Patent GB-894227-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for transforming reciprocating motion into rotary motion
IPC: F03C2/30
Filed: 1961-02-03
Abstract: 894,227. Rotary pumps and motors. BETEILIGUNGS - UND PATENTVERWALTUNGS G.m.b.H. Feb. 3, 1961 [Feb. 6, 1960; May 18, 1960], No. 4207/61. Class 110 (2). [Also in Groups XXVII and XXIX] Apparatus for transforming a reciprocating motion into a rotary motion and vice versa comprises a reciprocating displacer 4, Fig. 1, co-operating with a reciprocating machine part 3 and connected by a liquid-filled space 9 with a rotary displacer 18 connected to a rotary machine-part 20, the liquid under pressure delivered by the reciprocating displacer being divided into at least two streams which act on the rotary displacer so that the radiallydirected forces on the rotary displacer are mutually balanced. The rotary displacer consists of a piston 18 of elliptical shape mounted on an output shaft 20 and rotating in a housing 17. The crescent-shaped spaces 23, 24 between the housing and piston are connected by pressure spaces 13 . . . 16 and branch pipes 11, 12 to a pipe 10 leading from a cylindrical space 9 in which is the reciprocating displacer in the form of a plunger 4 reciprocated by an internal-combustion engine or compressor having a piston 3 reciprocable in a cylinder 1. The housing 17 is slotted to receive elements 26 . . . 29 pressed into contact with the rotary piston by spring or liquid pressure. Liquid, such as oil or glycerine, under pressure during a downward movement of the plunger 4 acts in the pressure spaces 13, 16 and against the piston 18 which is thus rotated. After 90 degrees rotation from the position shown, further rotation of the piston 18 causes the liquid to be returned through the spaces 14, 15 to the cylinder 9 during the upward stroke of the plunger 4. A flywheel is provided on the shaft 20 and the under side of the piston 3 is vented to atmosphere through parts 8. The elements may consist of a slider 160, Fig. 14, carrying a packing- piece 161 for engagement with the rotary piston. The slider is formed with channels 162 on its side surfaces interconnected by bores 163 and a valve element 167 is carried by a leaf-spring 166 mounted on a member 165 having waisted portions 168, Fig. 15. Liquid pressure on one side of the element causes the valve to move and close the bore leading to the other side and to permit the liquid pressure to pass through the portions 168 and assist springs disposed in bores 169 to press the packing-piece 161 against the rotary piston. In another arrangement of rotary piston and housing, the housing 48, Fig. 3, is elliptical and the piston 47 is cylindrical and slotted to receive the elements 54 . . . 57. The piston is provided with cross-bores 62, 67 inter-connecting diametrically-opposite pressure chambers 58 . . . 61, each cross-bore being connected by a passage 63, 68 in the shaft to passages 65, 70 leading from reciprocating displacers. In a further arrangement of rotary piston and housing, the piston consists of two parts 111, 112, Fig. 8, and the elements 109, 110, Fig. 9 (which is a developed view of Fig. 8) are movable axially in slots in the housing 107 and co-operate with pressure chambers 116, 117 formed by recesses in the parts 111, 112. The elements may be telescopic to enable them to work in recesses having a shape following a sine curve. The rotary piston may be driven by two reciprocating displacers which may consist of plungers or pistons driven by the pistons of internal-combustion engines, each displacer having a pressure-chamber connected by two branch lines to the pressure chambers in the housing of the rotary piston. The two engines may be opposed and have pistons 124, 125, Fig. 10, joined by a common rod 128 to a piston 127 which, during reciprocation alternately pressurizes liquid in passages 153, 154 joined by branched lines to pressure spaces in the housing of the rotary piston 133. In a further embodiment, the engines 171, 172, Fig. 16, may be of the two-stroke marine diesel type in which the fuel is injected by pumps 207, 214, pump 207 being operated when the piston 178 of the engine 172 is at bottom dead centre by the pressure in chamber 180 to pump fuel past non- return valves 209, 210 to a pipe leading to a fuel injection nozzle 213, and pump 214 being combined with the fuel injection nozzle 215 of engine 171 and operated when the piston 177 of that engine is at its bottom dead centre position. The engines are provided with scavenging air boxes 194, 195. In another embodiment, a reversing valve 318, Fig. 20, is interposed between the reciprocating plungers 289, 290 of engines 281, 282 and the rotary piston, the latter comprising two coupling-sleeves 307, 308 having an external elliptical shape and internal teeth engaged by external ball-shaped teeth 303 . . . 306 on a three-part shaft 300, 301, 302, the parts being angularly and axially displaceable relative to each other. The liquid pressurised by the reciprocation of the plungers 289, 290 passes from the pressure chambers 291, 292 to the reversing-valve and branched lines leading to the chambers 309, 310 in the housing of the rotary piston 307, 308 to effect rotation thereof in one direction or the other according to the position of the valve. The pressure in the chambers 291, 292 when the plungers 289, 290 are in their bottom dead centre positions operates valves 335, 336. Cooling fluid may be directed through vane-shaped elements 321, 322 in the passages 315, 316 or liquid can be circulated from the drive through a cooler. The apparatus may be arranged to act as a clutch by connecting a pair of pipes to the passages in the apparatus, one pipe having a valve which; when open, drains the liquid from the apparatus, and the other having a valve and pump for filling the apparatus.