Patent Publication Number: US-8540500-B1

Title: High capacity lightweight compact vane motor or pump system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a new and useful hydraulic pump or motor with a cam-shaped housing and controlled vane configuration and more specifically it relates to a wide high capacity lightweight compact vane motor or pump system which utilizes vanes with extensions which are guided by grooves within the rotor housing cover adapted to limit break-in wear and a novel oil circulation system to improve efficiency of the system overall. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. 
     Rotary vane pumps and motors have been in use for years in various applications, such as hydraulic pumps, transmission pumps, compressors and the like. Conventional heavy construction rotary vane pumps are generally comprised of a rotor positioned within an additional cam and ring. The rotor is generally rotatably secured within the housing through use of a shaft. Rotor vanes are positioned radially around the rotor, which slide in and out by centrifugal force utilizing springs and cams as the rotor rotates within the housing. 
     While there are a number of different rotary vane pump configurations currently available, existing designs will often be less efficient in operation as the rotary units are heavy and/or large with a small output for some applications. 
     Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved high capacity lightweight compact vane motor or pump system which utilizes wider vanes with extensions and wear members which are guided by grooves within the rotor cap and housing and with additional pressure relieving oil passages, improving efficiency of the system overall. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention generally relates to a rotary vane system which includes a rotor housing having a cam-shaped interior, a rotor, a housing cover and internal rear shaft. The rotor housing will generally include a central opening in which the rotor is positioned and internal rear shaft. The rotor will generally include a plurality of radially spaced vane slots. A rotor vane will generally be positioned within each vane slot. Each rotor vane will generally include a first extension and a second extension, wherein the first extension extends into slidable engagement with a cam-shaped groove on the housing cover and the second extension extends into slidable engagement with a cam-shaped groove on the interior surface of the rotor housing. The rotor will have a galley under each vane, a groove connecting galleys at each end and apertures connecting to an inner groove inside the central rotor shaft hole. The undersides of each vane will have equal pressure as the pressure of the pump, getting pressure through a notch in the cover connected to the pump exit and to the cam groove, to rotor end grooves connecting galleys under the vanes. These galleys afford a free flow of oil from vane to vane through the end grooves of the rotor, as well as through apertures connecting galleys to machined grooves in the rotor shaft hole, thus allowing unrestricted oil flow from under wide vanes. As the rotor is rotated within the housing, the vanes will slide into and out of the slots to create voids to hold oil to be expelled at the outlet. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of the present invention illustrating its various components in an unassembled state. 
         FIG. 2  is a side sectional view of the present invention in an assembled state. 
         FIG. 3  is a top sectional view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the present invention illustrating the internal path of oil while the present invention is in use. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the rotor of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a top sectional view of the rotor housing of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Overview 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 6  illustrate a high capacity lightweight compact vane motor or pump system  10 , which comprises a rotor housing  20 , a rotor  30 , and a housing cover  50 . The rotor housing  20  will generally include a central opening  25  in which the rotor  30  is positioned. The rotor  30  will generally include a plurality of radially spaced, angled vane slots  33 . A rotor vane  40  will generally be positioned within each vane slot  33 . Each rotor vane  40  will generally include a first extension  45  and a second extension  46 , wherein the first extension  45  extends into slidable engagement with a groove  56  on the housing cover  50  and the second extension  46  extends into slidable engagement with a groove  27  on the interior surface  26  of the rotor housing  20 . The outer end  44  of each rotor vane  40  will also generally include a wear member  47  and the inner end  43  of each rotor vane  40  will include a plurality of slots  48  for accommodating bias members  49 . As the rotor  30  is rotated within the housing  20 , the vanes  40  will slide into and out of the slots  33 , thus causing voids at the intake  23  to fill and move oil by rotation to the outlet  24 . 
     B. Rotor Housing 
     The present invention will generally include a rotor housing  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The rotor housing  20  may be comprised of various configurations and structures, and should not be construed as being limited to the particular configuration shown in the figures. In a preferred embodiment, the rotor housing  20  interior will be cam-shaped as shown in the figures. 
     The rotor housing  20  will generally include an upper end  21 , a lower end  22 , an inlet  23 , an outlet  24  and a central opening  25 . A central opening  25  will generally be positioned within the upper end  21  of the rotor housing  20 . The central opening  25  will generally be comprised of a circular opening through which the rotor  30  of the present invention will be positioned into the rotor housing  20 . 
     The inlet  23  and outlet  24  will each generally be positioned on the radial outer surface of the rotor housing  20 , wherein a fluid such as oil or hydraulic fluid will enter through the inlet  23  and exit through the outlet  24 . The positioning and configuration of the inlet  23  and outlet  24  may vary for different applications, and thus the configuration should not be limited to that which is shown in the figures. 
     The rotor housing  20  will generally include an interior surface  26  positioned at the bottom of the central opening  25  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The lower end  32  of the rotor  30  will generally rest on the interior surface  26  of the rotor housing  20  when positioned within the central opening  25 . 
     A groove  27  will generally be positioned within the interior surface  26  of the rotor housing  20  for guiding and supporting the second extensions  46  of the rotor vanes  40  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The groove  27  will generally be positioned concentrically with respect to the shaft  34  of the rotor  30  when it is positioned within the central opening  25 . The groove  27  will generally match the shape of the inner groove  56  of the housing cover  50 , so that both the groove  27  of the rotor housing  20  and the inner groove  56  of the housing cover  50  act to guide the rotor vanes  40  as they rotate within the housing  20 . As such, the groove  27  of the rotor housing  20  and the groove  56  of the housing cover  50  will each preferably be comprised of a cam shape. 
     The rotor housing  20  will also generally include an O-ring and tang  28  extending around its upper end  21  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The tang  28  will generally be circular in shape and match the shape and positioning of the outer groove  55  of the housing cover  50  with O-ring to create a seal between the cover  50  and the housing  20 . 
     The rotor housing  20  will also generally include at least one aperture  29  on its upper end  21  through which a fastener  12  such as a bolt may be extended to secure the housing cover  50  to the rotor housing  20  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     C. Rotor 
     The present invention will generally include a rotor  30  which is rotatably positioned within the rotor housing  20 . The rotor  30  is generally comprised of a cylindrical shape and includes an upper end  31  and a lower  32  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     A central shaft  34  will generally extend downwardly from the lower end  32  of the rotor  30 . The upper end of the rotor  30  will generally include a bore hole  37  which extends downwardly from the upper end  31  of the rotor  30  as shown in  FIG. 1 . A bearing  35  will also be positioned within the bore hole  37  as it extends through the rotor  30  body to allow rotation of the rotor  30  within the rotor housing  20  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . A machined groove  38  is created on the inner circumference of the bore hole  37  through which oil will pass when the present invention is in use before oiling the bearing  35 . It is appreciated that, in some embodiments, multiple machined grooves  38  may be positioned vertically offset from each other to improve the circulation of oil between vane slots as shown in the figures. 
     The rotor  30  will also generally include a plurality of rotor vane slots  33 , each of which are positioned radially around the central shaft  34  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Preferably, each of the rotor vane slots  33  will be angled toward the pressure port of the pump or motor as shown in  FIGS. 3-5 . The vane slots  33  will generally be slightly offset; slanting diagonally from the central shaft  34  to the radial outer circumference of the rotor  30  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Each of the rotor vanes  40  of the present invention will generally be positioned within a corresponding vane slot  33 . 
     It is appreciated that the number and positioning of the vane slots  33  within the rotor  30  which are shown in the figures is merely for illustrative purposes only. Thus, the number and positioning of vane slots  33  should not be construed as being limited to that which is shown in the figures; more or less vane slots  33  may be utilized for different applications. 
     The rotor  30  will also include an oil galley  36  connecting grooves  38 A at each end, as shown as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 . The oil galleys  36  are comprised of pathways or open spaces adjacent the inner end  43  of each rotor vane  40 . The present invention will also include end rotor grooves  38 A as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 . A first end rotor groove  38 A will extend around the inner circumference of the upper end  31  of the rotor  30  and a second end rotor groove  38 A will extend around the inner circumference of the lower end  32  of the rotor  30 . Oil will pass through the end rotor grooves  38 A and through the oil galleys  36  before entering the machined grooves  38  through a plurality of apertures  39  which are aligned and fluidly connected with the machined grooves  38  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     D. Rotor Vane 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention will generally include a plurality of rotor vanes  40 . Each rotor vane  40  will generally be comprised of a substantially rectangular member having an upper end  41 , lower end  42 , an inner end  43  and an outer end  44  which is positionable within a corresponding vane slot  33  within the rotor  30 . 
     The inner end  43  of each rotor vane  40  will generally include a plurality of slots  48  into which bias members  49  may be positioned to allow the rotor vanes  40  to slide in and out of the vane slots  33  when the present invention is in use. In a preferred embodiment, the bias members  49  will be comprised of springs. The numbering and positioning of the slots  48  on the inner end  43  of the rotor vanes  40  may vary for different applications. 
     The outer end  44  of each rotor vane  40  will generally include a wear member  47  which is preferably comprised of a wearable material as shown in  FIG. 1 . The wear member  47  is utilized to allow a faster break-in of the rotor vanes  40  and to improve the pressure seal when used with the present invention. The vane extensions  45 ,  46  may include a holdback on the vanes  40  to halt further wear on the wear members  47  after break in. 
     Each rotor vane  40  will generally include a first extension  45  and a second extension  46  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The extensions  45 ,  46  will preferably be comprised of a circular outer circumference. The first extension  45  will generally extend upwardly from the upper end  41  of the rotor vane  40  from a position adjacent its inner end  43  such that the first extension  45  slides within the inner groove  56  of the housing cover  50  when the present invention is in use. The second extension  46  will generally extend downwardly from lower end  42  of the rotor vane  40  from a position adjacent its inner end  43  such that the second extension  46  slides within the groove  27  of the interior surface  26  of the rotor housing  20  when the present invention is in use. Through use of the extensions  45 ,  46  and grooves  55 ,  56 , the sliding motion of the rotor vanes  40  may be more efficiently and accurately controlled than with conventional rotor designs. 
     E. Housing Cover 
     The present invention will generally include a housing cover  50 , which is utilized to close off and seal the upper end  21  of the rotor housing  20 . The housing cover  50  will generally be comprised of a substantially circular configuration having an upper end  52  and a lower end  53  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The lower end  53  of the housing cover  50  will generally include an outer groove  55  and an inner groove  56 . The outer groove  55  will generally be circularly shaped in a manner which matingly engages with the tang  28  and O-ring on the upper end  21  of the rotor housing  20  so as to create a seal between the housing cover  50  and the rotor housing  20 . The inner groove  56  will generally be comprised of a cam shape in which the first extensions  45  of the rotor vanes  40  will be slidably positioned and guided when the present invention is in use. 
     The lower end  53  of the housing cover  50  also includes a shaft  54  extending downward therefrom as shown in  FIG. 1 . The shaft  54  matingly engages with the bore hole  37  and bearing  35  of the present invention such that the rotor  30  of the present invention rotates around the shaft  54  when the present invention is in use. 
     The lower end  53  of the housing cover  50  will also generally include a notch  57  formed therein that may be in communication with the higher pressure port of the motor or pump. The notch  57  may be positioned at various locations on the lower end  53  of the housing cover  50  and may be comprised of various shapes. Thus, the exemplary structure and location of the notch  57  may vary for different applications. The notch  57  starts oil pressure to the shaft  54  and additionally adds oil pressure equal to exit pressure of the present invention  10  through the cover cam groove  56 , rotor end groove  38 A and circulation under the rotor vanes  40  by connecting all galleys  36  by drill holes  39  into the groove  38 , ultimately equalizing under vane and inter-vane oil pressure as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The housing cover  50  may also include one or more apertures  48  extending from its upper end  52  to its lower end  53  which are aligned with corresponding apertures  29  on the upper end  21  of the rotor housing  20 . Fasteners  12  may be positioned through the apertures  48 ,  29  to secure the housing cover  50  to the rotor housing  20 . 
     F. Operation of Preferred Embodiment 
     In use, the rotor  30  is rotated within the rotor housing  20 . The rotor vanes  40  will be guided in a cam-type path by the grooves  27 ,  56  so that they slide in and out of the vane slots  33  within the rotor  30  to create voids that fill at the intake  23  and are expelled at the outlet  24  of the present invention. Fluid such as hydraulic fluid or oil will be pulled into the inlet  23  of the rotor  30  and expelled out of outlet  24  of the rotor housing  20  through the action of the rotor vanes  40 .  FIG. 4  illustrates the inner path of the oil as it circulates through the present invention from the notch  57  to the inner cam-shaped groove  56 , through the oil groove  38 A, oil galleys  36 , apertures  39  to groove  38  and to bearing  35 . 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.