US 2004/0103594 A1 · Swivel joint apparatus and method for utility supply to a rotatable building

Abstract

A swivel joint apparatus for supplying utilities to a rotating building rotatable about a central axis has an inner, fixed spindle for securing to a fixed base of the building to extend co-axially with a central axis of rotation of the building, and an outer casing rotatably mounted on the spindle for securing to the rotatable part of the building. The spindle has a series of spaced annular flanges defining a series of annular chambers and at least one ring seal mounted on the peripheral edge of each flange for rotatable sealing engagement with the outer casing so that the casing forms an outer wall of each of the annular chambers. A lower end wall of the spindle has a plurality of ports for connection to fixed utility lines in the base for fluid supply to and from the building, each port connected through the spindle to a respective annular chamber. The outer casing has a series of axially spaced ports for connection to respective utility lines in the rotatable part of the building, the ports including at least one port communicating with each of the annular chambers.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A swivel joint apparatus for supplying utilities to a rotating building rotatable about a central axis, comprising:

an inner, fixed spindle for securing to a fixed base of a rotatable building to extend co-axially with a central axis of rotation of the building, the spindle having a series of spaced, outwardly projecting annular flanges defining a series of annular chambers between each adjacent pair of flanges, each flange having an outer peripheral edge and at least one ring seal mounted on the peripheral edge of each flange, the flanges having a predetermined outer diameter;
an outer casing rotatably mounted on the spindle for securing to part of the rotating building, the casing having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the flanges, the casing forming an outer wall of each of the annular chambers and being in rotatable sealing engagement with each of the ring seals to seal the chambers;
the spindle having a lower end wall with a plurality of ports for connection to fixed utility lines in the fixed base of the building for fluid supply to and from the building, and a bore extending from each port through the spindle to a respective annular chamber, whereby each chamber is connected to at least one port in the lower end wall;
and
the outer casing having a series of axially spaced ports including at least one port communicating with each of said annular chambers.

2 more elements

A rotatable building structure, comprising:

a fixed base;
a building rotatably mounted on the fixed base for rotation about a central axis of rotation coaxial with the building and base;
the building including a central elevator shaft projecting upwardly from the base through the height of the building and having a lower end rotatably mounted on the base;
the base having an outer mounting rail extending in a circular path and spaced outwardly from the elevator shaft;
the building having a lower wall having a series of spaced pairs of bearings running along opposite sides of said mounting rail for rotatable support of the building as it rotates on said base;
and
a swivel joint assembly mounted in the base coaxially with said elevator shaft and beneath said lower wall for rotatably connecting fixed utility lines extending into the base with corresponding utility lines secured within the rotating building.

4 more elements

A method of rotatably connecting fixed utility lines beneath a rotatable building to corresponding utility lines secured within the building and rotatable with the building, comprising the steps of:

connecting a plurality of fixed utility lines in a fixed base of a rotatable building to inlet ports at the lower end of a fixed spindle secured to the fixed base and extending co-axially with the axis of rotation of the building, the spindle having a plurality of axially spaced annular chambers defined between annular flanges projecting outwardly from the spindle, each port being connected to a respective chamber;
connecting an outer casing rotatably mounted on the spindle to part of the rotating building so that the casing rotates with the building, the casing forming an outer wall of each of the annular chambers;
and
connecting a plurality of utility lines secured within the rotatable building to respective ports in the outer casing, at least one port in the outer casing communicating with each of the annular chambers.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Swivel joint apparatus and method for utility supply to a rotatable building

Life of this patent

Swivel joint apparatus and method for utility supply to a rotatable building

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26