U.S. patent number 3,732,042 [Application Number 05/149,626] was granted by the patent office on 1973-05-08 for power module.
Invention is credited to William Buchholz.
United States Patent |
3,732,042 |
Buchholz |
May 8, 1973 |
POWER MODULE
Abstract
A power module for providing continuous rotational torque
without direct contact between the propellant and module rollers. A
plurality of flexible tubes are positioned within helical grooves
in the inner surface of a cylinder casing. A rotor assembly having
a plurality of rollers is positioned within the casing mounted for
rotation against the inner surface and driving a power shaft. The
rollers and tubes are in angularly disposed contact with each
other, preferably at substantially right angles. Pressure is
applied to the tubes causing them to uniformly expand along the
grooves and inwardly of the inner surface of the cylinder, driving
the rollers. The chordal distance between the rollers and the
location of the tubes along the inner surface of the cylinder is
crucial and designed so that as the roller is forced off the edge
of one tube, at the exit end, the succeeding roller is just about
ready to make contact with the entrance end of the particular tube.
As the first roller leaves the tube, the force causing a pressure
build-up behind the roller is removed and fluid can be expunged
therefrom. There is sufficient inertia in the succeeding roller to
cause it to move onto the entrance end of the tube and the
continuing fluid entering the tube immediately causes a pressure
build-up behind the roller and the process begins again. When the
tubes have been completely expanded, the inertia within the rollers
carries them until they are positioned just ahead of the next
collapsed tube, and the procedure is repeated.
Inventors: |
Buchholz; William (Roscoe,
NY) |
Family
ID: |
22531156 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/149,626 |
Filed: |
June 3, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/475;
417/477.12; 417/477.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F03C
7/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F03C
5/00 (20060101); F03C 5/02 (20060101); F04b
043/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;417/474,475,476,477,412
;418/45,49,54 ;92/13.2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Freeh; William L.
Assistant Examiner: Smith; Leonard
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A power module for providing continuous rotational torque
without direct contact between the propellant and module
comprising:
a. a casing;
b. flexible expanding means secured to the inner surface of the
casing along a helical path, capable of expanding inwardly of the
casing in response to a signal passing therethrough;
c. a plurality of rollers mounted for rotational movement within
said casing;
d. drive means, the rollers connected to the drive means and
imparting rotational torque thereto;
e. a source of pressurized fluid secured to the flexible expanding
means;
f. said flexible expanding means and said rollers being so
positioned that when contacting each other they form an angle
therebetween, only one roller contacting said expanding means at a
time, the pressurized fluid in the expanding means applying a force
by means of the expansion to the roller in contact therewith,
causing rotational movement of the roller and travel along the
expanding means, whereby a continuous rotational torque is applied
from the rollers to the drive means.
2. The invention according to claim 1, the flexible expanding means
and the rollers being positioned so that as a roller disengages the
expanding means, a succeeding roller contacts said means, causing
expungement of the fluids therein, the initial force in the
succeeding roller causing further movement across said expanding
means until the pressurized fluid once again exerts a force on said
succeeding roller, causing rotational movement along said expanding
means.
3. The invention according to claim 2, the casing being
cylindrical.
4. The invention according to claim 2, the casing having pins
passing into the cylinder from said inner surface to provide
anchoring for said flexible expanding means, said flexible
expanding means including elastic tubing expanding inwardly of said
inner surface.
5. The invention according to claim 4, said tubing being angularly
disposed along said inner surface to form an angle between said
tubing and said roller of approximately 90.degree. over a
substantial portion of travel.
6. The invention according to claim 2, the number of rollers being
equal to the number of flexible expanding means in said casing.
7. The invention according to claim 2, the rollers being
substantially cylindrical in configuration, said drive means being
substantially circular end plates located on either end of the
rollers, the rollers being journalled therein, said drive means
being rigidly secured to axial center of said plates.
8. The invention according to claim 7, the end plates also carrying
a centrally positioned cylindrical member to the system providing
enertial force for the rollers.
Description
PRIOR ART
There have been many methods developed of imparting torque from a
power source, such as reciprocating steam engines, reciprocating
and rotary hydro-carbon fuel engines, turbine-type engines, as well
as many others. Even in the engines which develop their torque by
continuous rotational movement, the fuel often comes in contact
with the torque creating parts of the engine causing corrosion and
continuous wear.
A disadvantage unique to the reciprocating engine is the
requirement for additional structures such as fly wheels to smooth
out the delivered torque.
Another major disadvantage of the prior art was the failure to
develop a high efficiency engine, especially one which would prove
commercially acceptable while using propellants or fuels having a
low pollutant level.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Accordingly, it is among the principal objects of the present
invention to provide a power module which will provide a continuous
torque, while the propellant never touches any of the driving
parts.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a power
module which will provide a continuous torque to the drive
shaft.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
power module which can operate on expanded vapors, such as steam,
or pressured gases, or from the kinetic energy in small rivers and
streams.
Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a
power module of the character described which requires no valves,
and exhibits no slippage.
Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a
power module which can utilize propellants heretofore useful only
in low efficiency engines, under high efficiency conditions.
Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a
power module which may also be used as a flow meter for caustic and
corrosive chemicals.
Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a
power module which may be operated in either rotational direction
by simply reversing the flow of the propellant.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
power module which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and
assemble and yet will be durable to a high degree in use.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention contemplates a power module or unit having a
cylindrical casing or housing with helical grooves cut in the inner
wall thereof. Flexible tubing, preferably made of materials which
are non-reactive with corrosive substances, are placed within the
grooves so that the outermost portion of the tubing does not extend
substantially beyond the inner surface of the casing. A rotor
assembly is then placed within the casing. The rotor assembly
consists of a plurality of rollers journalled to end plates, and
with a central rotor cylinder, rigidly connected to the drive
shaft, the shaft passing through the end plate. The rollers do not
contact the inner surface of the housing but they do contact the
tubing as will be described below. The entire unit is then sealed
within the housing, the shaft being the only portion thereof
extending outside thereof. Pressurized fluids are then uniformly
introduced to the same ends of all the flexible tubings. As the
tubes begin to expand on the far end, the rollers, which are
positioned just at the leading edge of the tubes, are forced to
travel in a slight rotational movement. As the tubes begin to
expand down their length and along their helical path, the rollers
are continually forced to rotate in the direction of the helical
curve.
When the tubes are fully expanded, the rollers are holding a
pressurized build-up of the fluid behind them. The locations of the
tubes and the rollers are so designed so that as the rollers leave
the ends of the tubes, and the force retaining the fluid is
released, the fluid can be rapidly expunged, as the leading end of
the succeeding roller, which has moved by inertia, to a position
just on the entrance end of the tube, placing a forwardly extending
force from the rear of the tube on the fluid remaining therein.
Since there is no oppositely disposed force, the fluid is rapidly
expunged from the tube. In a like manner, as the roller continually
moves onto the tube, the pressure force still entering the tube
will cause the roller to be moved forward in a similar manner and
the process is repeated. It can be seen that by utilizing a
pressurized fluid such as steam, the power module could be used to
propel a vehicle such as an automobile.
The above description and objects of the present invention will
become apparent from a reading of the following description taken
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the elements of the power
module, showing the cylinder casing with four grooves and the
flexible tubing removed therefrom, the rotor assembly, the inner
plate and the outer end plate;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG.
1, showing the helical pattern of the inner grooves;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 3--3 of FIG.
1, with the assembly positioned within the casing, and the flexible
tubing in position within the grooves, the flexible tubing being
shown in its expanded condition;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, and partly cut
away, showing the flexible tubing being partially expanded, and
pushing the rollers ahead as a result of the expansion;
FIG. 5 is a view of the flexible tubing in its collapsed state;
FIG. 6 is a view of the flexible tubing in its expanded state;
FIG. 7 is a flattened, schematic view showing a first roller
proximate the exit end of a tube and the succeeding roller about to
contact the entrance end of the tube;
FIG. 8 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 7 showing the first
roller just breaking contact with the exit end of the tube and the
succeeding roller just engaging the entrance end of the tube;
FIG. 9 is a schematic view similar to FIGS. 7 and 8 showing the
succeeding roller sufficiently in engagement with the tube and
being moved by the fluid pressure from the entrance end; and
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 10--10 of
FIG. 9.
Turning in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1,
there is shown a power unit 10, broadly comprising a cylindrical
casing or housing 12 containing flexible tubing 14 (FIG. 5), a
rotor assembly 16, the unit being sealed by an inner plate 18, and
an outer end plate 20.
The cylindrical casing 12 may be made of any rigid material and is
defined by a cylindrical outer surface 22, and an inner surface 24.
For purposes of explanation, attention will be centered upon the
exposed entrance end surface 26, although it is understood that the
same structure is basically present on the exit end surface 28. A
plurality of threaded bores 30 are located within the casing wall
extending inwardly from the surface 26, for the purpose hereinafter
appearing.
A plurality of grooves 32 are cut into the casing wall from the
inner surface 24. As seen in FIG. 3, the groove consists of two
angularly disposed sidewalls 34,36 and two oppositely disposed
angular sidewalls 38,40 connected by a bottom wall 42. The grooves
are cut so as to form a helical path within the casing wall.
The flexible tubing 14 may be made of standard material tubing,
such as medical tubing, and consists of a lower naturally more
rigid portion 44, defined by side walls 46,48, and a bottom wall
50. The walls 46,48,50 have basically the same, although slightly
smaller, dimensions than the walls 38,40,42, and are designed to be
received for anchoring purposes within the said section of the
grooves. The upper flexible portion 52 consists of the basically
hollow collapsed flexible tube which easily fits within the cubic
space defined by the walls 34,36, and especially so that in its
collapsed state, the tubing does not extend too substantially
inwardly of the surface 24 into the interior of the casing.
The rotor assembly 16 consists of a rotor center cylinder 54 with a
shaft 56 extending outwardly from the central axis thereof. The
shaft is rigidly secured to the cylinder 54. The shaft and cylinder
are also rigidly secured to an inner end plate 58. The end plate
contains a plurality of journal bores 60. Optionally, the plate may
also include a series of bores 62 which mate with pins (not shown)
extending from the end wall of the cylinder, to further rigidify
the connection between the plate and the cylinder.
The power rollers 64 are basically cylindrical in design, having an
outer surface 66, and having rounded end surfaces 68. Extending
outwardly from both ends and along the central axis are shafts 70,
72. These shafts fit within the journal holes 60, to allow
rotational movement of the rollers within the end plates. The
rollers do not directly contact the cylinder 54, and are able to
rotate thereabout, nor do they contact the inner surface 24 of the
housing 12.
The inner plate 18, contains a central opening 74 to allow the
shaft 56 to pass therethrough. Furthermore, the plate contains a
series of openings 76 which are basically identical in
cross-section to the grooves 32, and particularly to the dimensions
of the flexible tubing 14, when it reaches its expanded dimensions
as shown in FIG. 6. There are sufficient openings 76 to match the
number of grooves 32. Ferrule 78 may be positioned within the
openings 76. There are also a plurality of openings 80, which are
aligned with the openings 30.
To completely seal the power module, the end plate 20 is positioned
as shown in the exploded view. The end plate contains openings 82
aligned with the openings 80 and 30, the openings receiving screws
84 to seal the unit. Furthermore, there is a central opening 86 to
allow the shaft 56 to pass out from the power module. There are
also additional openings 88 to mate with the openings 76, and to
allow a pressurized power fluid source to communicate with the
grooves 32. There may be oil seals (not shown) mounted around the
shaft 56 as it passes through the opening 74, 86, to insure that
there will be no leakage from the interior of the power module.
The unit is assembled by simply securing all the parts as shown in
the exploded view of FIG. 1. As the pressurized fluid is introduced
into the flexible tubing, they begin to expand at the entrance end
90. As the expansion occurs, the rollers which are in contact with
and angularly disposed to the flexible tubing are caused to be
moved, as the portion 52 expands outwardly into the interior of the
casing, this will cause the rollers to be moved, literally forced,
ahead of the expanding tubing. As more and more pressurized fluid
is introduced into the tubing, the expansion of portion 52 extends
along the grooves. Since the grooves are helical, pressure is
continually exerted against the rollers, forcing them to rotate.
When the tubes are completely expanded, the rollers are just about
ready to leave the exit edges thereof (FIG. 7). A force 94 has been
built up behind the rollers and if one stops the motion for a split
second of time, it is analogous to that of a body of water behind a
dam.
As the rollers leave the exit end of the tubing, the force
retaining the fluid is removed, and the fluid can then leave the
tubing within the cylinder. Since the succeeding rollers just begin
to make contact with the entrance end 90 of the tube expungement 96
of the fluid occurs and the tube collapses (FIG. 8).
The rollers have sufficient inertial force stored within
themselves, after leaving the exit end of the tubing (FIG. 7), to
travel the circumferential distance necessary to recontact the
entrance ends of the next tube (FIG. 8) where the force 94 has no
effect, and to pass over the entrance end 90 thereof, where the
force 94 once again can take effect (FIG. 9). The continuous force
of the fluid on the entrance end of the tubing once again begins to
build up sufficient force to cause the rollers to be moved along
the tubing, and since the tubing is angularly disposed at the point
of contact to the rollers, rotational movement of the rollers is
affected. It has been found that if the angle formed at the point
of contact between the rollers and the tubing is substantially
90.degree., the greatest efficiency can be developed within the
unit (FIG. 10).
The terms and expressions which have been employed here are used as
terms of description and not of limitation and there is no
intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding
equivalents of the features shown and described or portions
thereof, it being recognized that various modifications are
possible within the scope of the invention claimed.
* * * * *