Vane pump rotors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12331741-B2
Application number	US-202318204262-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 31, 2023
Priority date	May 31, 2023
Publication date	Jun 17, 2025
Grant date	Jun 17, 2025

Abstract

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system includes a rotor configured to rotate about a rotor axis within a pump housing. In embodiments, the rotor includes, a first end face configured to interface with a stationary port plate, a plurality of vane slots defined in the rotor arranged circumferentially about the rotor axis configured to accept a respective vane therein, and a plurality of lands between each vane slot, wherein each land includes a portion of the first end face. The rotor also includes, a lubrication pad defined in the first end face of at least one land between neighboring vane slots such that the lubrication pad is fed by the neighboring vane slots to induce buildup of a lubrication film between the first end face and the stationary port plate in the lubrication pad.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:
a rotor configured to rotate about a rotor axis within a pump housing, the rotor comprising:
a first end face configured to interface with a stationary port plate;
a plurality of vane slots defined in the rotor and arranged circumferentially about the rotor axis, wherein each vane slot of the plurality of vane slots is configured to accept a respective vane therein, wherein each vane slot includes a straight portion and a round portion radially inward of the straight portion, wherein the round portion is configured to hold a fluid during rotation of the rotor;
a plurality of lands, wherein each land of the plurality of lands extends circumferentially relative to the rotor axis from a leading edge to a trailing edge between two vane slots of the plurality of vane slots, wherein each land includes a portion of the first end face;
a lubrication pad defined in an outer periphery of the first end face, and extending from the first end face into a land of the plurality of lands, wherein the lubrication pad extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge such that the lubrication pad is fed by the two vane slots to induce buildup of a lubrication film between the first end face and the stationary port plate in the lubrication pad;
wherein a leading edge depth of the lubrication pad is deeper at or near the leading edge of the land and shallows in a circumferential direction of flow over the lubrication pad to a trailing edge depth, wherein the trailing edge depth is shallower at or near the trailing edge of the land than at the leading edge of the land, and wherein the leading edge depth of the lubrication pad is fluidically connected to the straight portion of a first vane slot of the two vane slots to draw fluid from the straight portion of the first vane slot.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the lubrication pad includes a polygonal shape defined between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the at least one land relative to a direction of rotation of the rotor, wherein a length of the polygonal shape extends along a portion of the first end face between leading edge and the trailing edge.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the lubrication pad includes a polygonal shape defined between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the at least one land relative to a direction of rotation of the rotor, wherein a length of the polygonal shape extends along an entirety of the first end face between leading edge and the trailing edge.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein a number of lubrication pads is equal to a number of lands of the rotor, wherein each land includes one lubrication pad.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the rotor includes a second end face, opposite the first end face along the rotor axis, wherein each land includes a portion of the second end face, the rotor further comprising, a lubrication pad defined in the second end face of at least one land between neighboring vane slots such that the neighboring vane slots feed a fluid to the lubrication pad to create a lubrication film between the second end face and a second stationary port plate.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the lubrication pad is defined in an outer periphery of the second end face.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the lubrication pad includes a polygonal shape defined between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the at least one land relative to a direction of rotation of the rotor, wherein a length of the polygonal shape extends along a portion the second end face between leading edge and the trailing edge.

8. The system of claim 5 , wherein the lubrication pad includes a polygonal shape defined between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the at least one land relative to a direction of rotation of the rotor, wherein a length of the polygonal shape extends along and entirety of the second end face between leading edge and the trailing edge.

9. The system of claim 5 , wherein a leading edge depth of the lubrication pad is deeper at or near the leading edge of the land and shallows in a circumferential direction of flow over the lubrication pad to a trailing edge depth, wherein the trailing edge depth is shallower at or near the trailing edge of the land than at the leading edge of the land.

10. The system of claim 5 , wherein a number of lubrication pads is double a number of lands of the rotor, wherein each land includes two lubrication pads, one on the first end face and one on the second end face.

11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of vanes, wherein each vane is disposed in a respective vane slot configured to drive the fluid with rotation of the rotor in the pump housing.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the rotor includes a central bore defined therethrough, and further comprising, a shaft disposed in the central bore configured to drive rotation of the rotor about the rotor axis.

13. The system of claim 12 , further comprising the stationary port plate disposed on the shaft proximate the first end face, and the second stationary port plate disposed on the shaft proximate the second end face opposite the first end face.

14. A rotor for a vane pump extends axially along a rotor axis, and wherein the rotor comprises:
a first end face at a first end of the rotor;
a first vane slot extending axially into the rotor from the first end face;
a first straight portion extending axially into the rotor; and
a first round portion extending axially into the rotor and radially inward of the first straight portion;

a second vane slot extending axially in the rotor from the first end face and spaced circumferentially from the first vane slot relative to the rotor axis, wherein the second vane slot comprises:
a second straight portion extending axially into the rotor; and
a second round portion extending axially into the rotor and radially inward of the second straight portion;

a land circumferentially between the first vane slot and the second vane slot and forming a portion of the first end face, wherein the land comprises:
a leading edge at the first vane slot; and
a trailing edge at the second vane slot;

a lubrication pad formed on the land at the first end of the rotor, wherein the lubrication pad extends axially relative to the rotor axis into the land from the first end face, and extends circumferentially relative to the rotor axis from the leading edge to the trailing edge such that the lubrication pad is fluidically connected to the first straight portion and the second straight portion, and wherein the lubrication pad is radially deeper at the leading edge than the trailing edge relative to the rotor axis.

Assignees

• Hamilton Sundstrand Corp

Inventors

• Le Duc Zachary Allen Ray
• Goy Edward W

Classifications

• F04C2/3441

  the inner and outer member being in contact along one line or continuous surface substantially parallel to the axis of rotation · CPC title

• F04C15/003

  Sealings for working fluid between radially and axially moving parts · CPC title

• F04C2240/20

  Rotors · CPC title

• F04C2/344 Primary

  with vanes reciprocating with respect to the inner member · CPC title

• F04C2240/54

  Hydrostatic or hydrodynamic bearing assemblies specially adapted for rotary positive displacement pumps or compressors · CPC title