Vane pumping machine utilizing invar-class alloys for maximizing operating performance and reducing pollution emissions

• US 6,435,851 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2000
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mallen Research Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Mallen Research Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Mallen, Brian D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vrablik, John J.
• Application Number:
  US09/737,775
• Publication Number:
  US 20010014294A1
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 418/718, 418/179, 418/235, 418/259, 418/260, 418/265
• US Class Current: 418/178
• CPC Class Codes: F01C 1/3442 the surfaces of the inner and outer member, forming the working space, being surfaces of revolution
• CPC Class Codes: F01C 21/0836 comprising guiding means, e.g. cams, rollers
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2230/602 Gap; Clearance
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2240/50 Bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F05C 2201/0466 Nickel
• CPC Class Codes: F05C 2203/0813 Carbides
• CPC Class Codes: F05C 2251/042 Expansivity

Abstract

A rotary-vane pumping machine has a core structure that includes a stator assembly defining a contoured surface of a stator cavity, a rotor spinning around a rotor shaft axis that is fixed relative to the stator cavity, and end plates disposed on either side of the rotor. The rotor has a plurality of radial vanes slots for housing a corresponding plurality of vanes that slide within the radial vane slot of the rotor. Each of the plurality of vanes has side walls, a tip portion, and a base portion, and the base portion has one or more tabs extending from at least one axial end of the vane. The plurality of vanes, stator cavity, and rotor define a plurality of chamber cells. The core structure is substantially made of low coefficient of thermal expansion Invar materials to achieve precise non-contact sealing clearances between components of the machine.

Claims

1. A rotary vane pumping machine have a core structure and peripheral components interfacing with the core structure, the core structure comprising:

a stator assembly comprising an annular ring, the inner circumferential surface of the annular ring defining a contoured surface of a stator cavity;

a rotor spinning around an axis of a rotor shaft, the rotor shaft axis being a fixed rotational axis relative to the stator cavity, the rotor having a plurality of radial vanes slots and the rotor and stator being in relative rotation;

a plurality of vanes, each of the plurality of vanes sliding with at least one of a radial and axial component of vane motion within a corresponding radial vane slot of the rotor, and each of the plurality of vanes having side walls, a tip portion, and a base portion, the base portion having one or more tabs extending from at least one axial end of the vane;

a guidance device engaging the tabs to control radial movement of the vanes;

a first end plate adjacent a first axial side of the rotor; and

a second end plate adjacent a second axial side of the rotor such that the rotor is located between the first and second end plates,

wherein the rotor shaft extends through at least one of the first end plate and second end plate,

wherein an outer circumferential surface of the rotor comprises an annular sealing lip extending axially toward respective of the first end plate and the second end plate,

wherein the plurality of vanes, the stator cavity, and the rotor define a plurality of chamber cells,

wherein the vane tip portion and the contour of the stator cavity are spaced apart by a radial clearance,

wherein the stator assembly, rotor, first end plate and second end plate together define a first combined core structure, and

wherein the first combined core structure is substantially comprised of an invar-class alloy.

2. The rotary machine of claim 1, wherein the one or more tabs are formed to be partially recessed in the side walls of respective vanes.

3. The rotary machine of claim 1, wherein the one or more tabs are formed to be flush with the side walls of respective vanes.

4. The rotary machine of claim 1, wherein the one or more tabs are formed to be retracted into the side walls of respective vanes.

5. The rotary vane pumping machine of claim 1, wherein at least one of the tabs is formed to be partially recessed in one of the side walls of a respective vane.

6. The rotary vane pumping machine of claim 1, wherein at least one of the tabs is formed to be flush with one of the side walls of a respective vane.

7. The rotary vane pumping machine of claim 1, wherein at least one of the tabs is formed to be retracted into one of the side walls of a respective vane.

8. The rotary machine of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of vane connectors, wherein pairs of radially-opposed vanes are connected by one or more of the vane connectors that are attached to the base portions of the pair of radially-opposed vanes.

9. The rotary machine of claim 8, wherein the vanes are wider than the vane connectors.