U.S. patent application number 13/209116 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-16 for air conditioning unit for rescue shelter units.
Invention is credited to Jerome A. KLEIN.
Application Number | 20120039727 13/209116 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45564934 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120039727 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KLEIN; Jerome A. |
February 16, 2012 |
Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units
Abstract
An air conditioning unit designed for a rescue shelter in a
mine. The present invention utilizes compressed gas to power a
pneumatic piston system that is able to covert the linear forces
from the pistons into rotational forces. The present invention
utilizes a swash plate unit to translate linear motion into
rotation motion to power a conventional air conditioning
system.
Inventors: |
KLEIN; Jerome A.; (Raymond,
OH) |
Family ID: |
45564934 |
Appl. No.: |
13/209116 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61373712 |
Aug 13, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
417/199.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 27/1054 20130101;
F04B 27/086 20130101; F04B 41/06 20130101; F04B 27/1036
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/199.1 |
International
Class: |
F04B 23/08 20060101
F04B023/08 |
Claims
1. An Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units comprises, a
unit frame; a compressor; a valve system; a swash plate; a swash
plate shoe; a plurality of pistons; a fan unit; an internal heat
exchanger; an external heat exchanger; a plurality of gas tubes; a
plurality of spring valves; the unit frame comprises an internal
heat exchanger rack, an internal fan support, a external heat
exchanger rack, an external fan support, a drive train rack, a
compressor support, and a piston plate; the plurality of pistons
comprises a cylinder chamber and a piston arm; the compressor
comprises a compressor axle and a compressor pulley; the valve
system comprises a first body plate, a second body plate, a
plurality of valve channels, a cam, and a shoe mount; the swash
plate comprises a plurality of plates and a plurality of piston
bearing sockets; the swash plate shoe comprises a plate mount and a
mount socket; and the fan unit comprises an internal fan, an
external fan, a fan axle, and a fan pulley.
2. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed in
claim 1 comprises, the compressor axle being concentrically
extended from the compressor; and the compressor pulley being
concentrically connected to the compressor axle.
3. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed in
claim 1 comprises, the first body plate being secured to the second
body plate; the first body plate having a plurality of first valve
grooves, a first axle hole, and a plurality of exhaust holes; the
second body plate having a plurality of second valve grooves, a
second axle hole, and a plurality of inlet holes; the plurality of
valve channels being defined by the plurality of first valve
grooves and the plurality of second valve grooves; the plurality of
exhaust holes being traversed through the first body plate into the
plurality of valve channels; the plurality of inlet holes being
traversed through the second body plate into the plurality of valve
channels; the first hole being a hole traversed through the first
body plate; the second hole being a hole traversed through the
second body plate; the cam being positioned through the first hole
and the second hole; the cam being concentrically connected to the
compressor axle; the shoe mount being positioned on the second body
plate opposite of the first body plate in concentric relationship
with the second hole; and the compressor axle being connected to
the shoe mount.
4. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed in
claim 1 comprises, the plate mount being positioned on a angled end
of the swash plate shoe; and the mount socket being positioned on
the swash plate shoe opposite of the angled end.
5. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed in
claim 1 comprises, the plurality of plates having a plurality of
holes; and the plurality of piston bearing sockets being defined by
the plurality of holes.
6. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed in
claim 1 comprises, the internal fan being positioned on a first end
of the axle; the external fan being positioned on the axle opposite
of the internal fan; the fan pulley being concentrically connected
to the axle; the plurality of plates being aligned and connected;
the plurality of piston bearing sockets being holes traversing
through the plurality of plates; and the plurality of plates being
attached to the plate mount of the swash plate shoe.
7. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed in
claim 1 comprises, the internal heat exchanger rack being
perpendicularly extended from the drive train rack the external
heat exchanger rack being perpendicularly extended from the drive
train rack and positioned in parallel relationship to the internal
heat exchanger rack; the internal fan support being upwardly
extended from the internal heat exchanger rack; the external fan
support being upwardly extended from the external heat exchanger
rack; the compressor support being upwardly extended from the drive
train rack; the piston plate being upwardly extended from a rack
end of the drive train rack; and the piston plate comprises a
plurality of piston mounts.
8. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed in
claim 7 comprises, the plurality of spring valves comprises an
inlet channel and an exhaust channel; the compressor being secured
onto the compressor support; the valve system being longitudinally
secured onto the drive train rack in parallel relationship to the
compressor support; the piston plate being longitudinally secured
onto the drive train rack in parallel relationship to the valve
system, where in the piston plate comprises a plurality of piston
mounts; the swash plate shoe being mounted onto the shoe mount by
the mount socket; the plurality of spring valves being positioned
in the plurality of valve channels; the plurality of pistons being
circularly arranged and attached to the swash plate; each piston
being secured to the plurality of piston bearing sockets by means
of a plate bearing on each piston arm; and the cylinder chamber
being secured to the piston mounts.
9. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed in
claim 7 comprises, the internal heat exchanger being secured on the
internal heat exchanger rack; the external heat exchanger being
secured on the external heat exchanger rack; the axle being secured
to the internal fan support and the external fan support; the
internal fan being adjacently positioned to the internal heat
exchanger; the external fan being adjacently positioned to the
external heat exchanger; the belt being looped about the fan pulley
and the compressor pulley; the plurality of valve channels being
connected to the cylinder chamber by means of the plurality of gas
tubes, wherein each valve channel is connected to each cylinder
chamber; the internal heat exchanger being connected to the
compressor; and the external heat exchanger being connected to the
compressor.
10. An Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units comprises, a
unit frame; a compressor; a valve system; a swash plate; a swash
plate shoe; a plurality of pistons; a fan unit; an internal heat
exchanger; an external heat exchanger; a plurality of gas tubes; a
plurality of spring valves; the unit frame comprises an internal
heat exchanger rack, an internal fan support, a external heat
exchanger rack, an external fan support, a drive train rack, a
compressor support, and a piston plate; the plurality of pistons
comprises a cylinder chamber and a piston arm; the compressor
comprises a compressor axle and a compressor pulley; the valve
system comprises a first body plate, a second body plate, a
plurality of valve channels, a cam, and a shoe mount; the swash
plate comprises a plurality of plates and a plurality of piston
bearing sockets; the swash plate shoe comprises a plate mount and a
mount socket; the fan unit comprises an internal fan, an external
fan, a fan axle, and a fan pulley; the compressor axle being
concentrically extended from the compressor; and the compressor
pulley being concentrically connected to the compressor axle.
11. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed
in claim 10 comprises, the first body plate being secured to the
second body plate; the first body plate having a plurality of first
valve grooves, a first axle hole, and a plurality of exhaust holes;
the second body plate having a plurality of second valve grooves, a
second axle hole, and a plurality of inlet holes; the plurality of
valve channels being defined by the plurality of first valve
grooves and the plurality of second valve grooves; the plurality of
exhaust holes being traversed through the first body plate into the
plurality of valve channels; the plurality of inlet holes being
traversed through the second body plate into the plurality of valve
channels; the first hole being a hole traversed through the first
body plate; the second hole being a hole traversed through the
second body plate; the cam being positioned through the first hole
and the second hole; the cam being concentrically connected to the
compressor axle; the shoe mount being positioned on the second body
plate opposite of the first body plate in concentric relationship
with the second hole; and the compressor axle being connected to
the shoe mount.
12. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed
in claim 10 comprises, the plate mount being positioned on a angled
end of the swash plate shoe; the mount socket being positioned on
the swash plate shoe opposite of the angled end; the plurality of
plates having a plurality of holes; and the plurality of piston
bearing sockets being defined by the plurality of holes.
13. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed
in claim 10 comprises, the internal fan being positioned on a first
end of the axle; the external fan being positioned on the axle
opposite of the internal fan; the fan pulley being concentrically
connected to the axle; the plurality of plates being aligned and
connected; the plurality of piston bearing sockets being holes
traversing through the plurality of plates; and the plurality of
plates being attached to the plate mount of the swash plate
shoe.
14. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed
in claim 10 comprises, the internal heat exchanger rack being
perpendicularly extended from the drive train rack the external
heat exchanger rack being perpendicularly extended from the drive
train rack and positioned in parallel relationship to the internal
heat exchanger rack; the internal fan support being upwardly
extended from the internal heat exchanger rack; the external fan
support being upwardly extended from the external heat exchanger
rack; the compressor support being upwardly extended from the drive
train rack; the piston plate being upwardly extended from a rack
end of the drive train rack; the piston plate comprises a plurality
of piston mounts; the plurality of spring valves comprises an inlet
channel and an exhaust channel; the compressor being secured onto
the compressor support; the valve system being longitudinally
secured onto the drive train rack in parallel relationship to the
compressor support; the piston plate being longitudinally secured
onto the drive train rack in parallel relationship to the valve
system, where in the piston plate comprises a plurality of piston
mounts; the swash plate shoe being mounted onto the shoe mount by
the mount socket; the plurality of spring valves being positioned
in the plurality of valve channels; the plurality of pistons being
circularly arranged and attached to the swash plate; each piston
being secured to the plurality of piston bearing sockets by means
of a plate bearing on each piston arm; and the cylinder chamber
being secured to the piston mounts.
15. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed
in claim 14 comprises, the internal heat exchanger being secured on
the internal heat exchanger rack; the external heat exchanger being
secured on the external heat exchanger rack; the axle being secured
to the internal fan support and the external fan support; the
internal fan being adjacently positioned to the internal heat
exchanger; the external fan being adjacently positioned to the
external heat exchanger; the belt being looped about the fan pulley
and the compressor pulley; the plurality of valve channels being
connected to the cylinder chamber by means of the plurality of gas
tubes, wherein each valve channel is connected to each cylinder
chamber; the internal heat exchanger being connected to the
compressor; and the external heat exchanger being connected to the
compressor.
16. An Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units comprises, a
unit frame; a compressor; a valve system; a swash plate; a swash
plate shoe; a plurality of pistons; a fan unit; an internal heat
exchanger; an external heat exchanger; a plurality of gas tubes; a
plurality of spring valves; the unit frame comprises an internal
heat exchanger rack, an internal fan support, a external heat
exchanger rack, an external fan support, a drive train rack, a
compressor support, and a piston plate; the plurality of pistons
comprises a cylinder chamber and a piston arm; the compressor
comprises a compressor axle and a compressor pulley; the valve
system comprises a first body plate, a second body plate, a
plurality of valve channels, a cam, and a shoe mount; the swash
plate comprises a plurality of plates and a plurality of piston
bearing sockets; the swash plate shoe comprises a plate mount and a
mount socket; the fan unit comprises an internal fan, an external
fan, a fan axle, and a fan pulley; the compressor axle being
concentrically extended from the compressor; and the compressor
pulley being concentrically connected to the compressor axle.
17. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed
in claim 16 comprises, the first body plate being secured to the
second body plate; the first body plate having a plurality of first
valve grooves, a first axle hole, and a plurality of exhaust holes;
the second body plate having a plurality of second valve grooves, a
second axle hole, and a plurality of inlet holes; the plurality of
valve channels being defined by the plurality of first valve
grooves and the plurality of second valve grooves; the plurality of
exhaust holes being traversed through the first body plate into the
plurality of valve channels; the plurality of inlet holes being
traversed through the second body plate into the plurality of valve
channels; the first hole being a hole traversed through the first
body plate; the second hole being a hole traversed through the
second body plate; the cam being positioned through the first hole
and the second hole; the cam being concentrically connected to the
compressor axle; the shoe mount being positioned on the second body
plate opposite of the first body plate in concentric relationship
with the second hole; and the compressor axle being connected to
the shoe mount.
18. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed
in claim 16 comprises, the plate mount being positioned on a angled
end of the swash plate shoe; the mount socket being positioned on
the swash plate shoe opposite of the angled end; the plurality of
plates having a plurality of holes; the plurality of piston bearing
sockets being defined by the plurality of holes; the internal fan
being positioned on a first end of the axle; the external fan being
positioned on the axle opposite of the internal fan; the fan pulley
being concentrically connected to the axle; the plurality of plates
being aligned and connected; the plurality of piston bearing
sockets being holes traversing through the plurality of plates; and
the plurality of plates being attached to the plate mount of the
swash plate shoe.
19. The Air Conditioning Unit for Rescue Shelter Units as claimed
in claim 16 comprises, the internal heat exchanger rack being
perpendicularly extended from the drive train rack the external
heat exchanger rack being perpendicularly extended from the drive
train rack and positioned in parallel relationship to the internal
heat exchanger rack; the internal fan support being upwardly
extended from the internal heat exchanger rack; the external fan
support being upwardly extended from the external heat exchanger
rack; the compressor support being upwardly extended from the drive
train rack; the piston plate being upwardly extended from a rack
end of the drive train rack; the piston plate comprises a plurality
of piston mounts; the plurality of spring valves comprises an inlet
channel and an exhaust channel; the compressor being secured onto
the compressor support; the valve system being longitudinally
secured onto the drive train rack in parallel relationship to the
compressor support; the piston plate being longitudinally secured
onto the drive train rack in parallel relationship to the valve
system, where in the piston plate comprises a plurality of piston
mounts; the swash plate shoe being mounted onto the shoe mount by
the mount socket; the plurality of spring valves being positioned
in the plurality of valve channels; the plurality of pistons being
circularly arranged and attached to the swash plate; each piston
being secured to the plurality of piston bearing sockets by means
of a plate bearing on each piston arm; the cylinder chamber being
secured to the piston mounts; the internal heat exchanger being
secured on the internal heat exchanger rack; the external heat
exchanger being secured on the external heat exchanger rack; the
axle being secured to the internal fan support and the external fan
support; the internal fan being adjacently positioned to the
internal heat exchanger; the external fan being adjacently
positioned to the external heat exchanger; the belt being looped
about the fan pulley and the compressor pulley; the plurality of
valve channels being connected to the cylinder chamber by means of
the plurality of gas tubes, wherein each valve channel is connected
to each cylinder chamber; the internal heat exchanger being
connected to the compressor; and the external heat exchanger being
connected to the compressor.
Description
[0001] The current application claims a priority to the U.S.
Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/373,712 filed on Aug.
13, 2010.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an air
conditioning unit. More specifically, the present invention
utilizes compressed gas for multiple pneumatic pistons to power an
air conditioning unit designed for rescue shelters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0003] The following is a list of prior art related to the present
invention with a brief description of the present invention's
differences in comparison:
[0004] In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,392 is a refrigerant pump which
uses a swash plate as the mechanism for compressing the
refrigerant. The method of driving the shaft is not mentioned. The
present invention uses pneumatically driven pistons connected to a
swash plate to deliver the rotation needed to drive an A/C
unit.
[0005] In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,863 is a swash plate type axial
piston pump. However, this patent is for a single axial piston
pump, whereas the present invention utilizes a compressed gas
powered swash plate axial piston motor to power an A/C unit.
[0006] In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,574 is a swash plate designed
compressor. The utilization of the swash plate in this patent is
different from the present invention. The present invention
utilizes a swash plate to rotate and drive a shaft to power the A/C
unit. The compressor of the present invention is driven by the
rotating shaft.
[0007] In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,325 is a swash plate designed
compressor. The utilization of the swash plate in this patent is
different from the present invention. The present invention
utilizes a swash plate to rotate and drive a shaft to power the A/C
unit. The compressor of the present invention is driven by the
rotating shaft.
[0008] In the European Patent EP 1384886 is a piston designed for
used in a compressor. The piston is primarily used for a swash
plate carbon dioxide compressor. The utilization of the swash plate
in this patent is different from the present invention. The present
invention utilizes a swash plate to rotate and drive a shaft to
power the A/C unit. The compressor of the present invention is
driven by the rotating shaft.
[0009] In the U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,727 is a compressor that is used
for an A/C unit specifically. The compressor in this patent still
compresses the refrigerant. However, the design of the present
invention provides the rotation for a generic air conditioning
unit.
[0010] In the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,999,893, 4,781,539, and the European
patent EP0569958 is a similar invention to the U.S. Pat. No.
4,790,727 mentioned above. These patents introduce a swash plate as
means of compressing the refrigerant. The present invention
utilizes a swash plate to power a conventional compressor.
[0011] In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,784 is a similar system as the
above mentioned systems in that it uses a swash plate to compress
the refrigerants. However, it is different in that the refrigerant
is carbon dioxide. The present invention does not use a swash plate
for the compressor, nor is carbon dioxide used as the refrigerant.
Oxygen is used as the gas to power the pneumatic pistons, which
connected to the swash rotate a shaft that powers an A/C unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0012] During a mine collapse, the working miners are required to
evacuate to a mine shelter for safety. The mine shelters often
provide the structural support to provide the miners a safe space
to stay until rescue arrives. The mine shelters often provide the
miners with the necessities for survival including carbon dioxide
scrubber systems, oxygen supply, rations, and other items required
for survival. However, an unaddressed and considerable problem with
current mine shelters during rescue operations of mines is heat. In
extreme conditions, the temperatures within a mine shelter can
reach dangerous levels. The present invention is able to bring the
high level temperatures in the mine rescue shelters to provide the
miners with a more comfortable environment. The present invention
utilizes a series of pneumatic pistons to power a swash plate and
shoe. The piston's linear motions are converted into a rotational
motion by the swash plate and shoe. A shaft receives the rotational
energy to rotate fans and an air conditioning compressor. The fans
are able to circulate air within the shelter through a heat
exchanger. The heat exchanger is able to draw the heat from the
shelter and transfer it to an exterior heat exchanger to be
dispelled. The present invention is a safe and simple solution that
provides high flow rates of conditioned air. The gas used to
pressurize the pistons is the O2 gas supplied to sustain the miners
until rescue. The usage of the compressed gas and multiple pistons
provides the power needed to fully power an air conditioning
unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entire apparatus of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the valve system, swash plate,
swash plate shoe, plurality of pistons and the piston mount.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the valve system
in which a sectional view is taken and shown in FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the cross section of the
valve system showing a single spring valve being pushed out by the
cam.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
[0017] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of
describing selected versions of the present invention and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0018] The present invention is an air conditioning unit designed
specifically for, but is not limited to, mine rescue operations.
The present invention is designed to be powered by the use of a
compressed gas. The present invention comprises a unit frame 1, a
compressor 2, a valve system 3, a swash plate 4, a swash plate shoe
5, a plurality of pistons 6, a fan unit 7, an internal heat
exchanger 8, an external heat exchanger 9, a plurality of gas tubes
10, a plurality of spring valves 20, and a belt 30. The present
invention utilizes the plurality of pistons 6 to provide the
required force for powering the air conditioning unit of the
present invention. The linear motion of the plurality of pistons 6
is converted into rotational motion. The rotational motion is then
used for the powering of the air conditioning unit.
[0019] In reference to FIG. 1, the unit frame 1 is the structural
body of the present invention that is able to hold and mount the
other components of the present invention. The unit frame 1
comprises an internal heat exchanger rack 11, an internal fan
support 12, an external heat exchanger rack 13, an external fan
support 14, a drive train rack 15, a compressor support 16, and
piston plate 17. The drive train rack 15 is a pair of parallel bar
supports that is held together by the compressor support 16 and the
piston plate 17. The internal heat exchanger rack 11 is a platform
that is perpendicularly extended from one end of the drive train
rack 15. The external heat exchanger rack 13, similar to the
internal heat exchanger rack 11, is perpendicularly extended from
the drive train rack 15 in parallel relationship to the internal
heat exchanger rack 11. The external heat exchanger rack 13 is
extended from the end of the drive train rack 15 opposite of the
internal heat exchanger rack 11. The internal fan support 12 is
upwardly extended from the upper surface of the internal heat
exchanger rack 11. In a similar fashion, the external fan support
14 is upwardly extended from the upper surface of the external heat
exchanger rack 13. The compressor support 16 is connected across
and is upwardly extended from the drive train rack 15. The piston
plate 17 is positioned on one end of the drive train rack 15. The
piston plate 17 is connected across and is positioned in parallel
relationship to the compressor support 16.
[0020] In reference to FIG. 1, the compressor 2 is an axial
compressor that utilizes rotational forces to drive a refrigerant
through the entire system. The compressor 2 comprises a compressor
axle 21 and a compressor pulley 22. The compressor axle 21 is
extended concentrically from the compressor 2. The compressor 2 is
able to harness energy received through the compressor axle 21 to
propel the refrigerant through the entire air conditioning system.
The compressor pulley 22 is connected to the compressor axle 21 in
concentric relationship. As the present invention solely relies on
rotational energy generated by compressed gasses and the plurality
of pistons 6, the compressor pulley 22 provides the compressor 2
with the ability to share the rotational energy with other
components.
[0021] In reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the valve system 3 works
in unison with the plurality of pistons 6, the swash plate 4, and
the swash plate shoe 5 to generate the require rotational energy to
power the present invention. The plurality of pistons 6 generate
the required linear forces that are to be converted into the
rotational motions by the swash plate 4. The valve system 3 is able
to regulate and distribute compressed gasses in series to the
appropriate pistons for efficient generation of rotational forces.
The valve system 3 comprises a first body plate 31, a second body
plate 32, a plurality of valve channels 33, a cam 34, and a shoe
mount 35. The first body plate 31 comprises a plurality of first
valve grooves 311, a first hole 312, and a plurality of exhaust
holes 313. The second body plate 32 comprises a plurality of second
valve grooves 321, a second axle 73 hole, and a plurality of inlet
holes 323. The first body plate 31 is secured to the second body
plate 32 to create the body of the valve system 3. The combination
of the first body plate 31 and the second body plate 32 allows the
first valve grooves 311 and the second valve grooves 321 to define
the plurality of valve channels 33. The plurality of exhaust holes
313 is holes that traverse through the first body plate 31 into the
plurality of valve channels 33. Similarly, the plurality of inlet
holes 323 is holes that traverse through the second body plate 32
into the plurality of valve channels 33. The first hole 312 is a
hole that traverses through the center of the first body plate 31.
The second hole 322 is a hole that traverses through the center of
the second body plate 32. The first hole 312 and the second hole
322 are aligned and similarly sized to allow the cam 34 to be
positioned through. The shoe mount 35 is positioned on the face of
the second body plate 32 opposite of the first body plate 31 in
concentric relationship with the second hole 322. The cam 34 is
concentrically connected to the compressor axle 21. The compressor
axle 21 traverses through the first hole 312 and the second hole
322 to be connected to the shoe mount 35. The plurality of spring
valves 20 is positioned in the plurality of valve channels 33 to
control flow of the compressed gases moving through the system.
[0022] The swash plate shoe 5 is mounted onto the shoe mount 35 for
to transfer rotational energy to the compressor axle 21. The swash
plate shoe 5 comprises a plate mount 51 and a mount socket 52. The
plate mount 51 is connecting component that allow the swash plate 4
to be connected to the swash plate shoe 5. The plate mount 51 is
positioned on an angled end of the swash plate shoe 5. The mount
socket 52 is positioned on the swash plate shoe 5 opposite of the
angled end. The swash plate shoe 5 is mounted onto the shoe mount
35 by means of the mount socket 52. The swash plate 4 comprises a
plurality of plates 41 and a plurality of piston bearing sockets
42. Each of the plates has a plurality of holes consistent with the
number of pistons. The plurality of plate are aligned and secured
to each other with the plurality of holes defining the piston
bearing sockets. The combination of the plurality of holes creates
a spherical socket for the connection to the plurality of pistons
6.
[0023] In reference to FIG. 2, the each of the pistons of the
plurality of pistons 6 comprises a cylinder chamber 61 and a piston
arm 62. The plurality of pistons 6 is connected to the plurality of
piston bearing sockets 42 by means of the piston arms 62 to create
a low friction interface. Each piston arm 62 comprises a plate
bearing 63. The plate bearings 63 are ball bearing ends on the
piston arm 62 that fit directly into the plurality of piston
bearing sockets 42. The ball bearing ends of the piston arm 62
provides the plurality of pistons 6 with the ability to constantly
provide the linear motion at differing angles to the swash plate.
The plurality of piston bearing sockets 42 is evenly distributed on
the swash plate 4 in a circular arrangement. As a result, the
plurality of pistons 6 is correspondingly arranged in a circular
fashion onto the swash plate 4. It is important for this connection
to be a low friction interface to ensure no energy is lost to heat
and that all energy received by the compressed gas is translated
into the rotational energy needed for the operation of the present
invention.
[0024] In reference to FIG. 1, all the components are secured onto
the unit frame 1 for proper operation. The compressor 2 is mounted
and secured onto the compressor support 16 with the compressor axle
21 being extended towards the piston plate 17. The valve system 3
is longitudinally secured onto the drive train rack 15 in parallel
relationship to the compressor support 16. The piston plate 17,
similar to the valve system 3, is longitudinally secured to the
drive train rack 15 in parallel relationship to the valve system 3.
The piston plate 17 additionally comprises of piston mounts 171.
The positioning and arrangement of the piston plate 17 allows the
plurality of pistons 6 to be arranged in parallel relationship to
the swash plate shoe 5. The pistons are additionally secured to the
piston plate 17 to their corresponding piston mounts 171. The
cylinder chamber 61s are secured to the piston mounts 171 to
provide the plurality of pistons 6 with the ability to move
laterally. This positioning allows for optimal conversion of the
linear force provided by the pistons to rotational force through
the swash plate 4 and swash plate shoe 5.
[0025] The internal heat exchanger 8 is secured onto the internal
heat exchanger rack 11 in a vertical position. Similarly, the
external heat exchanger 9 is secured onto the external heat
exchanger rack 13 in a vertical position. The internal heat
exchanger 8 and the external heat exchanger 9 are flat heat
exchangers that are positioned so that the larger surfaces areas
are perpendicular to the face of the internal heat exchanger rack
11 and the external heat exchanger rack 13. This type of
arrangement allows the grill fins of both heat exchangers to be
directed towards the sides of the present invention. As a result,
the internal heat exchanger 8 and the external heat exchanger 9 are
able to efficient exchange heat with the environment. To increase
the efficiency of heat exchange between the internal heat exchanger
8 and the external heat exchanger 9, the fan unit 7 is used. The
fan unit 7 comprises an internal fan 71, an external fan 72, a fan
axle 73, and a fan pulley 74. The internal fan 71 is positioned on
a first end of the axle 73 and the external fan 72 is positioned on
the axle 73 opposite of the internal fan 71. The fan unit 7 is able
to receive rotational energy to power the fans by means of the fan
pulley 74. The fan pulley 74 is concentrically connected to the
axle 73. The belt 30 is looped about the fan pulley 74 and the
compressor pulley 22 to allow the sharing of the rotational energy
created by the valve system 3, the swash plate 4, the swash plate
shoe 5, and the plurality of pistons 6. The axle 73 is secured to
the internal fan support 12 and the external fan support 14. As a
result, the internal fan 71 is positioned adjacent to the internal
heat exchanger 8 and the external fan 72 is positioned adjacent to
the external heat exchanger 9 to create air flow through each
corresponding heat exchanger. The internal heat exchanger 8 and the
external heat exchanger 9 are both connected in line with the
compressor 2, as well as to each other to complete the refrigerant
cycling loop.
[0026] In reference to FIG. 1, to operate the present invention,
the valve system 3 is required to be connected to a compressed gas
tank. The compressed gas tank is connected directly to the
plurality of inlet holes 323 on the first body plate 31. The
plurality of valve channels 33 is connected to the cylinder
chambers 61 of the plurality of pistons 6 by means of the gas tubes
10. Each valve channel is connected to each cylinder chamber 61 to
allow each individual piston to act independently. In the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the compressed gas used is
oxygen. To control the flow of the compressed gas, the plurality of
spring valve within the plurality of valve channels 33 further
comprises of an inlet channel 201 and an exhaust channel 202. Each
of the spring valves 20 are normally closed and pushed towards the
center of the valve system 3. Given that the cam 34 is pressing a
first spring valve out, an inlet channel 201 is aligned with the
corresponding inlet hole. The compressed gas is able to through
inlet channel 201 into the corresponding gas tube into the cylinder
chamber 61 of the corresponding piston. The compressed gas builds
pressure within the cylinder chamber 61 of the piston forcing the
piston arm 62 to extend. The linear force from the piston arm 62 is
translated to the swash plate 4. The force applied to the swash
plate 4 and the angled end of the swash plate shoe 5, causes the
swash plate shoe 5 to rotate. The degree of the angled end is able
to determine the amount of force from the pistons that is required
for the translation into rotational force or torque. The rotation
of the swash plate shoe 5 causes the rotation of the cam 34 and the
compressor axle 21. This rotational energy is used to power the
compressor 2 as well as the fan unit 7. The fan unit 7 is able to
receive the rotational energy through the compressor pulley 22, the
belt 30, and the fan pulley 74. The rotation of the cam 34 results
in the release of the first spring valve. As the first spring valve
is being released, the exhaust channel 202 will momentarily align
with the exhaust hole. The pressure built up in the cylinder
chamber 61 is released through the corresponding valve channel,
through the exhaust channel 202 and out the exhaust hole. The
rotation of the swash plate shoe 5 will continue and move the cam
34 to the next spring valve. The process will repeat continuously
until the compressed gas supply has been depleted or if the system
is shut off. Within a rescue shelter of a mine, the preferred
compressed gas is oxygen. The design of the present invention
allows the compressed gas to be released into the air of the rescue
shelter for breathing as its compressed energy is utilized to power
the unit.
[0027] As an example, the following is a description of one
revolution of the swash plate 4 with four pistons. A first piston
is at half through its throw and has ambient air filled inside its
cylinder chamber 61. A second piston is at full extension with the
compressed gas filled into its cylinder chamber 61. A third piston
is at half through its throw similar to the first piston. A fourth
piston is completely depressed. The cam 34 pushes open a spring
valve which pressurizes the first piston. The piston pushes against
the swash plate 4 which is attached to the swash plate shoe 5. The
movement of the swash plate shoe 5 also changes the position of the
second, third, and fourth piston. The second piston is now at the
halfway position of its displacement, the third piston at its zero
displacement, and the fourth piston also being at the half way
position of its displacement. The spring valve associated with the
first piston is aligned so that the exhaust channel 202 is aligned
with the exhaust hole to release the pressurized gas. At the same
time, the spring valve associated with the second piston is aligned
so that the inlet channel 201 is aligned with the inlet hole for
the pressurization of the second piston. This pressure will force
the second piston to complete displacement and will turn the swash
plate 4 another 90 degrees. This process is continued until the
present invention is turned off or the supply of gas is
exhausted.
[0028] The torque or rotational force produced from the rotation of
the swash plate shoe 5 is transferred to the compressor axle 21.
The compressor axle 21 may pass through a series of speed
increasing gears and even a free wheel clutch. The compressor axle
21 will in turn run to the compressor 2 and the fan unit 7 using
the belt 30 and the pulleys.
[0029] In reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present
invention shown is shown with four pistons, four and four valve
channels 33. This design allows for a low flow rate of gas at 10
liters/min or less to be translated into high rotational torque. In
other embodiments of the present invention, there may be more
pistons and valve channels 33 for a smoother rotational transition.
However, there must be a minimum of three pistons positioned at
even intervals around the swash plate 4 and the swash plate shoe 5
for continuous rotation.
[0030] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
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