Fluid-powered linear motor with rotary pistons and motion rectifier
AssigneeNational Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
InventorDavid W. Raymond
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid-powered linear motor with rotary pistons is disclosed. An application is for a downhole motor but it could be used in other applications. Rotational pistons provide increased torque generation as the torque generated is proportional to motor length. Since downhole drills are long (generally up to a maximum length of 30 ft.), a high-torque motor can be produced using this method. A pressurized fluid is used to drive the piston assemblies to produce bit shaft power. This concept employs rotary pistons and a mechanical rectifier to convert the rotational reciprocation produced by a reciprocating rotational piston into continuous rotary motion.
Claims19
A motor module, comprising:
- a primary rotor assembly comprising a harmonic drive rotor;
- a secondary reciprocating rotor assembly coupled to the primary rotor assembly, the secondary reciprocating rotor assembly comprising a reciprocating rotary piston assembly and a helical drive screw;
- a helical drive reciprocating ring coupled to the helical drive screw;
- and
- a harmonic drive reciprocating ring coupled to the helical drive reciprocating ring and the harmonic drive rotor so that reciprocating motion of the secondary reciprocating rotor assembly imparts linear motion to the helical and harmonic reciprocating rings so that the harmonic reciprocating ring rotates the helical drive screw to impart continuous rotary motion to the primary motor assembly.
A motor comprising:
- two or more motor modules, wherein each of the two or more motor modules comprises:
- a primary rotor assembly comprising a harmonic drive rotor;
- a secondary reciprocating rotor assembly coupled to the primary rotor assembly, the secondary reciprocating rotor assembly comprising a reciprocating rotary piston assembly and a helical drive screw;
- a helical drive reciprocating ring coupled to the helical drive screw;
- and
- a harmonic drive reciprocating ring coupled to the helical drive reciprocating ring and the harmonic drive rotor so that reciprocating motion of the secondary reciprocating rotor assembly imparts linear motion to the helical and harmonic reciprocating rings so that the harmonic reciprocating ring rotates the helical drive screw to impart continuous rotary motion to the primary motor assembly.
A method for converting fluid energy to rotational energy, comprising:
- providing fluid to a motor module comprising a primary rotor assembly comprising a harmonic drive rotor;
- diverting a portion of the fluid to a secondary reciprocating rotor assembly coupled to the primary rotor assembly, the secondary reciprocating rotor assembly comprising a reciprocating rotary piston assembly;
- energizing the reciprocating rotary piston assembly with the portion of the fluid to reciprocatedly rotate the secondary reciprocating rotor assembly;
- and
- transferring energy from the secondary reciprocating rotor assembly to the primary rotor assembly via a mechanical rectifier to rotate the primary rotor assembly;
- and
- receiving the non-diverted portion of the fluid in a second primary rotor assembly to energize a second motor module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.