US3601514A

US3601514A - Rotary machine

Info

Publication number: US3601514A
Application number: US843931A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kermit J Afner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-07-23
Filing date: 1969-07-23
Publication date: 1971-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 1988-08-24

Abstract

A rotary machine for use as a pump or motor wherein a hollow rotor is rotatable within a casing and combines with the latter to define therebetween an annular chamber. A vane or arm extends from the rotor for rotation therewith about the annular extent of the chamber and a fluid inlet passageway communicates between the hollow of the rotor and the chamber on one side of the vane or arm for passing fluid into the chamber on said one side of the vane. An outlet is provided in the casing for the egress of fluid from the chamber on the other side of the rotor vane.

Description

United States Patent Primary Examiner-Carlton R. Croyle Assistant ExaminerWilbur J. Goodlin Attorney-Robert K. Youtie ABSTRACT: A rotary machine for use as a pump or motor wherein a hollow rotor is rotatable within a casing and combines with the latter to define therebetween an annular chamber. A vane or arm extends from the rotor for rotation therewith about the annular extent of the chamber and a fluid inlet passageway communicates between the hollow of the rotor and the chamber on one side of the vane or arm for passing fluid into the chamber on said one side of the vane. An outlet is provided in the casing for the egress of fluid from the chamber on the other side of the rotor vane.

PATENTED AUB24 um SHEET 1 UF 2 ROTARY MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known to those versed in the art, purely rotary machines, such as motors and pumps, have inherent advantages over reciprocating machines in reduced inertia forces, quicker response to change, smoother operation at low speeds, easier dynamic balancing, and others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an important object of the present invention to provide a rotary machine which may serve as a fluid motor or pump, achieving the above-mentioned advantages of rotary equipment, and providing an extreme simplicity of construction, reliability in use, high efficiency in operation, and durability for a long useful life.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appointed claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an end elevational view showing a rotary machine constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, a rotary machine of the present invention is there generally designated and may include an outer casing or housing 11. The casing 11 includes a generally cylindrical, open-ended sidewall 12, having a pair of laterally spaced depending wall portions 13, best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. A pair of end walls or closures l4 and 15 are respectively secured, as by fasteners 16 and 17, in closing relation with opposite ends of the casing sidewall 12.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the casing end wall 14 is of a vertically elongate configuration, as defined by an upper relatively large circular configuration intersecting with a lower relatively small circular configuration. The upper relatively large circular configuration of end wall 14 closes the upper generally cylindrical formation of casing sidewall 12, while the lower portion of end wall 14, as at 20, extends between and below the depending wall portions 13. The end wall 15 is of similar overall configuration to the end wall 14, having an upper portion closing one end of casing sidewall 12, the right-hand end as seen in FIG. 2, and having a lower portion 21 extending between and below the wall portions 13.

lnteriorly of the casing sidewall 12, the configuration thereof defines a generally cylindrical interior, as at 22, while the inner contours of wall portions 13 define a generally semicylindrical interior, as at 23. Extending between the lower ends of wall portions 13 is a generally semicylindrical, upwardly concave bottom wall 25, which combines with the semicylindrical lower housing hollow 23 to define a lower cylindrical interior hollow.'The lower wall 25 extends longitudinally to the lower regions and 21 of end walls 14 and 15, so that the latter effectively close the lower interior cylindrical hollow 23.

Generally coaxially within the cylindrical interior 22 of casing 11, there is mounted a rotor, generally designated 30. The rotor 30 may include a coaxially extending hollow shaft 31 having one end journaled, as by suitable bearing means 32, in the end wall 15, and extending outward therebeyond. The other end of shaft 31 extends outwardly through, and is rotatably journaled, as by bearings 33, in the end wall 14. If desired, suitable seals or glands may be interposed between the housing ends 14 and 15, and received ends of shaft 31, such as

seals

34 and 35 extending about the shaft 31 and seated in casing ends 14 and 15, respectively.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the rotor shaft 31 is interiorly hollow, as at 36, the interior hollow being closed at one end adjacent to casing end wall 14, and open at its other end passing through casing end wall 15.

The hollow rotor shaft 31 may be provided with an annular rib or collar 40 adjacent to the end wall 15, and an assembly of one or more rotor formations, as at 41, 42, 43 and 44, may be circumposed about and nonrotatably secured to the shaft 31 as by key means 45, see FIGS. 3 and 4, or other suitable securing means. Additionally, the rotor formations 41-44 may be retained on the hollow shaft 31 by an end retainer member 45 detachably secured, as by fasteners 46, to the shaft in position to hold the rotor formations against longitudinal movement on the shaft.

The several rotor formations 41-44 may be formed integrally, or fabricated of a plurality of parts, as most convenient for manufacture and assembly. The several rotor formations are formed of a plurality of generally annular discs 45 46, 47, 48 and 49 arranged in coaxial alignment with each other nonrotatably circumposed about the hollow portion of shaft 31, and axially spaced therealong, as by respective annuli or

bands

50, 51, 52 and 53. The rotor annuli or bands 50-53 may serve to space apart adjacent pairs of annular rotor discs 45-49, each adjacent pair of annular discs or plates and its intermediate spacer band combining with the casing wall 12 to define a generally annular chamber, as at 54, 55, 56 and 57, respectively. Projecting generally radially outwardly from each rotor band 50-53, and extending entirely across its associated annular chamber 54-57, is a radial protrusion, arm or vane, as at 58, 59, 60 (not shown) and 61. The peripheral edges of the several annular plates or discs 45-49 may be formed with labyrinth grooves, as at 65-69, or other means to improve sealing, as desired.

It will now be understood that the entire rotor 30, which includes the hollow shaft 31 and its circumposed structure, rotates as a unit about the axis of the shaft. Further, as will be understood more fully hereinafter, the rotor vanes or arms 59-61 are each angularly offset 90 from the adjacent arm or vane. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the adjacent rotor formations 41 and 42 have their vanes or

arms

59 and 58 angularly offset 90 from each other. Similarly, the remaining rotor vanes or arms are offset 90 from the adjacent vanes or arms. Also, the shaft 31 and each rotor annuli or

band

50, 51, 52 and 53 are provided with generally radially extending inlet passageways, each opening adjacent to and on one side of the associated vane, in the manner shown in FIG. 3. In particular, the inlet opening or passageway shown in FIG. 3 communicates between the interior of rotor shaft 31 and the chamber 54 on the counterclockwise side of vane 58. The rotor formation 42 is formed with a similar fluid inlet passageway 71, while the rotor formation 43 includes a similar fluid inlet passageway which is obscured in the drawings, and the rotor formation 44 includes a similar inlet fluid passageway at 73.

A fluid conduit or pipe extends into the interior hollow 36 of shaft 31, inwardly through the open end thereof, and may be suitably fixed to the casing 11, as by fasteners 76 secured to the casing end wall 15. Suitable sealing means, as at 77 may be interposed between the fixed conduit 75 and the interior of rotary shaft 31, the sealing means being removably retained in position, as by a retainer ring 78. The outer end of conduit 75 may be flanged, as at 79, or otherwise formed for convenient connection to a source of fluid supply. Interiorly of the rotor 30, the fluid conduit 75 is provided with groups or sets of ports, as at 81, 82, 83 and 84, each set of ports being in radial alignment with a

respective rotor formation

41, 42, 43 and 44. Hence, upon rotation of the rotor 40, the inlet passageways 70-73 of the several rotor formations rotate in respective registry with the sets of ports 81-84 to provide fluid communication between the interior 36 of rotor 30 and the

respective rotor chambers

54, 55, 56 and 57. In this manner, fluid passes from the interior hollow 36 of rotor 30 to the several annular chambers 54-57. Further, by the angularly spaced relation of the several vanes 58-61, and the similarly angularly spaced location of the several fluid inlet passageways 70-73, it will be apparent that fluid is fed sequentially to the rotor formations or chambers 54-57 for a smooth well-balanced operation.

Located in the lower region of casing 11, as between the lower end wall regions and 21, may be a rotary head construction, generally designated 90. The rotary head 90 includes a shaft 91 extending in general parallelism with the rotor shaft 31, and joumaled at its opposite ends by suitable bearing means, as at 92 and 93 in respective end walls 14 and 15. Nonrotatably carried by the shaft 91 between the lower regions 20 and 21 of end walls 14 and 15 are a plurality of disclike members or head members respectively designated 92, 93, 94 and 95. That is, the head members or discs 92-95 are each circumposed about the shaft 91, being nonrotatable relative thereto, as by suitable key means 96, see FIG. 3, and each located to extend radially into a lower region of a respective annular chamber 54-57. That is, the head member 92 extends upwardly into the lower region of annular rotor chamber 44, the head member 93 extending upwardly into the lower region of annular rotor chamber 55, the head member 94 extending upwardly into the lower region of annular rotor chamber 56, and the head member 95 extending upwardly into the lower region of annular rotor chamber 57. Each head member 92-95 is formed with a peripheral notch, as at 98 in head member 92 (see FIG. 3), 99 in head member 93 (see FIG. 2), 100 in head member 94 obscured in the drawings, and 101 in head member 95. The notches or recesses 98-101 are successively offset angularly with respect to each other, being in the instant embodiment angularly spaced 90 apart. The formation of each recess or notch 98-101 is such as to smoothly receive and engage with the associated rotor vane or arm 58-61, respectively. Toward this end, the head shaft 91 is rotated in timed relation with respect to the rotor shaft 31, as by suitable timing means, One such timing means may be that of

meshing gears

103 and 104 respectively carried by

shafts

31 and 91 to maintain a proper timed relation therebetween.

While operation is believed obvious from the foregoing description, a brief resume follows. In use of the instant rotary machine as a motor, fluid may be supplied under pressure, say compressible fluid such as steam or air, or incompressible fluid such as liquid. The fluid enters through the stationary conduit 75 from which it passes successively through

ports

81, 82, 83 and 84 into respective

annular chambers

54, 55, 56 and 57. As best seen in FIG. 3, the ports 81 are uncovered or opened by the inlet passageway 70 after the vane 58 has passed in its clockwise movement beyond the head 92. Fluid may therefore enter into the chamber 54 between the vane 58 and head 92, causing the vane to continue its clockwise rotation. As best seen in FIG. 3, the casing 11 is provided with an outlet passageway 102 communicating between the interior of annular rotor chamber 54 and the exterior of the casing at a location adjacent to head member 92. Similarly, each of the remaining rotor chambers 55, 56 and 57 are provided with an outlet passageway at the same general location, or in substantial alignment with the outlet passageway 102 of rotor unit 41. It will be obvious that fluid contained in the annular rotor chamber 54 between the head member 92 and the leading side of the vane 58 is expelled by movement of the latter through the outlet passageway 102. Operation is essentially identical for each of the

rotor units

42, 43 and 44, operation being in a sequential relationshi for minimizing vibration and internal stresses. By the time relationship between rotation of rotor 30 and head 90, each rotor vane 58-61 engages in its respective head member notch or recess 98-101 for passage through the location of the respected head. This vane movement through the head position is shown in FIG. 4.

If desired, suitable leakage drain and recovery passageways may be provided, say between the exterior of rotor and interior of casing 1 1, and communicating in turn with the interior of the lower casing region within lower casing wall 25. Drain or recovery means may be provided therefrom, if desired.

In the above-described engine or motor operation, it will be apparent that the shaft 31, as extending leftward in FIG. 2, may provide a power output or drive shaft.

Conversely, power may be applied to the shaft 31, or to the head shaft 91, if desired, either effecting timed rotation of the rotor 30 and head 90. In pump operation the rotor vanes may be rotated in the same direction, clockwise as seen in FIG. 3, each rotary unit simultaneously operating a suction stroke" and pressure stroke." That is, rotation of each rotor unit 41-44 simultaneously draws fluid from the rotor interior 36 through its respective inlet passageway -73 to the associated rotor chamber 54-57 on the trailing side of the rotor vane. Simultaneously, previously drawn fluid is discharged under pressure through the fluid outlet 102 and corresponding outlets of respective rotor units.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a rotary machine capable of both motor and pump operation, which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is otherwise well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A rotary machine comprising a generally cylindrical casing, a centrally hollow shaft defining a rotor in coaxially spaced relation within said casing, a plurality of coaxial annular walls spaced longitudinally along said shaft and extending from said shaft toward said casing to define therebetween a plurality of generally annular chambers surrounding said rotor, a plurality of vanes arranged in longitudinal spaced relation along said rotor and each extending radially from said rotor between the adjacent annular walls and entirely across said chamber for rotation with said rotor about the annular extent of said chamber in equally angularly spaced relation with respect to each other, said rotor having a plurality of inlet passageways each communicating generally radially between said hollow and said chamber adjacent to and on one side of a respective vane, a plurality of rotary generally disc-shaped heads each extending radially inwardly across one region of a respective one of said chambers for rotation through said one region and having an edge notch configured to receive the associated one of said vanes when the latter passes through said one region, timing means operatively connecting said rotor and heads for entry of said vanes in said recesses, and a pipe extending coaxially into the hollow of said rotor and having radial ports communicating with said inlets during limited portions of rotor rotation for passing fluid to said chambers between each of said heads and the associated said one side of said vane, said casing having outlet passageways adjacent to said disc-shaped heads communicating with said chambers for passing fluid from said chambers between said heads and the other sides of said vanes.

2. A rotary machine according to claim 1, said timing means comprising gearing interposed in driving relation between said rotor and head.

Claims

1. A rotary machine comprising a generally cylindrical casing, a centrally hollow shaft defining a rotor in coaxially spaced relation within said casing, a plurality of coaxial annular walls spaced longitudinally along said shaft and extending from said shaft toward said casing to define therebetween a plurality of generally annular chambers surrounding said rotor, a plurality of vanes arranged in longitudinal spaced relation along said rotor and each extending radially from said rotor between the adjacent annular walls and entirely across said chamber for rotAtion with said rotor about the annular extent of said chamber in equally angularly spaced relation with respect to each other, said rotor having a plurality of inlet passageways each communicating generally radially between said hollow and said chamber adjacent to and on one side of a respective vane, a plurality of rotary generally disc-shaped heads each extending radially inwardly across one region of a respective one of said chambers for rotation through said one region and having an edge notch configured to receive the associated one of said vanes when the latter passes through said one region, timing means operatively connecting said rotor and heads for entry of said vanes in said recesses, and a pipe extending coaxially into the hollow of said rotor and having radial ports communicating with said inlets during limited portions of rotor rotation for passing fluid to said chambers between each of said heads and the associated said one side of said vane, said casing having outlet passageways adjacent to said disc-shaped heads communicating with said chambers for passing fluid from said chambers between said heads and the other sides of said vanes.