chambers and bellows members under such circumstances, the wobble-plate cam associatedwith the actuated shaft 31 is pivotally alxed thereto so as to permit a limited degree of bodily rocking movement relative to the shaft 31 in direction adapted to compensatingly vary its pitch angle. This is attained by providing the wobble-plate cam with a bore 44 of somewhat larger diameter than the diameter of the shaft so that said wobbleplate cam may rock to a limited extent about the cross-pin 24 as a fulcrum. As a consequence of the limited rocking movement thus permitted to the wobble-plate cam, the latter will yield angularly to an extent suiicient to allow the differences in pressure in the several chambers and bellows members to come to equilibrium.

'Ihe actuated shaft 31 projects exteriorly of the housing shell 3 and its outer end may be operatively coupled or otherwise utilized -to impart the rotary motion transmitted thereto upon operation of the system. For example, a dialdisc 45, suitably graduated to correspond to the indications of the dial disc 34 Iof the transmitter mechanism A may be aii'lxed to the Ashaft 31, and its movements read with reference to a fixed pointer element 46.

In the operation of the system, as the actuator 'shaft l2 is rotated, the wobble-plate cam is likewise rotated whereby, due to its angular disposition on the shaft, the same oscillates the coupler ring in successively shifting vertical planes thus successivelyv reciprocating the stems 22 of the bellows-members I3 of the transmitter mechanism A so as to successively expand and contract the latter. As a bellows-member I8 expands it forces the fluid in the chamber in which it is operative outwardly thereof and through the connecting conduit or pipe into the corresponding chamber of the receiver mechanism B, thereby compressing the bellows-member in said latter chamber and inducing anoutward stroke of the stem 22 connected therewith. y The outward stroke of vthe stem 22 of a compressed bellows member of the receiver mechanism B reacts upon the wobble-plate camof the latters actuated shaft 3l, causing the cam to rotate and thereupon impart a like rotative impulse to said actuated shaft 31 and the devices operated thereby. It will be understood that outflow of iluid from the chambers of the transmitter mechanism will effect inflow of fluid in corresponding chambers of the receiver mechanism and vice versa,`and

since the operation of the bellows members in corresponding chambers of the transmitter and receiver mechanisms occur in successive order; successive rotative impulses are transmitted to the wobble-plate cam and actuated shaft of the receiver mechanism B in such manner that any part or a whole revolutionof the actuator shaft of the transmitter mechanism A is correspond-i ingly reproduced at the actuated shaft of receiver mechanism B, or, if desired, continuous rotation ofsaid actuated shaft may be produced by continuously rotating the actuator shaft.

It will be obvious that the described system provides a very compact and eflicient fully enclosed and synchronous hydraulic transmission means for reproducing rotary motion atpoints remote from the source of power, while at the same time providing a system which is selfcompensating under variations of fluid volume caused by variations in temperature or pressure. It will be understood that the novel system is adapted for use in connection with many different and specific purposes.

It is realized that many changes may be made in the above described constructions, and that apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof; it is therefore intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative` and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. In a hydraulic torque transmission system, a transmitter and a receiver each having a plurality of fluid charged chambers, fluid conduit means Vinterconnecting corresponding chambers of said transmitter and receiver, reactive reciprocable means in corresponding chambers of said transmitter and receiver, said transmitter having a rotatable actuatorshaft, cam means on said actuator shaft for operating the reciprocable means of the transmitter, said receiver having a rotatable actuated shaft, cam means on said actuated shaft adapted to be operated by the reciprocable means of said receiver, means to compensate for expansion or contraction of fluid in the system under temperature or pressure variations comprising, means to retain one of the shafts and its cam means against axial displacement, and means to supportthe other shaft and its cam means subject to compensating axial displacement.

2. In a hydraulic torque transmission system, a transmitter and a receiver each having a plurality of fluid charged chambers, fluid conduit means interconnecting corresponding chambers of said transmitter and receiver, reactivereciprocable means in corresponding chambers of said transmitter and receiver, said transmitter having a rotatable actuator shaft, a wobble-plate cam ailixed to said actuator shaft for operating the reciprocable means of the transmitter, said receiver having a rotatable actuated shaft, a wobble-plate cam on said actuated shaft adapted to be operated by the reciprocable means of said receiver, and means to compensate any relative variation of iiuid pressure in the chambers of' the transmitter or receiver, as the case may be, due to fluid expansion or contraction, comprising means to connect one of the wobble-plate -cams to its shaft subject to a compensating lim- ,ited angularv pitch variation.

3. In a hydraulic torque transmission system, a transmitter and a receiver each having a plurality of fluid charged chambers, fluid conduit means interconnecting corresponding chambers of said transmitter and receiver, reactive reciprocable means in corresponding chambers o f said transmitter and receiver, said transmitterhaving a rotatable actuator shaft, a wobble-plate cam affixed to said actuator shaft for operating the reciprocable means ofthe transmitter, said receiver having a rotatable actuated shaft, a wobble-plate cam on said actuated shaft adapted to be operated by the reciprocable means of said receiver, and means tc compensate for expansion or contraction of fluid in the system as a whole under temperature or pressure variations comprising', means'to retain one ofthe shafts and its wobble-plate cam against axial displacement, and spring means to yieldably support the other shaft and its wobble-plate cam subject to compensating axial displacement.

4. In a hydraulic torque transmission system, a transmitter and a receiver each having a plurality of uid charged chambers, fluid conduit means interconnecting corresponding chambers thereof, reactive reciprocable means in corresponding chambers of said transmitter and receiver, said transmitter having a rotatable actucomprising, means to retain o ne of the shafts and its wobble-plate cam against axial displacement, spring means to yieldably support the other shaft and its wobble-plate cam subject to compensating axial displacement, and means to connect one of said wobble-plate cams to its shaft subject to compensating limited angular pitch variation.

5. In a hydraulic torquetransmission system,

a transmitter and a receiver, said transmitter having an axially disposed actuator shaft, said receiver khaving an axially disposed actuated shaft, said transmitter and receiver each having a plurality of uid charged chambers spaced around and disposed parallel to the shafts thereof, fluid conduit means interconnecting corresponding chambers of said transmitter and receiver, reactive reciprocable means in corresponding chambers of said transmitter and receiver, said reciprocable means each having operating stems, an actuator wobble-plate cam afxed to said transmitter actuator shaft in oblique angular relation to the axis thereof, means cou-- f pling the stems of the reciprocable means of the transmitter chambers with said actuator wobble-plate cam, an actuated wobble-plate cam afxed to said receiver actuated shaft in oblique angular relation to the axis thereof opposite to that of said actuator wobble-plate cam, means coupling the stems of the reciprocable means of the receiver chambers with said actuated wobbleplate cam, and means to compensate for expansion or contraction of fluid under temperature or pressure variations comprising, meansv to retain one of the shafts and its wobble-plate cam against axial displacement, and means to support the other shaft and its wobble-plate cam subject to compensating axial displacement.

6. In a hydraulic torque transmission system, a transmitter and a receiver, said transmitter having an axially disposed actuator shaft, said receiver having an axially disposed actuated shaft, said transmitter and receiver each having a plurality of fluid charged chambers spaced around and disposed parallel to the shafts thereof, fluid conduit means interconnecting corresponding chambers of said `transmitter and receiver, reactive reciprocable means in corresponding chambers of said transmitter and receiver, said reciprocable means each having operating stems, an actuator wobble-plate cam afxed to said transmitter actuator shaft in l oblique angular relation to the axis thereof,

means coupling the lstems of the reciprocable means of the transmitter chambers with said actuator wobble-plate cam, an actuated wobbleplate cam aillxed to said receiver actuated shaft in oblique angular relation to the axis thereof 'opposite to that of said actuator wobble-plate cam, means coupling the stems of the reciprocable means of the Areceiver chambers with said actuated wobble-plate cam, and means to compensate for expansion or contraction of fluid under temperature or pressure variations comprising, means to retain one of the shafts and its wobble-plate cam against axial displacement, means to support the other shaft and its wobbleplate cam subject to compensating axial displacement, and means to connect one of the wobble-plate cams to its shaft subject to compensating limited angular pitch variation. 7. In a hydraulic torque transmission system, a transmitter and a receiver, said transmitter having an axially disposed actuator shaft, said receiver having an axially disposed actuated shaft, said transmitter and receiver each having a plurality of fluid charged chambers spaced around and disposed parallel to the shafts thereof, fluid conduit means interconnecting correspending chambers of said transmitter and receiver, bellows members cooperative with said chambers, said bellows members having stems, an actuator wobble-plate cam aflixed to said actuator shaft in oblique angular relation to the axis thereof, means coupling the stems of said transmitter bellows members with said actuator wobble-plate cam, an actuated wobble-plate cam aflixed to said actuated shaft in oblique angular relation to the axis thereof opposite to that oi' said actuator wobble-plate cam, means for coupling the stems of said receiver bellows with said. actuated wobble-plate cam, and means to compensate for expansion or contraction of fluid in the system under temperature variation comprising, means to retain one of the shafts and its wobble-plate cam against axial displacement, and means to support the other of the shafts and its wobble-plate cam subject to compensating axial displacement.

8. In a hydraulic torque transmission system, a transmitter and a receiver, said transmitter having an axially disposed actuator shaft, said receiver having an axially disposed actuated shaft, said transmitter and receiver each having a plurality of fluid charged chambers spaced around and disposed parallel to the shafts thereof, fluid conduit meansinterconnecting corresponding chambers of said transmitter and receiver, bellows members cooperative with said chambers, said bellows members having stems, an actuator wobble-plate cam affixed to said actuator shaft in oblique angular relation to the axis thereof, means coupling the stems of said transmitter bellows members with said actuator wobble-plate cam, an actuated wobble-plate cam aixed to said actuated shaft in oblique angular relationv to the axis thereof opposite to that of said actuator wobble-plate cam, means for coupling the stems of said receiver bellows members with said actuated wobble-plate cam, and means to compensate for expansion or contraction of fluid in the system under temperature variation comprising, means to retain one of the shafts and its wobble-plate cam against axial displacement, means to support the other of the shafts and its wobble-plate cam subject to compensating axial displacement, and means to connect one of the wobble-plate cams to its shaft subject to' compensating limited angular displacement.

WILLIAM E. HABIG. PHILIP L. s. LUM.