Patent US3973445A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3973445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conversion mechanism for linear to rotary motion
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-10-01
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Granted: 1976-08-10
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Expires: 1994-10-01
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to mechanism for converting linear motion to rotary motion without the use of a crank or crankshaft. Two circular members which may be provided with teeth are driven simultaneously in opposite directions by a chain, belt or rack which is in turn connected to a piston reciprocating in a linear path. The invention is particularly adapted to vapor engines sometimes referred to as expanders. It also comprises both electrically and mechanically actuated valve motions, including a reverse means and means for varying cut-off.
Inventors
- 👤 Hyde Whitcomb Ballard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:27
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H19/00; F16H19/02; F16D; F16D48/00; F16D48/06; F16D48/064; F16H27/00; F16H27/02; F16D2500/00; F16D2500/10; F16D2500/102; F16D2500/1021; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18568; Y10T74/18832; Y10T74/1884; Y10T74/18848; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19172
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
Mechanism for converting linear motion to unidirectional rotary motion comprising a first shaft reciprocating in a linear path, pressure responsive means for moving said first shaft, a second shaft journaled to rotate on its axis, a third shaft journaled to rotate on its axis, connecting means between said first shaft and each of the second and third shafts, said connecting means adapted to turn the second and third shafts in opposite directions on each linear reciprocation of the first shaft, a single output shaft drivingly connected to each of said rotating second and third shafts, and means in each of said rotating shafts for selectively engaging and disengaging said rotary shafts to said output shaft whereby the output shaft turns in the same direction upon reciprocation of the first shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
Mechanism for converting linear motion to unidirectional rotary motion comprising a first shaft reciprocating in a linear path, pressure responsive means for moving said first shaft, a second shaft journaled to rotate on its axis, a third shaft journaled to rotate on its axis, connecting means between said first shaft and each of the second and third shafts, said connecting means adapted to turn the second and third shafts in opposite directions on each linear reciprocation of the first shaft, a single output shaft drivingly connected to each of said rotating second and third shafts, and means in each of said rotating shafts for selectively engaging and disengaging said rotary shafts to said output shaft whereby the output shaft turns in the same direction upon reciprocation of the first shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the connecting means comprises a flexible element passing in opposite directions around the second shaft and third shafts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the connecting means between the first shaft passes clockwise around a sprocket connected to the second shaft and counter clockwise around a sprocket connected to the third shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the connecting means comprises a double reciprocating rack.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which the means for selectively engaging and disengaging said rotary shafts is electrically operated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 including a reversing switch in the circuit for the engaging and disengaging means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
A vapor expander having a cylinder, a piston reciprocating linearly in said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending through at least one cylinder head, a first shaft journaled on its axis for rotary motion, a second shaft journaled on its axis for rotary motion, connecting means between said piston rod and said first and second shafts whereby said first and second shafts rotate in opposite directions on their axes for each reciprocation of the piston rod, a third output shaft journaled to rotate on its axis, means selectively connecting said third output shaft to each of said first and second shafts whereby the output shaft maintains unidirectional rotary motion on each reciprocation of the piston rod.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
A vapor expander having a cylinder, a piston reciprocating linearly in said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending through at least one cylinder head, a first shaft journaled on its axis for rotary motion, a second shaft journaled on its axis for rotary motion, connecting means between said piston rod and said first and second shafts whereby said first and second shafts rotate in opposite directions on their axes for each reciprocation of the piston rod, a third output shaft journaled to rotate on its axis, means selectively connecting said third output shaft to each of said first and second shafts whereby the output shaft maintains unidirectional rotary motion on each reciprocation of the piston rod.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
126 words
A vapor expander having a cylinder, a piston reciprocating linearly in said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending through at least one cylinder head, a first shaft journaled on its axis for rotary motion, a second shaft journaled on its axis for rotary motion, connecting means between said piston rod and said first and second shafts whereby said first and second shafts rotate in opposite directions on their axes for each reciprocation, a third output shaft journaled to rotate on its axis, electric clutch means in each of said rotating shafts for selectively engaging and disengaging said first and second rotary shafts to said third output shaft whereby the output shaft turns in the same direction upon reciprocation of the first shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
126 words
A vapor expander having a cylinder, a piston reciprocating linearly in said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending through at least one cylinder head, a first shaft journaled on its axis for rotary motion, a second shaft journaled on its axis for rotary motion, connecting means between said piston rod and said first and second shafts whereby said first and second shafts rotate in opposite directions on their axes for each reciprocation, a third output shaft journaled to rotate on its axis, electric clutch means in each of said rotating shafts for selectively engaging and disengaging said first and second rotary shafts to said third output shaft whereby the output shaft turns in the same direction upon reciprocation of the first shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 including valve means for admitting and exhausting vapor into and out of said cylinder, an electrical circuit for actuating said valve means, and trip means actuated by the piston rod for opening and closing said circuit in timed relation to the movement of the piston rod.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 including at least one adjustable switch in said circuit for closing the admission valve to obtain a predetermined cut off for vapor admission.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-10 | 1980-02-09 | 1980-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-10 | 1984-02-09 | 1984-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-10 | 1988-02-09 | 1988-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |