US3781148A - Apex seal assembly of a rotary piston engine - Google Patents

Apex seal assembly of a rotary piston engine Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3781148A
US3781148A US00233688A US3781148DA US3781148A US 3781148 A US3781148 A US 3781148A US 00233688 A US00233688 A US 00233688A US 3781148D A US3781148D A US 3781148DA US 3781148 A US3781148 A US 3781148A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
seal
apex
apex seal
rotary piston
piston engine
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00233688A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
H Sakamaki
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nippon Piston Ring Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Nippon Piston Ring Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nippon Piston Ring Co Ltd filed Critical Nippon Piston Ring Co Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3781148A publication Critical patent/US3781148A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01C—ROTARY-PISTON OR OSCILLATING-PISTON MACHINES OR ENGINES
    • F01C19/00—Sealing arrangements in rotary-piston machines or engines
    • F01C19/10—Sealings for working fluids between radially and axially movable parts

Definitions

  • the apex seals mounted at the respective corners of the rotor of the rotary piston engine for sealing the work fluid in contact with the inner peripheral surface of a two or more lobed center housing of the rotary piston engine are known per se.
  • the respective apex seals mounted at the corners of the rotor of the rotary piston engine are strongly urged into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the two or more lobed center housing by springs provided at the back side of the apex seals. Centrifugal force of therotor upon rotation and gas pressure of the work fluid in the combustion chamber of the rotary piston engine, etc., also contribute to maintaining the seal.
  • the inner peripheral surface of the two or more lobed center housing and the apex seals are subject to severe wear and further the inner peripheral surfaces of the center housing of the rotary piston engine tends to be abnormally worn by the rotating contact of the apex seals.
  • the primary causes of such abnormal wear of these components of the rotary piston engine are many and various, but the particular note is the wearing force as a result of the apex seal being urged more than necessary onto the inner peripheral surface of the two or more lobed center housing acting on the apex seal assembly.
  • the greater the mass of the apex seal the larger the wearing force becomes. Accordingly, it is considered that the foremost cause of such abnormal wear is due to the mass of the apex seal. From this fact, the mass of the apex seal should be made small, and yet it is strongly desired to have wear resistance and mechanical strength.
  • the mass of the apex seal has been reduced but the mechanical strength of the apex seals is low because it is very brittle.
  • the apex seal be made of metals such as cast iron, steel, etc. This however causes the mass of the apex seal to become large with the result that present apex seals are not made of metal.
  • an apex seal assembly which comnrises combined apex seals having an angle expanding toward the lower portion of the side surface of at least one side thereof with an arcuate spring of U shape in section to hold the seals together and against the inner peripheral surface.
  • FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a rotary piston enginemounted with the conventional apex seals
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an apex seal for the explanatory purpose of the apex seal of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the apex seal shown in FIG. 2 mounted in the apex seal groove of the rotor of the rotary piston engine;
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of the apex seal of this invention.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view f another embodiment of the apex seal according to the present invention.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 are partial enlarged longitudinal sectional views of the apex seal of this invention shown in FIG. 4, mounted in the apex seal groove;
  • FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the present invention shown in FIG. 5 mounted in the wedged apex seal groove of the rotor of the rotary piston engine;
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 are plan and side views of one embodiment of the spring for apex seal used in the apex seal assembly of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the combined apex seal with spring shown in FIG. 9 taken along the'line XI-XI in FIG. 9 of the present invention.
  • FIG. 12 is a plan view of another embodiment of the spring used in the apex seal assembly of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows the rotary piston engine mounted with the conventional apex seals thereto.
  • the apex seals 2 mounted at the corners of the rotor 4 of the rotary piston engine are strongly urged in contact with the inner peripheral surface 51 of the two or more lobed center housing 5 by the springs 3 provided at the back side of the apex seals 2, centrifugal force of the rotor 4 upon rotation and gas pressure of the work fluid in the combustion chamber of the rotary piston engine, etc.
  • the inner peripheral surface 51 of the two or more lobed center'hosuing 5 and the apex seals 2 are severely worn, and further the inner peripheral surfaces 51 of the center housing 5 of the rotary piston engine tend to be abnormally worn by the rotational contact with the apex seals 2.
  • the primary causes of such abnormal wear of these components of the rotary piston engine are many, but of particular note is the wearing force as a result of the apex seal 2 being urged more than necessary onto the inner peripheral surface 51 of the center housing 5 acting on the apex seal assembly.
  • the present invention overcomes the conventional disadvantages of the apex seal by a particular structure of the apex seal with respect to the massive metal apex seals to provide novel apex seals.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 show the special structure of the apex seal mounted in the apex seal groove of the rotor of the rotary piston engine.
  • the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 incorporates one of the features of this invention, namely the use of two seal members.
  • the seal members 6 and 7 have sliding surfaces 60 and 70, respectively, of semi-circular section as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to provide a combined apex seal 8.
  • the frictional force of the apex seal 2 contacting the inner peripheral surface 51 of a two or more lobed center housing 5 due to the centrifugal force is approximately one-half that of the single apex seal made of the same material. The result is that the frictional force due to the massive apex seal is lessened to be equal to the less massive apex seal made of less massive material.
  • the combined apex seal 8 tends to be adhered onto the apex seal groove of the rotor of the rotary piston engine by the carbon slag on all the surfaces of the apex seal groove and both side surfaces of the apex seals.
  • the carbon slag is produced by the combustion of lubricating oil, etc.
  • the present invention eliminates such trouble by providing an apex seal assembly of a rotary piston engine which has combined apex seals 8 provided with an angle expanding toward the lower portion of the side surface of at least one side thereof and an arcuate spring of U shape in section.
  • FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the apex seal constructed according to the present invention
  • an angle expanding toward the lower portion of both side surfaces 61, 62 and 71, 72 of the seal members 6 arid 7 is provided.
  • an acute angle is formed between the side surface of the seal member and a line parallel to the axis of the seal member.
  • the angle is formed at the upper portion of the seal member such that the distance between the side surface and the parallel line increases at the lower portion of the seal member.
  • the seal members 6 and 7 are combined to provide a combined apex seal 81.
  • FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the apex seal constructed according to the present invention wherein an angle 6 expanding toward the lower portions of both side surfaces 61 and 72 of the seal mem bers 6 and 7'is provided to form a combined apex seal 82 which eliminates the adhesion of the apex seals on the apex seal groove. More particularly, the seal members 6 and 7 having angles 0 on at least one of their side surfaces are combined to provide a combined apex seal 7 In operation, the combined apex seal 81 is mounted in the rectangular apex seal groove 9 provided on the corner of the rotor 4 together with the spring 31, as shown in FIG. 6.
  • the apex seal of this invention is mounted in the apex seal groove of the rotor of the rotary piston engine.
  • the combined apex seal 81 is disposed at the side surface 91 of the rectangular apex seal groove 9 at the intake and exhaust strokes. It is disposed at the side surface 92 of the rectangular apex seal groove at the ignition, expansion and compression strokes as shown in FIG. 7.
  • Arrows A shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 indicate the rotating direction of the rotor 4.
  • the combined apex seal 81 has an angle 0 expanding toward the lower portion of the seal members 6 and 7, the moving amount of the lower portions of the seal members 6 and 7 is longer than the upper portions thereof. Therefore, since there is such movement of the seal members 6 and 7, the aforementioned carbon slag is pulverized thereby preventing the apex seal and the apex seal groove from adhering.
  • FIG. 8 shows the apex seal mounted in the wedged apex seal groove of the rotor of the rotary piston engine.
  • the combined apex seal 82 is mounted together with spring 31 in the wedged apex seal groove 91 provided at the corner of the rotor 4.
  • the side clearance C is varied every time the combined apex seal 82 follows the inner wall 5 of the center housing of the rotary piston engine.
  • the carbon slag is pulverized according to the movement of the combined apex seal in the apex seal groove so as to prevent the adhesion thereof.
  • the apex seal assembly of the present invention also comprises a spring combined with the thus constructed combined apex seal. Since the seal members 6 and 7 are combined to provide the combined apex seal 81, the seal members 6 and 7 of the combined apex seal 81 are required to independently follow the inner wall 5 of the center housing of the rotary piston engine.
  • the spring is used for the combined apex seal so as to independently follow the respective seal members 6 and 7 of the combined apex seal with respect to the inner wall 51 of the center housing 5. More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 9, l0 and 11, which show the spring used together with the apex seal used in the apex seal assembly, the spring 31 is arcuate of U shape in section. As thus constructed, the upper surfaces 311 and 312 are formed thereon for causing contacting under pressure with the seal members 6 and 7 of the combined apex seal 81. This allows the seal members to independently follow in contact with the inner peripheral surface under pressure of the center housing of the rotary piston engine.
  • FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the spring used together with the apex seal assembly of the present invention.
  • Slits 314 are nonsymmetrically and alternatively provided on the spring 31 from longitudinal edges 311 and 312 of both sides with respect to the longitudinal central line m-m. This arrangement is advantageous in the following property of the respective seal members with the inner wall of the center housing.
  • the apex seal of this invention is made of metal so as to provide superior wear resistance and mechanical strength and the massive structure is eliminated by the combined two individual members of the apex seal. Further, the apex seal has an angle expanding toward the lower portions of the seal members so as to also eliminate the adhesion of the apex seal to the apex seal groove.
  • each seal member having a curved contact surface and two flat side surfaces, a line coinciding with at least one side surface forming an acute angle with the travsverse axis of said seal member, said acute angle being located radially inwardly of said seal member, whereby said seal member continuously tapers from its contact surface toward its radial inner end;

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Sealing Devices (AREA)
  • Mechanical Sealing (AREA)
US00233688A 1971-03-12 1972-03-10 Apex seal assembly of a rotary piston engine Expired - Lifetime US3781148A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP46013586A JPS5128764B1 (enExample) 1971-03-12 1971-03-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3781148A true US3781148A (en) 1973-12-25

Family

ID=11837276

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00233688A Expired - Lifetime US3781148A (en) 1971-03-12 1972-03-10 Apex seal assembly of a rotary piston engine

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3781148A (enExample)
JP (1) JPS5128764B1 (enExample)
DE (1) DE2211808A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2128882B1 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1368191A (enExample)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3920359A (en) * 1973-11-08 1975-11-18 Herbert Lewis Gray Rotary engines and pumps
US20050180874A1 (en) * 2004-02-17 2005-08-18 Wells David S. Apex split seal

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS52108160A (en) * 1976-03-09 1977-09-10 Hitachi Ltd Electromagnetic flow meter
JPS54163962U (enExample) * 1978-05-10 1979-11-16
JPS5752621U (enExample) * 1981-08-26 1982-03-26

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2882108A (en) * 1957-05-28 1959-04-14 Ramsey Corp Piston assembly

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3920359A (en) * 1973-11-08 1975-11-18 Herbert Lewis Gray Rotary engines and pumps
US20050180874A1 (en) * 2004-02-17 2005-08-18 Wells David S. Apex split seal
US7097436B2 (en) * 2004-02-17 2006-08-29 Wells David S Apex split seal

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5128764B1 (enExample) 1976-08-21
FR2128882A1 (enExample) 1972-10-20
GB1368191A (en) 1974-09-25
DE2211808A1 (de) 1972-09-28
FR2128882B1 (enExample) 1973-06-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3139233A (en) Seal construction for rotary mechanisms
US4012180A (en) Rotary compressor with labyrinth sealing
US4243233A (en) Seal ring having a tapered surface, and a sealing device
US4137024A (en) Rotor for rotary piston mechanism
US3282495A (en) Sealing arrangement for screw-type compressors and similar devices
US3816038A (en) Spherical displacement device and seal means therefor
US3134600A (en) Seal construction for rotary mechanisms
ES350202A1 (es) Un dispositivo de empaquetadura de anillos deslizantes.
US3309011A (en) Seal construction for rotary combustion engine
US3781148A (en) Apex seal assembly of a rotary piston engine
US3556695A (en) Apex seal for rotary combustion engines
US3860365A (en) Seals and methods and means of sealing for rotary engines and the like
US3179331A (en) Annular side seal for rotors of rotary engines
US3456624A (en) Seal construction for rotary combustion engine
US3180562A (en) Seals for rotary mechanisms
US3909015A (en) Ring seal assembly for a rotary piston internal combustion engine
US20020150481A1 (en) Toroidal compressor
US3193189A (en) Seal means for rotary mechanisms
US3711229A (en) Corner seal spring for a rotary piston engine
US3205872A (en) Rotary internal combustion engine
US3359872A (en) Fluid pressure seal rings
US3794450A (en) Rotary machine apex seal
US5538409A (en) Trochoidal piston side seal
US3836216A (en) Pressure balanced seal assembly
US4207039A (en) Seal grid system for a rotary piston mechanism