WO2011113095A1

WO2011113095A1 - A twin rotor pump, motor and/or drive assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2011113095A1
Application number: PCT/AU2011/000291
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Flenche
Original assignee: Exodus R & D Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-03-15
Filing date: 2011-03-15
Publication date: 2011-09-22
Also published as: ZA201207705B; EP2547870A4; AU2011229140A1; EP2547870A1; KR101781181B1; KR20130025879A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pump, motor and/or drive assembly and more particularly to such an embodiment which is able to provide an operatable continuously variable transmission which by virtue of its twin rotor arrangement can be of much smaller design and arrangement that one would expect from conventional operated continuously variable transmission pumps, motors and/or drives. The transmission is also adapted to transmit a torque demand from the assembly such that the torque demand on the drive for the motor or pump is substantially constant.

Description

A TWIN ROTOR PUMP, MOTOR AND/OR DRIVE ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a pump, motor and/or drive assembly and more particularly to such an embodiment which is able to provide an operatable continuously variable transmission which by virtue of its twin rotor arrangement can be of much smaller design and arrangement that one would expect from conventional operated continuously variable transmission pumps, motors and/or drives. The transmission will also be adapted to transmit a torque demand from the assembly such that the torque demand on the drive for the motor or pump is substantially constant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need in various industries including the automotive industry for an improved continuously variable transmission pump, motor and/or drive. In particular, there is a need for smaller designs and arrangements of such assemblies and for such assemblies to be capable of providing substantially constant torque demand throughout an operating cycle.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems or to provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly in one form of the invention there is provided a twin rotor pump, motor and/or drive assembly adapted for transforming rotary motion into translatory movement, compression and/or neutrality, said assembly including; a main housing block supporting a main drive shaft rotatably mounted therein said housing block; a pair of eccentric rotors longitudinally spaced about said main drive shaft, such that each eccentric rotor is rotatably mounted to said main drive shaft so that upon rotation of said main drive shaft these eccentric rotors extend in opposing directions relative to the other eccentric rotor; wherein said pair of eccentric rotors are configured to provide for eccentric paths opening into an enclosed chamber of two definable portions wherein each portion is in communication with a corresponding eccentric rotor, said enclosed chamber in operable association with an inlet means defined in said housing block for communicating fluid therein and an outlet means defined in said housing block for communicating fluid there out through said assembly; a valve mechanism providing variable transmission of said pump, motor and/or drive assembly by controlling the inlet and outlet means communication of fluid in and out of said assembly, wherein the valve mechanism providing variable transmission includes a rocker member having means to translate the reciprocating opposed pair of eccentric rotors extension/retraction placement to an opening and/or closing of the, or each, outlet and/or inlet, so that the eccentric relationship of the configured paths of the eccentric rotors within the enclosed chamber of each of the portions said enclosed chamber, provides a pressurised passage between said inlet and/or outlet means to allow for communication of fluid therethrough the assembly so as to provide continuous and variable transmission operation functionality to said pump, motor and/or drive assembly. In preference the twin rotor pump, motor and/or drive assembly further includes a rotary valve that provides independent neutral fluid communication control between the inlet and outlet means of the main housing block of the assembly such that variable transmission can see the assembly acting continuously for maintained torque in both forward and reverse configurations as well as neutrality when the rotatable motion of the main drive shaft is not translated onto pressurised movement of the pump, motor and/or drive arrangement.

In preference the valve mechanism that includes the rocker member which is working in conjunction with both the inlet and outlet means of the main housing block to control or allow the communication of fluid therethrough said arrangement via the enclosed chamber and partitions portions thereof to which therein contained are the two eccentric rotors configured with their eccentric paths to provide the pressurised passage, would include two rods wherein one end of the rod would rest upon the circumferential or eccentrical peripheral edge of each of the eccentric rotor allowing this rod to be extended upwards and downwards in a relative direction opposite to that of the corresponding rod resting upon the

circumferential or eccentric edge of said other eccentric rotor to provide for what one may be considered a see-sawing imparting reciprocating movement upon the rocker where the eccentrically displaced rods are supported by the rocker member to which said rocker member itself is also then supported about the centre of rotation radially around said main drive shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is what could best be described as a schematic representation of an exploded view of the main components and features that make up the twin rotor pump, motor and/or drive assembly in a preferred embodiment of the invention. The purpose of Figure 1 is to present almost a part listing of features that should be included in order to design the relevant twin rotor pump, motor and/or drive assembly of this invention but it is to be expected that as the person skilled in the art will appreciate that there will be other componentry that will need to fit and house these features in a true working embodiment, but it can be pointed out at this stage that such additional features will only be complementary and can be provided for by numerous technical equivalents as they do not essentially contribute to the overall workings of this invention.

Figures 2(a) and 2(b) are schematic exploded and side views providing illustrative support for the opposing eccentric relationship of the two eccentric rotors which are longitudinally spaced about the main drive shaft and to which the configured eccentric paths provide pressurized passage giving the pumping, motoring or driving functionality in combination with the two portions of the enclosed chamber and the relative inlet and outlet mechanisms illustrated and discussed further in connection with Figures 5(a) and 5(b).

Figures 3(a) and 3(b) show a perspective view and side view of the components in the assembly associated with the twin eccentric rotors and the rocker member which is providing the valve mechanism in conjunction with the inlet and outlet valves along with the interaction of the pressurized path provided for within the two portions of the enclosed chamber during the reciprocated upward and downward movement of the opposing eccentric rotors.

Figures 4(a) and 4(b) provide a perspective view and also a cross-sectional view illustratively supporting the features associated with the partitions support for the eccentric rotors that are rotatably supported on opposing sides of the partition upon the main drive shaft as well as information of the inner housing which is able to also shoulder or rotatably support bearing units illustrated in Figure 1.

Figures 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) show the perspective, side and front views of a preferred embodiment of the twin rotor pump, motor and/or drive assembly of this invention including the unique use of the rotary valve which also provides independent neutrality when the rotary motion of the main drive shaft is not required to be translated to movement or compression of the relevant pump and/or motor.

Figures 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c) are perspective, side and front views of the rotary valve illustrated and described in functionality in Figures 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the embodiments and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

Referring to the drawings now in greater detail where there is provided a twin rotor pump, motor and/or drive assembly 10 that includes a main drivable shaft 12 which as best seen in Figures 2(a) and 3(a) has had its peripheral circumferential edge shouldered off to provide what one could describe as a generally rectangular and circularised combined shape which is then able to comfortably accept each of the eccentric twin rotors 14 which will be rotatable with said main drive shaft 12.

Figure 1 also clearly illustrates bearing units 16 which will support the main drive shaft 12 for arguably the most part frictionless rotatable movement wherein the bearing units 16 themselves will rest inside circular enclosures 18 which are then enclosed inside a main housing unit 20 which would then be incorporated into a general housing block (not shown) when the assembly is constructed for application.

Also illustrated in Figure 1 is a partition member 22 which will be discussed in greater detail when a review of Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are introduced hereafter. It will become apparent that when all the components are assembled, the main housing unit 20 will be located at the centre of the shaft and will enclose the bearing units, circular enclosures 18, the twin rotors 14, and the partition member 22. Each circular enclosure 18 includes a cutaway shoulder 23 along a top edge thereof for accommodating the upright portion of the partition member 22 and for also defining an opening into inlet and outlet chambers thereabove, as shall be described in more detail below. A rocker member 24 which is in a see-saw communication with rods 26 wherein rods 26 will rest upon the circumferential or eccentric edge of each of the eccentric rotors 14 as also illustrated in Figure 1. This rocker member as well as the overall valve mechanism for continually controlling the inletting and outletting of communicatable fluid through the assembly to provide the necessary pump, motor and/or drive functionality will be discussed in greater detail hereafter particularly in relation to Figures 3(a), 3(b), 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c).

Figures 2(a) and 2(b) provide views that enable the person skilled in the art to appreciate that each of the eccentric rotors 14 are offset so that upon rotation of the main drive shaft 12 what is provided for arguably is almost like a pedal effect whereby one eccentric motor will be extended upwards and the opposing eccentric rotor extending or pushing downwards. As will be discussed in greater detail particularly in relation to Figures 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) this offsetting of the eccentric rotors one with respect to the other longitudinally about the main drive shaft means that it is possible then to configure differing eccentric paths. These paths being in communication with inlet and outlet means of the assembly, in conjunction with the actual interaction of each of the eccentric rotors with the corresponding portion within the enclosed chamber best seen generally as numbers 28 and 30, means that a pressurized pathway can be provided for fluid to be communicated in either direction throughout the assembly. Then, as to be discussed in greater detail in relation to Figures 5(a), 5(b), 5(c) and Figures 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c), the use of a rotary valve 32 will also provide almost a free-wheeling effect to disengage the rotatory motion so there is no translatory movement from the assembly into a pumping, motoring or compression action.

Figure 2(a) also provides good illustrative description where one can see the almost rectangular cylindricalisation of the main drive shaft to provide for the flat shoulders to enable the eccentric rotors 14 to be slid on then to be fixably mounted upon the main drive shaft 12.

Dimensional arrows 34 and 36 in Figure 2(a) illustratively provide viewing to see that the eccentric rotors are in fact offset relative to the main axial rotation of the main drive shaft 12 and so as is to be appreciated once the main drive shaft moves into rotation and given the opposing eccentric rotor has been placed about the main drive shaft in an opposite configuration, during each cycle there will always be one eccentric rotor in an extended arguably upward configuration with the other eccentric rotor being displaced in what one would describe best as downward displacement.

The person skilled in the art may present such upward and downward displacement of the eccentric rotors 14 to be comparable to an effect of the pedal action on a conventional bicycle wherein during the rotation of the main axial shaft in this instance has been described as the main drive shaft 12, when one pedal is in the upper most position the corresponding or other pedal would then be in its extreme downward placement or configuration.

Figures 2(a) and 2(b) also introduce or provide illustrations of mechanical clips 38 which are able to fit along or within grooves of the main drive shaft 12 so that once the bearing units 16 are positioned with the eccentric rotors 14 and comfortably housed in the circular enclosures 18 they can be then clipped in place to stop any lateral movement along the main drive shaft 12.

Figures 2(a) and 2(b) also provide an opportunity to understand how the configured eccentric paths of each of the eccentric rotor and the portions of the enclosed chamber inter-relate.

As the main drive shaft 12 rotates extending each of the respective eccentric rotors 14 either up or down, a spacing is created against the inner wall of the circular enclosures 18, or either a reduction of spacing thereby constructing a pressurized passage as introduced above which controls the communication of fluid through the assembly.

Figures 3(a) and 3(b) assist in an understanding of how the rocker 24 mechanism works in conjunction with the extended and retracting placement of the eccentric rotor up and down within the defined eccentric path inside a corresponding portion of the enclosed chamber.

Rods 26 rest upon the circumferential or peripheral edge of each of the eccentric rotors and they engage the rocker member 24. As can be appreciated, as the main drive shaft 12 rotates it will either extend or retract a respective rod 26. What can be observed is a see-sawing rocking effect upon the rocker member 24. The rocker member 24 itself is able to be kept and held in place by virtue of the partition member shown generally as 22 and best seen in Figures 4(a) and 4(b). A pin 40 extends through and rotatably supports the rocker member 24 and is itself then rotatably supported and enclosed within the elongated slot 42 of the partition member .

Figures 4(a) and 4(b) also provide illustrations of the inner housing or support arrangement within the housing block of the assembly wherein the shouldered circular enclosures 18 are able to support the bearing units 16 shown in Figure 1, but excluded from Figures 4(a) and 4(b) for clarity, and a greater understanding as to how they will be supported inside this inner housing unit or support.

Figures 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) provide illustrations which can in a sense provide a summary as to how this twin rotor pump, motor and/or drive assembly 10 operates in order to provide continuous variable transmission for transforming rotating motion into translatory movement. The skilled addressee will realize that such movement can be used also for compression and/or the neutrality if in fact the drive effect of the rotating main drive shaft is not required at certain intervals to be translated into its function or application for a pump, motor and/or drive assembly mechanism.

Generally in summary the two eccentric motors 14 and the main drive shaft 12 are configured such that a rotation of the main drive shaft will see extended or retracted movement of one eccentric rotor relative to the other which translates to a see-sawing effect upon the rocker member 24 by virtue of the fact that rods 26 follow the circumferential edge or peripheral shoulder of the eccentric rotors. As explained precedingly, each of the eccentric rotors 14 move in opposite vertical directions very similar to a situation one would experience from the peddling effect on a conventional bicycle. Rocker member 24 is adapted to hold rod 26 in its retractable extendible configured effect upon the respective eccentric rotor. The partition member 22 along with the circular enclosures 18 best seen in Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are able to maintain the eccentric rotors inside the enclosed chamber which is made up of two communicating portions 44 and 46, so that entry of fluid, for example air, water, fuel, oil and so forth, is able to enter through an inlet means shown generally at 48 and exit via an outlet means shown generally as 50 via the "rotor chambers" defined by the enclosures 18. Each chamber portion 44 and 46 effectively includes an opening at the bottom to each of the rotor chambers on either side of the partition member 22.

Concentrating firstly on the inlet chamber portion 44, when a first rotor moves towards the top position the second rotor which is moving down effectively draws fluid from the inlet means 48 into the second rotor chamber, the necessary pressure being provided by the upward position of the first rotor.

Simultaneously, in the outlet chamber portion 44, fluid present in the second rotor chamber is pushed up through to the exit chamber portion 46 and out through outlet means 50 whilst the upward position of the first rotor maintains necessary pressure inside the exit chamber portion 46. When the first rotor moves to the bottom position and the second rotor to the upper position, the same transfer of fluid from inlet to outlet occurs except through the opposite rotor chamber.

Structural support 52, which defines the chamber portions 44 and 46 and which also accommodates and secures therebetween the partition member 22, forms part of the main housing block. It is also this support 52 which rotatably supports the rotary valve 32 which can be viewed as a means of almost disengaging the effect of the rotation of the main drive shaft 12 so that any rotating motion of the drive shaft is then not translated into movement or compression upon the main pump, motor and/or drive assembly.

The introduction of the rotary valve 32 and control holes or channels 54 allows for neutrality or effectively disengaging or free-wheeling of the driven main drift shaft as an operating pump, motor and/or compressor to its external application. The skilled addressee would realize that the valve can be rotated until the control holes 54 become at least partially or fully coaxial with corresponding structural support holes 56 exteding between the two chamber portions 44 and 46. Tab 58 as seen in Figures 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c) simply provides a visual means in which a user could rotate the rotary valve into the required position to place the assembly into a neutral configuration.

Entry of fluid in the enclosed chamber is available for both portions 44 and 46. These portions of the enclosed chamber are configured to provide the same interchangeability to allow inlets to become outlets and outlets to become inlets as required. Therefore as can be appreciated this twin eccentric rotor has the ability to provide full continuous variable transmission wherein inlets become outlets and outlets become inlets determinable only on the direction of rotation of the main drive shaft 12.

Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

In any claims that follow and in the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

An assembly for transforming rotary motion into translatory movement, compression and/or neutrality, said assembly including;

a main housing block supporting a main drive shaft rotatably mounted therein said housing block; a pair of eccentric rotors longitudinally spaced about said main drive shaft, such that each eccentric rotor is rotatably mounted to said main drive shaft so that upon rotation of said main drive shaft these eccentric rotors extend in opposing directions relative to the other eccentric rotor;

wherein said pair of eccentric rotors are configured to provide for eccentric paths opening into an enclosed chamber of two definable portions wherein each portion is in communication with a corresponding eccentric rotor, said enclosed chamber in operable association with an inlet means defined in said housing block for communicating fluid therein and an outlet means defined in said housing block for communicating fluid there out through said assembly;

a valve mechanism providing variable transmission of said pump, motor and/or drive assembly by controlling the inlet and outlet means communication of fluid in and out of said assembly.

An assembly as characterised in claim 1 wherein the valve mechanism includes a rocker member having means to translate the reciprocating opposed pair of eccentric rotors

extension/retraction placement to an opening and/or closing of the, or each, outlet and/or inlet, so that the eccentric relationship of the configured paths of the eccentric rotors within the enclosed chamber of each of the portions of said enclosed chamber, provides a pressurised passage between said inlet and/or outlet means to allow for communication of fluid through the assembly so as to provide continuous and variable transmission operation functionality to said pump, motor and/or drive assembly.

An assembly as characterised in any one of claims 1 -3 wherein the valve mechanism includes two rods wherein one end of the rod would rest upon the circumferential or eccentrical peripheral edge of each of the eccentric rotor allowing this rod to be extended upwards and downwards in a relative direction opposite to that of the corresponding rod resting upon the circumferential or eccentric edge of said other eccentric rotor to provide for what one may be considered a seesawing imparting reciprocating movement upon the rocker where the eccentrically displaced rods are supported by the rocker member to which said rocker member itself is also then supported about the centre of rotation radially around said main drive shaft.

4. An assembly as characterised in any one of the above claims further including a rotary valve that provides independent neutral fluid communication control between the inlet and outlet means of the main housing block of the assembly such that variable transmission can see the assembly acting continuously for maintained torque in both forward and reverse configurations as well as neutrality when the rotatable motion of the main drive shaft is not translated onto pressurised movement of the pump, motor and/or drive arrangement.

5. A pump including an assembly as defined in any one of claims 1-4.

6. A motor including an assembly as defined in any one of claims 1-4.

7. A drive assembly including an assembly as defined in any one of claims 1-4.