Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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Rotational Device
The invention relates to a rotational device for use in a
fluid for the purpose of extracting energy from the moving
fluid stream or for the purpose of converting energy into
motion of a fluid.
By means of the rotational device in accordance with the
invention or similar devices energy can be extracted from a
moving fluid stream which may be a gas or a liquid, e.g.
wind or water, by arranging the rotational device In the
fluid as is the case e.g. also with a turbine. Conversely,
by setting the rotational device in motion by a separate
drive, a moving fluid stream can be generated.
A known rotational device is described in WO 2007/082506
which uses two vanes, blades, or paddles for power coupling
the rotational device to the fluid. The positions of the
vanes are adjusted by a drive relatively to the direction
of flow of the fluid. The drive comprises a pivoting gear,
two intermediate gears being engaged into the pivoting
gear, and two vane rotary shaft gears each being engaged
into an intermediate gear. The pivoting gear is able to
rotate or to pivot freely on a central shaft of the
rotational device. Consequently, it is not coupled fixedly
to the central rotary shaft. Two or more vanes may be
adjusted only in local synchronization to each other. Thus
an independent adjustment of each of the vanes in relation
to the flow direction of the fluid is not possible in the
pivoting drive known.
It is thus the object of the present invention to define a
rotational device having a pivoting wheel drive which
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provides independent adjustment of the position of vanes
relatively to the flowing direction of a fluid.
This object is solved by the rotational device in
accordance with the invention as set forth in claim 1.
Accordingly, the rotational device to be used in a fluid to
extract energy from a moving fluid stream or to convert
energy into a motion of a fluid features a main rotating
means or main body which is fixedly connected to a central
rotary shaft of the rotational device, one or more
rotational surfaces or rotor blades coupled rotatable about
their rotational surface shafts or rotor blade shafts
spaced away from the central rotary shaft to the main
rotating means such that the main rotating means can
execute by at least one rotational surface or by a
plurality of rotational surfaces a rotational motion about
the central rotary shaft, the shafts of the rotational
surfaces extending parallel to the central rotary shaft of
the main rotating means and pivoting means or controlling
means being provided to control or adjust the position of
the rotational surface(s) relative to a direction of the
moving fluid stream, the pivoting or controlling means
comprising an adjusting sleeve and/or an adjusting frame
for each rotational surface, the adjusting sleeve and/or
adjusting frame is arranged freely rotatable about the
central rotary shaft, but it not connected in fixed or
force-fit manner to to the central rotary shaft radially,
to transfer its pivoting movement or movement to the
rotational surface for adjusting the rotational surface.
The positions of several rotational surfaces or vanes can
be adjusted independently from each other by means of the
above mentioned pivoting means to obtain an optimal
efficiency of the rotational device. The adjusting sleeves
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or adjusting frames may be nested freely rotatable about
the central rotary shaft of the rotational device whereby a
compact assembly or body of the rotational device is
achieved. The compact assembly provides only a small
disturbance of the flowing fluid and it avoids unbalances
during the rotation of the rotational device of the
invention.
The adjusting means or controller may comprise a
controlling cam or a plurality of controlling cams or a
controlling curve or a plurality Of controlling curves
fixedly coupled to the central rotary shaft of the main
rotating means, and a drive coupled to the controlling cam
and rotational surface(s) and converting the motion of the
controlling cam or of the controlling curve into a
rotational motion of the rotational surface(s) for
adjusting the angle or pitch of the rotational surfaces
relative to the direction of the moving fluid stream. This
arrangement reliably achieves precise adjusting of position
of the rotational surfaces.
As an alternative, the adjusting means may have an electric
or electric motor drive coupled to the rotational
surface(s) for pitching the rotational surface(s) as a
function of the rotational position of the main rotating
means.
The pivoting means of the invention may preferably comprise
a controlling cam being fixedly coupled to the central
rotating shaft of the main rotating means, and to the
adjusting sleeve or the adjusting frame and transferring
its motion into rotational motion of the corresponding
rotational surface
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The pivoting means may comprise an electrical drive that
adjusts the angle or pitch of the rotational surface via
the corresponding adjusting sleeve or the corresponding
adjusting frame depending on the rotational position of the
main rotating means.
Additionally, the pivoting means may adjust a neutral
position in relation to the direction of the fluid stream
by means of the adjusting sleeve or the corresponding
adjusting frame of the rotational surface concerned that
does not exert any torque on the main rotating means.
Preferably, a pivoting wheel or a toothed reciprocating
gear is provided pivoting loosely mounted on the central
rotary shaft of the rotational device, i.e. not rigidly or
positively connected radially to the central rotary shaft,
the pivoting wheel being coupled to the rotational surface
concerned via a drive or transmission.
The pivoting means or adjusting means may comprise a
controlling curve being provided on the central rotating
shaft.
Preferably, several rotational surfaces and equally
numbered adjusting sleeves and/or adjusting frames are
provided, each rotational surface is coupled to a
respective adjusting sleeve or adjusting frame.
Further, several rotational surfaces and pivoting wheels in
equal number thereto may be provided, each of the
rotational surfaces is coupled to a respective pivoting
wheel.
Preferably, several rotational surfaces and adjusting
members in equivalent number thereto are provided, each
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rotational surface is coupled to a respective adjusting
member.
Several or multiple rotational surfaces and controlling
curves in equivalent number thereto may be provided, each
of the rotational surfaces is coupled to a respective one
of the controlling curves.
Preferably, multiple cylindrical adjusting sleeves or
adjusting frames are nested into each other and arranged
about the central rotary shaft to attain a compact
structure of the rotational device of the invention.
The position or pitch of the respective rotational surface
to the flow direction of fluid or medium may be adjusted by
means of the pivoting means or controlling means such that
a relative velocity between the flowing fluid and
rotational surface concerned is constant or is optimally
adjusted on the rotational trajectory for obtaining an
optimal torque.
A preferred rotational device of the invention is composed
such that a distance or free space is maintained between an
adjusting sleeve and the central rotary shaft (M) next to
it, and that a distance or free space is also maintained
between each two adjusting sleeves being next to each other
to avoid friction and tolerance problems between adjusting
sleeves and central rotary shaft continuously extending.
The adjusting frame according to a preferred embodiment of
the pivoting means of the invention may comprise several
rings or discs arranged parallel to each other and several
bars extending between the rings or discs for achieving
reduction in weight.
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Preferably, the rings or discs of the adjusting frames
comprise channels or radial slotted holes through which a
corresponding bar or several bars of an adjusting frame
arranged next or of several adjusting frames arranged next
to each other extends or extend, whereby the motion of the
adjusting frames relative to each other is provided.
Preferably, the nested adjusting sleeves or frames are
coupled to a respective pivoting wheel that is coupled to
the corresponding rotational surface via a rope, belt, or
chain drive. By using, for instance, a V-belt, weight and
costs can be saved in comparison to gear wheels.
The rotational device of the present invention can be used
e.g. as a wind wheel, turbine, propeller, tidal power
station or ship's screw.
Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are
mentioned in the sub-claims.
Further advantages, advantageous embodiments and
applications of the present invention are provided by the
following detailed description of preferred exemplary
embodiments in connection with the drawings showing:
FIG. 1 a detailed cross-section of a known rotational
device;
FIG. 2 a schematical partial view comprising nested
adjusting sleeves of a first preferred embodiment
of the rotational device of the invention
according to Fig. 3;
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FIG. 3 a partial lateral view of the first preferred and
exemplary embodiment of the rotational device of
the invention;
FIG. 4 a partial view of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 a view of the embodiment of Fig. 3 seen in the
direction of arrow V in Fig. 3 or Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 a lateral view of a preferred second embodiment
of the invention;
Fig. 7 a view of the second embodiment of Fig. 6 seen in
direction of arrow VII in Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 a perspective partly. cut out partial view of a
section comprising nested adjusting frames of the
second embodiment of the invention of Fig. 6;
Fig. 9 a detailed view of Fig. 8 comprising an inner
disc of an inner adjusting frame;
Fig. 10 a detailed view cut out of Fig. 8 with a middle
disc of a middle adjusting frame;
Fig. 11 a detailed view cut out of Fig. 8 with an outer
disc of an outer adjusting frame;
Fig. 12 a lateral cross-section of the detailed view of
Fig. 8;
Fig. 13 a top-down view of the detailed view of Fig. 12
seen in direction of the arrow XIII in Fig. 12;
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Fig. 14 a schematic partial view with nested adjusting
sleeves of a third preferred embodiment of the
rotational device of the invention;
Fig. 15 a schematic partial view with nested adjusting
sleeves of a fourth preferred embodiment of the
rotational device of the invention;
Fig. 16 a schematic partial view with four nested
adjusting sleeves of a fifth preferred embodiment
of the rotational device of the invention;
Fig. 1 shows a detailed cross-section view of a rotational
device being known from WO 2007/082506 the content of which
is incorporated here by reference. Referring to Fig. 1, a
main rotating means 3 or main rotational body of the known
rotational device is mounted between two stationary
supporting cheeks 4 and 5 interconnected by bars 6 for
rotation about its central rotary shaft M continuously
extending. The main rotating means 3 is defined laterally
by one or more rotational cheeks 7 and 8 having circular
area, being spaced away from each other, and being rigidly
connected to the central rotary shaft M. A rotational
surface rotary shaft 1.1 of the rotational surface 1 or
vane and a rotational surface rotary shaft 2.1 of the
rotational surface 2 are rotatable mounted in the
rotational cheeks 7 and 8. The rotational surface rotary
shafts 1.1 and 2.1 are arranged parallel to and spaced away
from the central rotary shaft M and they are located more
in the vicinity of the edges of the disc-shaped rotational
cheeks 7 and 8.
A rotary shaft gear 1.2 and a rotary shaft gear 2.2 rigidly
or fixedly connected to the assigned rotary shaft are
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mounted on the extensions of the rotational surface rotary
shafts 1.1 and 2.1, respectively. Each of the rotary shaft
gears 1.2 and 2.2 is coupled via an adapter gear 1.3 to a
pivoting gear 9 in a ratio 1:1 which is rotationally
arranged on the central rotary shaft M and capable of
performing a motion relative to the central rotary shaft M.
The toothed pivoting gear 9 on the central rotary shaft M
is thus not rigidly connected to the rotary shaft M
radially.
Adjustment, rotation or radial position of the pivoting
gear 9 is determined by adjusting means 10 or a controller
of the rotational device. The adjusting means 10 is coupled
via the pivoting gear 9, the adapter gears 1.3, and the
rotary shaft gears 1.1 or 2.1 as pivoting or reciprocating
drive to the rotational surfaces 1 and 2 to permit
adjusting their angles relative to the flowing direction of
the fluid. This adjusting motion of the rotational surfaces
1 and 2 can be generated by a pivoting or reciprocating
motion of the pivoting gear 9 by e.g. mechanical curve
means or by an electric drive.
In a preferred realization, the adjusting means 10 has a
controlling curve 11 with a controlling cam 12, the
controlling curve 11 being rigidly connected to the central
rotary shaft M. In addition, the adjusting means 10
comprises a pivoting rod 13 with a pivoting roller 14 which
follows the controlling curve 11. The motion of the
controlling curve 11 is transferred via the pivoting rod 13
and a thrust link 15 to the pivoting gear 9, which results
in locally synchronized controlling of angle adjustment of
rotational surfaces 1 and 2.
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Referring now to FIG. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, and Fig. 5, there
is illustrated a first, preferred and exemplary embodiment
of the invention.
The preferred rotational device 71 of the invention is
designed for independent or individual adjustment of three
rotational surfaces or vanes relative to flowing direction
of the fluid and it has the same configuration as the
rotational device of Fig. 1, with the exception of the
pivoting means for adjusting independently on each other
the positions of the rotational surfaces. Same features of
both rotational devices are thus shown in the figures with
the same reference signs.
Fig. 3 represents a lateral overall view partly in cross-
section of a first preferred rotational device 71 of the
invention, whereas Fig. 2 shows the part of the rotational
device 71 in separated illustration which particularly
comprises three adjusting sleeves 51, 52, 53 nested with
each other.
The rotational device 71 comprises like the rotational
device of Fig. 1 main rotating means 3 being mounted
between two supporting cheeks 4 and 5 stationary
interconnected by bars 6 for rotation about a central
rotary shaft M continuously extending between the
supporting cheeks or plates 4 and 5. The main rotating
means 3 is defined laterally by one or more rotational
cheeks or plates 7 and 8 having circular area, being spaced
away from each other, and being rigidly connected to the
central rotary shaft M. Three rotational surface shafts
1.1, 2.1, 3.1 are mounted for rotation in the rotational
cheeks 7, 8 on a virtual circular path in equal distance to
each other, each of the rotational surfaces is connected
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rigidly to a rotational surface 1, 2 of three rotational
surfaces in total, the third rotational surface is not
shown in the figures. The three rotational surface shafts
1.1, 2.1, 3.1 are arranged in'the rotational device 71 in
parallel and in distance to central rotary shaft M and they
are rather at the edges of the pair of disc-shaped
rotational cheeks 7, 8.
A respective one of the rotational shaft gears 1.2, 2.2,
3.2 is arranged on the three rotational surface shafts 1.1,
2.1 and 3.1, respectively, wherein the three rotational
shaft gears 1.2, 2.2, 3.2 are rigidly connected to the
assigned rotational shaft 1.1, 2.1, 3.1.
The first rotational shaft gear 2.1 of the first rotational
shaft 1.1 corresponding to the first rotational surface is
engaged in the first pivoting wheel 41, e.g. a segment
gear, which is connected to the first relatively elongated
adjusting sleeve 51. The first inner adjusting sleeve 51 is
arranged around the central rotary shaft M in a freely
rotatable manner and thus it is not fixed thereto. More
precisely, the first adjusting sleeve 51 has an annular
flange 51.1 extending on the outer circumference of the
adjusting sleeve and being fixedly connected to the first
pivoting wheel 41 that in turn is freely rotatable around
the central rotary shaft M and mounted on the central
rotary shaft M by means of e.g. a bearing 41.1 or ball
bearing. The first pivoting wheel 41 is thus not rigidly
connected to the central rotary shaft M in radial
direction. At its opposite end without flange, the first
adjusting sleeve 51 is rigidly connected to a first
adjusting or actuating member 61, e.g. a segment gear, of a
first adjusting means 10.1, the configuration thereof
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corresponds, for instance, to the configuration of the
adjusting means 10 of Fig. 1.
A pitching, rotation or radial position of the first
pivoting wheel 41 is determined by the first adjusting
means or controlling means of the rotational device 71. The
first adjusting means 10.1 is coupled to the first rigid
rotational surface 1 via the first adjusting member 61, the
first adjusting sleeve 51, the first pivoting wheel 41, an
adapter gear 1.3 or intermediate gear, the rotational shaft
gear 1.2, and the rotational shaft 1.1 to be able to adjust
its position in angle or pitch with regard to the flowing
direction of the fluid. This pitching motion of the
rotational surface 1 can be effected by a pivoting motion
or reciprocating motion of the first pivoting wheel 41 by
means of a mechanical curve member 11 or an electric drive.
In a preferred embodiment, the first adjusting means 10.1
comprises a first controlling curve having a controlling
cam, the controlling curve is rigidly connected to the
central rotary shaft M. In addition, the first adjusting
means 10.1 a pivoting rod 13 movable in reciprocating
manner and comprising a pivoting roller 14 that scans or
follows the first controlling curve. The motion of the
first controlling curve is transferred from the pivoting
rod 13 and the thrust means 15 (see Fig. 1) and the
adjusting member 61 via the adjusting sleeve 51 to the
first pivoting wheel 41 to control the angle pitching of
the first rotational surface 1.
The second rotational shaft gear 2.2 of the second
rotational shaft 2.1 corresponding to the second rotational
surface 2 is coupled via an adapter gear 2.3 (see Fig. 4
and Fig. 5) to a second pivoting wheel 42 that in turn is
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rigidly connected to the second elongated adjusting sleeve
52 at its end via an annular flange 52.1 projecting
vertically from the outer circumference of the sleeve, and
that is mounted on the first adjusting sleeve 51, again
e.g. by a bearing 42.1 or ball bearing in a freely
rotatable manner around the first adjusting sleeve 51. The
second pivoting wheel 42 thus is not rigidly connected to
the first adjusting sleeve 51 in radial direction. The
second adjusting sleeve 52 is shorter than the first
adjusting sleeve 51. The second middle or intermediate
adjusting sleeve 52 is arranged around the first adjusting
means 51 in a freely rotatable manner. At the opposite end
without flange, the second adjusting sleeve 52 is connected
rigidly to a second adjusting member 62 of second adjusting
means 10.2.
A pitching, rotation or radial position of the second
pivoting wheel 42 is determined by the second adjusting
means 10.2 or controlling means of the rotational device
71. The second adjusting means 10.2, which has quite the
same configuration and function as the first adjusting
means 10.1 or 10 in Fig. 1, is coupled to the second rigid
rotational surface 2 via the second adjusting member 62,
the second adjusting sleeve 52, the second pivoting wheel
42, the adapter gear 2.3, the rotational shaft gear 2.2,
and the rotational shaft 2.1 to be able to adjust the
position of the second surface in angle or pitch with
regard to the flowing direction of the fluid. This pitching
motion of rotational surface 2 can be effected by a
pivoting motion or reciprocating motion of the second
pivoting wheel 42 by means of a mechanical curve member of
the second adjusting means 10.2 or by means of an electric
drive.
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In a preferred embodiment, the second adjusting means 10.2
comprises a second controlling curve 11 which may be
different to the first controlling curve 11 and which has a
controlling cam, the second controlling curve 11 is rigidly
connected to the central rotary shaft M. In addition, the
second adjusting means 10.2 has a pivoting rod 13
comprising a pivoting roller 14 that follows the second
controlling curve. The motion of the second controlling
curve 11 is transferred from the pivoting rod 13 and the
thrust means 15 (see Fig. 1) and the adjusting member 62
via the adjusting sleeve 52 to the second pivoting wheel 42
to control the angle pitching of the second rotational
surface 2.
The third rotational shaft gear 3.2 of the third rotational
shaft 3.1 corresponding to the third rotational surface is
coupled to a third pivoting wheel 43 that in turn is
rigidly connected to a terminal flange 53.1 of the third
adjusting sleeve 53. Also the third outer adjusting sleeve
53 is mounted around the outer circumference of the second
adjusting sleeve 52 in freely rotatable manner and thus it
is not fixed to the sleeve 52. Again, the third pivoting
wheel 43 is mounted on the second adjusting sleeve 52 e.g.
by a bearing 43.1 or ball bearing in a freely rotatable
manner around the second adjusting sleeve 52. The third
pivoting wheel 43 thus is not rigidly connected to the
second adjusting sleeve 52 in.radial direction. The third
adjusting sleeve 53 is shorter than the second adjusting
sleeve 52. At the opposite end without flange, the third
adjusting sleeve 53 is connected rigidly to an adjusting
member 63 of third adjusting means 10.3.
A pitching, rotation or radial position of the third
pivoting wheel 43 is determined by the third adjusting
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means 10.3 or controlling means of the rotational device
71. The third adjusting means 10.3, which has quite the
same configuration and function as the first or second
adjusting means 10.1, 10.2, is coupled to the third rigid
rotational surface via the third adjusting member 63, the
third adjusting sleeve 53, the second pivoting wheel 43,
the third adapter gear 3.3, the rotational shaft gear 3.2,
and the rotational shaft 3.1 to be able to adjust the
position of the third rotational surface in angle or pitch
with regard to the flowing direction of the fluid. This
pitching motion of the third rotational surface can be
effected by a pivoting motion or reciprocating motion of
the third pivoting wheel 43 by means of a mechanical curve
member of the third adjusting means 10.3 or by means of an
electric drive.
In a preferred embodiment, the. third adjusting means 10.3
comprises a third controlling curve 11 which may be
different to the first and second controlling curves 11 and
which has a controlling cam, the second controlling curve
11 is rigidly connected to the central rotary shaft M. In
addition, the third adjusting means 10.3 has a pivoting rod
13 being moveable in a reciprocating manner and comprising
a pivoting roller 14 that follows the third controlling
curve. The motion of the third controlling curve is
transferred from the pivoting rod 13 and the thrust means
15 and the adjusting member 63 via the adjusting sleeve 53
to the third pivoting wheel 43 to control the angle
pitching of the third rotational surface.
Using the three above mentioned pivoting means being
nested, the positions of three rotational surfaces can be
adjusted independently from each other to obtain an optimal
effectiveness of the rotational device. The adjusting
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sleeves 51, 52, 53 are arranged and freely rotatable around
the central rotary shaft M of the rotational device 71 in a
nested manner in order to achieve a compact configuration
of the rotational device 71. The compact configuration does
provide only small disturbance of the flowing fluid and it
avoids imbalances during rotation of the rotational device
71 of the invention.
Fig 5 shows that an angle between the central line of the
rotational surface shaft 1.1, the central line of the
central rotary shaft M, and the central line of the
rotational surface shaft 2.1 amounts to 1200. In addition,
the angle between the central line of the rotational
surface shaft 1.1, the central line of the central rotary
shaft M, and the central line of the rotational surface
shaft 3.1 amounts to 120 too. An angle between the central
line of the rotational surface shaft 3.1, the central line
of the central rotary shaft M, and the central line of the
rotational surface shaft 2.1 amounts also to 120 .
Fig. 14 shows a lateral schematical partial view in cross-
section of a forth embodiment of the invention which is
different to the embodiment of Fig. 3 essentially in the
modified configuration of the pivoting means of the main
rotating means 3 of Fig. 3.
The pivoting means 91 of the main rotating means 71.1 of
the embodiment of Fig. 14 again is configured for driving
of three rotational surfaces 1, 2 and, therefore, it
comprises an inner adjusting sleeve 51, an intermediate or
middle adjusting sleeve 52, and an outer adjusting sleeve
53, a first pivoting wheel 41 flanged on the elongated
adjusting sleeve 51, a second pivoting wheel 42 flanged on
the adjusting sleeve 52, and a third pivoting means 43
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flanged on the adjusting sleeve 53. However, in difference
to the embodiment of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the inner adjusting
sleeve 51 is not directly mounted on the central rotary
shaft M, but it is mounted by means of a bearing 51.10 or
ball bearing on the surface or the outer circumference of
the central rotary shaft M to maintain a distance between
the inner side of the adjusting sleeve 51 and the outer
side of the central rotary shaft M. The pivoting wheel 41
is mounted on the central rotary shaft M by means of a
further bearing 51.11 or ball bearing which results in an
overall mounting of the unit comprising pivoting wheel 41,
assigned adjusting sleeve 51, and terminal adjusting member
61 on the central rotary shaft M of the main rotating means
71.1 in the regions of the ends of the adjusting sleeve 51
by the bearings 51.10 and 51.11.
The middle adjusting sleeve 52 is mounted on the outer
circumference or surface of the adjusting sleeve 51 nearby
to the coupled adjusting member 62. The further mounting at
the opposite end of the adjusting sleeve 52 is again
provided by a bearing 52.11 which mounts the pivoting wheel
42 on the outer surface of the adjusting sleeve 51, the
pivoting wheel 42 is flanged fixedly on the adjusting
sleeve 52. Using the mount, again a distance is maintained
between the inner side of the adjusting sleeve 52 and the
outer circumference or side of the adjusting sleeve 51 such
that a rotation of the adjusting sleeve 52 around the
adjusting sleeve 51 is obtained with only little friction.
The shortest adjusting sleeve 53 is mounted around the
adjusting sleeve 52 and thus also around the central rotary
shaft M in freely rotatable manner by means of a further
bearing 53.10 or ball bearing on the outer circumference of
the adjusting means 52 nearby the adjusting member 63.
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Additionally, also the pivoting wheel 43 is mounted on the
outer surface of the pivoting sleeve 52 by means of a
further bearing 53.11 or ball bearing, the pivoting wheel
43 is flanged on the adjusting sleeve 53 rigidly and
fixedly. A distance is also maintained between the inner
circumference of the adjusting sleeve 53 and the outer
circumference or surface of the adjusting sleeve 52
Fig. 15 shows a further modified embodiment of the
invention which is different to the embodiment of Fig. 14
in a modified pivoting means 91.1 of a main rotating means
71.2. The pivoting means 91.1 again has three pivoting
wheels 41, 42, 43 for adjusting or actuating corresponding
three rotational surfaces, assigned adjusting sleeves 51,
52, 53, and adjusting members 61, 62, 63 rigidly connected
to the corresponding adjusting sleeves. In contrast to the
embodiment of Fig. 14, however, the additional bearings
51.12, 51.13, and 52.12 are provided. The bearing 51.13
supports additionally the adjusting sleeve 51 against the
central rotary shaft M nearby the pivoting wheel 43. The
additional bearing 51.12 supports or mounts the inner
adjusting sleeve 51 additionally on the adjusting sleeve
51. Thus a set of bearings comprising the bearings 51.12,
52.12, and 53.11 is provided nearby the pivoting wheel 43.
A further set of bearings comprising the bearings 51.13 and
52.11 is provided nearby or in the region of the pivoting
wheel 42. The additional bearings 51.12, 52.12, and 51.13
prevent a too strong deflection of the adjusting sleeves
under load.
Fig. 16 shows a further embodiment of the invention in a
partial view showing particularly pivoting means 91.2 of a
main rotating means 71.3 which is assembled to have five
rotational surfaces or vanes overall. The pivoting means
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91.2 thus comprises a set of pivoting wheels having the
pivoting wheels 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, correspondingly
assigned adjusting sleeves 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and also
correspondingly assigned adjusting members 61, 62, 63, 64,
65.
The pivoting wheel 41 is rigidly fixed to the assigned
adjusting sleeve 51 at a terminal flange 51.20. However, in
contrast to the embodiments of Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, the
flange 51.20 has an additional annular step 51.21 by which
an adjacent bearing, here, for instance, the bearing 52.31,
is defined vertically or stopped. The bearing 52.31 is
defined in addition by the adjacent flange 52.21 in its
vertical position. Further, on the inner circumferences of
tubular adjusting sleeves, there are provided projections
or supporting rings at certain positions or locations which
define the vertical positions.of the adjacent bearings.
Accordingly, for instance, the bearing or ball bearing
51.41 is defined and supported in its vertical position on
the central rotary shaft M by means of the supporting rings
51.42 and 51.43. The other flanges of the adjusting sleeves
52, 53, and 54 are provided similarly or identically to the
flange 51.20 with a step 51.21.
Referring to Fig. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, a further
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown and
explained. This rotational device has a stationary frame
75, in which main rotating means 76 of the rotational
device are supported rotatable.
The main rotating means 76 has again a pivoting means 77,
rotational cheeks 76. 1 and 76.2, three rotational surfaces
81, 82, 83, assigned rotational surface shafts 81.6, 82.1,
83.1, corresponding rotational shaft wheels 81.7, 82.2, and
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83.2 fixed rigidly to the assigned rotational shafts. The
rotational shafts 81.6, 82.1, and 83.1 extend between the
rotational cheeks 76.1 and 76.2 which are parallel to each
other, which stay normally to the center lines of the
rotational shafts, and in which the rotational shafts are
mounted rotatable. By rotation of the rotational shaft
wheels 81.7, 82.2, and 83.2, the angle position of the
corresponding rotational surfaces 81, 82, and 83 to the
flowing direction of the fluid can again be adjusted
optimally along a circular path of the rotational surfaces
81, 82, and 83.
The pivoting means 77 is configured in this exemplary
embodiment for individual adjusting or rotational pitching
of the three rotational surfaces 81, 82, and 83. As shown
particularly in the perspective detailed view of Fig. 8 and
in the related cross-section view of Fig. 12, the pivoting
means 77 comprises a nested and thus compact configuration
around a central rotary shaft 79. Three elongated adjusting
or actuating frames are 79.1, 80.1, 81.1 are mounted on the
central rotary shaft 79 at their respective ends by means
of appropriate bearings or ball bearings and they are
freely rotatable around the central rotary shaft 79 at
least for predetermined angles independently from each
other and from the central rotary shaft 79 around the
central symmetry line thereof in a nested manner. The inner
first adjusting frame 79.1 comprises an upper adjusting
ring 79.2 or disc that, for instance, is coupled to the
adjusting means 10 of Fig. 1, an intermediate ring 79.6 or
intermediate disc, and, for instance, three bars 79.7
arranged equidistantly in angle to each other, having a
circular cross-section, and extending between the adjusting
ring 79.2 and the intermediate ring 79.6. A second middle
adjusting frame 80.1 is arranged around the first adjusting
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frame 79.1 and comprises again an adjusting ring 80.2
mounted on the central rotary shaft 79 beneath the
adjusting ring 79.2 and coupled to, for instance, a further
adjusting means 10 at the extension shown, an intermediate
ring 80.4, and three bars 80.3 extending again upright and
equidistantly in parallel to each other between the
adjusting ring 80.1 and the intermediate ring 80.4. A third
outer adjusting frame 81.1 is mounted freely rotatable
around the middle adjusting frame 80.1 on the central
rotary shaft 79 and comprises again an adjusting ring 81.2
coupled to, for instance, a further adjusting means 10 at
the extension shown, a lower intermediate ring 81.4, and
three parallel bars 81.3 configured identically, extending
between the adjusting ring 81.2 and the intermediate ring
81.4, connected fixedly and rigidly to them, and being
arranged equidistantly to each other. The central symmetry
lines of all bars of the three adjusting frames extend in
parallel to the central symmetry line of the central rotary
shaft 79.
The intermediate ring 80.4 of the adjusting frame 80.1
comprises three continuously extending radial elongated
holes 80.5 as openings. Each of the bars 79.3 of the inner
first frame 79.1 extends through a respective one of these
radial elongated holes 80.5 that, therefore, allow a
rotational motion of the adjusting frame 79.1. The
intermediate ring 81.4 of the adjusting frame 80.1 has
three identically configured radial elongated holes 81.5
passing through the intermediate ring 81.4. A respective
bar 80.3 of the middle adjusting frame 80.1 and a
respective bar 79.3 of the inner first adjusting frame 79.1
pass or extend through a respective radial elongated hole
81.5 to allow rotational motion or rotational stroke of the
adjacent adjusting frames 79.1 and 80.1. The adjusting ring
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81.2 of the adjusting frame 81.1 also has radial elongated
holes (not shown) that correspond to the radial elongated
holes 81.5 of the intermediate ring 81.4 of the adjusting
frame 81.1. The adjusting ring 80.2 of the adjusting frame
80.1 also has radial elongated holes that correspond to the
radial elongated holes 80.5 of the intermediate ring 80.4
of the adjusting frame 80.1.
The three adjusting frames 79.1, 80.1, 81.1 are extended
beneath the intermediate rings 79.6, 80.4, 81.4 being
mounted on the central rotary shaft 79 by means of bearings
and they pass into three respective adjusting sleeves or
frame extensions 78.3 whereon a respective one of pivoting
wheels 78 is provided at each :end which are freely
rotatable arranged around a further shaft 78.7 or around
nested adjusting sleeves 78.3 in corresponding number. Each
of the pivoting wheels 78 is coupled via a toothed belt
78.1, a belt, a chain or a rope or cable to the respective
rotational shaft wheel 81.7, 82.2, 83.2 to be able to turn
the respective rotational shaft 81.6, 82.1, 83.1 and thus
to adjust the angle of the respective rotational surface
81, 82, 83 being provided on the respective shaft.
In the following one of the three drives will be described
as an example to explain the functional principle. For
example, the controlling motion generated by the adjusting
means 10 is transferred to the: adjusting frame 79.1 since
the adjusting means 10 is coupled to an extension of the
related adjusting ring 79.2 in force-fit manner. A
rotational motion of the adjusting frame 79.1 around the
central rotary shaft 79 is transferred from the adjusting
frame 79.1, i.e. via the adjusting ring 79.1, the bars
79.3, and the intermediate ring 79.6, to the adjusting
sleeve 78.3, the bars 79.3 shift in the radial elongated
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holes 80.5 of the intermediate ring 80.4 and in the radial
elongated holes 81.5 of the intermediate 81.4 seen in
radial direction. The rotational motion is transferred from
the adjusting sleeve 78.3 to the freely rotatable pivoting
wheel 78 that in turn is coupled via the toothed belt 78.1
to the rotational shaft wheel 81.7 of the rotational shaft
81.6, the toothed belt 78.1 extends around the pivoting
wheel 78, the rotational shaft wheel 81.7, and a deflection
pulley 78.2 in a closed or infinite loop. The rotational
shaft wheel 81.7 an thus also the rotational shaft 81.6 are
turned by the motion of the toothed belt 78.1, whereby the
rotational surface 81 changes its angle position in
relation to the flowing direction of the fluid accordingly.
The independent drives of the rotational surfaces 82 and 83
are configured and used analogously to the just explained
and described drive of the rotational surface 81. As
particularly explained in Fig. 7, the central lines of the
rotational shafts 81.6, 82.1, and 83.1 follow the same
circular line, an angle of each two succeeding central
lines of the rotational shafts amounts to 120 .
It should be mentioned yet that the lower rotational cheek
76.2 is mounted rotatable on a shaft stub 79.9 that in turn
is coupled rigidly to the stationary frame 75 of the
rotational device of the invention shown in Fig. 6. Further
it should be explained yet that the part of the pivoting
means 77 as shown in Fig. 8 is encapsulated by a housing
78.17 and it is arranged above e.g. water surface that is
indicated by the line W in Fig.. 6.
It should be referred to that the features and principals
of the above mentioned and explained embodiments shown in
the figures may be combined with each other as required.
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Particularly, for instance, the shown and described
features of the embodiments of Fig. 14, Fig. 15, and Fig.
16 can be combined or to be used in the embodiment of the
invention according to Fig. 3.
