WO1999019606A1

WO1999019606A1 - A fluid transmission apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1999019606A1
Application number: PCT/AU1998/000848
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gregory Charles Staniforth-Smith
Original assignee: Staniforth Smith Gregory Charl
Priority date: 1997-10-15
Filing date: 1998-10-15
Publication date: 1999-04-22
Also published as: AUPO981297A0

Abstract

A fluid transmission apparatus (10, 110, 200) including an axially rotatable member (12, 114, 201) and a stationary member (14, 112, 205). The apparatus includes fluid inlets (16, 116, 206) and fluid outlets (18, 118, 207) and associated axially rotatable fluid flow interrupters (24, 124, 202). In use fluid flows from each inlet to the corresponding outlet whilst the rotatable member rotates relative to the stationary member. Vanes (22, 122, 204) are provided to form seals in chambers (36, 136, 209) for efficient transmission of fluid. The fluid transmission apparatus (10, 110, 200) may be configured to act as a pump or as a motor. The apparatus has other uses such as a fluid motor or flow control unit.

Description

TITLE

"A FLUID TRANSMISSION APPARATUS"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a fluid transmission apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a fluid transmission apparatus characterised by including an inner member and an outer member, the inner member and the outer member being relatively rotatable, the apparatus further including a fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means, means interconnecting the fluid inlet means and the fluid outlet means, means for inducing fluid flow from the fluid inlet means to the fluid outlet means whilst the inner and outer members are relatively rotated, and axially rotatable fluid flow interrupter means being provided for preventing fluid flow around the entire apparatus.

Preferably, one of the inner member and the outer member is stationary whilst the other member is axially rotatable.

The fluid transmission apparatus of the present invention can be utilised for many purposes, such as, for example, as a pump, a motor, a fluid meter or a flow control unit. The fluid may be a liquid, a gas or any other flowable medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is an end view of a fluid transmission apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a manifold of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a rotary flow interrupter of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a power section of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an exploded, perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an end view of a fluid transmission apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a power section of the apparatus of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a rotary flow interrupter of the apparatus of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a manifold of the apparatus of Figure 7;

Figure 11 is an exploded view of the apparatus of Figure 7;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 7;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a part of a fluid transmission apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 14 is a rear view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention of Figure 13 with the back sliced off the manifold;

Figure 15 is a sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 14; and

Figure 16 is an exploded view of the fluid transmission apparatus of Figure 14 including the apparatus of Figure 13. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a fluid transmission apparatus 10 in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention in which an annulus wheel 12 is arranged to rotate axially around a stationary inner manifold member 14. In the apparatus of Figures 1 to 6 the annulus wheel 12 is arranged to rotate in a clockwise manner.

The annulus wheel 12 forms a power section. The manifold 14 includes a pair of opposed inlets 32 and a pair of opposed outlets 18.

Further, the annulus wheel 12 is formed on an internal face thereof with inwardly projecting longitudinally extending gear teeth 20 and, at regular intervals, with inwardly directed vanes 22.

Further, mounted within the apparatus 10 is a pair of opposed, axially rotatable, generally cylindrical planetary wheels 24. The planetary wheels 24 are housed in longitudinally extending recesses 25 of the manifold 14. Each recess 25 forms a connecting chamber around a respective planetary wheel 24.

Each planetary wheel 24 is mounted on a stationary axis 26. Further, each planetary wheel 24 has an outer curved surface which is formed with a pair of opposed slots 28 arranged to mesh with the vanes 22. Between the slots 28 the curved surfaces are formed with gear teeth 30 arranged to mesh with the gear teeth 20.

Each inlet 32 is in communication with an inlet chamber 16 in the manifold 14 whilst each outlet 18 is in communication with an outlet chamber 34 in the manifold 14. Further, a respective connecting chamber 36 extends from each inlet chamber 16 to the corresponding outlet chamber 34.

In use, fluid flows into each inlet chamber 16 and then each inlet 32 of the manifold 14.

The fluid then enters each connecting chamber 36 defined by the annulus wheel 12 and the manifold 14 between adjacent pairs of vanes 22. Where the apparatus 10 is a motor the fluid pushes against the adjacent vane 22 causing the annulus wheel 12 to rotate in a clockwise direction as shown in Figure 1. When the apparatus 10 is a pump the fluid is drawn into the inlet chamber 32 under suction by the action of the vanes 22. As shown, the apparatus 10 has a vane spacing such that each chamber 36 can accommodate at least two vanes 22 simultaneously to ensure efficient fluid flow.

The fluid in the connecting chamber 36 passes over the outer surface of the manifold 14. The fluid then enters an outlet 18. The following vane 22 forces the fluid from the outlet chamber 34 into the corresponding outlet 18.

Further, in addition to the fluid flow from an inlet 16 to an outlet 18 there is an additional flow from an inlet 16 in the reverse directions around each planetary wheel 24. The fluid which flows in this direction imparts drive to the planetary wheel 24 by means of the gear teeth 30 acting as vanes in the recesses 25. The fluid which imparts drive to the planetary wheel 24 exits from the apparatus via the other outlet 18.

In Figures 7 to 12 there is shown a fluid transmission apparatus 110 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention in which an outer annular manifold 112 is stationary and an inner power section in the form of a sun wheel 114 is axially rotatable.

In the apparatus 110 of Figures 7 to 12, the sun wheel 1 14 is arranged to rotate clockwise as shown in Figure 7.

The manifold 112 includes a pair of opposed inlet chambers 116 and a pair of opposed outlet chambers 118.

Further, the sun wheel 114 is formed on an external curved surface thereof with outwardly projecting longitudinally extending gear teeth 120 and, at regular intervals, with outwardly directed vanes 122 spaced in similar manner to the vanes of Figures 1 Further, mounted within the apparatus 110 is a pair of opposed axially rotatable, generally cylindrical planetary wheels 124. The planetary wheels 124 are housed in longitudinally extending recesses 125 in the manifold 112. Each recess 128 forms a connecting chamber around a respective planetary wheel 24.

Each planetary wheel 124 is mounted on a stationary axis 126. Further, each planetary wheel 124 has an outer curved surface which is formed with a pair of opposed longitudinally extending slots 128 arranged to mesh with the vanes 122. Between the slots 128 the curved surface is formed with gear teeth 130.

Each inlet 132 is in communication with an inlet chamber 116 in the manifold 112 whilst each outlet 134 in the manifold is in communication with an outlet chamber 118. Further, a respective, connecting chamber 136 extends from each inlet chamber 132 to the corresponding outlet chamber 118.

In use, fluid flows into each inlet chamber 116 in the manifold 112 and then each inlet 132.

The fluid then enters each connecting chamber 136 defined by the manifold 112 and the sun wheel 114 between adjacent pairs of vanes 122.

Where the apparatus 1 10 is a motor the fluid pushes against the adjacent vane 122 causing the sun wheel 114 to rotate in a clockwise direction as seen in Figure 7. When the apparatus 110 is a pump the fluid is drawn into the inlet 116 under suction by the action of the vanes 122. As shown, the apparatus 10 has a vane spring such that each chamber 136 can accommodate at least two vanes 122 simultaneously to ensure efficient fluid flow.

The fluid in each connecting chamber 136 passes over the inner surface of the manifold 112. The fluid then enters an outlet 134. The following vane 122 forces the fluid from the outlet chamber 134 into the corresponding outlet chamber 118. Further, in addition to the fluid flow from an inlet 116 to an outlet 118 there is an additional flow from an inlet 116 in the reverse direction around each planetary wheel 124 The fluid which flows in this direction imparts drive to the planetary wheel 124 by means of the teeth 130 and acting as vanes in the recess 125 The fluid which imparts drive to the planetary wheel 124 exits from the apparatus via the other outlet 118

In Figures 13 to 16 of the accompanying drawings, is shown a third transmission apparatus 200 in accordance with a third aspect of the present invention in which the sun wheel 201 is arranged to rotate axially about an axis 210 The sun wheel 201 is mounted in a space 209 in a housing 205 shown in Figure 16

The sun wheel 201 is bevelled adjacent its periphery and is provided on a surface thereof with outwardly projecting radially extending gear teeth 204

Further, mounted within the housing 205 is a pair of opposed axially rotatable bevelled planetary wheels 202 The planetary wheels 202 are axially rotatable on respective axes 212 The planetary wheels 202 are housed in respective spaces 208 in the housing 205

Each planetary wheel 202 has a curved bevelled surface which is formed with gear teeth 203 The gear teeth 203 mesh with the gear teeth 204 of the sun wheel 201

The housing 205 includes fluid inlets 206 and fluid outlets 207

In use, fluid flows into each inlet 206 and the housing 205

The fluid then enters the region defined by the housing 205 and the sun wheel 201

When the apparatus 200 is a motor the fluid pushes against the gear teeth 204 causing the sun wheel 201 to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction as seen in Figure 18 When the apparatus 200 is a pump the fluid is drawn into the inlet 206 under suction by action of the gear teeth 204 The fluid then enters the corresponding outlet 207 It should be noted that in the embodiment of Figures 13 to 16 the gear teeth 204 on the sun wheel 201 are all of the same size and there are no teeth corresponding to the vanes of the first and second embodiments. However, this embodiment could also have vanes similar to those in the first and second embodiments.

In this embodiment of the present invention the gear teeth 204 act as vanes in the spaces 208.

It is to be understood that in the present invention the apparatus can contain one or more fluid flow interrupters. However, there is always one inlet chamber and one outlet chamber for each planetary wheel. The number of vanes may be varied but there may be at least two for each planetary wheel.

As shown in the drawings, the gear teeth may be spiralled in the rotatable members and the planetary wheels but this is not essential. However, the gear teeth profile is immaterial.

The vanes are designed to prevent passage of fluid by meshing of the vanes with the slots in the fluid flow interrupters. This also enables the vanes to pass the planetary wheels in use. Also, the vanes isolate fluid from both planetary wheels, in use, whilst in the chambers 36 and 136. Further, the vanes cause the fluid to pass from each inlet chamber to the corresponding outlet chamber. However, as will be described hereinafter the use of non-uniform size teeth such as the vanes is not essential for operation of the apparatus of the present invention.

The gear teeth can be any shape and the gear teeth can be dispensed with altogether. However, it is necessary to have some teeth which act as vanes. Also, the fluid flow interrupters can contain a single slot, two slots as shown in the drawings or a greater number of slots.

The fluid transmission apparatus of the present invention may be described as a positive displacement fluid transmission apparatus. Further, a number of configurations of the apparatus of the present invention may be incorporated in a single device if desired

Further, there is an additional performance effect brought about by the planetary wheels In addition to the flow from an inlet to the corresponding outlet, there is an additional flow from an inlet in the reverse direction around each planetary wheel The fluid which flows in this direction imparts drive to the planetary wheel by means of the gear teeth of the planetary wheel The fluid which flows around the planetary wheel and imparts drive thereto exits from the apparatus via the other outlet This applies to the apparatuses of Figure 1, Figure 7 and Figure 13 when operating as a pump

However, when the apparatus of the present invention functions as a motor the rotation of the sun wheel or the annulus wheel, leads to an increase in pressure at the junction between the sun wheel or the annulus wheel and the planetary wheels It is envisaged that contradictory rotational forces could decrease efficiency and inhibit operation as a motor This applies to the embodiments of Figure 1, Figure 7 and Figure 13

DEFINITIONS

In the present specification various terms have the following meanings

"annulus wheel" means an outside member which rotates as shown in Figure 1

"sun wheel" means a centrally positioned member which rotates as shown in Figure 7

"planetary wheel" means a rotating member located in a planetary position relative to an annulus wheel or a sun wheel Typically rotation of a planetary wheel is governed by rotation of an annular wheel or a sun wheel so that the planetary wheel rotates at a rate determined by the rate of rotation of the annulus wheel or sun wheel

"Vane" is a tooth member which performs a sealing function against fluid flow such as in the chamber 36 and 136 and around the planetary wheels Sometimes gear teeth double as vanes as in the embodiment of Figures 13 to 16 Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fluid transmission apparatus characterised by including an inner member and an outer member, the inner member and the outer member being relatively rotatable, the apparatus further including a fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means, means interconnecting the fluid inlet means and the fluid outlet means, means for inducing fluid flow from the fluid inlet means to the fluid outlet means whilst the inner and outer members are relatively rotated, and axially rotatable fluid flow interrupter means being provided for preventing fluid flow around the entire apparatus.

2. A fluid transmission apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the fluid flow interrupter means is in the form of a planetary wheel arranged to rotate in synchronism with the inner member and/or the outer member.

3. A fluid transmission apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that at least one planetary wheel is provided as a fluid flow interrupter, the or each planetary wheel being associated with a respective fluid inlet and a respective fluid outlet, and a respective chamber interconnects pairs of fluid inlets and outlets.

4. A fluid transmission apparatus according to claim 3, characterised in that one of the inner member and the outer member is stationary and the other member is rotatable.

5. A fluid transmission apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that the outer member is an axially rotatable annulus wheel extending around a stationary inner member.

6. A fluid transmission apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the annulus wheel has inwardly projecting spaced vanes arranged to provide a seal in the or each interconnecting chamber between each pair of fluid inlet and outlet.

7. A fluid transmission apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the spacing of the vanes is such that at least two vanes occupy the or each interconnecting chamber simultaneously.

8. A fluid transmission apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the annulus wheel is provided with inwardly projecting gear teeth between the vanes, which gear teeth engage with the planetary gear wheels and are less prominent than the vanes.

9. A fluid transmission apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that the inner member is an axially rotatable sun wheel having a stationary outer member extending therearound.

10. A fluid transmission apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that the sun wheel has outwardly projecting spaced vanes arranged to provide a seal in the or each interconnecting chamber between each pair of fluid inlet and outlet.

11. A fluid transmission apparatus according to claim 10, characterised in that the spacing of the vanes is such that at least two vanes occupy the or each interconnecting chamber simultaneously.

12. A fluid transmission apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the sun wheel is provided with outwardly projecting gear teeth between the vanes, which gear teeth engage with the planetary gear wheels and are less prominent than the vanes.

13. A fluid transmission apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that the inner member is in the form of a bevelled gear sun wheel.

14. A fluid transmission apparatus according to claim 13, characterised in that the bevelled gear sun wheel is in engagement with one or more bevelled planetary gear wheels which are flow interrupters.

15. A fluid transmission apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the bevelled gear sun wheel has a plurality of gear teeth of the same height which also act as vanes.

16. A fluid transmission apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is a positive displacement apparatus.

17. A fluid transmission apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the apparatus is configured to act as a pump.

18. A fluid transmission apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the apparatus is configured to act as a motor.