Swashplate machines

#This invention relates to swashplate machines.

#Swash plate engines and pumps have been devised in the past in which pistons are disposed in cylinders placed parallel to the axis of the shaft of the engine but at a distance therefrom, the pistons driving the swash plate mechanism to rotate the shaft. This construction has the disadvantage of a multiplicity of parts so that the engine has few if any advantages over an ordinary crankshaft engine.

#It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a swash plate machine which will obviate or minimise the foregoing disadvantages in a simple yet effective manner or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

#One preferred form of the invention will now be described together with other embodiments of the invention, each other embodiment being shown in a preferred form with reference to the accompanying drawings in which,

#FIG. 1 is a transverse cross section through a swash plate machine according to the invention,

#FIG. 2 is a perspective sketch of swash plate machine parts showing baffles and seals,

#Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a swash plate machine for use as a pump will be described.

#In this construction, two end plates 1 & 2 are made, and the end plate 1 carries a shaft 3 mounted in suitable bearings, e.g., ball, but preferably roller bearings. The shaft 3 extends to a non rotating swash plate 4 mounting on an inner side of the end plate. The swash plate mounting includes bearings, e.g., thrust bearings 5 & 6 mounted at a suitable angle to the shaft and a further bearing 7. The swash plate 4 comprises, in addition to an annular disc 8, a spherical ball portion 9 having an aperture therein through which a part of the shaft projects. The thrust bearings 5 & 6 have the planes thereof lying parallel to the plane of the disc 8 of the swash plate and a cut out portion 10 of the spherical portion of the swash plate permits the swash plate to oscillate over an arc due to the angular mounting of the swash plate relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The end plate 1 has a cylindrical hollow pad having a spherical depression on its face through which the shaft protrudes, and portions of the swash plate spherical part 9 bear against this surface to provide a seal. If desired additional resilient or spring loaded seals or other seals may be provided on this portion, for example, O rings could be provided adjacent the edge of the junction between the spherical portion and a flat portion of the end plate which is positioned just beyond the range of movement of the swash plate as it oscillates over its range of movements. Where seals run over flat or curved surfaces, the seals may comprise half cylinders having plane surfaces lying on a diametral line, such half cylinders carrying slots extending into the half cylinders from the plane surface, and such slots carrying spring loaded strip seals. These half cylinders then run in half cylindrical depressions in the surfaces of members where the seals are to be provided.

#The further end plate 2 is formed in a similar manner, having a part spherical depression therein in which part of the ball 9 of the swash plate moves and, again, seals may be provided and the end plate also has flat portions positioned just beyond the range of movement of the disc portion of the swash plate.