U.S. patent application number 12/657349 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-28 for fluid supplying device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Aktiebolaget SKF. Invention is credited to Ali-Akbar Inanloo, Jurgen Kreutzkamper, Paul Sattelberger.
Application Number | 20100272584 12/657349 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40795080 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100272584 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kreutzkamper; Jurgen ; et
al. |
October 28, 2010 |
Fluid supplying device
Abstract
A fluid supplying device comprises a reservoir configured to
store a fluid and a conveying element disposed in or in fluid
communication with a lower portion of the reservoir. The conveying
element includes a rotatable shaft and a device configured to
convey or move a fluid, e.g., a lubricant. A radial-piston pump
having at least one radial-piston unit is in fluid communication
with a fluid output of the conveying element. The pump comprises a
shaft part rotatably coupled with the shaft of the conveying
element. A motor drives both the conveying element and the pump.
The motor, the conveying element shaft and the pump are
sequentially arranged one after another in the axial direction of
the shaft.
Inventors: |
Kreutzkamper; Jurgen;
(Waibstadt, DE) ; Inanloo; Ali-Akbar; (Mannheim,
DE) ; Sattelberger; Paul; (Reilingen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark A. Ussai;SKF USA Inc.
890 Forty Foot Road, PO Box 332
Kulpsville
PA
19443
US
|
Assignee: |
Aktiebolaget SKF
Goteborg
SE
|
Family ID: |
40795080 |
Appl. No.: |
12/657349 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/271 ;
417/321; 417/375; 417/410.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16N 13/00 20130101;
F16N 7/16 20130101; F16N 11/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/271 ;
417/321; 417/375; 417/410.1 |
International
Class: |
F04B 1/04 20060101
F04B001/04; F04B 17/00 20060101 F04B017/00; F04B 17/03 20060101
F04B017/03 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 28, 2009 |
EP |
EP 09 005 883 |
Claims
1. A fluid supplying device comprising: a reservoir configured to
store a fluid, a conveying element disposed in or in fluid
communication with a lower portion of the reservoir, the conveying
element comprising a rotatable shaft having a fluid conveying
means, a radial-piston pump having at least one radial-piston unit
in fluid communication with a fluid output of the conveying
element, the pump comprising a shaft part that is coupled with the
shaft of the conveying element so that the shaft and the shaft part
rotate together, and a motor driving both the shaft with the fluid
conveying means and the shaft part of the pump, wherein the motor,
the shaft with the fluid conveying means and the pump are
sequentially arranged one after another in the axial direction of
the shaft.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid conveying means
comprises at least one screw channel that extends around the
shaft.
3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the shaft extends beyond
the axial length of the at least one screw channel.
4. A device according to claim 2, wherein the shaft with the fluid
conveying means and shaft part of the pump are arranged coaxially
to each other and are connected with one another via an
interlocking-fit so that they rotate together.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the interlocking-fit is
the sole connection between the shaft with the fluid conveying
means and the shaft part of the pump.
6. A device according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of
radial-piston units is disposed around the circumference of the
shaft part of the pump.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein between 2 and 10 radial
piston units are disposed equidistantly around the circumference of
the shaft part of the pump.
8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the pump further
comprises an eccentric cam driving the radial piston units, the
eccentric cam being connected with the shaft part of the pump so
that they rotate together.
9. A device according to claim 8, further comprising means for
urging the radial piston units in a radially inward direction
towards a predetermined position in the absence of external
application of force.
10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the motor is one of
electric, hydraulic and pneumatic.
11. A device according to claim 10, further comprising an annular
conduit in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid output of
the radial piston units.
12. A device according to claim 11, further comprising at least one
one-way valve disposed between at least one radial piston unit and
the annular conduit.
13. A device according to claim 12, further comprising a pressure
relief valve in fluid communication with the annular conduit.
14. A device according to claim 13, further comprising at least one
directional control valve in fluid communication with the annular
conduit.
15. A device according to claim 1, wherein the shaft with the fluid
conveying means and shaft part of the pump are arranged coaxially
to each other and are connected with one another via an
interlocking-fit so that they rotate together, the interlocking-fit
being the sole connection between the shaft and the shaft part of
the pump.
16. A device according to claim 1, wherein between 2 and 10 radial
piston units are disposed equidistantly around the circumference of
the shaft part of the pump.
17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the pump further
comprises an eccentric cam driving the radial piston units, the
eccentric cam being connected with the shaft part of the pump so
that they rotate together.
18. A device according to claim 1, further comprising an annular
conduit in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid output of
the radial piston units.
19. A device according to claim 18, further comprising at least one
directional control valve in fluid communication with the annular
conduit.
20. A device comprising: a motor having a rotatable shaft, a screw
conveyer rotatably coupled to the motor shaft and in fluid
communication with a fluid medium, and a radial piston pump in
fluid communication with a fluid output of the screw conveyer, the
pump comprising an eccentric cam shaft rotatably coupled to the
screw conveyer and a plurality of pistons radially movable by the
eccentric cam shaft, wherein the motor shaft, the screw conveyer
and the eccentric cam shaft are disposed in a linear or
substantially linear arrangement.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] The present application claims priority to European patent
application no. 09 005 883 filed Apr. 28, 2009, the contents of
which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention generally relates to fluid supplying
devices, as well as to methods of making and using the same, which
may be utilized in preferred embodiments, e.g., to supply a fluid
(e.g., lubricants) to an engine.
KNOWN ART
[0003] A device for supplying motor oil to an internal combustion
engine is known from DE 10 2006 016 687 A1, wherein the lubricant
supplying device comprises a worm shaft driven by a chain drive.
The worm shaft simultaneously drives an oil pump that suctions oil
from a lower-lying space and conveys the oil into the internal
combustion engine.
[0004] Another lubricant supplying device is known from EP 0 009
908 B1 and its counterpart U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,670, wherein an
auger moves the lubricant from a hopper to a space adjacent to a
pump. The pump then pressurizes the lubricant to a desired
pressure. The auger and the pump are driven by separate
devices.
[0005] From EP 0 642 913 A1, EP 1 352 729 A1, U.S. Pat. No.
4,642,040 and DE 103 48 985 B3 (and its counterpart U.S. Pat. No.
7,354,188), is it known to use a single drive for conveying and
pressurizing a medium. However, these devices exhibit various
shortcomings.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one aspect of the present teachings, devices and methods
are taught for conveying and pressurizing a lubricant or other
fluid medium using a single drive, prime mover or motor.
Preferably, such an embodiment is embodied in a relatively simple
and compact structure.
[0007] In another aspect of the present teachings, a fluid
supplying device may have a modular construction, which makes it
possible to install and perform maintenance on the device in a
simple manner. A problem-free replacement of components is possible
in certain embodiments of the present teachings.
[0008] In another aspect of the present teachings, a fluid
supplying device preferably includes a reservoir for the fluid,
e.g., a lubricant. A fluid conveying element is preferably located
in a bottom or lower-lying portion of the reservoir or is in fluid
communication with the reservoir. The conveying element is
preferably configured to convey the fluid to the vicinity of a
pump, which then supplies the fluid at an increased pressure to a
fluid conduit. The conveying element preferably comprises a shaft
driven by the motor. At least one fluid conveying means is disposed
on or extends around the shaft. Preferably, one axial end of the
shaft is connected with a shaft part of the pump so that the shaft
and shaft part rotate together. In such an embodiment, the motor is
preferably designed to drive both the conveying element (e.g., the
shaft) and the pump.
[0009] In a further preferable embodiment, the motor, the shaft
with the fluid conveying means and the pump may be sequentially
arranged one after another along the axial direction of the shaft.
In addition or in the alternative, the pump may comprise a
radial-piston pump having at least one radial-piston unit.
[0010] The conveying element is preferably embodied as or comprises
one of a screw conveyor, an auger or a worm shaft. For example, the
conveying means may comprise at least one screw channel that
extends around the shaft. The shaft can optionally extend beyond
the axial length of the at least one screw channel.
[0011] In a further preferable embodiment, the shaft and shaft part
of the pump may be arranged coaxially to each other and may be
connected with each another via connection selected from a
form-fit, a shape-fit, an interference-fit and/or an interleaved
fit. In such an embodiment, it is advantageous if the form-fit,
shape-fit, interference-fit or interleaved connection is the sole
connection between the shaft and the shaft part of the pump. For
example, the shaft of the conveying element and the shaft part of
the pump are preferably connected via an interleaved structure or a
mutually-interlocking structure.
[0012] In a further preferable embodiment, a plurality of radial
piston units may be disposed around the circumference of the shaft
part of the pump. It is especially preferred to dispose between 2
and 10 radial piston units equidistantly around the circumference
of the shaft part of the pump. All of the radial piston units can
be driven by an eccentric cam, which is connected with the shaft
part of the pump so that the shaft part and eccentric cam rotate
together. Further, one or more springs or other biasing element(s)
may be provided to urge the radial piston units radially inward
towards a defined or predetermined position that the radial piston
assumes in the absence of external application of force. In the
alternative or in addition, the pistons may be positively driven
towards the defined or predetermined position.
[0013] The motor can be electrically-, hydraulically- or
pneumatically-driven.
[0014] In a further preferable embodiment, a lubricant conduit
preferably comprises an annular conduit and is supplied with
pressurized lubricant from the radial piston units. A one-way valve
may be disposed between one radial piston unit and the annular
conduit. In addition or in the alternative, the annular conduit may
be connected with a pressure relief valve. In addition or in the
alternative, the annular conduit may be connected with at least one
directional control valve.
[0015] In preferred embodiments of the present teachings, it is
possible to assemble and to later disassemble the connection
between the screw conveyor and the pump in a rapid and simple
manner in order to service and/or replace components of the
apparatus. Thus a modular construction is advantageous.
[0016] In preferred embodiments of the present teachings, an
overall space-saving and radially compact construction is achieved,
which may also assist in reducing manufacturing costs.
[0017] Further advantages, objects and features of the present
teachings will be readily derivable by a skilled person from the
following detailed description of the figures and from the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a representative, non-limiting
fluid supplying device.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a partially cut-away side view of the pump of
the apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the pump of FIG. 2.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a schematic conduit diagram of a two-line
central lubrication system having two control valves, though which
system the lubricant supplied by the device of FIG. 1 is
distributed.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows the system of FIG. 4 in a practical
implementation.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows a schematic conduit diagram of a two-line
central lubrication system without control valves, though which
system the lubricant supplied by the device of FIG. 1 is
distributed.
[0024] FIG. 7 shows the system of FIG. 6 in a practical
implementation.
[0025] FIG. 8 shows a schematic conduit diagram of a one-line
central lubrication system having one control valve, though which
system the lubricant supplied by the device of FIG. 1 is
distributed.
[0026] FIG. 9 shows the system of FIG. 8 in a practical
implementation.
[0027] FIG. 10 shows a schematic conduit diagram of a central
lubrication system without control valves, though which system the
lubricant supplied by the device of FIG. 1 is distributed.
[0028] FIG. 11 shows the system according to FIG. 10 in a practical
implementation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Each of the additional features and teachings disclosed
below may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other
features and teachings to provide improved fluid supplying devices,
as well as methods for designing, constructing and using the same.
Representative examples of the present invention, which examples
utilize many of these additional features and teachings both
separately and in combination, will now be described in further
detail with reference to the attached drawings. This detailed
description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the
art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present
teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Therefore, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the
following detail description may not be necessary to practice the
invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to
particularly describe representative examples of the present
teachings.
[0030] Moreover, the various features of the representative
examples and the dependent claims may be combined in ways that are
not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide
additional useful embodiments of the present teachings. In
addition, it is expressly noted that all features disclosed in the
description and/or the claims are intended to be disclosed
separately and independently from each other for the purpose of
original disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the
claimed subject matter independent of the compositions of the
features in the embodiments and/or the claims. It is also expressly
noted that all value ranges or indications of groups of entities
disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity
for the purpose of original disclosure, as well as for the purpose
of restricting the claimed subject matter.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a preferred fluid supplying device 1 configured
to convey and pressurize a fluid or liquid medium, e.g., a
lubricant such as grease or oil. However, it is understood that the
present teachings are applicable to any designs in which a fluid
medium should be conveyed and subsequently pressurized, preferably
using a single drive, prime mover or motor to perform both
tasks.
[0032] Furthermore, the apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is
characterized by a modular structure and can be designed for
various lubrication systems, such as, but not limited to, a
two-line central lubrication system, a one-line central lubrication
system or a progressive lubrication system.
[0033] The apparatus 1 has a reservoir 2 for lubricant (e.g., oil
or grease) and is preferably cylindrical, although polygonal or
other curved (e.g. oval, semi-circular, etc.) base shapes for the
reservoir 2 are also possible. A motor 3 drives the shaft 7 of a
conveying element 4, which is preferably a screw conveyor or auger
or worm shaft, all of which are intended to be interchangeable
terms for the fluid conveying structure shown in FIG. 1. A screw
channel 8, which functions as the fluid conveyor, helically extends
around the shaft 7 in a known manner and conveys lubricant when the
shaft 7 rotates. A pump 5 is disposed at one axial end (right end
in FIG. 1) of the shaft 7 and is preferably a radial-piston pump.
The pump 5 includes a shaft part 9, which is coupled to the shaft 7
so that they rotate together.
[0034] The connection 16 of the shaft 7 and shaft part 9 (see FIG.
1) is preferably configured so that torque is transmitted from the
shaft 7 to the shaft part 9 exclusively by a form-fit, shape-fit,
interference-fit or interleaved coupling. For example, as shown in
FIG. 3, the connection 16 may preferably comprise a
radially-extending groove 17 (e.g., in the shaft part 9) and a
congruently-formed projection (e.g., extending from the shaft
7--not shown in FIG. 3) is engaged, disposed or interleaved in the
groove 17. It is preferable that no other connection between the
parts 7 and 9 is provided, so that the connection 16 functions
solely on a form-fit, shape-fit or interference-fit basis or as
interlocking or interleaved structures. The nature of the
connection is not particularly limited, although it is preferably
that the shaft 7 can be easily disassembled or removed from the
shaft part 9 to expedite repairs or maintenance of the fluid
supplying device.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the pump 5 is preferably
embodied as a radial piston pump, i.e. one or more radial piston
units 10 are arranged equidistantly around the circumference of the
shaft part 9 of the pump 5. The radial piston units 10 of the pump
5 are actuated or driven by an eccentric cam 11, which is connected
with the shaft part 9 of the pump 5 so that they rotate together.
The eccentric cam 11 causes the respective pistons to move radially
outwardly as it rotates. The piston return movement (suction phase)
can be performed by providing respective compression springs to
urge the pistons radially inwardly or by providing another positive
or active drive coupled to the pistons for returning the pistons to
a normal or idle (predetermined) position. The radial piston
unit(s) 10 convey(s) the fluid medium via a one-way valve 13 into
an annular conduit 12 (see FIGS. 4 to 10).
[0036] Four different embodiments of a lubrication conduit 6 are
disclosed by FIGS. 4 and 5, 6 and 7, 8 and 9 and 10 and 11,
respectively. The lubricant conduit 6 fluidly connects to the pump
5 and serves to supply pressurized lubricant to a device in need of
lubrication, e.g., a motor.
[0037] The lubricant conduit 6 of each embodiment can be protected
from damage caused by excessive pressure by providing a pressure
relief valve 14.
[0038] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a conduit or pipe leads from
the annular conduit 12 to two input ports "A" of respective
3-port/2-position valves (i.e. directional control valves) 15. The
valve ports "B" in FIGS. 4/5 are each in fluid communication with a
reservoir T (e.g., reservoir 2 of FIG. 1). Valve ports "C" are each
in fluid communication with a pump outlet A/P and B/R,
respectively. The other pump ports are the pressure gauge ports MA
and MT, a measuring port M and a vent E.
[0039] Thus, in FIGS. 4 and 5, a two-line central lubrication
system includes two directional control valves 15 in the form of
two 3-port/2-position valves 18, 19, respectively, which operate as
follows. If the valve 18 is switched to the first position,
lubricant is supplied through outlet A/P and if valve 18 is
switched to the second position, lubricant is supplied to the
reservoir T (unpressurized). If the valve 19 is switched to the
first position, lubricant is supplied through outlet B/R and if
valve 19 is switched to the second position, lubricant is supplied
to the reservoir T (unpressurized). The valves are preferably
switched alternately for this application.
[0040] In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, a two-line central
lubrication system is shown that does not include 3-port/2-position
valves. In place of the two valves, two deflection plates 20 and 21
are provided in this embodiment. A two-line directional control
valve may be installed separately after the pump 5 in the two main
conduits. The port A/P is the pressurized lubricant supply port and
the port B/R is a reservoir connection for pressure discharge.
[0041] In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, a one-line central
lubrication system with one 3-port/2-position valve 15, 18 is
shown. Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, if the valve 18
is switched to the first position, lubricant is supplied through
outlet A/P and if valve 18 is switched to the second position,
lubricant is supplied to the reservoir T (unpressurized). In the
embodiment of FIG. 9, the corresponding valve ports of the valve 19
from FIG. 5 are sealed by a sealing plate 22, such that the outlet
B/R is sealed or closed.
[0042] In the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, a central lubrication
system is shown without 3-port/2-position valves. In the embodiment
according to FIG. 11, a deflection plate 23 is provided at the
corresponding port for the valve 18 according to FIG. 5 and a
sealing plate 24 is provided at the corresponding port for the
valve 19 according to FIG. 5. Thus, the entire supply flows through
outlet A/P and the port B/R is sealed.
[0043] The motor 3 is preferably a geared motor that is, e.g.,
electrically-, hydraulically- or pneumatically-driven. The screw
conveyor 4 conveys medium to the pump 5 when the motor 3 rotates
and, in preferred embodiments, the motor 3 simultaneously drives
both the screw conveyer 4 and the pump 5.
[0044] The reservoir 2 is preferably designed with a reservoir size
for holding 15, 30 or 60 kg of lubricant.
[0045] In the preferred embodiment, the arrangement of the motor,
screw conveyor and pump is constructed in a modular manner. These
elements are preferably coupled only via their respective (e.g.,
interlocking, interleaved) shapes, i.e., they are interleaved
together and are not connected or bound by frictional forces. This
enables a simple disassembly and/or a simple replacement of pump
and motor without disassembly of each of the other components. Due
to this modular construction, pumps or motors/gears can be later
replaced in a simple manner, e.g., in order to provide other
capacity ranges and/or for maintenance purposes.
[0046] By changing the number of the radial piston units
10--preferably between 1 and 6 units are selected--any desired
fluid supply output capacity can be realized.
[0047] The pump 5 can--as embodied above--pressurize the outlet
conduits or serve as a return line by using different accessories
(e.g., one 3-port/2-position valve, two 3-port/2-position valves or
no 3-port/2-position valve).
REFERENCE NUMBER LIST
[0048] 1 Fluid (e.g., lubricant) supplying device [0049] 2
Reservoir [0050] 3 Motor [0051] 4 Conveying element (e.g., screw
conveyor) [0052] 5 Pump (e.g., radial piston pump) [0053] 6
Lubricant conduit [0054] 7 Shaft [0055] 8 Conveying means (e.g.,
screw channel) [0056] 9 Shaft part [0057] 10 Radial piston unit
[0058] 11 Eccentric cam [0059] 12 Annular conduit [0060] 13 One-way
valve [0061] 14 Pressure relief valve [0062] 15 Directional control
valve [0063] 16 Rotatable-together connection [0064] 17 Groove
[0065] 18 Directional control valve [0066] 19 Directional control
valve [0067] 20 Deflection plate [0068] 21 Deflection plate [0069]
22 Sealing plate [0070] 23 Deflection plate [0071] 24 Sealing
Plate
* * * * *