EP2188519A1

EP2188519A1 - Perfected submersible hydraulic motor structure, particularly for pressurized systems

Info

Publication number: EP2188519A1
Application number: EP08786961A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Elvio De Nuzzo; Vito Feleppa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-06
Filing date: 2008-08-06
Publication date: 2010-05-26
Also published as: WO2009019291A1

Abstract

The invention is a submersible hydraulic motor structure particularly suited to be used in closed and pressurized hydraulic circuits, comprising a casing (2, 102, 202) provided with an inlet opening (3, 103, 203) for the pressurized fluid, an outlet (4, 104, 204) of the fluid and one disc-shaped rotor (8, 108, 208) arranged between the inlet opening (3, 103, 203) and the outlet and constrained so as to turn in the casing (2, 102, 202). The disc-shaped rotor (8, 108, 208) comprises a plurality of axial through holes (7, 107, 207) arranged on one of its crown (C) and equally spaced from one another. The motor structure also comprises one converging nozzle (6, 106, 206) arranged upstream of the rotor (8, 108, 208) and suited to accelerate the fluid against the inner surfaces (14, 114, 214) of the plurality of axial through holes (7, 107, 207).

Description

"PERFECTED SUBMERSIBLE HYDRAULIC MOTOR STRUCTURE, PARTICULARLY FOR PRESSURIZED SYSTEMS". DESCRIPTION

The present invention concerns a structure for a hydraulic motor having the disc-shaped rotor completely immersed in the fluid, particularly suited to be used in closed-circuit and pressurized systems.

In the case of an open circuit with disposable fluid, the present invention offers the same performance, provided that the hydraulic motor that is the subject of the invention remains completely immersed in the fluid flow. Almost all buildings are provided with closed-circuit and pressurized hydraulic systems, which are mainly used for heating, air conditioning and similar purposes.

A thermal carrier, usually water, circulates inside said closed-circuit systems, said thermal carrier being subjected to forced circulation inside the system thanks to the use of a pump that is properly sized to overcome any resistance and difference in height present in the hydraulic system, while part of the energy produced by the fluid remains unused, since the function of said fluid is exclusively to carry heat. The main object of the present invention is to construct a submersible hydraulic motor structure capable of exploiting as efficiently as possible the energy of the pressurized fluid present inside said systems, independently of whether they are closed-circuit systems, like thermosiphon systems, or open-circuit systems, like the water pipes in civil or industrial plants. Within the scope of the main object described above, another important aim of the present invention is to construct a submersible hydraulic motor structure capable of operating directly various types of devices like small power generators and the like.

A further important object of the present invention is to construct a motor structure that is compact and easy to apply to the hydraulic systems of known type.

Another object of the present invention is to construct a hydraulic motor structure offering good efficiency, capable of generating a shaft torque sufficient to operate a fan or an alternator, using already existing or new systems that, as known, are sized for limited flow rates and low head. Another object of the present invention is to construct a hydraulic motor structure that is simple and economic from the construction point of view, capable of generating, if associated with a power generator, power sufficient for feeding, for example, an electronic card, a solenoid valve, a hydraulic flow regulating valve, an automatic control for opening and closing the water taps of wash basins, a rechargeable buffer battery, for lighting lamps or LEDs on taps whose body is made of transparent materials.

Another, yet not the least object of the present invention is to construct a hydraulic motor structure that can be produced with known systems and technologies. These and other objects, which are described in greater detail below, are achieved by a submersible hydraulic motor structure, particularly suited to be used in closed and pressurized hydraulic circuits, or in open hydraulic circuits with disposable fluids where pressure is the same as in the mains, characterized in that it comprises, inside a casing provided with an inlet opening for the pressurized fluid and with an outlet, at least one converging nozzle suited to accelerate the fluid against the inner surfaces of a plurality of through holes arranged on at least one crown, equally spaced from one another and from the rotation axis of a disc-shaped rotor in which they are made, said rotor being constrained in such a way as to turn in said casing and featuring, in a first embodiment, a plurality of magnetic means statically connected to the lateral surface of the rotor itself.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, instead of the magnetic means, the external surface of the rotor can feature power transmission means positioned outside the casing, in a coaxial position relative to the rotor itself. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be illustrated in further detail in the description of three preferred embodiments of the invention, provided as non-limiting examples in the attached drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 shows an axonomethc view of the motor structure carried out according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 shows an exploded axonometric view of the motor structure carried out according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 3 shows an exploded sectioned axonometric view of the motor structure carried out according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 4 shows a top view of a median section of the motor structure carried out according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 5 shows an example of application of the motor structure to a generic hydraulic system;

- Figure 6 shows an axonomethc view of the rotor; - Figure 7 shows a side view of a median section of a motor structure carried out according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 8 shows a side view of a portion of a median section of a motor structure carried out according to a third embodiment of the invention.

A first embodiment of a submersible hydraulic motor structure carried out according to the invention is illustrated as a whole in Figures from 1 to 5, where it is indicated by 1.

According to the invention the structure 1 comprises a casing 2 provided with an inlet opening 3 for the pressurized fluid coming from an inlet pipe A and with an outlet 4 that in turn is connected to an outlet pipe B, as shown in Figure 5.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, inside the casing 2 there is a partition 5 that is provided with two converging nozzles 6, positioned downstream of the inlet opening 3, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In different embodiments of the invention, one single nozzle or even more than two nozzles may be provided.

Said nozzles 6 accelerate the fluid coming from the inlet opening 3 towards the inner surfaces of a plurality of axial through holes 7 obtained along a crown C of a disc-shaped rotor 8, shown in Figure 6, equally spaced from one another and from the rotation axis of the rotor itself. The rotor 8 is in turn constrained in such a way as to turn in the casing 2 and a plurality of magnetic means 9 is statically connected to its lateral surface 81. In particular, the rotor 8 is hinged on one side to the partition 5 and on the other side to a frame 10 of the casing 2 positioned before the rotor 8, as can be seen in particular in Figure 4. Furthermore, the rotor 8 and the partition 5 are properly adjacent, so that the terminal section 11 of each one of the nozzles 6 is as near as possible to the inlet section 12 of each one of the through holes 7.

In addition to the above, the area of the terminal section 11 , which has the same size as the inlet section 12 of each one of the through holes 7, is substantially projected on the whole inlet section. Finally, the disc-shaped rotor 8 has substantially the shape of a plate and its lateral surface 81 is cylindrical, as shown in Figure 6.

Preferably but not necessarily, the axis β of the through holes 7 is parallel to the rotation axis π of the disc-shaped rotor 8. In other construction variants not described herein, the axis β of the through holes 7 may be inclined relative to the rotation axis π of the disc-shaped rotor 8.

As shown in Figure 3, in the embodiment of the invention described herein the nozzles 6 are cylindrical, In different embodiments of the invention, the nozzles 6 may have a different shape, for example the shape of a pyramidal frustum.

The axis 13 of each one of the nozzles 6 intercepts the inner surface 14 of the through holes 7 when they pass before the nozzles, and the axis 13 lies on a plane that is substantially tangential to the cylinder generated by the axes of the through holes 7.

Finally, the projection of the axis 13 of each one of the nozzles 7 on a plane containing the axis of the rotor 8 forms an angle α, included between 5 and 50 degrees, with said axis of the rotor itself.

In particular, tests that have been carried out have shown that the best results in the transformation of a fluid pressure energy into mechanical energy at the axis of the rotor 8 are obtained when the projection of the axis 13 of each one of the nozzles 6 forms a 45° angle α with the axis of the rotor itself.

As shown in Figure 3, the outlet 4 is situated downstream of the rotor 8.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention described herein, the magnetic means 9 present on the lateral surface 81 of the rotor 8 are permanent magnets.

Furthermore, the structure 1 that is the subject of the invention is provided with stator means 15 positioned outside said casing 2, at the level of the intersection between the plane passing through the surface of the rotor 8 and the casing itself.

Finally, in the embodiment of the invention described herein, the stator means 15 comprise several electric windings and furthermore these stator means 15 are associated with connection means 16 for drawing the electric energy that has been generated. In a second embodiment of the invention, represented in Figure 7, where the structure is indicated by 101 , the partition 105 is provided with a single nozzle 106.

Furthermore, differently from the embodiment previously described, instead of the magnetic means 9 positioned on the lateral surface 81 of the rotor 8, power transmission means 117 are provided that are positioned outside the casing 102 and coaxially associated with the rotor 108 itself, as shown in

Figure 7. Said power transmission means 117 are magnetic drive means.

They consist of a first multi-pole magnet 118 integral with said first rotor 108 and facing a second magnet 119 integral with a second rotor 120. Said second magnet 119 and second rotor 120 are coaxial with the first magnet 118 and with the first rotor 108, and both are constrained in such a way as to turn in proximity of the first magnet 118 outside said casing 102.

According to the embodiment of the invention described herein and illustrated in Figure 7, the first and second magnets 118 and 119 are annular in shape and face each other.

Between said magnets there is an interposed portion 121 of the wall 122 opposite the first rotor 108.

Furthermore, said second rotor 120 is constrained in such a way as to turn around a cylindrical pin 123 coaxial with said first rotor 108 and projecting outwards from said opposite wall 122, through the interposition of means 124 for reducing the rotational friction, which are constituted by rolling bearings 125.

The casing 102 of said second embodiment is provided with a base plate 126 connected to it by means of a threaded connection 127, said inlet opening 103 being obtained in said base plate 126.

Said partition 105 and said base plate 126 are properly provided with sealing rings 128 on their periphery.

To advantage, said outlet 104 is located in the lower part 102a of said casing 102. According to a third embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figure 8 and indicated as a whole by 201 , the first magnet 218, cylindrical in shape, is arranged in such a way as to turn inside a tubular portion 229 that projects from the portion 221 of the opposite wall 222.

Said second magnet 219 is shaped in such a way as to be arranged concentrically outside said tubular portion 229 and constrained so as to turn around a pin 223 that extends coaxially from said tubular portion 229.

In said second embodiment, the rotation of said second rotor 220 is facilitated by the presence of means 224 for reducing rotational friction between said second rotor 220 and said pin 223. Said means 224 for reducing rotational friction are constituted by rolling bearings 225.

In practice, in all the three embodiments of the invention described above, the inlet opening 3, 103 and 203 is connected to a pipe A that conveys the pressurized fluid from the hydraulic system to the inside of the structure 1 , 101 and 201.

In the same way, the outlet 4, 104 and 204 is connected to an outlet pipe B through which the fluid continues its route towards any users, as shown in

Figure 5.

The first rotor 8, 108 and 208 is thus completely immersed in the fluid. The fluid is thus conveyed towards the nozzles 6, 106 and 206, through which it is accelerated, so that part of its pressure energy is converted into kinetic energy.

The fluid pushed inside the through holes 7, 107 and 207 presses against their inner surfaces 14, 114 and 214 and sets the rotor 8, 108 and 208 rotating. Successively the fluid that flows out of the holes 7, 107 and 207 continues its motion beyond the casing 2, 102 and 202 through the outlet 4, 104 and 204 and flows back into the system from which it comes through the already mentioned outlet pipe B.

As regards the first embodiment of the invention described above and shown in Figure 4, while rotating, the rotor 8 brings with it also the magnetic means 9, which are integral with its lateral surface 81 and consequently generate a variable magnetic field around them.

In particular, this magnetic field with variable direction induces in the stator means 15, positioned outside the casing 2, electric energy that can be used for feeding external devices.

In fact, this electric energy is drawn through the conductive means 16 and conveyed for example to electronic devices that measure the flow rate, or is accumulated in storage means not represented in the figures.

A different embodiment of the invention not described herein may exploit the measure of the variation in the magnetic field generated by the magnetic means 9 to measure the flow rate of the fluid that flows through the structure 1. Obviously, said measurement is carried out after properly setting any means for measuring and transducing the magnetic field generated by the rotating magnetic means 9. Differently from said first embodiment, the second and third embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 7 and 8 have the first magnet 118 and 218 positioned coaxially to the first rotor 108 and 208 and rotating integrally with the latter. Said first magnet 118 and 218 sets the second magnet 119 and 219 rotating by magnetic drive, said second magnet 119 and 219 being located outside said casing 102 and 202.

In the second embodiment of the invention, said second magnet 119 is integral with said second rotor 120. In the third embodiment of the invention, instead, the second magnet 219 forms a single body with the second rotor 220, as described above.

Said second rotor 120 and 220, which rotates around said pin 123 and 223 through the interposition of means 124 and 224 for reducing rotational friction, which also in this case are constituted by rolling bearings 125 and 225, can be provided with a fan wheel for a convector heater or fan convector, as well as the rotor of an alternator or other similar devices.

According to the above, it can be understood that the structure of the hydraulic motor of the invention, in the embodiments described herein, makes it possible to achieve the set object and the advantages connected with it. In particular, the present invention achieves the object to construct a submersible hydraulic motor structure capable of operating directly various types of devices like fan wheels, small power generators and the like. The present invention further achieves the important object to construct a motor structure that is compact and easy to apply to the hydraulic systems of known type. Another object achieved by the present invention is to construct a hydraulic motor structure offering good efficiency, capable of generating a shaft torque sufficient to operate a fan or an alternator, using already existing or new systems that, as known, are sized for limited flow rates and low head. The present invention also achieves the further object to produce a hydraulic motor structure that is simple and economic from the construction point of view, capable of generating, if associated with a power generator, power sufficient for feeding, for example, an electronic card, a solenoid valve, a hydraulic flow regulating valve, an automatic control for opening and closing the water taps of wash basins, a rechargeable buffer battery, for lighting lamps or LEDs on taps whose body is made of transparent materials.

A further object achieved by the present invention is the object to construct a hydraulic motor structure that can be produced with known systems and technologies.

In the construction stage, the hydraulic motor structure may be modified and variants of the same, which are neither described nor represented herein, may be carried out in order to improve its functionality and make it more economic to produce.

The construction variants described herein and others not mentioned must all be considered protected by the present patent, provided that they fall within the scope of the claims expressed below.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference sings have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1 ) Submersible hydraulic motor structure particularly suited to be used in closed and pressurized hydraulic circuits, characterized in that it comprises: - a casing (2, 102, 202) provided with an inlet opening (3, 103, 203) for the pressurized fluid and with an outlet (4,104, 204) of said fluid;

- at least one disc-shaped rotor (8, 108, 208) positioned between said inlet opening (3, 103, 203) and said outlet (4, 104, 204) and comprising a plurality of axial through holes (7, 107, 207) positioned on at least one crown (C) and equally spaced from one another and from the rotation axis of said rotor (8, 108, 208), said rotor (8, 108, 208) being constrained in such a way as to turn in said casing (2, 102, 202);

- at least one converging nozzle (6, 106, 206) arranged upstream of said rotor (8, 108, 208) and suited to accelerate said fluid against the inner surfaces (14, 1 14, 214) of said plurality of axial through holes (7, 107, 207).

2) Structure according to claim 1 ), characterized in that said rotor (8) is provided with a plurality of magnetic means (9) statically connected to its lateral surface (81 ).

3) Structure according to claim 1 ), characterized in that said rotor (108, 208) is provided with coaxial means (117, 217) for transmitting power, positioned outside said casing (102, 202).

4) Structure according to claim 2), characterized in that said magnetic means (9) are permanent magnets.

5) Structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis (β) of said through holes (7, 107, 207) is parallel to the rotation axis (π) of said disc-shaped rotor (8, 108, 208).

6) Structure according to claims from 1 ) to 4), characterized in that the axis (β) of said through holes (7, 107, 207) is inclined relative to the rotation axis (π) of said disc-shaped rotor (8, 108, 208). 7) Structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one nozzle (6, 106, 206) has the shape of a pyramidal frustum.

8) Structure according to any of the claims from 1 ) to 6), characterized in that said at least one nozzle (6, 106, 206) is cylindrical. 9) Structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the area of the terminal section (1 1 , 1 11 , 21 1 ) of said at least one nozzle (6, 106, 206) facing said rotor (8, 108, 208) is substantially equal to the inlet section (12, 1 12, 212) of each one of said through holes (7, 107, 208).

10) Structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis (13, 1 13, 213) of said at least one nozzle (6, 106, 206) intercepts said inner surface (14, 1 14, 214) of said through holes (7, 107, 207) when they pass before said at least one nozzle (6, 106, 206).

11 ) Structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said axis (13, 1 13, 213) lies on a plane that is substantially tangential to the cylinder generated by the axes of said through holes (7, 107, 207).

12) Structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projection of said axis (13, 1 13, 213) of said nozzle (6, 106, 206) on a plane containing the axis of said rotor (8, 108, 208) forms an angle (α), ranging from 5 to 50 degrees, with said axis of said first rotor (8, 108, 208). 13) Structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projection of said axis (13, 1 13, 213) of said nozzle (6, 106, 206) on a plane containing the axis of said rotor (8, 108, 208) forms a 45° angle (α) with said axis of said first rotor (8, 108, 208).

14) Structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lateral surface (81 , 181 , 281 ) of said disc-shaped rotor (8, 108, 208) is cylindrical.

15) Structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotor (8, 108, 208) is substantially shaped as a plate.

16) Structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said outlet (4, 104, 204) is located downstream of said rotor (8, 108,

208).

17) Structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one nozzle (6, 106, 206) is obtained on a partition (5, 105, 205) present in said casing (2, 102, 202) and interposed between said rotor (8, 108, 208) and said inlet opening (3, 103, 203).

18) Structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two nozzles (6).

19) Structure according to any of the claims from 1 ) to 17), characterized in that it comprises one nozzle (106, 206). 20) Structure according to any of the claims from 1 ) to 3), characterized in that it comprises stator means (15) positioned outside said casing (2), at the level of the intersection between the plane passing through the surface of said rotor (8) and said casing (2).

21 ) Structure according to claim 20), characterized in that said stator means (15) comprise one or more electric windings.

22) Structure according to claim 20) or 21 ), characterized in that it comprises conductive means (16) connected to said stator means (15) for drawing the electric energy induced in said stator means (15).

23) Structure according to claim 4), characterized in that said means (1 17, 217) for transmitting power are magnetic drive means, being constituted by a first magnet (1 18, 218) integral with said first rotor (108, 208) and facing a second magnet (1 19, 219) integral with a second rotor (120, 220), said second magnet (119, 219) and second rotor (120, 220) being coaxial with said first magnet (1 18, 218) and with said first rotor (108, 208), said second magnet (119, 219) being constrained so as to turn in proximity of said first magnet (1 18, 218) and, together with said further rotor (120, 220), outside said casing (102, 202).

24) Structure according to claim 23), characterized in that said first magnet (1 18, 218) and second magnet (119, 219) are annular in shape and face each other, being separated by a portion (121 , 221 ) of a wall (122, 222) opposite said first rotor (108, 208) interposed between said first magnet (1 18, 218) and said second magnet (1 19, 219).

25) Structure according to claim 23) or 24), characterized in that said second rotor (120, 220) is constrained so as to turn around a cylindrical pin (123, 223) that projects from the outside of said opposite wall (122, 222), said pin (123, 223) being coaxial with said first rotor (108, 208).

26) Structure according to claim 4), characterized in that said first magnet (1 18, 218) is cylindrical, and wherein said first magnet (1 18, 218) is arranged so as to turn inside a tubular portion (129, 229) that projects from said opposite wall (122, 222), said second magnet (119, 219) being shaped in such a way as to be arranged concentrically outside said tubular portion (129, 229) and constrained so as to turn around a pin (123, 223) that extends coaxially from said tubular portion (229, 230).

27) Structure according to claim 25) or 26), characterized in that the rotation of said second rotor (120, 220) is facilitated by the presence of means (124, 224) for reducing rotational friction between said second rotor (120, 220) and said pin (123, 223).

28) Structure according to claim 27), characterized in that said means (124, 224) for reducing rotational friction are constituted by rolling bearings (125, 225) or other means for reducing friction.

29) Structure according to any of claims 4) and from 23) to 28), characterized in that said outlet (104, 204) is located in the lower part (102a, 202a) of said casing (102, 202).