Variable speed pressure energy translating device with an arcuate reinforced polymer bearing

Abstract: A variable speed pressure energy translating device including a plurality of axially extending pistons (25) and associated cylinders (24) and a yoke (27) engaged by the pistons (25) and pivoted on a transverse axis for varying the displacement thereof, and a housing having spaced saddle bearing (30) seats (28). The yoke (27) has spaced complementary saddle bearing (30) engaging portions and an arcuate bearing (30) is seated in each of said seats (28). Each bearing (30) comprises an arcuate body (35) of polymeric material and an arcuate reinforcing member (36) embedded in the body (35) and having a plurality of perforations (37) throughout which are fixed in the reinforcing member with the polymeric material extending through said perforations (37).

Description: The invention relates to a variable speed pressure energy translating device according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a device is e.g. known from US-A-3 991 658. Background and Summary of the Invention Hydraulic pumps and motors of the piston type utilize a plurality of axially extending pistons and associated cylinders and a yoke engaged by the pistons and pivoted by annular bearings in a housing. In another type of hydraulic pump or motor, the bearing form is that of a partial journal bearing often termed a "saddle bearing". The use of this bearing form gives the advantage of a reduction in overall size and in utilizing fewer parts in the bearing area thereby making it more reliable, easier to maintain, involving less deflection on the yoke. The saddle bearing can be either a rolling element or a non-rolling element bearing format. This invention deals with a non-rolling element form of saddle bearing. In hydraulic pumps and motors journal bearings generally function through hydrodynamic, hydrostatic or hybrid oil film generation processes. There are, however, circumstances when normal lubrication mechanics are insufficient to correctly form a fluid film for the journal bearing to function, typical cases are extreme load, quasi-steady state operation or poor lubrication. Such is the case with a non hydrostatic form of a saddle bearing. Under these circumstances surface to surface contact can and does occur with resulting high coefficients of friction and wear rates. In an attempt to overcome this problem a self lubricated material is used for one of the surfaces in contact. Self lubricated bearings, thus formed however, do have limitations; temperature, load, speed of operation, etc. Many of the self lubricated bearing forms utilize a polymer as the self lubricated material. While these polymers impart a low coefficient of friction for the bearing pair they have a relatively low load capacity due to the yield strength of the polymer. Other materials possessing a higher yield strength cannot achieve a suitably low coefficient of friction. Attempts have been made to increase the yield strength of the polymer by the use of a filler material intimately mixed with the polymer to form a composite material. These composites have, however, failed due to an increase in the coefficients of friction. These higher coefficients of friction are due to the wear process exposing the filler material so that the mating surface no longer rides on a true polymer interface. Another technique, which has been used to attempt to increase the yield strength of the polymer is the incorporation of a woven metal screen to form a composite. This also fails as the friction between the metal threads is insufficient to prevent yielding of both the polymer and the lateral movement of the screen wires across each other. Further, the yielding of the screen wire can be preferential depending on the direction of the shear force and the "lay" or "bias" of the woven screen. Attempts to further increase the strength of the composite by adhesively bonding the screen to a metal backing has failed as the area open to bonding is small due to the roundness of the screen wires and the fill of the polymer in the mesh. A bearing material is known (DE-A 3 304 141) comprising a layer of polymeric material and a reinforcing member embedded in the polymeric material and having a plurality of openings or perforations through which that polymeric material extends, filling out such openings or perforations. Furthermore, the cross section of such opening or perforations varies to create a good adherence between metal body and polymeric material. A further bearing material covering sheet is known (DE-C-2 205 008) consisting of woven metal wires and fluoropolymer material where the wires are thermally bonded together. The problem to be solved by invention is to provide a variable speed pressure energy translating device of the type referred to above which has a non-rolling element saddle type bearing of increased load capacity, which would withstand the normal forces on the bearing and which can be relatively easily manufactured. The solution to this problem can be found in claim 1; further developments are characterized in the further claims. Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal part sectional view of a positive displacement pump or motor embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, parts taking taken away. Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1, parts being taken away. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the yoke of the pump or motor. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the bearing. Fig. 6 is a side view of the bearing. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on a greatly enlarged scale taken along the line 7-7 in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the bearing. Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the parts of the bearing prior to their being assembled. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of bearing. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the bearing shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view on enlarged scale of another portion of the bearing shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the bearing portion of Fig. 12 after it is formed to arcuate form. Fig. 14 is a further modified form of bearing. Fig. 15 is another form of the bearing. Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the bearing shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of a modified form of bearing. Referring to Figs. 1-4, the invention relates particularly to a pressure energy translating device in the form of a pump or motor that is of generally well known construction and comprises a housing 20 with a housing cover 21. A drive shaft 22 is mounted in the pump housing and cover and supports a rotor 23 which houses an annular series of pump cylinders 24, each of which incorporates an axially movable pump piston 25. Each pump cylinder 24 has an opening 26 and these openings function, as the rotor turns, in a manner like that of a slide valve with the pump housing cover 21. The pistons 25 in the cylinders 24 work in unison with an obliquely set yoke 27 in such a manner that as the rotor revolves, the pistons produce an axial back-and-forth motion. The yoke 27 has arcuate bearing surfaces of seats 28 that are engaged by arcuate saddle bearings 30 mounted in recesses 31 in the housing 20. A spring 33 yieldingly urges the yoke 27 to an oblique position, as shown, when under no pressure. The yoke 27 can be moved under pressure from a piston 34 to vary the pump displacement. Pressure regulators and other controls are provided in the head 21 as is well known in the art. In accordance with the invention, the bearing 30 comprises an arcuate body of thermoplastic material, preferably polytetrafluoroethylene, and an arcuate reinforcing member at least partially embedded in the plastic body. Referring to Figs. 5-9, a preferred form of bearing comprises the plastic body 35, an arcuate metal shim 36 having openings 37 through which a portion of the plastic extends, and an arcuate metal backing member 38 adhered to the shim and plastic by adhesive 39. The bearing is made initially in flat form. By using a film form of adhesive that is cured by heat and pressure, the three piece bearing can be formed into one unit by the application of pressure in a heat box. In this process, the plastic 35 is formed through the openings 37 and the metal member 36 is adhered to the backing member 38. After curing, the bearing is formed to the required shape. Alternatively, the body 35 and metal member 36 may be formed and shaped prior to applying to the previously curved backing member 38. In a typical example, the thickness of the thin member 36 is 0.381 mm, the assembled thickness of the bearing is 3.00 mm and the thickness of the backing member 38 is 1.9 mm. The openings in the thin member 36 have a diameter of 1.00 mm and are provided in rows spaced apart 2.00 mm. The openings 37 in metal member 38 are preferably formed such that they are not of the same cross section in order to increase the shear strength. More specifically, if the openings 37 are photochemically etched, they have an hourglass shape, as shown in Fig. 16, including a narrow intermediate portion 37a, and flared end portions 37b, 37c which serve to more effectively lock the plastic body 35 and metal member 36. This increases the shear strength. If the openings 37 are formed by punching, the punching operation results in a narrow portion 37d, a sharp edge 37e at one end and a flared portion 37f at the other end. This also serves to increase the shear strength. In the form shown in Figs. 10-13 the bearing comprises an embedded member 36a in the form of a specially fabricated metal wire mesh which has interwoven wires 40, 41 and openings therebetween. At the crossing over points, the wires 40, 41 are flattened as at 42 by passing through rollers and are sintered to one another so that the wires 40, 41 are bonded and fixed relative to one another prior to embedding in the body 35a, 35b, body part 35b forming a layer of polymeric material. The bearing can be utilized with or without a backing member 38 (Fig. 10) adherent to the layer 35b. As shown in Fig. 12, the body is first fabricated in flat form and then rolled and curved to the desired arcuate configuration as shown in Fig. 13. In the form shown in Fig. 14, the backing member 38 comprises a rather coarse screen having wires 45 and openings 46. The wires 45 are flattened and sintered to one another and to the wire mesh 40, 41 as by sintering. In this form, it is possible to fill the rear or the bearing with a polymer material to form a layer 38b. The bearing obtained is compliant. In the form shown in Fig. 15, a backing plate 38c also has openings 46 through which the plastic of the body extends to form a compliant bearing which will accommodate tolerances in the outer surfaces of layers 35a and 38b. It can thus be seen that in each of the forms of the invention, the effective yield strength of the plastic polymer is increased by utilization of an embedded thin member which has the effect of minimizing the yielding under load by mechanically locking the polymer in place. In the form where the embedded member comprises woven metal screening, the welding or bonding of the strands together with the flattening of the strands increases the mechanical bonding and prevents the strands from sliding relative to one another.

Claims: A variable speed pressure energy translating device which includes a plurality of axially extending pistons (25) and associated cylinders (24) and a yoke (27) engaged by the pistons (25) and pivoted on a transverse axis for varying the displacement of the pump or motor, comprising a housing (20) having spaced saddle bearing seats (31), said yoke (27) having spaced complementary saddle bearing engaging portions (28), and an arcuate bearing (30) comprising an arcuate body (35) of polymeric material seated in each of said seats (31), characterized in that each said bearing (30) comprises an arcuate reinforcing member (36) embedded in said body and has a plurality of openings (43) or perforations (37) extending therethrough, said openings or perforations (37) have a cross section which varies longitudinally thereof, and said polymeric material filling and extending throughout said openings (43) or perforations (37). The device set forth in claim 1, wherein said polymeric material extends entirely through said openings (43) or perforations (37) and forms a layer (35b, 38b) of polymeric material adjacent to said seat (31). The device set forth in claim 1 or 2 wherein said reinforcing member comprises a thin metal sheet (36) having said perforations (37) therein, said perforations (37) being arranged in rows through said thin metal sheet (36). The device set forth in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said openings or perforations are photochemically etched. The device set forth in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said openings or perforations are made by punching. The device set forth in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein said openings or perforations (37d) include at least an outwardly flared end (37f). The device set forth in any of claims 1 to 6, including a metal backing member (38) interposed between said seats (31) and said reinforcing member (36) and adhered to said metal reinforcing member (36). The device set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein said reinforcing member (36) comprises a woven metal body (36a) defining said openings (43), said woven body (36a) comprising strands (40, 41) which are interlineated, said strands being flattened at the overlapping portions (42) and directly bonded to one another at said overlapping portions. The device set forth in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said reinforcing member (36) is provided adjacent one surface of said polymeric body. The device set forth in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein said bearing comprises a metal body (38) interposed between said seat (31) and said arcuate body (35) and adhered to said arcuate body (35). The device set forth in claim 8 or 9, including a second reinforcing member comprising a woven body (45) defining openings (46), said second woven body (45) comprising strands which are interlineated, said strands of said second woven body (45) being flattened at the overlapping portions and directly bonded to one another at said overlapping portions. The device set forth in claim 11, wherein said polymeric material extends entirely through said openings (46) and forms a layer (38b) of polymeric material adjacent said seat (31). The device set forth in claim 11 or 12, wherein said second woven body (45) is directly bonded to said first woven body (36a). The device set forth in claim 13, including a reinforcing member comprising a thin metal sheet (38c) having openings (46) therein embedded in said body. The device set forth in claim 14, wherein said polymeric material extends entirely through said openings or perforations and forms a layer (38b) of polymeric material adjacent said seat (31).

Inventors: BURGESS ROY T, CAMPAU GREGORY P, CLAAR LESLIE M, HODGES ROBERT C, SNOW DOUGLAS G, TAYLOR ROY, BURGESS, ROY T., CAMPAU, GREGORY P., CLAAR, LESLIE M., HODGES, ROBERT C., SNOW, DOUGLAS G., TAYLOR, ROY
Applicants: VICKERS INC, VICKERS INCORPORATED
Application year: 1989
Main classification: F01B3
IPC codes: F03C1, F16H61, F16C17, F04B1, F16C33