Peripherally pivoted oscillating vane machine

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a peripherally pivoted oscillating vane machine (OVM). The OVM has been optimized for performance and efficiency. This has been accomplished by reducing loads on the drive mechanism and by employing de-phased motion of the peripherally pivoted vanes in conjunction with improved porting configurations as well as valve actuation and manufacture.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60 / 974,140 filed on Sep. 21, 2007. The contents of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Oscillating vane machines (OVMs) have been described in the art and have the potential to provide high flow rates and pressures but, in order to do so; they require configurations, such as vane actuation and valving, suitable for high speed operation. See U.S. Pat. No. 2,257,884, issued Oct. 7, 1941 to Mize; U.S. Pat. No. 2,393,204, issued Jan. 15, 1946 to Taylor; U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,448, issued Jul. 11, 1978 to Young; U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,743, issued Apr. 25, 1989 to Ansdale; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,080,114, issued Mar. 21, 1978 to Moriarty; the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.[0003]The machine of Mize places a plurality of oscillating vanes in a common main chamber and relies on the ability of the vanes to sea...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention is directed to a peripherally pivoted oscillating vane machine (OVM) which can be adapted for use either as a compressor or as an expander and which has the potential to produce high flow and high pressures from small and inexpensive packages. More specifically, the present invention relates to a machine comprising superior elements of vane 2 construction, placement and phasing; valve 18 actuation and external surface porting which allows the oscillating vane machine to operate at higher speeds and provide significant increases in flow rate, efficiency and flexibility.

[0011]The peripherally pivoted OVM of the present invention maintains the compactness of OVM but reduces loads on the drive mechanism as compared to other multi-vane machines disclosed in the art. Hence, in many ways, the present invention is a dramatic departure from oscillating vane machines known in the art, including those previously disclosed by Chomyszak.

[0012]Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide an oscillating vane machine (OVM) where the vanes 2 can be operated at high speed and with minimum mechanical loads by locating the vane pivot shafts 7 at an increased distance from the drive mechanism axis to allow space for a larger drive mechanism, of favorable geometry, capable of transmitting more power to the vanes 2 while maintaining reasonable mechanical loads and overall compactness of design.

[0014]In one embodiment, the improvements in OVMs are accomplished with modifications and optimization of the phasing of the machine and utilizing any of several drive mechanisms. Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide de-phased actuation of the peripherally pivoted vanes 2 so as to minimize pulsation effects in the suction and discharge fluid paths and to reduce the magnitude of torque peaks in the drive mechanism. However, the actuation of the vanes 2 need not be completely de-phased and may in certain circumstances be phased.

Problems solved by technology

This type of seal is, at best, a line contact and is insufficient for high pressures.

As such, the porting arrangement of Mize does not allow the oscillating vanes to provide an efficient inlet process by themselves; therefore, Mize utilizes an integrated centrifugal blower to charge the chambers with fresh air.

This type of arrangement is better suited for higher pressures; however, the actuation of a single oscillating vane at high speed will produce excessive vibration unless a counterbalance is used.

Over-running clutches do not provide reliable synchronized motion as is required by oscillating vane machines at high speed.

Every time a fluid passes through a valve, it loses energy and represents a source of inefficiency.

As with all of the previous machines, Moriarty does not provide a fluid path which will support high flow rates while keeping the machine small.

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