Method of making an efficiency enhanced fluid pump or compressor

• US 5,638,600 A
• Filed: 04/16/1996
• Issued: 06/17/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kansas State University Institute For Commercialization (Kansas State University Research Foundation)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Rao, V. Durga Nageswar, Fucinari, Carlo Alberto
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuda, Irene
• Application Number:
  US08/633,273
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 29/888.02, 29/888.023, 29/888.022, 29/888.024, 29/888.025, 29/527.4, 29/527.2, 418/178, 418/179, 428/416, 428/458, 428/411.1
• US Class Current: 29/888.02
• CPC Class Codes: F01C 21/104 Stators; Members defining the outer boundaries of the working chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 1/04 with fuel-air mixture admission into cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 15/0003 Sealing arrangements in rotary-piston machines or pumps sealing in general F16J
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2/082 Details specially related to intermeshing engagement type machines or pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2230/602 Gap; Clearance
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2230/91 Coating
• CPC Class Codes: F05C 2251/14 Self lubricating materials; Solid lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: F05C 2253/20 Resin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49236 Fluid pump or compressor making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49242 Screw or gear type, e.g., Moineau type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31522 Next to metal

Abstract

A high efficiency pump having relatively-moving parts constituted of a light weight material and a coating on at least one of the parts to effect essentially zero clearance between the parts where they merge together. The coating is comprised of solid lubricants in a polymer resin matrix stable up to 700° F.

Claims

1. A method of making a high efficiency fluid pumping apparatus for gas compressors or liquid transfer, comprising:

(a) forming aluminum alloy based relativelymovable parts that entrain and effect a pumping action of a fluid, said parts having surfaces that cyclically merge together and move apart to transfer fluid that places a shear load on said surfaces;

(b) rough machining said surfaces to a surface finish of 100-150 micro inches;

(c) preparing said rough machined surface by etching or phosphating;

(d) depositing a coating on said prepared surfaces by one of room temperature spraying, transfer film rolling and thermal spraying, said coating consisting of a mixture of resin and solid lubricant particles, said solid lubricant particles having an average particle size of 10 microns or less, said coating being deposited in a thickness to create a slight interference fit at said zone;

(e) slowly heating said deposited coating to the temperature level of 200°

F. and holding said heating for about 15 minutes followed by heating to 375°

-400°

F. for about 15 minutes; and

(f) operating said apparatus to abrade said coating to essentially a zero clearance at said zones.

2. The method as in claim 1, in which said deposited coating is in the thickness range of 2.5 to 25 microns with 0-5 microns of interference fit.

3. The method as in claim 1, in which the solid lubricant particles of said coating absorb gas or liquid molecules, while being stable up to the temperature 700°

F., said solid lubricant particles providing a coefficient of friction of no greater than 0.06.