WO1995006801A1

WO1995006801A1 - Assembly of radial cylinder machines

Info

Publication number: WO1995006801A1
Application number: PCT/AU1994/000529
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alfred Rickard Mayne
Original assignee: Split Cycle Technology Limited
Priority date: 1993-09-02
Filing date: 1994-09-02
Publication date: 1995-03-09

Abstract

A radial cylinder machine comprising an assembly of a main rotary shaft (36) and pairs of rotors, wherein the rotors are axially removably mounted relative to each other on the main rotary shaft (36) with a spacer separating the pairs of rotors, and lobed shafts having lobed rotors (43) and pinion gears (44) that are axially separable into parts to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the radial cylinder machine.

Description

ASSEMBLY OF RADIAL CYLINDER MACHINES Field of the Invention This invention relates to rotary machines and more particularly t^ .he form of a radial cylinder machine as shown in Interr. ional patent applications PCT/AU89/00275 and PCT/AU91/00224. The contents of the specifications of those two International patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

More particularly the present invention is concerned with forms of components and a form of assembly suitable for single and multi-bank arrangements of radial cylinder machine not contemplated by those prior disclosures but which enables the assembly and disassembly of the machine to be efficiently effected. Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect the present invention comprises a radial cylinder machine having a main rotary shaft comprising at least a pair of rotors, said rotors being adapted to carry a plurality of lobed shafts parallel to the main shaft, said lobed shafts being rotatable about respective secondary axes parallel to the axis of the main shaft, said at least pair of rotors being spaced apart by spacing means and wherein assembly of the rotors occurs by relative movement of the rotors toward each other until held apart by the spacing means.

A first embodiment of this first aspect comprises a single radial bank machine wherein the main rotary shaft is formed with an intermediate spacer against which abut rotors at opposite axial ends of the spacer. As a machine of the first embodiment is assembled, the rotors are slidingly mounted on the main shaft and moved toward each other along the shaft until they abut opposite axial extremities of the spacer. During the sliding fit of the rotors along the main shaft, the plurality of lobed shafts are mounted between the rotors on rotary bearing mounts in axially aligned bores in the opposed pair of rotors. In this way the entire assembly, equivalent to the crank assembly of a conventional machine, is assembled into the machine housing in a substantially push together type fitting arrangement, in contrast to that shown in Fig. 1 of PCT/AU89/00275, which displays the rotors as being split with radially removable segments to enable fitment of the lobed shafts.

To further expedite assembly of the first embodiment of the first aspect, each of the lobed shafts is formed as a unit comprised of at least one lobed wheel and a pinion gear which are positioned between the rotors when the lobed shaft is rotationally mounted between the rotors. A second embodiment of the first aspect comprises a single radial bank machine wherein the main rotary shaft is formed by two mirror image halves each having an integrally formed rotor. A predetermined spacer is positioned between the two "mirror" halves with the lobed shafts being rotatably mounted between the rotors in a similar push together fitting arrangement, as discussed above for the first embodiment of this aspect. In this embodiment, instead of the rotors being pushed together to abut axial extremities of a spacer, the rotors and their respective main shaft halves are pushed toward each other to be held apart by a spacer while the lobed shafts are being mounted between the rotors. The rotors may be retained against the spacer by a through bolt between the rotors to clamp the rotors against axial ends of the spacer. In a third embodiment of this first aspect a multi-bank radial cylinder machine is formed from the first and second embodiments by the addition of further spacers and rotors while repositioning the lobed shafts to be between each innermost rotor and its next respective outermost rotor, so that no lobed shafts are mounted between the innermost rotors on the main shaft.

In the case of a multi-bank machine, each rotor other than the at least pair of rotors may be mounted on the main shaft via removable spacing means interposed between each pair of rotors spaced axially outwardly from the at least pair of rotors.

By this construction the main shaft and its associated rotors in a multi-bank radial cylinder machine can be formed such that the innermost pair of rotors and the main shaft can be formed from a single metal casting, machining or forging. In all embodiments all of the rotors can be formed as unitary components in contrast to the split form of rotors shown in the embodiment of Fig. 1 of PCT/AU89/00275. Where the rotors are formed as a single casting, forging, machined component or the like, it will be appreciated that the accuracy of the formation of the bearing housings for the bearings supporting the lobed shafts are more readily maintainable while the additional assembly of the split portions of the rotors is avoided.

In another aspect the present invention comprises a radial cylinder machine having a main rotary shaft comprising at least a pair of rotors, said rotors being adapted to carry a plurality of lobed shafts parallel to the main shaft, said lobed shafts being rotatable about respective secondary axes parallel to the axis of the main shaft, the at least pair of rotors being located on longitudinally separable parts of said main shaft.

As a result of these aspects of the invention the main rotary shaft and its associated pairs of rotors is able to be assembled by bolting together longitudinally separable parts and wherein each of the rotors including the innermost pair of adjacent rotors are locatable along the respective parts of the main shaft whereby spacing means are interposed between each adjacent pair of rotors. In a further aspect the present invention provides a lobed shaft for use in a radial cylinder machine as exemplified by the embodiment of Fig. 1 of PCT/AU89/00275 wherein said lobed shaft is formed from at least two axially separable parts wherein one of said parts comprises a pinion gear. Wherein the pinion gear is adapted to engage a ring gear within a housing surrounding a main shaft and a plurality of said lobed shafts when in situ in said housing. In a preferred form of the lobed shaft of this further aspect, said lobed shaft is formed from three axially separable parts, the middle part being formed with a pinion gear with each of the other parts having at least one lobed wheel thereon. In an embodiment of this aspect the lobed shaft comprises a three part lobed shaft, a first part having two lobed wheels, a central second part having the pinion gear and the third part comprises one lobed shaft.

In another embodiment of this further aspect the lobed shaft comprises a three part lobed shaft, a first part having two lobed wheels, a central second part having the pinion gear and the third part comprises two lobed wheels.

In a still further embodiment of this further aspect the lobed shaft comprises a three part lobed shaft, a first part having one lobed wheel, a central second part having the pinion gear and the third part having one lobed wheel.

In yet a further embodiment of this further aspect a three part lobed shaft is formed when the three parts are interengaged with complementary means for ensuring a predetermined axial alignment of the lobes of the wheels on each part as well as the pinion gear when the parts are joined together. Preferably, the means of joining the three parts together comprises a pair of bolts or the like having a head end and a threaded end whereby the head end of one bolt contacts a radial surface within a bore axially of respective first and third parts and the threaded end of the bolt engages a threaded portion of a bore within the central second part.

The advantages associated with the assemblies in accordance with the present invention are particularly applicable to the embodiment as shown in the drawing figures of the specification of International Patent Application PCT/AU89/00275 when expanded to form a, say, twin bank radial cylinder machine.

Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded, partially fragmented perspective view of the major operating components of a radial cylinder machine embodying the invention disclosed in International patent application No PCT/AU89/00275; Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of a twin bank rotary machine adapted to incorporate aspects of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a main shaft of a rotary machine in accord with a first embodiment; Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the manner of assembly of a twin bank machine employing the shaft of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a schematic representation similar to Fig. 4 but including three part lobed shafts depicting the manner in which they are assembled on the rotors conjointly with fitment of the rotors to the main shaft;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a three part lobed shaft in accord with an aspect of this invention; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the three parts of the lobed shaft of Fig. 6 showing the manner in which those three parts are accurately mated;

Fig. 8 is a plan view similar to Fig. 4 but showing an alternative construction for the main shaft;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through a rotary machine in accordance with the present invention incorporating a main shaft of the form of Fig. 3 and lobed shafts of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a single bank rotary machine similar to Fig. 8; and

Fig. 11 is a schematic plan view of a twin bank rotary machine based on the embodiment of Fig. 10. Description of the Preferred Embodiments The rotary machine of Fig. 1, whether it be a compressor or engine, is as described in the specification of International patent application PCT/AU89/00275 and the description thereof is incorporated herein by reference. The reference numerals in Fig. 1 correspond to those of Fig. 1 of PCT/AU89/00275 and associated description. Fig. 2 depicts a twin bank radial cylinder rotary machine 30 comprising banks 31 and 32. A ring gear 33 similar to ring gear 11 of Fig. 1 is interposed between banks 31 and 32 while end covers 34 effectively seal the end faces of the rotary machine and provide bearing supports for main shaft 36.

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of a main shaft 36 adapted to be employed in the embodiment of Fig. 2. Main shaft 36 comprises a central spacer 37 such that the shaft 36 and spacer 37 are formed integrally as by, say, machining or forging of shaft 36. If a single-bank radial machine is to be produced using the main shaft of Fig. 3, then spacer 37 can be dimensioned to separate one pair of rotors so that the rotors are spaced apart to mount a plurality of lobed shafts therebetween. Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view depicting the fitting of four rotors 38 onto the shaft of Fig. 3 by also fitting removable spacers 39 equivalent to spacer 37. Spacers 39 function to accurately separate pairs of rotors 38 to accord with the longitudinal spacing of the lobes on the lobed shafts 40 as depicted in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

Fig. 5 is identical to Fig. 4 with the addition of exploded examples of lobed shafts 40 and 40' which are assembled together into single shafts in the manner shown in Fig. 6 as ne rotors 38 and spacer 39 are assembled onto shaft 3D.

As can be seen from Figs 6 and 7 lobed shaft 40 comprises identical end parts 41 and a central part 42. Each end part 41 comprises a pair of lobed wheels or discs 43 while central part 42 is integrally formed with pinion gear 44 which is adapted to roll around the ring gear positioned centrally of the twin bank machine of Fig. 2 in similar manner to the interaction between gears 10 and 11 in Fig. 1.

Turning now to Fig. 8 which shows a plan view of an alternate main shaft 50 to that of shaft 36 shown in Fig. 3 the shaft 50 is of a split form comprising two mirror image halves 51, 52, each of which are formed as a unitary item and incorporate a respective rotor 53.

As can be seen from Fig. 8, the two halves 51, 52 can be bolted together via a bolt to fit within bores 54 and 55 with a spacer (not shown) situated between rotors 53 to provide a unitary main shaft 50. The manner of fitment of spacers can be seen in Figs. 10 and 11.

To form a single-bank machine, the spacer (not shown) between rotors 53 is dimensioned to accord with lobed shafts mounted between rotors 53.

To form a multi-bank machine, additional rotors 56 are adapted to be bolted onto respective halves 51 and 52 prior to the joining together of those two halves, with unitary lobed shafts and respective pinion gears rotationally mounted between rotor pairs 53,56 of each half shaft 51,52. The rotors 56 being mounted to respective halves via bolts fitted within bores 57, 58 with the threaded end of each bolt (not shown) threading into drilled and tapped bores 59, 60 respectively, only one of which is shown on each half 51, 52 and in rotors 56.

The sectional view of Fig. 9 relates back to the arrangement in accord with Fig. 5 while also including pistons 70, the underside of which contacts lobed wheels 43. Only two pistons are shown in Fig. 9 with the other two of this section being omitted for clarity.

It will be understood that the drawing Figures essentially provide schematic representations of the structures involved in embodiments of this invention. In the embodiment of Fig. 10 the rotors 80 are held apart by spacer 81 and a through bolt 82 holds rotors 80 against each of opposite axial ends 83 of spacer 81. Locating means (not shown) may be provided between rotors 80 and their respective axial ends 83 of spacer 81 to restrain rotors 80 from rotational slippage relative to each other against the axial ends 83.

Fig. 11 shows a twin bank version of the machine of Fig. 10 with like parts denoted by the same reference numerals. In the case of the embodiments of Figs. 10 and 11 there is no need to use separable lobed shafts as shown in Fig. 6 as each lobed shaft can be independently mounted between each of its respective pair of rotors 80.

By providing profiles to the lobed wheels as depicted in Fig. 7 the present invention has been able to achieve a piston stroke of approximately 6mm thereby providing a very oversquare design of the piston cylinder combination where the bore of the cylinder is, by way of example 50mm. This highly oversquare arrangement has lead to a marked reduction in piston speed down to about 90 feet per minute as compared with existing internal combustion engine technology where piston speeds are of the order of 600 feet per minute thereby ameliorating friction effects, It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A radial cylinder machine having a main rotary shaft comprising at least a pair of rotors, said rotors being adapted to carry a plurality of lobed shafts parallel to the main shaft, said lobed shafts being rotatable about respective secondary axes parallel to the axis of the main shaft, said at least pair of rotors being spaced apart by spacing means and wherein assembly of the rotors occurs by relative movement of the rotors toward each other until held apart by the spacing means.

2. A radial cylinder machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least pair of rotors are located on longitudinally separable parts.

3. A radial cylinder machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least pair of rotors are slidably fitted on the main shaft.

4. A radial cylinder machine as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each rotor other than the at least pair of rotors is mounted on the main shaft via removable spacing means interposed between each pair of rotors spaced axially outwardly from the at least pair of rotors.

5. A radial cylinder machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each rotor is formed as a unitary component.

6. A lobed shaft for use in a radial piston-cylinder machine as a means for transmitting force between the cylinder and a main shaft wherein each lobed shaft comprises at least one lobed wheel and a pinion gear.

7. A lobed shaft for use in a radial piston-cylinder machine, wherein lobes on said shaft are adapted to define the extent of radial motion of each piston within its respective cylinder, said shaft being formed from at least two axially separable parts wherein one of said parts comprises a pinion gear.

8. A lobed shaft as claimed in claim 7 comprising three axially separable parts wherein the middle part is formed with said pinion gear and each of the other parts comprises at least one lobed wheel.

9. A lobed shaft as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein one of the other parts comprises two lobed wheels.

10. A lobed shaft as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein both of the other parts comprises two lobed wheels.

11. A lobed shaft as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein adjacent axially separable parts are interengaged via complementary means for ensuring a predetermined axial alignment between lobes and the pinion gear.

12. A lobed shaft as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the axially separable parts are joined together by bolts coaxial with said shaft.

13. A radial cylinder machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a plurality of lobed shafts as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 11.