US 5,199,864 AGranted

Spherical fluid pump or motor with spherical ball comprising two parts

AssigneeSouthwest Research Institute

InventorGary L. Stecklein

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Abstract

A fluidic machine operable primarily as a pump or a fluid motor having primary and secondary vaned members hinged together within a spherical pump chamber to define four intake and exhaust spaces of varying volumes. A tracking mechanism which includes an annular raceway forces the secondary member to rotate about an oblique axis as the primary member rotates about a primary axis. Consequently, rotation of an input/output shaft extending from the primary member along the primary axis forces the secondary member to pivotally reciprocate between opposite extremes relative to the primary member, thereby increasing and decreasing the volumes of the spaces to produce a pumping action. The pump chamber is provided with four ports in positions which are coordinated with the tracking mechanism to ensure one port is in fluid communication with each space throughout each pivotal stroke of the secondary member. Reverse flow through the pump chamber conversely forces rotation of the primary member and its extending shaft to provide a fluid motor.

Claims1

Dependent claims

A fluidic machine comprising:

a housing defining a chamber having a spherical shaped internal wall and at least one inlet port and one outlet port entering said internal wall in spaced relationship;
a first vane assembly having a positions with opposed side surfaces of said first vane;
chamber space into four parts that vary in volume as said second vane pivotally reciprocates about said second axis;
a circular channel formed on said ball element having an axis oblique to said first and second axes;
and means operatively connecting said second vane segments to said channel to reciprocate said second vane assembly about said second axis in response to rotation of said first vane assembly about said first axis;
said first vane assembly comprises a pair of segments secured together by two axially spaced sleeves defining said second axis, and a pair of axially spaced pins secured between said segments of said second vane and inserted in said sleeves on said first vane assembly;
and
said ball element comprises a first generally hemispherical unit concentrically formed about an offset axis defining an acute angle with said axis of said stationary shaft;
a second generally hemispherical unit secured to said first unit by threads concentric with said offset axis;
said circular channel being defined between said hemispherical units;
a ring mounted between said first and second ball units for rotation about said offset axis, and a pair of diametrically opposed radial projections on said ring respectively engagable with radial holes in said second vane segments to permit a free rotation of said second vane segments about said offset axis.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.