US6478016B1 — Gear driven supercharger having noise reducing im…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 96 words

A centrifugal supercharger comprising: a rotatable impeller; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft tat is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said impeller shaft and said first gear being integrally formed of a unitary piece of cast iron.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 96 words

A centrifugal supercharger comprising: a rotatable impeller; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft tat is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said impeller shaft and said first gear being integrally formed of a unitary piece of cast iron.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 21 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 1 , said impeller shaft and said first gear being formed of ductile iron.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 32 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 2 , said transmission including an input shaft connectable to the power source, said input shaft being fixed to a second one of the gears.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 32 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 3 , said first and second gears intermeshing with one another, such that power from the input shaft is transferred directly to the impeller shaft.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 14 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 2 , said gears comprising spur gears.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 60 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 2 ; a case presenting a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber, said impeller being located in the compressor chamber and at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber; and a quantity of lubrication fluid to lubricate the transmission, wherein the fluid is contained entirely within the transmission chamber.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 35 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 2 , said shaft including a cantilevered section on which the impeller is mounted, said cantilevered shaft section having a minimum diameter of at least about 0.268 inch.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 7 , said minimum diameter being between about 0.268 inch and about 0.525 inch, inclusive.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 39 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 2 , said shaft including a cantilevered section on which the impeller is mounted, said cantilevered shaft section including a relief and having a minimum diameter of at least about 0.300 inch.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 102 words

In a powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger comprising: a rotatable impeller; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to the engine, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft that is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said impeller shaft and said first gear being integrally formed of a unitary piece of cast iron.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 102 words

In a powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger comprising: a rotatable impeller; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to the engine, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft that is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said impeller shaft and said first gear being integrally formed of a unitary piece of cast iron.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 22 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 10 ; said impeller shaft and said first gear being formed of ductile iron.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 33 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 10 , said transmission including an input shaft drivingly connected to the engine, said input shaft being fixed to a second one of the gears.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 33 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 12 , said first and second gears intermeshing with one another, such that power from the input shaft is transferred directly to the impeller shaft.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 15 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 10 , said gears comprising spur gears.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 61 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 10 ; a case presenting a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber, said impeller being located in the compressor chamber and at least pat of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber; and a quantity of lubrication fluid to lubricate the transmission, when the fluid is contained entirely within the transmission chamber.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 36 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 10 , said shaft including a cantilevered section on which the impeller is mounted, said cantilevered shaft section having a minimum diameter of at least about 0.268 inch.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 23 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 16 , said minimum diameter being between about 0.268 inch and about 0.525 inch, inclusive.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 40 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 10 , said shaft including a cantilevered section on which the impeller is mounted, said cantilevered shaft section including a relief and having a minimum diameter of at least about 0.300 inch.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 134 words

A centrifugal supercharger for supplying supercharged intake fluid to an engine said centrifugal supercharger comprising: a rotatable impeller operable to pressurize the intake fluid; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft that is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said first gear having a pitch line velocity of at least about 12,000 feet per minute during rotation of the impeller, said impeller shaft and said first gear being integrally formed of a unitary piece of cast iron.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 134 words

A centrifugal supercharger for supplying supercharged intake fluid to an engine said centrifugal supercharger comprising: a rotatable impeller operable to pressurize the intake fluid; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft that is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said first gear having a pitch line velocity of at least about 12,000 feet per minute during rotation of the impeller, said impeller shaft and said first gear being integrally formed of a unitary piece of cast iron.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 140 words

A centrifugal supercharger for supplying supercharged intake fluid to an engine said centrifugal supercharger comprising: a rotatable impeller operable to pressurize the intake fluid; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft that is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said first Rear having a pitch line velocity of at least about 12,000 feet per minute during rotation of the impeller, said impeller shaft being formed at least in part of cast iron and including a cantilevered section on which the impeller is mounted.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 140 words

A centrifugal supercharger for supplying supercharged intake fluid to an engine said centrifugal supercharger comprising: a rotatable impeller operable to pressurize the intake fluid; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft that is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said first Rear having a pitch line velocity of at least about 12,000 feet per minute during rotation of the impeller, said impeller shaft being formed at least in part of cast iron and including a cantilevered section on which the impeller is mounted.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 17 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 20 , said impeller shaft being formed of ductile iron.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 32 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 20 , said transmission including an input shaft connectable to the power source, said input shaft being fixed to a second one of the gears.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 32 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 22 , said first and second gears intermeshing with one another, such that power from the input shaft is transferred directly to the impeller shaft.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 14 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 20 , said gears comprising spur gears.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 60 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 24 ; a case preventing a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber, said impeller being located in the compressor chamber and at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber; and a quantity of lubrication fluid to lubricate the transmission, wherein the fluid is contained entirely within the transmission chamber.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 23 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 25 , said cantilevered shaft section having a minimum diameter of at least about 0.268 inch.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 22 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 26 , said minimum diameter being between about 0.268 inch and about 0.525 inch, inclusive.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 27 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 20 , said cantilevered shaft section including a relief and having a minimum diameter of at least about 0.300 inch.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 140 words

In the powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger for supplying supercharged intake fluid to the engine, said centrifugal supercharger comprising: a rotatable impeller operable to pressurize the intake fluid; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to the engine, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft that is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said first gear having a pitch line velocity of at least about 12,000 feet per minute during rotation of the impeller, said impeller shaft and said first gear being integrally formed of a unitary piece of cast iron.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 140 words

In the powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger for supplying supercharged intake fluid to the engine, said centrifugal supercharger comprising: a rotatable impeller operable to pressurize the intake fluid; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to the engine, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft that is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said first gear having a pitch line velocity of at least about 12,000 feet per minute during rotation of the impeller, said impeller shaft and said first gear being integrally formed of a unitary piece of cast iron.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 146 words

In the powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger for supplying supercharged intake fluid to the engine, said centrifugal supercharger comprising: a rotatable impeller operable to pressurize the intake fluid; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to the engine, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft that is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said first gear having a pitch line velocity of at least about 12,000 feet per minute during rotation of the impeller, said impeller shaft being formed at least in part of cast iron and including a cantilevered section on which the impeller is mounted.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 146 words

In the powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger for supplying supercharged intake fluid to the engine, said centrifugal supercharger comprising: a rotatable impeller operable to pressurize the intake fluid; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to the engine, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft that is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said first gear having a pitch line velocity of at least about 12,000 feet per minute during rotation of the impeller, said impeller shaft being formed at least in part of cast iron and including a cantilevered section on which the impeller is mounted.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 18 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 30 , said impeller shaft being formed of ductile iron.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 33 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 30 , said transmission including an input shaft drivingly connected to the engine, said input shaft being fixed to a second one of the gears.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 33 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 32 , said first and second gears intermeshing with one another, such that power from the input shaft is transferred directly to the impeller shaft.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 45 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 32 ; and a drive mechanism drivingly connecting the input shaft to the engine, said drive mechanism and said transmission being configured to rotate the first gear at said pitch line velocity during operation of the engine.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 30 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 34 , said drive mechanism comprising a belt drive including a plurality of sheaves and an endless belt drivingly connecting the sheaves.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 15 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 30 , said gears comprising spur gears.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 61 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 30 , a case presenting a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber, said impeller being located in the compressor chamber and at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber; and a quantity of lubrication fluid to lubricate the transmission, wherein the fluid is contained entirely within the transmission chamber.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 24 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 30 , said cantilevered shaft section having a minimum diameter of at least about 0.268 inch.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 23 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 38 , said minimum diameter being between about 0.268 inch and about 0.525 inch, inclusive.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 28 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 30 , said cantilevered shaft section including a relief and having a minimum diameter of at least about 0.300 inch.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 119 words

A centrifugal supercharger for supplying supercharged intake fluid to an engine, said centrifugal supercharger comprising: a rotatable impeller operable to pressurize the intake fluid; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft that is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said impeller shaft being formed at least in part of cast iron and including a cantilevered section on which the impeller is mounted.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 119 words

A centrifugal supercharger for supplying supercharged intake fluid to an engine, said centrifugal supercharger comprising: a rotatable impeller operable to pressurize the intake fluid; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft that is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said impeller shaft being formed at least in part of cast iron and including a cantilevered section on which the impeller is mounted.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 17 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 41 , said impeller shaft being formed of ductile iron.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 32 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 41 , said transmission including an input shaft connectable to the power source, said input shaft being fixed to a second one of the gears.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 32 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 43 , said first and second gears intermeshing with one another, such that power from the input shaft is transferred directly to the impeller shaft.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 14 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 41 , said gears comprising spur gears.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 60 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 41 , a case preventing a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber, said impeller being located in the compressor chamber and at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber; and a quantity of lubrication fluid to lubricate the transmission, wherein the fluid is contained entirely within the transmission chamber.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 23 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 41 , said cantilevered shaft section having a minimum diameter of at least about 0.268 inch.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 22 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 47 , said minimum diameter being between about 0.268 inch and about 0.525 inch, inclusive.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 26 words

The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 41 , said cantilevered shaft section including a relief and having a minimum diameter of at about 0.300 inch.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 125 words

In a powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger for supplying supercharged intake fluid to the engine, said centrifugal supercharger comprising: a rotatably impeller operable to pressurize the intake fluid; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to the engine, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft at is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said impeller shaft being formed at least in part of cast iron and including a cantilevered section on which the impeller is mounted.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 125 words

In a powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger for supplying supercharged intake fluid to the engine, said centrifugal supercharger comprising: a rotatably impeller operable to pressurize the intake fluid; and a gear-type transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to the engine, said transmission including a plurality of gears and an impeller shaft at is fixed relative to a first one of the gears and supports the impeller, with at least a portion of either or both the impeller shaft and the first gear being formed of cast iron so as to dampen transmission-generated sound waves propagating to the impeller, said impeller shaft being formed at least in part of cast iron and including a cantilevered section on which the impeller is mounted.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 18 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 49 , said impeller shaft being formed of ductile iron.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 31 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 49 , transmission including an input shaft drivingly connected to the engine, said shaft being fixed to a second one of the gears.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 33 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 52 , said first and second gears intermeshing with one another, such that power from the input shaft is transferred directly to the impeller shaft.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 15 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 49 , said gears comprising spur gears.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 61 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 49 , a case presenting a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber, said impeller being located in the compressor chamber and at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber; and a quantity of lubrication fluid to lubricate the transmission, wherein the fluid is contained entirely within the transmission chamber.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 24 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 50 , said cantilevered shaft section having a minimum diameter of at least about 0.268 inch.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 23 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 56 , said minimum diameter being between about 0.268 inch and about 0.525 inch, inclusive.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 27 words

In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 50 , said cantilevered shaft section including a relief and having a minimum diameter of at about 0.300 inch.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-11-11	2006-05-13	2006-11-12	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-11-11	2010-05-13	2010-11-12	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-11-11	2014-05-13	2014-11-12	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Gear driven supercharger having noise reducing impeller shaft

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag