Abstract:
The present invention relates to a rotary motor, comprising a plurality of vanes, wherein each of the vanes is split into two subvanes, one or more elastic members, wherein the elastic member is configured to push each of the subvanes foil ling a vane toward an end plate to form a seal between the subvane and the end plate; an inner rotary member housing the plurality of vanes projecting from a central rotation axis of the inner rotor; a lobe member encompassing the inner rotary member and the plurality of vanes; a plurality of chambers wherein each of the chambers is encompassed by an inner surface of the lobe member and an outer surface of the inner rotary member; and one or more end plates to enclose the plurality of vanes, the inner rotary member, the lobe member and the plurality of chambers.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a rotary power motor, particularly to a rotary vane power motor and the manufacturing method thereof. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A conventional hydraulic rotary motor is typically manufactured in a way that vanes project from a rotor and rotate about a central axis of rotation. The motor includes housing where the vanes and the housing define a plurality of chambers. The motor typically has a single inlet for a working medium to enter the plurality of chambers and a single outlet for the working medium to exit the plurality of chambers where the torque to rotate the rotor is limited by the single pair of inlet and outlet. 
         [0003]    The rotor in the conventional hydraulic rotary motor is designed to move in directions perpendicular to the central axis of rotation. A volume of each of the chambers in relation to an angular position of the chamber varies as the rotor moves in directions perpendicular to the central rotation axis during rotation of the rotor. In particular, the volume of a chamber is at its minimum and the pressure of the working medium in the chamber is at maximum as the chamber rotates past the inlet. The volume of the chamber increases and the pressure in the chamber decreases as the chamber approaches the outlet. Such a movable rotor induces uneven pressure loading and thus a severe side load to a shaft supporting the rotor. Additionally, the torque acting on each vane is not consistent during rotation of the rotor. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a motor that addresses some of the issues described above. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect, there is provided a rotary motor, the rotary motor including: a plurality of vanes, wherein each of the vanes is split into two subvanes; an inner rotary member housing the plurality of vanes projecting from a central rotation axis of the inner rotary member; a lobe member encompassing the inner rotary member and the plurality of vanes; a plurality of chambers wherein each of the chambers is encompassed by an inner surface of the lobe member and an outer surface of the inner rotary member; and one or more end plates to enclose the plurality of vanes, the inner rotary member, the lobe member and the plurality of chambers. Optionally, the rotary motor may further include one or more elastic members. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, in the rotary motor, each of the plurality of vanes includes an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is placed within each vane. In another embodiment, in the rotary motor, each subvane includes an offset slot, wherein an inner surface of the offset slot in each of the subvanes forming a vane is in contact with an end of the elastic member, wherein the elastic member is configured to push each of the subvanes of the vane toward an end plate to form a seal between the subvane and the end plate, and wherein the elastic member includes a spring. In still another embodiment, in the rotary motor, a side of each subvane is rounded, wherein the rounded side of each subvane font&#39;s a contact with an inner circumferential surface of the lobe member. In still another embodiment, in the rotary motor, the inner rotary member includes a plurality of vane slots, wherein each of the vane slots houses a vane, wherein each of the vane slots includes an expansion member to augment an outwardly-acting centrifugal force acting on a vane during rotation of the inner rotary member, wherein each vane is positioned in a corresponding vane slot in a direction perpendicular to a central rotation axis of the inner rotary member, wherein a number of vanes is 8 or more, and wherein the expansion member includes a spring. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, there is provided a method for manufacturing a rotary motor, the method including: forming a plurality of vanes, wherein each of the vanes is split into two subvanes; placing the plurality of vanes in an outer circumferential surface of an inner rotary member, encompassing the plurality of vanes and the inner rotary member with a lobe member; encompassing the lobe member with an outer port member comprising an inlet port and an outlet port; and enclosing the plurality of vanes, the inner rotary member, and the lobe member with a plurality of end plates. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the method optionally includes faulting an offset slot in each of the subvanes of a vane; placing an elastic member in the offset slots of the vane; forming a contact between an inner surface of the offset slot in each of the subvanes of the vane with an end of the elastic member; configuring the vanes to form a seal between the vanes and the end plates; optionally configuring the elastic member to push each of the subvanes of the vane toward an end plate to form a seal between the subvane and the end plate and encompassing the plurality of vanes and the inner rotary member with the lobe member; placing each vane in a corresponding vane slot of the inner rotary member in a direction perpendicular to a central rotation axis of the inner rotary member; and covering and sealing sides of the outer port member, the lobe member, and the inner rotary member with a plurality of end plates. 
         [0009]    In still another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for use in a hydraulic torque system, the apparatus including: rotating means for housing a plurality of torque generating means, wherein each of the torque generating means is split into two subparts; elastic means for pushing each of the subparts of the torque generating means outwardly, wherein the elastic means is placed within the torque generating means; means for supplying a working medium to the rotating means; means for enclosing the means for supplying the working medium; and means for covering and sealing the means for supplying the working medium and the rotating means. 
         [0010]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain aspects of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0011]    In this respect, before explaining at least one aspect of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of aspects in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  depicts an exploded view of an exemplary rotary medium power motor according to the disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of the exemplary rotary medium power motor according to the disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of the multi lobe motor ring  30 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of a vane  40 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  depicts a top view of a vane  40  having a coil spring. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of the vane in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  depicts a top view of a vane  40  having a flat spring. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of the vane in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  depicts a perspective view of the multi lobe motor ring  30 , the plurality of vanes  40  and the inner rotor  50 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  depicts an end view of the multi lobe motor ring  30 , the plurality of vanes  40 , and the inner rotor  50 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  depicts a portion of an exemplary chamber  38 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a rotary power motor. Such devices in accordance with some embodiments of the invention provide that a plurality of inlets and outlets amplify the output torque of the motor, that any side load is absent or minimized, and that a faster and stronger rotational force is achieved compared to a conventional hydraulic motor having a single pair of inlet and outlet. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  depicts an exploded view of an exemplary rotary power motor according to the disclosure. The rotary power motor  100  may include one or more end plates  21 ,  22 , an outer port ring  10 , a multi lobe motor ring  30 , a plurality of vanes  40 , and an inner rotor  50 . Each of the plurality of vanes  40  may be housed in the corresponding vane slot  53  in the inner rotor  50 . The outer port ring  10  may include an inlet port  11  and an outlet port  12 . The outer port ring  10  may circumferentially enclose the multi lobe motor ring  30 . The multi lobe motor ring  30  may include an inlet flow groove  31  and an outlet flow groove  32  on an outer surface of the multi lobe motor ring  30 . The multi lobe motor ring  30  may circumferentially enclose the plurality of vanes  40  and the inner rotor  50 . The front and rear end plates  21 ,  22  may be placed on the sides of the plurality of vanes  40 , the inner rotor  50 , the multi lobe motor ring  30  and the outer port ring  10 . 
         [0025]    In one aspect, a working medium entering the inlet port  11  of the outer port ring  10  may be received by the inlet flow groove  31  on the outer circumferential surface of the multi lobe motor ring  30 . The working medium on the outlet flow groove  32  may be discharged by way of the outlet port  12 . The working medium entering the inlet port  11  may be pressurized. In some aspects, the working medium may include air, fluid, gas, or a combination thereof. In various aspects, a compression ratio of the working medium may be adjustable, depending on the desired speed of the motor  100 , the kind of the working medium, and the operating conditions of the motor  100 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of the exemplary rotary power motor according to the disclosure. The rotary power motor  100  may include a cylindrical housing  110  that includes the outer port ring  10  forming a circumferential surface of the cylindrical housing  110 . Each of front and rear end plates  21 ,  22  may be secured to a side of the outer port ring  10  to close the cylindrical housing  110  by a plurality of circumferentially spaced fastening members  23  such as nuts, screws, or the like. 
         [0027]    The rotary power motor  100  may further include a drive  60 . The drive  60  may pass through a central axis of the front and rear end plates,  21 ,  22  and the outer port ring  10 . In one aspect, the drive  60  may not move in a direction perpendicular to the central axis during operation of the motor  100 . 
         [0028]    The outer port ring  10  may include one or more inlet and outlet ports  11 ,  12 . In one aspect, the outer port ring  10  may include a single pair of inlet port  11  and outlet port  12  on a circumferential surface of the outer port ring  10 . A working medium may enter into the rotary power motor  100  by way of the inlet port  11  and may be discharged by way of the outlet port  12 . The outer port ring  10  may circumferentially enclose the multi lobe motor ring  30  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of the multi lobe motor ring  30 . An outer circumferential surface  33  of the multi lobe motor ring  30  may include one or more of pairs of inlet flow groove  31  and outlet flow groove  32 . The inlet flow groove  31  may be aligned with the inlet port  11  of the outer port ring  10  (see  FIG. 2 ) so that the inlet flow groove  31  can receive the working medium from the inlet port  11 . Similarly, the outlet flow groove  32  may be aligned with the outlet port  12  of the outer port ring  10  (see  FIG. 2 ) so that the medium flowing in the outlet flow groove  32  may be discharged by way of the outlet port  12 . 
         [0030]    The multi lobe motor ring  30  may include a plurality of lobes  36 . In one aspect, a number of the lobes  36  may be 2 or more, preferably, 8 or more. Each of the plurality of lobes  36  may include a pair of inlet  34  and outlet  35 . In one aspect, the inlet  34  and the outlet  35  in the pair may be positioned parallel to each other in a width direction of the multi lobe motor ring  30 . In some aspects, the inlet  34  and the outlet  35  in the pair may be aligned at an angle with respect to the width direction of the multi lobe motor ring  30 . The plurality of lobes  36  may be placed in an inner circumferential surface of the multi lobe motor ring  30 . In one aspect, the plurality of lobes  36  may be periodically spaced at equal distances along the inner circumferential surface of the multi lobe motor ring  36 . 
         [0031]    Each lobe of the plurality of lobes  36  may be positioned at a planar or convex position of the inner circumferential surface of the multi lobe motor ring  30  where a concave working chamber  38  may be formed between two adjacent lobes  36 . In one aspect, the inlets  34  at the plurality of lobes  36  may be aligned with the inlet flow groove  31  so that each of the inlets  34  can receive the working medium from the inlet flow groove  31  and introduce the working medium to the corresponding concave working chamber  38 . Similarly, the outlets  35  at the plurality of lobes  36  may be aligned with the outlet flow groove  32  so that the outlet flow groove  32  can receive the working medium exiting the concave working chambers  38  by way of the outlets  35 . Due to the continuous medium flow loop among the outer port ring  10 , the multi lobe motor ring  30 , and the chambers  38 , the rotary medium power motor  100  may produce higher torque compared to a conventional hydraulic motor. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of a vane  40 . The vane  40  may include one or more subvanes  41 ,  42 . In one aspect, the vane  40  may be split into a pair of subvanes, first  41  and second  42  subvanes where the pair of first  41  and second  42  subvanes can slide with respect to each other while remaining, in part, in contact with each other. In one aspect, the vane  40  may have a rectangular shape. A side end  441 ,  442  of each of the first  41  and second  42  subvanes may be rounded. The other side end of each of the first  41  and second  42  subvanes may have an angular shape. The round shapes  441 ,  442  of the vane  40  may be in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the multi lobe motor ring  30  (see  FIG. 1 ), thereby forming a seal between the vane  40  and the inner circumferential surface of the multi lobe motor ring  30  during rotation of the inner rotor  50  (see  FIG. 1 ). The round shapes  441 ,  442  of the vane  40  may reduce a frictional force between the vane  40  and the inner circumferential surface of the multi lobe motor ring  30  while enabling the vane  40  to maintain a contact with the inner circumferential surface of the multi lobe motor ring  30  during rotation of the inner rotor  50 . In some aspect, a number of vanes  40  may be larger than a number of lobes  36  to prevent bypass flow of the working medium. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  depicts a top view of a vane  40  having a coil spring and  FIG. 6  depicts the corresponding perspective view. Each of the first  41  and second  42  subvanes may include an offset slot  411 ,  422  in the interior of the subvane where an elastic member  430  can be placed in the offset slots  411 ,  422 . The elastic member  430  may include a spring. In some aspects, the elastic member  430  may include a coil spring, a flat spring or the like. While the first  41  and second  42  subvanes may remain, in part, in contact with each other, one end  431  of the coil spring  430  may be in contact with a surface of the offset slot  411  in the first subvane  41 , thereby pushing the end  451  of the first subvane  41  forward. Resultantly, the end  451  of the first subvane  41  may form a contact with an inner surface of the first end plate  21  (see  FIG. 1 ), thereby forming a seal between the vane  40  and the first end plate  21 . Similarly, the other end  432  of the coil spring  430  may be in contact with a surface of the offset slot  422  in the second subvane  42 , thereby pushing the end  452  of the second subvane  42  to the opposite direction to the forwarded first subvane  41 . Resultantly, the end  452  of the second subvane  42  may form a contact with an inner surface of the second end plate  22  (see  FIG. 1 ), thereby forming a seal between the vane  40  and the second end plate  22 . This type of split vane design may allow the vanes to force a seal to the end plates  21 ,  22  so that the motor  100  can work at much higher medium pressures compared to a conventional vane motor. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  depicts a top view of a vane  40  having a flat spring and  FIG. 8  depicts the corresponding perspective view where the flat spring  460  is placed in the offset slots  411 ,  422 . Similar to the coil spring  430  in  FIGS. 5-6 , while the first  41  and second  42  subvanes may remain, in part, in contact with each other, the end  451  of the first subvane  41  is pushed forward, thereby forming a seal between the first subvane  41  and the first end plate  21 . The end  452  of the second subvane  42  forms a seal between the second subvane  42  and the second end plate  22 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 9  depicts a perspective view of the multi lobe motor ring  30 , the plurality of vanes  40  and the inner rotor  50 . The multi lobe motor ring  30  may enclose the plurality of vanes  40  and the inner rotor  50 . The inner rotor  50  may include a plurality of vane slots  53  to house the plurality of vanes  40 . The plurality of the vane slots  53  may be circumferentially arranged at equal angular intervals in the outer surface of the inner rotor  50 . Each vane  40  may be positioned within the corresponding vane slot  53  in a direction perpendicular to a central rotation axis a 0  of the inner rotor  50 . During rotation of the inner rotor  50  about the central axis a 0  of the inner rotor  50 , fluid pressure may cause the vane  40  to slide outwardly so that the rounded sides  441 ,  442  of the vane  40  can be forced outside the vane slot  53  and form a contact with the inner circumferential surface of the multi lobe motor ring  30 . In one aspect, the vane slot  53  may not require an expansion member to push the vane  40  outwardly to have the vane  40  in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the multi lobe motor ring  30 . Alternatively, the vane slot  53  may include an expansion member to augment the outwardly-acting centrifugal force. The expansion member may include a spring, a compressed gas or any other suitable means to augment the outwardly-acting centrifugal force. 
         [0036]    The inner rotor  50  may include one or more sealing ridges  51 . The sealing ridge  51  may be placed between a side of the inner rotor  50  and the end plates  21 ,  22  (see  FIG. 1 ). The sealing ridge  51  may form a seal between the inner rotor  50  and the end plates  21 ,  22  and reduce the pressurized area against the end plates. The inner rotor  50  may further include a drive slot  52 . The drive slot  52  may hold the drive  60  (see  FIG. 2 ) passing through the inner rotor  50 . In one aspect, the central rotation axis a 0  of the inner rotor  50  may be aligned with the passing direction of the drive  60 . In some aspects, the inner rotor  50  may not move in a direction perpendicular to the central rotation axis during rotation of the inner rotor  50 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 10  depicts an end view of the multi lobe motor ring  30 , the plurality of vanes  40 , and the inner rotor  50 . The multi lobe motor ring  30  may enclose the plurality of vanes  40  and the inner rotor  50 . The inner circumferential surface of the multi lobe motor ring  30  may include the plurality of lobes  36 . The inner circumferential surface of the multi lobe motor ring  30 , the outer circumferential surface of inner rotor  50  and the end plates  21 ,  22  (see  FIG. 1 ) may form a plurality of working chambers  38 . In one aspect, each chamber  38  may be formed by two adjacent lobes  36 , the inner circumferential surface of the multi lobe motor ring  30  and the outer circumferential surface of inner rotor  50  where the chamber is closed by two end plates  21 ,  22 . 
         [0038]    Each chamber  38  may have an equal volume with respect to each other. In some aspects, the rotation axis a 0  of the inner rotor  50  may be fixed so that each chamber  38  may maintain the equal volume during rotation of the inner rotor  50 . The working medium entering the inlet port  11  of the outer port ring  10  (see  FIG. 1 ) may be received by the inlet flow groove  31  (see  FIG. 1 ) on the outer circumferential surface of the multi lobe motor ring  30 . The working medium on the inlet flow groove  31  may enter each chamber  38  by way of the inlet  34  in each lobe  36  and act on a vane  40  projecting from the inner rotor  50  to generate a torque, thereby rotating the inner rotor  50  in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction about the central rotation axis a 0  of inner rotor  50 . Similarly, the working medium may exit the chamber  38  by way of the outlet  35  and may be subsequently discharged by way of the outlet groove  32  and the outlet port  12  of the outer port ring  10  (see  FIG. 1 ). The medium flow path according to the disclosure may allow the working medium to feed all of the inlets and outlets in the plurality of lobes  36  without requiring multiple external connections. In addition, this type of medium flow path may allow the rotation of the rotor  50  reversible without removing and repositioning the motor  100 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 11  depicts a portion of an exemplary chamber  38 . The working medium entering the working chamber  38   a  by way of inlet  34   a  may act on the vane  40  projecting from the inner rotor  50 , thereby rotating the inner rotor  50  as indicated by the arrow. After rotating the inner rotor  50 , the working medium may exit the chamber  38   a  by way of outlet  35   a.  In one aspect, a working chamber may include an inlet and an outlet. In some aspects, a working chamber may receive a working medium by way of an inlet and discharge the working medium by way of an outlet that may be located in the nearest neighboring lobe in the rotation direction of the inner rotor  50 . In various aspects, a working chamber may receive a working medium by way of an inlet and discharge the working medium by way of an outlet that may be located in the nearest neighboring lobe in the clockwise rotation direction of the inner rotor  50 . 
         [0040]    Each chamber may produce an equal amount of torque acting on the vanes  40 . The plurality of lobes including inlets  34  and outlets  35  may generate a torque arm at each of the plurality of the vanes  40 . In one aspect, the torque rotating the motor  100  may be multiplied by the number of lobes  36 . In various aspects, the rotary power motor  100  may need no side load and no secondary nut runner. In some aspects, all the input energy may be turned into continuous rotation and thus may achieve a faster and stronger rotational force compared to a conventional hydraulic motor. 
         [0041]    The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to that fall within the scope of the invention.