Rotational manifold and building incorporating a ratational manifold

Abstract

A rotational manifold assembly (150) for providing fluid communication between rotatable parts such as a fixed and rotatable part of a rotatable building, the manifold assembly (150) comprising an innner member (162) located within an outer member (163) and defining a fluid chamber (167) therewith. A fluid supply line (168) is connected to the outer member (163) and communicates via a passage (166) with the chamber (167) and a fluid outlet line (176) is connected to the inner part (162) through a passage (173) such that the lines (168) and (176) communicate through the chamber (167). The inner member (168) is fixed for rotation to a hollow member (177) which may also comprise a fluid communication line or contain a fluid communication line. A rotatable building incorporating a rotational manifold assembly (150) is also disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates in one aspect to a method of and apparatus for providing fluid communication between parts or members which rotate relative to each other. In another aspect, this invention relates to a rotatable building which incorporates a rotational manifold for providing fluid communication to and from the building such as fluid communication between fixed service lines and service lines within the building. BACKGROUND ART [0002] In many situations, it is necessary or desirable to provide fluid communication between parts or members which rotate relative to each other. For example in a vehicle tail shaft which contains one or more universal joints, the joints are required to be regularly lubricated to ensure failure does not occur particularly where the vehicle is a load carrying vehicle where failure of universal joints can cause substantial losses. The current means for lubricating universal joints requires the vehicle to be serviced when not in u...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a method and apparatus for fluid communication between parts that rotate relative to each other. The invention includes a rotational manifold with a chamber between two members that rotate, and fluid lines connected to the chamber for communication. The invention also includes a rotary fluid connector for providing fluid communication between parts of a rotating building assembly. The technical effects of the invention include improved fluid communication between parts that rotate relative to each other, and simplified design and installation."

Problems solved by technology

The current means for lubricating universal joints requires the vehicle to be serviced when not in use, this resulting in loss of vehicle load carrying capacity.

It would thus be desirable to have a means whereby universal joints could be lubricated whilst in use however this presents a number of problems as the lubricant is required to be communicated between parts, for example a fixed vehicle gearbox and a universal joint, which rotate relative to each other.

In particular, some buildings particularly those which have a concrete slab supported on footings are usually required to be constructed on level land which limits the regions in which buildings of this type can be constructed.

Although a building can be erected on columns or stumps on steep or undulating land, costs of this type of construction can be relatively high.

Whether the land is flat or undulating, the land area occupied by the building is required to be cleared for the installation of the slab and its associated footing or columns or stumps or other foundations and thus there is a negative impact on the surrounding environment.

A further disadvantage of slab constructions is that no ventilation can occur from underneath the building and thus often additional cooling means are required to maintain the building at an acceptable temperature.

Further slab buildings are often flood prone if building low-lying areas.

Current forms of buildings using conventional foundations are also susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods.

Where a building is entirely fixed to the ground, one of the faces of the building has limited exposure to sunlight which therefore makes that face prone to mould and dampness problems.

These cells cannot be used to best effect because they are always located in one place and cannot track the movement of the sun during the day.

In most fixed buildings, shadows will be cast across the cells at some stages thereby limiting the amount of energy they may generate during a day.

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