US3171332A

US3171332A - Adjustable stop for rotary vane motors

Info

Publication number: US3171332A
Application number: US285467A
Authority: US
Inventors: Winslow A Randle
Original assignee: Shafer Valve Co
Current assignee: Shafer Valve Co
Priority date: 1963-06-04
Filing date: 1963-06-04
Publication date: 1965-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 1982-03-02

Description

March 2, 1965 w. A. RANDLE 3,171,332

ADJUSTABLE STOP FOR ROTARY VANE MOTORS Filed June 4, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

INVENTOR. WI NSLOW A. RANDLE Ma i ATTORNEYS W. A. RAN DLE ADJUSTABLE STO P FOR ROTARY VANE MOTORS March 2, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 4, 1965 5 INVENTOR WINSLOW A. RANDLE M if fif ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3 171 332 ADJUSTABLE sror Fon iaoTARY VANE MOTORS Winslow A. Randie, Houston, Tex, assignor to Shafer Valve Company, Mansfield, Ohio, a corporation of Ghio Filed dune 4, 1963, Ser. No. 285,467 4 Claims. ($3. 92-13) naled therein, the rotor hub being keyed to the valve stem.

Stationary shoe members are mounted within the motor to stop the travel of the vanes and rotor when the valve has been rotated to the closed or open positions. In order to prevent comingling of the fluids being dispatched in the pipeline system and to prevent cavitation and other undesirable effects, the rotary vane motor must be installed on the valve and precisely aligned so that the terminus of rotary travel of the vanes corresponds exactly with the fully closed position of the valve. Similarly, to insure full opening of the valve for unimpeded flow, the terminus of rotary vane travel in the opening direction must correspond with the fully open position of the valve.

Heretofore, adjustment and alignment of the motor with the valve has been attempted by rotating the motor casing on the bolt flanges of the valve. However, only very limited rotational adjustmentcorresponding to the aggregate tolerances of the bolt holesis possible using this method. Certain prior art motors have incorporated features allowing adjustment of vane stops internally of the motor. However, this method of alignment and adjustment is also unsatisfactory due to the additional time and effort required to dismantle the motor to perform the internal adjustments. Further, internal adjustments cannot, of course, be accomplished while the motor cavity is filled with hydraulic fluid under high pressure. Thus, normal maintenance adjustments and alignment cannot be accomplished without shutting down the pipeline and hydraulic system.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide adjustable stop means for a hydraulic rotary vane motor furnishing precise adjustment of the limit points of rotary travel.

It is a further object of the invention to provide stop means which may be adjusted externally of the motor without the necessity for dismantling.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide means permitting adjustment of vane travel limits while the motor is filled with fluid under pressure. I

It is an even further object to provide adjustable stop means which are inexpenisve to manufacture and install and which may be utilized in existing rotary vane motors.

These and other objects of the present invention will be understood by reference to the drawings and following detailed specification.

"ice

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan assembly view partly in section, of a rotary vane motor according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1, the view having been rotated clockwise.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view, similar to FIG. 1 of one of the vanes in abutment with a fixed shoe and adjustable stop assembly.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side view taken substantially on line 4--4 of FIG. 1.

FIG 5 is a sectional view substantially on line 5--5 of FIG. 1, the vane 28 having been disregarded and the view rotated 90 clockwise. v

FIG. 6 is a detail view on line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a detached perspective view of the member illustrated in FIG. 6.

The rotary vane motor preferably includes a cylindrical casing 10 having an integral end 11, closing one end of the casing, and a heavy circular cover plate 12 forming the opposite end wall and attached to the cylindrical casing by a circumferential row of screw studs 13. The joint between plate 12 and cyilnder wall 10 is preferably sealed by a resilient gasket or O ring 12 seated in a groove in the casing 12. For further sealing means, a fiat gasket seat 13 may be provided in the casing 10 around the bolt circle for screw studs 13.

The rotor 14 comprises a hub 15 having its ends journaled in end walls 11 and 12 by

sleeve bearings

16 and 17, respectively. The sleeve bearings each carry wiper rings or 0 rings 18 at the bearing surface to prevent leakage of hydraulic fluid from the motor and to seal out dust and other foreign matter. Each sleeve bearing is also provided with pairs of fluid and dust sealing 0 rings 19 at the bearing mounting surfaces in the end walls. The 0 rings 19 are spaced axially above and below deep

annular grooves

20 and 21 in end walls 11 and 12, respectively. The purpose of

grooves

20 and 21 will be described below.

The rotor hub 15 has an axial bore 22 extending therethrough with one or more keyways 23 for mounting the rotary vane motor in operative splined engagement with the stern of a rotary plug or ball valve (not shown). Additionally the motor may have a valve mounting ring flange 24 attached to the bottom end wall 11 as by countersunk cap screws 25. Threaded bores 26 may be provided to secure the stationary casing 10 to the flange of a rotary valve. Further, threaded screw bores 27 may be provided at the upper end of the hub 15 to permit attachment of a dust cover over the valve stem in bore 22.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the rotor vanes are preferably separate, generally

rectangular blocks

28 and 28 welded to the rotor hub at diametrically opposite locations. However, the vanes may be integrally formed or cast with the rotor hub or attached thereto by other means, as by bolts or dowels. As shown in FIG. 2, each vane preferably has at least one rectilinear 0 ring 29 disposed substantially around its vertical perimeter in continuous fluid-tight engagement with the inner walls of the casing 10 and the end walls 11 and 12 to prevent seepage or leakage of fluid past the vane as it rotates within the cavity.

The preferred embodiment of the rotary vane motor also has a pair of diametrically opposite stationary shoes 3 30 and 30', disposed within the cavity as walls to bisect the cavity into two volumes or chambers within which the vanes rotate. Each shoe 30 preferably comprises a wedge-shape block 31 with at least one rectilinear O ring carried in a groove extending around the vertical perimeter of the block. The linear ring 32, in cooperation with the close tolerance fit of the block with the rotor and inside walls of the casing cavity, furnishes an effective pressure fluid seal to prevent leakage of hydraulic fluid between the two volumes of the cavity. As shown, the shoes 30 and 30' may be secured in position within the motor by bolts 33 extending through the wall of casing 10.

As shown in plan in FIG. 1, each shoe 30 preferably has, cooperatively associated therewith, two adjustable vane stop assemblies 34, with the gage block 35 thereof in operative sliding abutment with the vertical, generally radially oriented wall surfaces 36 of the wedge-shape block 31.- These vane stop assemblies 34 may be adjusted externally to precisely limit the rotary travel of the motor vanes in a manner more fully discussed below. Although the preferred embodiment contemplates the inclusion of four stop assemblies, one on either side of each shoe, it will be understood that similar results can be obtained with only two stop assemblies disposed about only one of the shoes. However, to provide adequate mechanical pressure support for the vanes in the fully closed and fully opened positions of the motor, the use of four stop assemblies is preferred. Use of only two stop assemblies, abutting the rotor and vane assembly at only one end, might perm-it creationof undesirable stresses in the rotor vane not abutting and being supported by a stop.

Since the stop assemblies 34 are preferably identical and interchangeable, and since their orientations and associated structure are symmetrical about transverse center lines of the motor as shown in the plan view of FIG. 1; detailed description of structure and operation for only one of the assemblies is sufiicient to instruct one skilled in the art in the practice of the invention. As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, an adjustable vane stop assembly 34, in the preferred embodiment, includes a gage block 35 adapted for operative engagement or abutment in juxtaposition with a vertical, generally radially oriented wall surface 36 of shoe block 31, as by guide surface 37. Shoe block surface 36 may also have one or more limit pins 36' to limit inward travel of gage block 35 and prevent jamming against the rotor. Gage block 35 has a threaded bore 38 extending through its medial portion in a generally radial direction and'adapted to receive the threaded shank 39 of adjustment stud 40.

The threaded shank 39 of adjustment stud 49 joins with a medial stud portion of slightly greater outer diameter, which is disposed within a bore 42 through casing 10. The bore 42 is counterbored inwardly for a substantial length to form a shoulder 43, spaced inwardly from the medial stud portion 41 to form a circumferential groove 44 therebetween within which a thrust washer may be carried. The medial stud portion has an O ring 45, disposed within a circumferential seating groove, to provide a pressure fluid seal preventing leakage of hydraulic fluid from the interior of the motor.

The medial stud portion 41 extends outwardly to a second or outer threaded shank portion 46 terminating in square stud head 47. Bore 42 in casing may be spot faced to receive annular face plate 48 around threaded shank 46. Face plate 48 is secured to casing 10 by countersunk screws 49, and may be scribed or otherwise calibrated to provide an indicator or reference dial for external rotational adjustment of, stud 40. The bore 59 in face plate 48, through which shank 46 is inserted, is of smaller diameter than the outer diameter of medial stud portion 41, thereby providing a retaining shoulder preventing axial movement of the adjustment stud 49. A locknut 51 is providedto secure the adjustment stud 40 from further rotation once the stop assem- 4 bly has been adjusted and aligned with respect to the fully open and closed positions of the valve.

As shown by the chain line positions of gage block 35, it may be moved inwardly and outwardly with respect to the rotor 14 by turning the adjustment stud 4i externally with a wrench. The gage block 35 preferably has a beveled leading surface 52 joining with a surface 53, substantially parallel with the surface 37, to form a leading edge 54 providing sharp contact with abutting vane 28 to insure maximum precision and range of adjustment. For example, in a typical rotary vane motor having vanes with a radial length of three inches, it is possible to achieve a total angular adjustment (55) of two and onehalf degrees by use of the external stop adjustment means 34.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7 the gage block 35 has beveled or chamfered top and bottom surfaces 56 to prevent blocking the porting means for the motor. The motor preferably employs porting means having external exhaust connection means 57 and pressure connection means 58 together with crossover porting for balanced torque rotary operation. For example, diametrically opposite

internal ports

59 and 60 are shown operatively communicating with upper annular groove 21; while internal :

ports

61 and 62 are connected by lower annular groove 20. Further details of the porting and pressure flow may be understood upon reference to the U.S. patent to H. I. Shafer, No. 2,811,142, dated October 29, 1957, the details of hydraulic porting and circuitry forming no part of the present invention.

From the foregoing specification, it will be apparent that the several objects of the invention may be accomplished by the apparatus disclosed and described. Further minor variations and equivalents may be employed without departing from the true spirit of the invention, the scope of the invention being measured solely by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable vane stop assembly for a rotary vane fluid motor comprising, a gage block adapted to be disposed within the housing of said motor in operative juxta position with a stationary shoe member, said gage block having a beveled leading end surface and a side surface defining an edge surface adapted to abut a motor vane, a threaded bore through said gage block extending parallel to said side surface, an adjustment stud having a threaded shank engaging said bore in said gage block, a medial portion of said stud adapted to rotatably extend through a bore in said housing, a resilient pressure fluid sealing ring around said medial portion, and a second stud shank portion joining said medial portion and terminating in a stud head.

2-. In a rotary vane fluid motor having a cylindrical housing, a rotor hub having a vane oscillatable in said housing, a stationary shoe member in said housing defining a pressure chamber within which said vane oscillates, said shoe having a radially oriented wall surface, the improvement comprising an adjustable gage block slidably abutting said radial wall surface and having a beveled side surface defining an edge for abutting said vane, and an adjustment stud screwed into said gage block and extending through said housing for rotative operation exteriorly of said housing to adjust the gage block radially therein.

3. In a rotary vane fluid motor having a cylindrical housing, a rotor hub having a vane oscillatable in said housing, a stationary shoe member in said housing defining a pressure chamber within which said vane oscillates, said shoe having a radially oriented wall surface, the improvement comprising an adjustable gage block slidably abutting said radial wall surface and having a beveled side surface defining an edge for abutting said vane, and an adjustment stud screwed into said gage block and extending through said housing for rotative operation exteriorly of said housing to adjust the gage block radially therein, and means for fluid sealing that portion of said adjustment stud passing through said housing.

4. In a rotary vane fluid motor having a cylindrical housing, a rotor hub having a vane oscillatable in said housing, a stationary shoe member in said housing defining a pressure chamber Within which said vane oscillates, said shoe having a radially oriented wall surface, the improvement comprising an adjustable gage block slidably abutting said radial wall surface and having a side portion for abutting said vane, and an adjustment stud 10 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Riddell May 9, 1905 Shafer Jan. 22, 1957

Claims

1. AN ADJUSTABLE VANE STOP ASSEMBLY FOR A ROTARY VANE FLUID MOTOR COMPRISING, A GAGE BLOCK ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED WITHIN THE HOUSING OF SAID MOTOR IN OPERATIVE JUXTAPOSITION WITH A STATIONARY SHOE MEMBER, SAID GAGE BLOCK HAVING A BEVELED LEADING END SURFACE AND A SIDE SURFACE DEFINING AN EDGE SURFACE ADAPTED TO ABUT A MOTOR VANE, A THREADED BORE THROUGH SAID GAGE BLOCK EXTENDING PARALLEL TO SAID SIDE SURFACE, AN ADJUSTMENT STUD HAVING A THREADED SHANK ENGAGING SAID BORE IN SAID GAGE BLOCK, A MEDIAL PORTION OF SAID STUD ADAPTED TO ROTATABLY EXTEND THROUGH A BORE IN SAID HOUSING, A RESILIENT PRESSURE FLUID SEALING RING AROUND SAID MEDIAL PORTION, AND A SECOND STUD SHANK PORTION JOINING SAID MEDIAL PORTION AND TERMINATING IN A STUD HEAD.