Claims
- 1. A fluid transfer apparatus, comprising:a torque transmitter; a rotary device associated with the torque transmitter; three or more pistons arranged substantially in a circle; a piston housing permitting axial and rotational movement of the pistons; an oscillator associated with the rotary device causing axial oscillation and rotation of the pistons during rotation of the rotary device; and channels associated with the pistons and piston housing for effecting the transfer of fluid from a first location to a second location as the pistons oscillate.
- 2. The fluid transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the torque transmitter comprises a rotatable shaft communicating with the rotary device.
- 3. The fluid transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotary device comprises a rotatable cam disk.
- 4. The fluid transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotary device comprises the oscillator.
- 5. The fluid transfer apparatus of claim 4, wherein the oscillator comprises a slanted surface on the rotary device communicating with the pistons.
- 6. The fluid transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the channels comprise inlet and outlet channels in each piston, and a central channel in each piston communicating with the inlet and outlet channels.
- 7. The fluid transfer apparatus of claim 6, further comprising cavities in the piston housing, in communication with the central channels, for effecting compression or decompression of fluid during axial movement of the pistons.
- 8. The fluid transfer apparatus of claim 6, wherein the channels further comprise fluid inlet channels on a first plane in the piston housing and outlet channels on a second plane in the piston housing, positioned so the inlet and outlet channels in the piston housing communicate with the inlet and outlet channels in the pistons during movement of the pistons.
- 9. The fluid transfer apparatus of claim 6, wherein the inlet and outlet channels in each piston are slanted.
- 10. The fluid transfer apparatus of claim 1, comprising five or more of the pistons arranged substantially in a circle.
- 11. A pump for pressurizing and transferring fluid, comprising:a rotatable cam having a first side, and a slanted second side; a motor-driven shaft in communication with the first side of the cam; a piston housing including three or more piston cavities arranged substantially in a circle; three or more pistons capable of axial rotational movement, each having a first end in communication with the slanted second side of the rotatable cam, and a second end in a piston cavity; and inlet and outlet channels in the piston housing and pistons for effecting the transfer and pressurization of fluid during movement of the pistons.
- 12. The pump of claim 11, wherein the second side of the rotatable cam is slanted at an angle, and the first end of each piston is slanted at a complementary angle.
- 13. The pump of claim 11, wherein inlet and outlet channels in the pistons are formed in outer surfaces of the pistons, and engage the inlet and outlet channels in the piston housing during movement of the pistons.
- 14. The pump of claim 13, wherein the inlet and outlet channels in the pistons are slanted.
- 15. The pump of claim 11, comprising five or more of the piston cavities arranged substantially in a circle, and five or more oil the pistons.
- 16. A fluid-powered motor, comprising:a rotatable cam having a first side, and a slanted second side; a drive shaft in communication with the first side of the cam; a piston housing including three or more piston cavities arranged substantially in a circle; three or more pistons capable of axial and rotational movement, each having a first end in communication with the slanted second side of the rotatable cam, and a second end in a piston cavity; and inlet and outlet channels in the piston housing ad pistons for effecting the transfer of pressurized fluid to sequentially oscillate the pistons, causing rotation of the cam and drive shaft.
- 17. The motor of claim 16, wherein the second side of the rotatable cam is slanted at an angle, and the first end of each piston is slanted at a complementary angle.
- 18. The motor of claim 16, wherein inlet and outlet channels in the pistons are formed in outer surfaces of the pistons, and engage the inlet and outlet channels in the piston housing during movement of the pistons.
- 19. The motor of claim 18, wherein the inlet and outlet channels in the pistons are slanted.
- 20. The motor of claim 16, comprising five or more of the piston cavities arranged substantially in a circle, and five or more of the pistons.
- 21. A fluid distribution valve, comprising:a rotatable cam having a first side, and a slanted second side; a piston housing including three or more piston cavities arranged substantially in a circle; three or more pistons capable of axial and rotational movement, each having a first end in communication with the slanted second side of the rotatable cam, and a second end in a piston cavity; inlet channels in the piston housing; inlet channels in the pistons communicating with the inlet channels in the piston housing during movement of the piston, and with the piston cavities; distribution channels in the piston cavities communicating with the exterior of the piston housing; outlet channels in the piston housing; and outlet channels in the pistons communicating with the piston cavities, and with the outlet channels in the piston housing.
- 22. The valve of claim 21, wherein the second side of the rotatable cam is slanted at an angle, and the first end of each piston is slanted at a complementary angle.
- 23. The valve of claim 21, wherein the inlet and outlet channels in the pistons are formed in outer surfaces of the pistons.
- 24. The valve of claim 23, wherein the inlet and outlet channels in the pistons are slanted.
- 25. The valve of claim 21, comprising five or more of the piston cavities arranged substantially in a circle, and five or more of the pistons.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/787,089, filed Jan. 22, 1997, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
US Referenced Citations (26)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
3413867 |
Oct 1984 |
DE |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
08/787089 |
Jan 1997 |
US |
Child |
09/153274 |
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US |