U.S. patent application number 14/443088 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-15 for vane pumps and methods of operating same.
The applicant listed for this patent is MOOG ING. Invention is credited to John Kopp.
Application Number | 20150292503 14/443088 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47459099 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150292503 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kopp; John |
October 15, 2015 |
VANE PUMPS AND METHODS OF OPERATING SAME
Abstract
A vane pump (20) including: a housing (21), a first motor (23)
arranged to rotate a shaft (22) mounted about the shaft axis, a
rotor (24) mounted for rotation with the shaft, and a member (28)
having a surface (29) and having a member axis. The member is
movable relative to the shaft axis through a permissible range of
motion which includes portions on either side of a null position. A
vane (32) is movably mounted in each rotor slot, and has a distal
end arranged to engage the member surface. The vanes define with
the rotor and surface a plurality of chambers (33A-33F). The
individual volumes of the chambers vary as a function of the
relative position between the rotor and surface. A second motor
(31) is operatively arranged to selectively move the member
relative to the shaft axis through the permissible range of motion.
Movement of the member off-null in one direction along the range of
motion will enable fluid flow in a first direction between the
ports, while movement of the member off-null in the opposite
direction along the range of motion will enable fluid flow in the
opposite direction between the ports.
Inventors: |
Kopp; John; (West Seneca,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MOOG ING |
East Aurora |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47459099 |
Appl. No.: |
14/443088 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
November 16, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2012/065608 |
371 Date: |
May 15, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
418/1 ;
418/5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04C 14/04 20130101;
F04C 2/3442 20130101; F04C 14/226 20130101; F04C 14/223 20130101;
F04C 11/001 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04C 11/00 20060101
F04C011/00; F04C 2/344 20060101 F04C002/344 |
Claims
1. A vane pump, comprising: a housing; a shaft having a shaft axis,
said shaft being mounted on said housing for rotation about said
shaft axis; a first motor operatively arranged to selectively
rotate said shaft; a rotor mounted for rotation with said shaft,
said rotor having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced slots; a
member having a surface and having a member axis, said member being
movable relative to said shaft axis through a permissible range of
motion which includes portions on either side of a null position;
wherein said member axis is coincident with said shaft axis when
said member is in said null position; a vane movably mounted in
each rotor slot and having a distal end arranged to engage said
member surface; said vanes defining with said rotor and surface a
plurality of chambers, the individual volumes of said chambers
varying as a function of the relative position between said rotor
and surface; said housing having two fluid passageways operatively
arranged to communicate with two of said chambers as a function of
the angular position of said rotor relative to said housing; a
second motor operatively arranged to selectively move said member
relative to said shaft axis through said permissible range of
motion; wherein movement of said member off null in one direction
along said range of motion will enable fluid flow in a first
direction between said ports; and wherein movement of said member
off null in the opposite direction along said range of motion will
enable fluid flow in the opposite direction between said ports.
2. A vane pump as set forth in claim 1 wherein said member has
passageways that communicate with said housing passageways and that
terminate in ports at said surface.
3. A vane pump as set forth in claim 1, and further comprising: a
boundary seal separating a wet portion of said second motor from a
dry portion of said second motor; and wherein said second motor has
one portion arranged on one side of said seal and has another
portion arranged on the other side of said seal.
4. A vane pump as set forth in claim 3 wherein said one portion
includes a permanent magnet, and said other portion includes a
coil.
5. A vane pump as set forth in claim 1 wherein said member is
mounted on said housing.
6. A vane pump as set forth in claim 5 wherein said member is
mounted on said housing by a flexure member.
7. A vane pump as set forth in claim 6 wherein said range of motion
is arcuate.
8. A vane pump as set forth in claim 1 wherein said range of motion
is linear.
9. A vane pump as set forth in claim 1, and further comprising: a
resilient member acting between said housing and said member for
urging said member to move toward said null position.
10. A vane pump, comprising: a housing; a shaft having a shaft
axis, said shaft being mounted on said housing for rotation about
said shaft axis; a first motor mounted on said housing and
operatively arranged to selectively rotate said shaft; a plurality
of rotors mounted for rotation with said shaft at spaced locations
therealong, each rotor having a plurality of
circumferentially-spaced slots; a plurality of members, each member
having a surface and having a member axis, each member being
associated with a respective one of said rotors and being movable
relative to said shaft axis through a permissible range of motion
which includes portions on either side of a null position; wherein
each member axis is coincident with said shaft axis when the
associated member is in said null position; a vane movably mounted
in each rotor slot and having a distal end arranged to engage the
surface of the associated member; said vanes defining with the
associated rotor and surface a plurality of chambers, the
individual volumes of said chambers varying as a function of the
relative position between said associated rotor and surface; said
housing having two fluid passageways operatively arranged to
communicate with two of said chambers for each member as a function
of the angular position of said rotor relative to said housing; a
plurality of second motors operatively arranged to selectively move
the associated member relative to said shaft axis through its
permissible range of motion; wherein movement of each member off
null in one direction along the range of motion of such member will
enable fluid flow in a first direction between the ports of such
member; and wherein movement of each member off null in the
opposite direction along the range of motion of such member will
enable fluid flow in the opposite direction between the ports of
such member.
11. A vane pump as set forth in claim 10 wherein said member has
passageways that communicate with said housing passageways and that
terminate in ports at said surface.
12. A vane pump as set forth in claim 10 wherein said plurality of
members are stackable at axially-spaced locations along said
shaft.
13. A vane pump as set forth in claim 10 wherein the fluid output
of each member is controllable independently.
14. A vane pump as set forth in claim 10, and further comprising: a
plurality of boundary seals, each boundary seal separating a wet
portion of an associated second motor from a dry portion of such
associated second motor; and wherein each second motor has one
portion arranged on one side of the associated seal and has another
portion arranged on the other side of such associated seal.
15. A vane pump as set forth in claim 14 wherein said one portion
includes a permanent magnet, and said other portion includes a
coil.
16. A vane pump as set forth in claim 10 wherein each member is
mounted on said housing by a flexure member.
17. A vane pump as set forth in claim 10 wherein the range of
motion of each member is arcuate.
18. A vane pump as set forth in claim 10 wherein the range of
motion of each member is linear.
19. A vane pump as set forth in claim 10, and further comprising: a
resilient member acting between said housing and each member for
urging such member to move toward said null position.
20. A vane pump, comprising: a housing; a shaft having a shaft
axis, said shaft being mounted on said housing for rotation about
said shaft axis; a first motor operatively arranged to selectively
rotate said shaft; a rotor mounted for rotation with said shaft,
said rotor having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced slots; a
member having a surface and having a member axis, said member being
movable relative to said shaft axis through a permissible range of
motion which includes portions on either side of a null position;
wherein said member axis is coincident with said shaft axis when
said member is in said null position; a vane movably mounted in
each rotor slot and having a distal end arranged to engage said
member surface; a second motor operatively arranged to selectively
move said member relative to said shaft axis through said
permissible range of motion; said vanes defining with said rotor
and surface a plurality of chambers, the individual volumes of said
chambers varying as a function of the relative position between
said rotor and surface; said housing having two fluid passageways
operatively arranged to communicate with two of said chambers as a
function of the angular position of said rotor relative to said
housing; and wherein the direction of flow between said passageways
is a function of the position of said member axis relative to said
shaft axis.
21. A vane pump as set forth in claim 20 wherein said member has
passageways that communicate with said housing passageways and that
terminate in ports at said surface.
22. A vane pump as set forth in claim 20 wherein the direction of
fluid flow between said passageways is in one direction when said
member has been moved off null in one direction along said range of
motion, and is in the opposite direction when said member has been
moved off null in the opposite direction along said range of
motion.
23. A vane pump as set forth in claim 20, and further comprising: a
boundary seal separating a wet portion of said second motor from a
dry portion of said second motor; and wherein said second motor has
one portion arranged on one side of said seal and has another
portion arranged on the other side of said seal.
24. A vane pump as set forth in claim 23 wherein said one portion
includes a permanent magnet, and said other portion includes a
coil.
25. A vane pump, comprising: a shaft having a shaft axis, said
shaft being mounted for rotation about said shaft axis; a first
motor operatively arranged to selectively rotate said shaft about
said shaft axis; a rotor mounted for rotation with said shaft, said
rotor having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced slots; a
member having a surface and having a member axis, said member being
movable relative to said shaft axis through a permissible range of
motion which includes portions on either side of a null position;
wherein said member axis is coincident with said shaft axis when
said member is in said null position; a vane movably mounted in
each rotor slot and having a distal end arranged to engage said
member surface; said vanes defining with said rotor and surface a
plurality of chambers, the individual volumes of said chambers
varying as a function of the relative position between said rotor
and surface a second motor operatively arranged to selectively move
said member relative to said shaft axis through said permissible
range of motion; and a boundary seal separating a wet portion of
said second motor from a dry portion of said second motor; and
wherein said second motor has one portion arranged on one side of
said seal and has another portion arranged on the other side of
said seal.
26. A vane pump as set forth in claim 20 wherein said member has
passageways that communicate with said housing passageways and that
terminate in ports at said surface.
27. A vane pump as set forth in claim 25 wherein said one portion
includes a permanent magnet, and said other portion includes a
coil.
28. The method of operating a vane pump that includes a housing, a
rotor having a rotor axis and being rotatably mounted on said
housing, said rotor having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced
slots; a member having a surface and having a member axis, said
member being movable relative to said rotor axis through a
permissible range of motion; wherein said member axis is coincident
with said shaft axis when said member is in said null position; a
vane movably mounted in each rotor slot and having a distal end
arranged to engage said member surface; said vanes defining with
said rotor and surface a plurality of chambers, the individual
volumes of said chambers varying as a function of the relative
position between said rotor and surface; comprising the steps of:
rotating said rotor in one angular direction about said rotor axis;
selectively moving said member relative to said rotor; and varying
the direction of fluid flow between said ports as by varying the
position between said rotor and member axes.
29. The method as set forth in claim 28, and further comprising the
additional step of: varying the magnitude of the fluid flow between
said ports by varying the position between said rotor and member
axes.
30. The method as set forth in claim 28 wherein the position
between said rotor and member axes is varied by moving said member
relative to said rotor.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to vane pumps, and,
more particularly, to improved stackable over-center vane pumps and
methods of operating the same.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Vane pumps are, of course, known. These devices generally
have a rotor mounted for rotation within a cavity in a body or
member. A plurality of circumferentially-spaced slots extends
radially into the rotor from its outer surface. A vane is slidably
mounted in each slot, and has a distal end operatively arranged to
engage a portion of the member wall defining the cavity. Often, the
vanes are urged to move outwardly from the rotor by centrifugal
force when the rotor rotates. These vanes define with the rotor and
the member, a series of circumferentially-spaced chambers between a
fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The volumes of these chambers
progressively increase or decrease, depending on the direction of
rotation, as the rotor rotates within the member. These chambers
carry fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. Examples of
such vane motors are representatively shown and described in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,619,594, U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,283 and U.S. Pat. No.
6,763,797.
[0003] However, with such prior art vane pumps, it is normally
necessary to reverse the direction of rotor rotation to change the
direction of fluid flow through the pump.
[0004] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide improved vane
pumps that would allow the direction of fluid flow through the
pumps to be reversed without having to change the direction of
rotor rotation.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0005] With parenthetical reference to the corresponding parts,
portions or surfaces of the disclosed embodiment, merely for
purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, the present
invention broadly provides improved vane pumps.
[0006] In one form, the improved vane pump (20) includes: a housing
(21); a shaft (22) having a shaft axis (y.sub.1-y.sub.1), the shaft
being mounted on the housing for rotation about the shaft axis; a
first motor (23) operatively arranged to selectively rotate the
shaft; a rotor (24) mounted for rotation with the shaft, the rotor
having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced slots (26); a member
(28) having a surface (29) and having a member axis
(y.sub.2-y.sub.2), the member being movable relative to the shaft
axis through a permissible range of motion (30) which includes
portions ("-1", "+1") on either side of a null position ("0");
wherein the member axis (y.sub.2-y.sub.2) is coincident with the
shaft axis (y.sub.1-y.sub.1) when the member is in the null
position; a vane (32) movably mounted in each rotor slot and having
a distal end arranged to sealingly and wipingly engage the member
surface; the vanes defining with the rotor and surface a plurality
of chambers (33A-33F), the individual volumes of the chambers
varying as a function of the relative position between the rotor
and surface; the housing having two fluid passageways (34, 34)
operatively arranged to communicate with two of the chambers as a
function of the angular position of the rotor relative to the
housing; a second motor (31) operatively arranged to selectively
move the member relative to the shaft axis through the permissible
range of motion; wherein movement of the member off-null in one
direction along the range of motion will enable fluid flow in a
first direction between the ports; and wherein movement of the
member off null in the opposite direction along the range of motion
will enable fluid flow in the opposite direction between the
ports.
[0007] The improved pump may further include a boundary seal (54)
separating a wet portion (55) of the second motor from a dry
portion (56) of the second motor. The second motor may have one
portion (58) arranged on one side of the seal, and may have another
portion (59) arranged on the other side of the seal. The one
portion may include a permanent magnet (58), and the other portion
may include a coil (59).
[0008] The member may be mounted on the housing.
[0009] In one form, the member may be mounted on the housing by a
flexure member (40).
[0010] The range of member motion may be arcuate, linear or
rotational.
[0011] A resilient member (41) may be arranged to act between the
housing and the member for urging the member to move toward the
null position.
[0012] In another form, the improved vane pump (20) may include: a
housing (21); a shaft (22) having a shaft axis (y.sub.1-y.sub.1),
the shaft being mounted on the housing for rotation about the shaft
axis; a first motor (23) mounted on the housing and operatively
arranged to selectively rotate the shaft; a plurality of rotors (24
in FIG. 1; 51 in FIG. 5) mounted for rotation with the shaft at
spaced locations therealong, each rotor having a plurality of
circumferentially-spaced slots (26); a plurality of members (28),
each member having a surface (57) and having a member axis
(y.sub.2-y.sub.2), each member being associated with a respective
one of the rotors and being movable relative to the shaft axis
through a permissible range of motion (30 in FIG. 1) which includes
portions on either side of a null position; wherein each member
axis is coincident with the shaft axis when the associated member
is in the null position; a vane (26) movably mounted in each rotor
slot and having a distal end arranged to sealingly and wipingly
engage the surface of the associated member; the vanes defining
with the associated rotor and surface a plurality of chambers
(33A-33F in FIG. 1; 62A-62F in FIG. 6), the individual volumes of
the chambers varying as a function of the relative position between
the associated rotor and surface; the housing having two fluid
passageways (34, 34) operatively arranged to communicate with two
of the chambers for each member as a function of the angular
position of the rotor relative to the housing; a plurality of
second motors (31) operatively arranged to selectively move the
associated member relative to the shaft axis through its
permissible range of motion; wherein movement of each member off
null in one direction along the range of motion of such member will
enable fluid flow in a first direction between the ports of such
member; and wherein movement of each member off null in the
opposite direction along the range of motion of such member will
enable fluid flow in the opposite direction between the ports of
such member.
[0013] The members may be stacked at axially-spaced locations along
the shaft.
[0014] The fluid output of each member may be controllable
independently.
[0015] The improved pump may further include a plurality of
boundary seals (54). Each boundary seal may separate a wet portion
(55) of an associated second motor from a dry portion (56) of such
associated second motor. Each second motor may have one portion
arranged on one side of the associated seal, and may have another
portion arranged on the other side of such associated seal. The one
portion may include a permanent magnet (58), and the other portion
may include a coil (59).
[0016] Each member may be mounted on the housing by a flexure
member (40).
[0017] The range of motion of each member may be arcuate, linear or
rotational.
[0018] The pump may further include a resilient member (41) acting
between the housing and each member for urging such member to move
toward the null position.
[0019] In a third form, the improved vane pump (20) may include: a
housing (21); a shaft (22) having a shaft axis (y.sub.1-y.sub.1),
the shaft being mounted on the housing for rotation about the shaft
axis; a first motor (23) operatively arranged to selectively rotate
the shaft; a rotor mounted for rotation with the shaft, the rotor
having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced slots (26); a member
(28) having a surface (29) arranged to face the rotor and having a
member axis (y.sub.2-y.sub.2), the member being movable relative to
the shaft axis through a permissible range of motion (30) which
includes portions ("-1", "+1") on either side of a null position
("0"); wherein the member axis is coincident with the shaft axis
when the member is in the null position; a vane (30) movably
mounted in each rotor slot and having a distal end arranged to
engage the member surface; a second motor (31) operatively arranged
to selectively move the member relative to the shaft axis through
the permissible range of motion; the vanes defining with the rotor
and surface a plurality of chambers (33A-33F), the individual
volumes of the chambers varying as a function of the relative
position between the rotor and surface; the housing having two
fluid passageways (34, 34) operatively arranged to communicate with
two of the chambers as a function of the angular position of the
rotor relative to the housing; and wherein the direction of flow
between the passageways is a function of the position of the member
axis (y.sub.2-y.sub.2) relative to the shaft axis
(y.sub.1-y.sub.1).
[0020] The direction of fluid flow between the passageways may be
in one direction when the member has been moved off-null in one
direction along the range of motion, and may be in the opposite
direction when the member has been moved off-null in the opposite
direction along the range of motion.
[0021] The pump may further include a boundary seal (54) separating
a wet portion (55) of the second motor from a dry portion (56) of
the second motor. The second motor may have one portion arranged on
one side of the seal, and may have another portion arranged on the
other side of the seal. The one portion may include a permanent
magnet (58), and the other portion may include a coil (59).
[0022] In a fourth form, the improved vane pump (20 in FIG. 1; 50
in FIG. 5) may include: a shaft (22) having a shaft axis
(y.sub.1-y.sub.1), the shaft being mounted for rotation about the
shaft axis; a first motor (23) operatively arranged to selectively
rotate the shaft about the shaft axis; a rotor (24) mounted for
rotation with the shaft, the rotor having a plurality of
circumferentially-spaced slots (26); a member (28) having a surface
(29) and having a member axis (y.sub.2-y.sub.2), the member being
movable relative to the shaft axis through a permissible range of
motion (30) which includes portions (i.e., positions "-1" and "+1",
respectively) on either side of a null position (i.e., position
"0"); wherein the member axis is coincident with the shaft axis
when the member is in the null position; a vane (32) movably
mounted in each rotor slot and having a distal end arranged to
sealingly and wipingly engage the member surface; the vanes
defining with the rotor and surface a plurality of chambers
(33A-33F), the individual volumes of the chambers varying as a
function of the relative position between the rotor and surface; a
second motor operatively arranged to selectively move the member
relative to the shaft axis through the permissible range of motion;
and a boundary seal (54) separating a wet portion (55) of the
second motor from a dry portion (56) of the second motor; and
wherein the second motor has one portion (58) arranged on one side
of the seal and has another portion (59) arranged on the other side
of the seal.
[0023] The one portion may include a permanent magnet (58), and the
other portion may include a coil (59).
[0024] Also provided is an improved method of operating a vane pump
(20) that includes a housing (21), a rotor (24) having a rotor axis
(y.sub.1-y.sub.1) and being rotatably mounted on the housing, the
rotor having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced slots (26); a
member (28) having a surface (29) arranged to face the rotor and
having a member axis (y.sub.2-y.sub.2), the member being movable
relative to the rotor axis through a permissible range of motion
(30); wherein the member axis (y.sub.2-y.sub.2) is coincident with
the rotor axis (y.sub.1-y.sub.1) when the member is in the null
position; a vane (32) movably mounted in each rotor slot and having
a distal end arranged to engage the member surface; the vanes
defining with the rotor and surface a plurality of chambers
(33A-33F), the individual volumes of the chambers varying as a
function of the relative position between the rotor and surface;
comprising the steps of: rotating the rotor in one angular
direction about the rotor axis; selectively moving the member
relative to the rotor; and varying the direction of fluid flow
between the ports as by varying the position between the rotor and
member axes.
[0025] The method may further include the step of varying the
magnitude of the fluid flow between the ports by varying the
position between the rotor and member axes.
[0026] The position between the rotor and member axes may be varied
by moving the member relative to the rotor.
[0027] Accordingly, the general object of the invention is to
provide an improved vane pump.
[0028] Another object is to provide an improved vane pump having a
plurality of stackable pump elements.
[0029] Another object is to provide an improved vane pump having a
plurality of stackable pump elements that may be controlled
independently of one another.
[0030] Still another object is to provide an improved method of
operating a vane pump.
[0031] These and other objects and advantages will become apparent
from the foregoing and ongoing written specification, the drawings
and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic vertical sectional view of
a first form of an improved vane pump.
[0033] FIG. 2 is fragmentary schematic horizontal sectional view
thereof, taken generally on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic horizontal sectional view
through a second form of the improved vane pump, this view showing
the member as being movably mounted on the housing by means of a
flexure member, this view showing the member as being in a
rightwardly-displaced off-null position relative to the rotor.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic horizontal sectional view
of another form of the improved vane pump, generally similar to
FIG. 3, but shows the member as constrained for linear motion
within bearings, and shows the member as being in a
rightwardly-displaced off-null position.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary schematic vertical sectional view
showing a plurality of rotors and members being stacked at
axially-spaced locations along the shaft.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary schematic horizontal sectional view,
taken generally on line 6-6 of FIG. 5, showing one rotor within its
associated member.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a vane pump, generally similar
to FIG. 4, showing the member as being in its null position
relative to the rotor.
[0039] FIG. 8A is a view generally similar to FIG. 7, showing the
member as having been moved rightwardly off-null and showing
chamber 71A as having been filled with fluid from fluid port
C.sub.1.
[0040] FIG. 8B is a view similar to FIG. 8A, but shows the rotor as
having been rotated in a clockwise direction through an arc of
about 60.degree. from the position shown in FIG. 8A.
[0041] FIG. 8C is a view similar to FIG. 8B, but shows the rotor as
having been further rotated in a clockwise direction through an arc
of about 60.degree. from the position shown in FIG. 8B, and showing
chamber 71A as being aligned with fluid port C.sub.2.
[0042] FIG. 9A is a view generally similar to FIG. 7, showing the
member as having been moved leftwardly off-null and showing chamber
71A as being aligned with fluid port C.sub.2.
[0043] FIG. 9B is a view similar to FIG. 9A, but shows the rotor as
having been rotated in a clockwise direction through an arc of
about 60.degree. from the position shown in FIG. 9A.
[0044] FIG. 9C is a view similar to FIG. 9B, but shows the rotor as
having been further rotated in a clockwise direction through an arc
of about 60.degree. from the position shown in FIG. 9B, and showing
chamber 71A as being aligned with fluid port C.sub.1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0045] At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like
reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural
elements, portions or surfaces consistently throughout the several
drawing figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be
further described or explained by the entire written specification,
of which this detailed description is an integral part. Unless
otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g.,
cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.)
together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion
of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the
following description, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "left",
"right", "up" and "down", as well as adjectival and adverbial
derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally", "rightwardly",
"upwardly", etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the
illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the
reader. Similarly, the terms "inwardly" and "outwardly" generally
refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of
elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.
[0046] Referring now to the drawings, the present invention broadly
provides improved vane pumps, and improved methods of operating
same.
[0047] In FIGS. 1 and 2, a first form of the improved vane pump is
generally indicated at 20. This pump is shown as broadly as
including an annular housing 21, a shaft 22 having a vertical shaft
axis y.sub.1-y.sub.1, a first motor 23 mounted on the housing and
operatively arranged to selectively rotate the shaft about axis and
a rotor 24 mounted on the lower end of the shaft for rotation
therewith.
[0048] The rotor is shown as being a vertically-elongated
cylindrical member having an outwardly-facing vertical cylindrical
surface 25 of radius R.sub.1. A plurality of
circumferentially-spaced radial slots, severally indicated at 26,
extend into the rotor from surface 25. Motor 23 is arranged to
rotate rotor 24 at the appropriate angular speed in either angular
direction, as desired, relative to the housing. However, unlike
prior art vane pumps, the direction and speed of rotor rotation
does not have to be changed or modified to reverse the direction of
fluid flow between fluid ports C.sub.1, C.sub.2, as discussed
infra.
[0049] An annular member, generally indicated at 28, surrounds the
rotor. This member has an inwardly-facing vertical cylindrical
surface 29 generated about a member axis y.sub.2-y.sub.2. In FIG.
1, the member axis y.sub.2-y.sub.2 is shown as being coincident
with the rotor axis y.sub.1-y.sub.1. Hence, in FIG. 2, these
coincident axes are indicated at y.sub.1/y.sub.2-y.sub.1/y.sub.2.
In this embodiment, the member is movable relative to the shaft
axis through a horizontal permissible range of motion, which
includes portions on either side of (i.e., to the left and right
of) a null position. This range of motion is schematically
indicated at 30 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The null position is indicated by
the center reference "0", and the portions to the left and right
thereof are indicated by "-1" and "+1", respectively. Thus, the
permissible range of motion of the member relative to the stator is
from "-1" to "+1", and the null position "0" is centered
therebetween. However, this need not invariably occur. The extreme
limits of the range of motion, "-1" and "+1", respectively, may be
equally distant from null position "0", or not. In FIGS. 1 and 2,
the member is shown as being in its null position such that axes
y.sub.1-y.sub.1 and y.sub.2-y.sub.2 are coincident. The member can
be moved in a horizontal direction, either leftwardly or
rightwardly from the position shown in FIG. 2, by a motor 31.
[0050] A vane 32 is shown as being movably mounted in each rotor
slot and as having a distal end arranged to sealingly and wipingly
engage the member surface 29. The vanes define with the rotor and
the surface a plurality of circumferentially-spaced chambers. In
the embodiment shown, there are six vanes that subdivide the space
between the rotor and the member into six chambers, severally
indicated at 33 and individually identified with the suffix A, B,
C, D, E and F. These vanes may be spring-biased into engagement
with surface 29, or they may be moved outwardly by centrifugal
force when the rotor rotates and/or may be fluid-biased into
engagement with surface 29.
[0051] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing is shown as having two
passageways, severally indicated at 34, that communicate with an
opposite two of the chambers as a function of the angular position
of the rotor of the housing. However, in another embodiment the
passageways could communicate elsewhere with the chambers. For
example, the passageways might simply communicate with the end wall
of the chambers. Other forms may have more than two passageways. In
the schematic embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, movement of the
member off-null in one direction, either leftwardly or rightwardly,
along the horizontal range of motion will enable fluid flow in a
first direction between the ports C.sub.1, C.sub.2 (e.g., from
C.sub.1 to C.sub.2), while movement of the member off-null in the
opposite direction along the range of motion will enable fluid flow
in the opposite direction between these ports (e.g., from C.sub.2
to C.sub.1). Thus, the direction of fluid flow between ports
C.sub.1, C.sub.2 may be reversed by selectively moving the member
along the permissible range of motion, without affecting either the
speed or direction of rotor rotation.
[0052] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another form of the inventive
vane pump, generally indicated at 35. This embodiment also has a
specially-configured hollow housing, generally indicated at 36,
with a member 38 therewithin surrounding a rotor 39, as previously
described. Here again, the distal ends of vanes 32 sealingly and
wipingly engage the inwardly-facing surface 29 of the member. In
this embodiment, member 38 is supported on the housing by means of
a flexure member, generally indicated at 40. The lower end of
member 38 is supported by a spring-biased telescopic linkage or
resilient member, generally indicated at 41. This linkage includes
an upper portion 42 pivotally connected to member 38, and a lower
portion 43 pivotally connected to the housing and telescopically
received within the upper portion. A coil spring 44 acts between
the two linkage portions, and continually urges the pivotal
connection between the linkage and the member to move downwardly.
This tends to remove all backlash from the linkage holding
suspended member 38, and, further, continuously urges the off-null
displaced member to move back toward a null position.
[0053] In this arrangement, a second motor 31 is shown as being
operatively arranged to selectively move member 38 either
leftwardly or rightwardly off null, as desired relative to the
shaft axis through a horizontal permissible range of motion which
includes portions on either side (i.e., to the left and right of)
of a null position "0". Unlike the first embodiment in which the
member was mounted for pure linear motion relative to the housing,
in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, member 38 is mounted for arcuate
swinging movement about some effective pivot point along flexure
member 40. However, because the extent of movement of member 38
relative to the rotor is small in relation to the distance between
the effective pivot on flexure member 40 and the member axis, the
permissible range of motion is again schematically indicated by a
horizontal line 30 in FIG. 3. The null position is indicated by the
reference "0", and the portions to the left and right thereof are
indicated by "-1" and "+1", respectively. Thus, the range of motion
of the member relative to the stator is approximated by the
distance between "-1" to "+1", with the null position "0" is
centered therebetween. The member can be moved by a motor 34 either
leftwardly or rightwardly from the position shown. In FIG. 3,
member 38 is shown as having been shifted rightwardly relative to
the rotor from its null position (i.e., from null position "0" to
rightwardly-shifted position "+1"). This off-null displacement of
the member causes the volumes of the vane chambers to vary as the
rotor rotates in one angular direction. This causes fluid to be
directed from port C.sub.1 to port C.sub.2, or vice versa,
depending on the direction of rotor rotation.
[0054] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another form of the improved
vane pump having a member 38 arranged to be moved relative to a
rotor 39. However, in this arrangement, the member is not mounted
for pivotal or swinging arcuate movement relative to the housing.
Rather, the member is constrained for linear sliding motion, both
leftwardly and rightwardly, along a horizontal permissible range of
movement defined by bearings, severally indicated at 49. Thus, this
arrangement is generally similar to the first embodiment insofar as
movement of the member relative to the rotor is concerned.
[0055] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another form of vane pump,
generally indicated at 50. This embodiment is shown as having a
plurality of rotors, severally indicated at 51, and members,
severally indicated at 52, mounted at longitudinally-spaced
locations along a vertically-disposed shaft 53. Thus, the various
vane pumps are "stacked" at various locations along the shaft. The
shaft is arranged to be rotated about shaft axis y.sub.1-y.sub.1 by
a first motor (not shown), as previously described. However, in
this arrangement the various members 52 are mounted on bearings 54
for rotation relative to a housing 55. The positions of the various
vane members may be controlled by individual second motors 31,
again as previously described. Each vane pump is arranged to
produce its own individual fluidic output as a function of the
position of the associated member relative to its associated rotor.
The several vane pumps are operable independently of one another.
They do share the fact that their respective rotors rotate about
common shaft 53. However, the positions of the various members are
controllable independently of one another so that each vane pump
has its own independently-controllable fluidic output. However,
unlike the previously-described forms, in this embodiment, each
second motor (not shown) is operatively arranged to rotate its
associate member relative to the shaft axis y.sub.1-y.sub.1 to vary
the position of the member axis relative to the shaft axis. A thin
integrally-formed web-like annular boundary seal 54 separates a wet
portion 55 of the second motor from a dry portion 56 of second
motor 31. The second motor has one portion 58 arranged on one side
of the seal and has another portion 59 arranged on the other side
of the seal. The one portion may include a permanent magnet 58, and
the other portion may include a coil 59.
[0056] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a rotor and member of one vane
pump, taken generally on line 6-6 of FIG. 5. This view is generally
similar to FIG. 2, but shows the member surface 29 as being
non-concentrically arranged within the member outer surface 56.
Surface 56 is of radius R.sub.3, and is generated about member axis
y.sub.3-y.sub.3. Hence, rotation of the member relative to the
housing (shown in FIG. 5) about member outer surface axis
y.sub.3-y.sub.3 will cause non-concentric rotation of the member
inner surface 29 relative to the rotor. This relative rotation
between the member and housing will vary the volumes of chambers
62A-62F to vary the magnitude and direction of flow through the
valve.
[0057] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a portion of one vane pump,
generally indicated at 65, showing a member 66 as being in its null
position relative to a rotor 68. Vane pump 65 is generally similar
to the vane pump shown in FIG. 4. Here again, there are six vanes,
severally indicated at 69, mounted in slots in the rotor. Each of
these vanes has a distal end that sealingly and wipingly engages an
inwardly-facing surface 70 on the member. In FIG. 7, the member
axis y.sub.2-y.sub.2 is shown as being coincident with the rotor
axis The member is shown as having two fluid connections that
communicate with two different vane chambers. The first is labeled
C.sub.1 and the second is labeled C.sub.2.
[0058] FIG. 8A-c are a series of views, generally similar to FIG.
7, but showing the member as having been moved off-null to the
right. In FIG. 8A, fluid from port C.sub.1 is shown as entering
vane chamber 71A. In FIG. 8B, the rotor is shown as having rotated
vane chamber 71A from a position that communicates with fluid inlet
C.sub.1 in a clockwise direction through an arc-distance of
60.degree. to an intermediate position. In FIG. 8C, the rotor is
shown as having been further rotated in a clockwise direction
relative to the member by an additional arc-distance of 60.degree.
such that vane chamber 71A has been rotated to a position at which
it communicates with fluid outlet C.sub.2. In FIGS. 8A-8C, a volume
of fluid is shown as entering vane chamber 71A and being
progressively conveyed in a clockwise direction relative to the
member. Ultimately, the fluid is discharged through outlet
C.sub.2.
[0059] FIGS. 9A-9C are a series of a view that depict the member as
having been shifted leftwardly off-null from the position shown in
FIG. 7. Here again, fluid entering vane chamber 71A communicating
with fluid inlet C.sub.2 is progressively conveyed as the rotor
rotates in a clockwise direction within the member, and is
ultimately discharged at fluid port C.sub.1.
[0060] Therefore, the present invention broadly provides an
improved vane pump that broadly includes a housing, a shaft, a
first motor, a rotor mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith,
and a member having a surface and a member axis. The member axis is
defined as being that location on the member when the member is in
a null position relative to the rotor. Vanes are mounted on the
rotor, and have distal ends arranged to engage the member surface.
These vanes define with the rotor and surface a plurality of fluid
chambers, the individual volumes of which vary as a function of
relative position between the rotor and the member surface. The
housing also has two fluid passageways that are operatively
arranged to communicate with two of the chambers as a function of
the angular position of the rotor relative to the housing. A second
motor is operatively arranged to selectively move the member
relative to the shaft axis through a permissible range of motion.
Movement of the member off-null in one direction along the range of
motion will enable fluid flow in the first direction between the
ports, and movement of the member off-null in the opposite
direction along the range of motion will enable fluid flow in the
opposite direction between the ports.
[0061] One unique feature of the invention is that the direction of
fluid flow through the vane pump may be changed by simply moving
the member relative to the rotor, but without changing the
direction or speed of rotation of the rotor about the shaft axis.
In other words, the direction of fluid flow through the vane pump
may be changed without adversely affecting the inertia of the
moving rotor.
[0062] The present invention contemplates that may changes and
modifications may be made. The shape and configuration of the rotor
may be readily changed or modified. In the embodiment shown, the
rotor has six slots, each of which is provided with a vane. This
subdivides the space between the rotor and the member into six vane
chambers. However, the size, configuration and shape of the rotor,
as well as the number of vane slots, may be changed. The vanes may
be moveable outwardly by centrifugal force. Alternatively, they may
be spring-biased, or may be pushed outwardly by means of a fluid
pressure.
[0063] Similarly, the shape and configuration of the member may be
changed. In the embodiment shown, the member is shown as having a
cylindrical inwardly-facing surface against which the distal ends
of the vanes act. However, the invention is not limited to a member
having an inwardly-facing cylindrical surface. Indeed, the member
surface might be cylindrical, or might have some other shape, as
desired. The member may be movable along a linear path, an arcuate
path, or a rotational path. The arrangement and shape of the member
and housing ports may be readily changed or modified as
desired.
[0064] Therefore, while several forms of the improved vane pumps
have been shown and described, and several modifications thereof
discussed, persons skilled in this art will readily appreciate that
various additional changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined and
differentiated by the following claims.
* * * * *