Wear resistant vane-type fluid power converter

Abstract

A fluid power converter, such as a vane-type hydraulic motor comprising a rotor circumferentially surrounded by a stator, the opposing peripheral surfaces thereof creating an annular space therebetween. The opposing surfaces of the rotor and stator each exhibit a plurality of spaced apart radially extending slots for receiving a vane assembly therein. The vane assembly comprises a vane protruding from the slot, a spring located beneath the vane in the slot for forcing an outer edge of the vane against the opposing stator or rotor peripheral surface, respectively. A spring button is placed between the spring and the vane to prevent wear between the vane and the spring by allowing the oscillating vane to wear on the spring button instead of the spring. A notch may be formed in the edge of the vane which contacts the spring button to prevent the spring and spring button from rubbing against the endplate or housing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.