Spherical gear pump

Abstract: A spherical gear pump that comprises two rotors, or geared spheres, with the teeth arranged around them in a circular band at right angles to their axis of rotation: the pump spheres are covered by close-fitting spherical cases or housings except at the central or most internal part of the connection between the gears on the two spheres, the fluid contained in the cavity created between the most external gears and the case or housing is moved during rotation from the intake to the outlet, one sphere is driven by its shaft and the other is dragged by the gearing between the two.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention: Pumps, compressors, fluid motors and engines. 2. Description of The Related Art: There are alternating or vane pumps, compressors, etc. which are complicated, and of the turbine or fin type requiring high speeds to operate and of limited internal hermetic seal. Other like DE 22 00 048 uses two gears whose periphery or front zone is semicircular, or DE 38 10 592 discloses an engine, formed three cylindrical pumps or JP 62203988 that discloses a Roots-type pump. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The drawbacks referred to above are eliminated with this invention that consists of a spherical gear pump comprising two rotors or geared spheres, with the teeth arranged around them in a circular band at right angles to their axis of rotation: the pump spheres are covered by close-fitting spherical cases or housings except at the central or most internal part of the connection between the gears on the two spheres. The fluid contained in the cavity created between the most external gears and the case is moved during rotation from the intake to the outlet. The spherical gear pump operates similarly to a cylindrical pump. At least two teeth per sphere can be used, though the most useful are those with 4-6 teeth. If 2 or 3 are used, the movement is transmited between the two spheres by means of additional gears. The spheres and their coverings may be lightweight hard material and may also be coated in a hard or hardened material. They may be hollow inside. One sphere is driven by its shaft and the other is dragged by the gearing between the two. In the area of the spheres close to the shafts, or on the shafts themselves, there may be some projections or washers which maintain a precision gauged distance between the spheres and their cases or housings. Except for low speeds, bearings will be needed on the ends of the spheres' rotary shafts. The lubrication systems are similar to those of existing pumps, compressors, etc. When the pump is used like compressor in internal combustion engines, said pump sends the air to a combustion chamber where it is compressed and reacts with the fuel and expands driving a low or mean speed turbine. Benefits: good hermetic seal, particularly thanks to the spherical form of both the rotors and the housings, so that expansion is more even: they are useful as vacuum pumps. It is the best of the pumps and compressors (and motors, because it is reversible), being simple and economical. Unlike fin compressors, high speeds are not required, which is useful for addition as a compressor for gas turbines. Extremely small dimensions are possible, and valves are not requiered. Few parts are employed, and there is no alternating movement. Highly reliable, and good performance. The power/weight ratio and power/volume ratios are similar to those of existing systems. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 and 2 show side, schematic, partial, cross-section views of the pump, compressor, motor, etc., of the invention. Figure 3 shows a side, schematic, partial, cross-section view of an engine with the pump in the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 comprises the pump or compressor 1, case or housing 4, the rotors or geared spheres 5 and 5' with 5 teeth, the rotary shafts 7 and 7', and the projection or washer 8 and 8' which mantain a precision gauged distance between the spheres and their housings. When it rotates driving one of the shafts, the fluid contained ii the cavity created between the most external gears and the cases or housings is moved during rotation from the intake 9 to the outlet 16, as it is shown with arrows. Figure 2 comprises the pump or compressor 1, the case or housing 2, the rotor or geared spheres 5 and 5' with four teeht 6, the rotary shafts 7 and 7 and the projection or washer 8 and 8' that creates a gap. It works in the same way as in figure 1. Figure 3 comprises the pump or compressor 1, the combustion chamber 21 and the turbine 3, the pump case or housing 4, the rotors or geared spheres 5 and 5' with their teeht 6, the rotary shafts 7 and 7', the gap annular washers or springs 8 an 8', where 9 is the compressor or air intake, said compressor sends the air into the combustion chamber where ir reacts with the fuel and expands driving the good hermetic seal radial blades wheel, appling the gas fluid exhaust against the blades of a half of the turbine 3.

Claims: A gear pump of the two rotor type wherein the pump rotors (5,5') are covered by close fitting cases or housings (4) except at the central or most internal part of the connection between the gears on the two rotors, the fluid contained in the cavity created between the most external gears and the case or housing being moved during rotation of the rotors from an intake (9) to an outlet (16) characterised in that both rotors (5, 5') are constituted of two geared spheres with teeth arranged around the geared spheres in a circular band at right angles to their axis of rotation (7, 7') and in that the cases or housings (4) of the rotors have a spherical shape. A gear pump according to claim 1, wherein said spheres (5 and 5')and their coverings (4)are lightweight hard material. A gear pump according to claim 1, wherein said spheres (5 and5')cases are coated in a hard or hardened material. A gear pump according to claim 1, wherein said spheres (5and 5') are hollow inside. A gear pump according to claim 1, wherein one sphere (5) is driven by a shaft and the other is dragged by the gearing (6) between the two. A gear pump according to claim 1, wherein in the area of the spheres (5 and 5') and the shafts, or on the shafts themselves (7 and 7') there are some projections which maintain a precision gauged distance between the spheres and their cases or housings. A gear pump according to claim 1, wherein in the area of the spheres (5 and 5') and the shafts, or on the shafts themselves (7 and 7') there are some washers (8 and 8') which maintain a precision gauged distance between the sphere and their cases or housings (4). A gear pump according to claim 1, wherein each sphere has at least two teeth. A gear pump according to claim 1, wherein the pump is used as a compressor (1) in an internal combustion engine, said pump sends the air to a combustion chamber (21) where it is compressed and reacts with the fuel and expands driving a low or mean speed turbine (15).

Inventors: MUNOZ SAIZ MANUEL, MUNOZ SAIZ, MANUEL
Applicants: MUNOZ SAIZ MANUEL, MUNOZ SAIZ, MANUEL
Application year: 1999
Main classification: F04C2
IPC codes: B64D29, B64C7, F04C2