Bent axis variable delivery inline drive axial piston pump and/or motor

A bent axis, variable displacement inline drive pump device comprising:

• a port plate having a seat for receiving a rotatable cylinder block therein, and having at least two fluid passages each coupled to a respective fluid port and each having an arcuate opening corresponding to a different less than 180° portion of a circle;
• a cylinder block rotatably mounted adjacent the seat of said port plate for rotation about an axis, said cylinder block having a circular array of axial cylinders therein each having an opening at a seat end thereof adjacent the seat of said port plate and located to be in alternating fluid communication with the respective openings of the two fluid passages at different rotational positions in the rotation of said cylinder block;
• a rotatable shaft coupled through an opening in said port plate to said cylinder block for rotating therewith;
• a plurality of pistons disposed in the cylinders of said cylinder block for reciprocating motion therein, each said piston having a connecting rod extending from an end of said cylinder block opposite the port plate;
• a rotatable spindle having a circular array of receptacles therein for receiving the respective ends of said connecting rods;
• a pivotable yoke having said spindle rotatably mounted thereon for rotation about an axis, wherein said spindle and plurality of pistons disposed in said cylinder block are connected by said connecting rods for rotating together, said yoke being pivotable for angling the rotational axis of said spindle relative to the rotational axis of said cylinder block, whereby said pivotable yoke is pivotable over center.

A bent axis, variable displacement inline drive motor device comprising:

• a port plate having a seat for receiving a rotatable cylinder block therein, and having at least two fluid passages each coupled to a respective fluid port and each having an arcuate opening corresponding to a different less than 180° portion of a circle;
• a cylinder block rotatably mounted adjacent the seat of said port plate for rotation about an axis, said cylinder block having a circular array of axial cylinders therein each having an opening at a seat end thereof adjacent the seat of said port plate and located to be in alternating fluid communication with the respective openings of the two fluid passages at different rotational positions in the rotation of said cylinder block;
• a rotatable shaft coupled through an opening in said port plate to said cylinder block for rotating therewith;
• a plurality of pistons disposed in the cylinders of said cylinder block for reciprocating motion therein, each said piston having a connecting rod extending from an end of said cylinder block opposite the port plate;
• a rotatable spindle having a circular array of receptacles therein for receiving the respective ends of said connecting rods;
• a pivotable yoke having said spindle rotatably mounted thereon for rotation about an axis, wherein said spindle and plurality of pistons disposed in said cylinder block are connected by said connecting rods for rotating together, said yoke being pivotable for angling the rotational axis of said spindle relative to the rotational axis of said cylinder block, whereby said pivotable yoke is pivotable over center.

A bent axis, variable displacement inline drive device rotating group comprising:

• a cylinder block rotatably mountable for rotation about an axis, said cylinder block having a circular array of axial cylinders therein each having an opening at a seat end of said cylinder block located to be in alternating fluid communication with respective openings of plural fluid passages of a port plate at different rotational positions in the rotation of said cylinder block when a port plate is adjacent said cylinder block;
• said cylinder block having a central opening at the seat end thereof for receiving a rotatable shaft, whereby a rotatable shaft may be coupled to said cylinder block through an opening in a port plate for rotating therewith;
• a plurality of pistons disposed in the cylinders of said cylinder block for reciprocating motion therein, each said piston having a connecting rod extending from an end of said cylinder block opposite the seat end thereof;
• a rotatable spindle having a circular array of receptacles therein for receiving the respective ends of said connecting rods;
• a pivotable yoke having said spindle rotatably mounted thereon for rotation about an axis, wherein said spindle and said plurality of pistons disposed in said cylinder block are connected by said connecting rods for rotating together, said yoke being pivotable for angling the rotational axis of said spindle relative to the rotational axis of said cylinder block, whereby said pivotable yoke is pivotable over center.