Patent US3877850A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3877850A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spherical power device
Assignee: Commercial Metals Co
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Filing: 1973-04-23
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-04-23
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to spherical power devices and particularly to a positive displacement spherical power device comprising a housing having a generally spherical cavity or chamber therein with a diametrically extending piston positioned between a pair of rotating wedge shaped pistons which have their axes disposed at an angle with respect to each other. Rotation of the wedge pistons causes the central diametrically disposed piston to simultaneously rotate and oscillate to thus produce variations in the volume between adjacent surfaces of the central piston and the end pistons. The spherical power device of the present invention can be used either as a pump, a compressor or a gas expander and, with the addition of suitable ignition apparatus, as an internal combustion engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel M Berry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:53
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01C; F01C9/00; F01C9/005; F01C3/00; F01C3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A fluid handling device having a plurality of variable volume chambers for use as a pump, compressor or motor comprising: a. a housing having a cavity therein, at least a portion of which has a substantially spherical configuration; b. a pair of end pistons disposed in said spherical cavity; c. each of said end pistons being mounted for rotation in said spherical cavity about an axis of rotation; d. the axis of rotation of each of said pair of end pistons being disposed at an angle other than 180* with respect to the other axis of rotation; e. each of said pair of end pistons having a pair of faces inclined axially inwardly toward the center of said Spherical cavity; f. first semi-cylindrical journal means in each of said pair of pistons extending diametrically of said spherical cavity; g. a central piston disposed in said spherical cavity between said pair of end pistons and extending diametrically of said spherical chamber; h. said central piston having second semi-cylindrical journal means on opposite sides thereof for operably connecting said first semi-cylindrical journal means of each said pair of end pistons and a pair of piston faces on each side of said second journal means aligned with said inclined piston surfaces to form a plurality of chambers in said spherical cavity whereby said central piston is simultaneously oscillated as it rotates with said pairs of pistons to vary the volume of said plurality of chambers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
A fluid handling device having a plurality of variable volume chambers for use as a pump, compressor or motor comprising: a. a housing having a cavity therein, at least a portion of which has a substantially spherical configuration; b. a pair of end pistons disposed in said spherical cavity; c. each of said end pistons being mounted for rotation in said spherical cavity about an axis of rotation; d. the axis of rotation of each of said pair of end pistons being disposed at an angle other than 180* with respect to the other axis of rotation; e. each of said pair of end pistons having a pair of faces inclined axially inwardly toward the center of said Spherical cavity; f. first semi-cylindrical journal means in each of said pair of pistons extending diametrically of said spherical cavity; g. a central piston disposed in said spherical cavity between said pair of end pistons and extending diametrically of said spherical chamber; h. said central piston having second semi-cylindrical journal means on opposite sides thereof for operably connecting said first semi-cylindrical journal means of each said pair of end pistons and a pair of piston faces on each side of said second journal means aligned with said inclined piston surfaces to form a plurality of chambers in said spherical cavity whereby said central piston is simultaneously oscillated as it rotates with said pairs of pistons to vary the volume of said plurality of chambers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein each of said pair of pistons is provided with a cylindrical base disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said piston.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said central piston is provided with ports extending through said central piston for communicating fluid from one side of said piston to the opposite side thereof with one-way valves associated with said ports for controlling the flow of fluids therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention of claim 1 including: a. a passage extending through one of said pair of pistons and communicating with passage means in said second journal; b. said passage means in said second journal extending longitudinally thereof and having a plurality of ports therein for discharging fluid into said chambers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention of claim 1 including passage means through said central piston communicating the opposite sides of said second journal means for conducting fluids from the chamber on one side of said second journal means to the chamber on the opposite side thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said housing is provided with cylindrical bores adjacent said spherical cavity portion and wherein each of said pair of pistons is provided with a cylindrical shoulder adapted to engage said cylindrical bore.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |