Vane motor with adjustment option

Abstract

Vane motor (14), with - a lamella rotor (22) rotatable in a motor bushing (20) with radially movable lamellae (26), wherein lamella gaps (36) delimited by the lamellae (26) are formed between the lamella rotor (22) and the motor bushing (20), - at least one supply opening (30, 32) for supplying a pressure fluid into the lamella spaces (36) and at least one discharge opening (34) for discharging the pressure fluid, wherein the discharge opening (34) is designed as a radial opening in the motor bushing (20), - an adjustable throttle element (40) arranged at the discharge opening (34) so that a flow cross-section at the discharge opening (34) can be adjusted, characterized in that - the motor bushing (20) is arranged in a housing (12), wherein an intermediate space (48) is formed between a housing wall and the motor bushing (20), - and the throttle element (40) is arranged at least partially in the intermediate space (48).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vane motor and a method for operating a vane motor.

[0002] WO 2008 / 077561 A1 describes a vane motor with radially displaceable, spring-loaded vanes arranged within a motor bushing. The motor bushing has a first and second compressed air inlet and an exhaust port on its periphery. During operation in the preferred direction, compressed air is supplied through the first compressed air inlet, expands into the spaces between the vanes, which become larger during rotation, and is discharged at the exhaust port. A control valve connected to the motor has a throttle element that limits the fluid flow when compressed air flows to the second compressed air inlet. Thus, when the motor is used in a hoist in lowering mode, a braking effect can be achieved, resulting in a braked lowering of the load.

[0003] DE 1 798 507 U discloses a rotary piston pneumatic motor with a device for regulating the power and limiting the idle speed by means of a manually adjustable backpressure on the exhaust side. The cross-section is varied by a sliding device or other mechanical throttle device. In one embodiment, a rotatably mounted cylinder with an eccentric bore is arranged opposite a fixed orifice on an adjustment device, allowing a variable cross-section by varying the overlap of the two holes.

[0004] DE 10 2007 050 972 A1 describes a gas-powered vane motor whose rotor, arranged eccentrically in a working chamber, has radially movable drive vanes. During the start-up phase, the drive vanes are pressed against the outer surface of the working chamber by the drive gas. To allow the necessary gas pressure to build up, a movable shut-off element, formed by the valve element of a control valve, is assigned to the outlet.

[0005] WO 2012 / 036729 A2 discloses a speed control comprising an annular speed control housing and an annular stator housing for an air motor. The speed control housing has a first outer cylindrical surface with a first central axis, a second inner cylindrical surface with a second central axis, and a first exhaust window connecting the first and second surfaces. The stator housing has a third outer cylindrical surface with a third central axis axially aligned with the second central axis, a fourth inner cylindrical surface with a fourth central axis spaced from the third central axis, and a first exhaust window connecting the third and fourth surfaces to overlap the first exhaust window.The speed control housing is rotatable about the third outer cylindrical surface to adjust the overlap of the first exit window and the first exhaust window.

[0006] It can be regarded as the task of proposing a vane motor and an operating method therefor which adjustability is provided, whereby negative effects on the operation are otherwise largely avoided.

[0007] The object is achieved by a vane motor according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 14. Dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0008] The vane motor according to the invention has a vane rotor with radially movable vanes that can rotate in a motor bushing. Vane spaces delimited by the vanes are formed between the rotor and the motor bushing. At least one supply opening is provided for supplying a pressurized fluid, preferably compressed air, into the vane spaces. Two supply openings are preferably provided to control operation of the vane motor in both opposite running directions. At least one discharge opening is provided for discharging the pressurized fluid, which discharge opening is preferably arranged on the circumference of the motor bushing at least substantially opposite a supply opening, i.e. is arranged offset from the supply opening by a rotation angle of more than 100°.

[0009] The discharge opening—and preferably also the supply opening—is preferably designed as a radial opening in the motor bushing. The supply and discharge openings can have various shapes, for example, as slots, round holes, a group of round holes, or any other shape. The discharge opening is preferably at least one bore in the motor bushing oriented in a radial direction. The bore preferably has an at least substantially round cross-section.

[0010] According to the invention, an adjustable throttle element is arranged at the discharge opening in such a way that a flow cross-section at the discharge opening can be adjusted. By adjusting the position of a displaceable, rotatable, or otherwise movable or variable throttle element at, for example, in or directly in front of the discharge opening, the flow cross-section relevant for the flow of the discharged fluid can be changed.

[0011] This adjusts the operation of the vane motor, particularly its maximum running speed. At higher speeds, the reduced flow cross-section at the discharge opening causes a backflow of the fluid being discharged, thus slowing the motor down.

[0012] The inventive arrangement of the throttle element directly at the discharge opening has proven to be particularly advantageous. By arranging a throttle element directly on the engine bushing, for example in the discharge opening or only a short distance in front of it, a throttling effect is achieved directly on the engine without a large intermediate volume being arranged between the engine compartment, namely the interior of the engine bushing, and the throttling point, e.g. as a cavity, line volume, etc. If, on the other hand, the throttle element is only placed some distance behind a line connected to the discharge opening or in a remotely arranged valve arrangement, a back pressure must first build up in the intermediate volume before the throttling effect on the engine takes effect. If the engine subsequently runs at a slower speed, the pressure previously built up in the intermediate volume must first be reduced.

[0013] The throttle element can be adjustable in various ways, for example in at least two or more stages or preferably continuously. The adjustment can be achieved by any form of suitable movement, for example displacement and / or rotation of a throttle element in or in front of the discharge opening of the motor bushing, so that different free cross-sections result for the fluid flowing through the discharge opening depending on the movement. This refers not only to the cross-section of the interior of the discharge opening, but also to the cross-section of the area immediately behind it, for example a slot, annular gap or otherwise shaped opening that remains free between the outer edge of the discharge opening and a throttle element arranged behind it. The adjustable throttle element can particularly preferably be arranged on the outside of the motor bushing, more preferably immediately in front of the discharge opening.The adjustability allows the discharge opening to be covered to varying degrees in order to achieve different effective cross-sections for the flow.

[0014] According to the invention, the motor bushing is arranged within a surrounding housing, so that a gap is formed between an outer housing wall and the motor bushing. According to the invention, the throttle element is arranged at least partially within the gap.

[0015] The throttle element can be adjustable from the outside, for example, from outside a housing arranged around the engine socket. For example, an operating lever or a rotating element can be arranged on the outside of a housing, with which the throttle element can be adjusted inside.

[0016] In preferred embodiments, the throttle element can be arranged so as to be rotatable and / or displaceable for adjustment, at least between a first and a second position, wherein the throttle element in the first position, for example, at least partially covers the discharge opening such that the flow cross-section is smaller than in the second position, in which the throttle element exposes the discharge opening or covers it to a lesser extent than in the first position. In a preferred embodiment, the throttle element can be arranged so as to be displaceable in a guide between the first and second positions, e.g. displaceable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (axis of rotation) of the motor.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the throttle element can have a non-circular cross-section with a passage area and a blocking area. The throttle element can be arranged so as to be rotatable between the first and second positions, for example about a rotational axis arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the engine. Depending on the rotational position of the throttle element, different areas can be arranged in front of the discharge opening, for example the blocking area in a first position and the passage area in a second position. In this case, for example, the throttle element can be cylindrical in design overall, with the passage area being designed as a section of at least a partial area of the cylindrical shape.

[0018] According to various embodiments, the throttle element can be adjustable so that its distance from the discharge opening is adjustable. For example, the throttle element can be cylindrical and have an end region arranged in front of the discharge opening. The position of the throttle element can be adjustable in the radial direction relative to the motor bushing, so that the end region is at a different distance from the discharge opening depending on the adjustment.

[0019] A thread can particularly preferably be used to adjust the throttle element, so that the throttle element can be adjusted by rotating an operating element. For example, a screw element can be arranged such that a threaded element coupled thereto can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the screw axis by rotating the screw element. In a preferred embodiment, the screw element can be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the motor. In an alternative embodiment, the throttle element can be designed as a screw element arranged radially in front of the discharge opening, which can be adjusted in the radial direction by rotating relative to a thread attached, for example, to the housing.

[0020] In the preferred embodiment, the throttling, i.e. the maximum rotational speed, can be fixed for longer periods of operation using the throttling element. The setting then remains in place during subsequent operation and is only changed, for example, in the event of maintenance. However, it is also possible for the setting to be changed more frequently during operation, for example before special lifting or lowering processes. To simplify adjustment, some designs allow the throttling element to be adjusted from a distance. For example, a manual control element can be provided for the motor to control the flow of pressurised fluid to the feed opening. A throttle adjustment device can also be provided on the manual control element and is coupled to the throttle element in such a way that the throttle element can be adjusted using the throttle adjustment device. The manual control element can be arranged at a distance from the motor, for example.at a distance corresponding to at least three times the diameter of the motor socket, preferably considerably larger. The hand control element can be coupled to the motor socket, for example, via a line, in particular to a line for the pressurized fluid.

[0021] For remote control of the throttle element, a pressurized fluid-operated actuator can also be provided, allowing the throttle element to be adjusted by supplying pressurized fluid, e.g., by applying pressure to a pressure piston. Alternatively, a mechanical coupling for adjusting the throttle element is also possible, e.g., a pull or lever.

[0022] Embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a lifting device; Fig. 2 a pneumatic motor of the hoist Fig. 1 in perspective view; Fig. 3 a cross-section through the hoist from Fig. 1 and turn off the engine Fig. 2 along the line A..A in Fig. 1; Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b Side views, partly in longitudinal section along the line B..B, of part of the lifting gear from Fig. 1 with different positions of a throttle element; Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a lifting device; Fig. 6 a view of a cross-section along the line C..C of the hoist from Fig. 5; Fig. 7, Fig. 8a, Fig. 8b Views of the hoist sectioned along the line C..C from Fig. 5 in top view and perspective view with different adjustment positions of a throttle element; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a lifting device; Fig. 10 a view of a section along the line D..D of the hoist from Fig. 9; Fig. 11, Fig. 12a, Fig. 12b Views of the hoist sectioned along the line D..D from Fig. 9 in top view and perspective view with different adjustment positions of a throttle element.

[0023] In Fig. 1 shows a hoist 10 with a hoist housing 12 in which a Fig. 2 separately shown motor 14 and (not shown) a gearbox and a chain sprocket for lifting and lowering a load chain 16 are arranged.

[0024] In the embodiment shown, the hoist 12 is operated with compressed air supplied to a connection 18, the pressure being adjustable by a manual control (not shown) connected to the hoist 12 via a pressure line. Inside the hoist 12, the supplied compressed air is directed to the motor 14, which, via the gear and the chain sprocket, causes the lifting / lowering operation of the load chain 16.

[0025] In Fig. 1 is the hoist without a front cover 46 (see Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b) so that the motor 14 is visible.

[0026] In the representation of a cross section through the lifting device 10 in Fig. 3 (and in the comparable representation of the second embodiment in Fig. 6) shows the arrangement of the motor 14 within the housing 12. As can be seen there, a cylindrical motor bushing 20 is arranged within the housing 12 such that a gap 48 remains between the housing wall and the motor bushing 20.

[0027] A vane rotor 22 is arranged eccentrically in the motor bushing 20—in a manner known per se for vane motors. Movable vanes 26 are located in radially aligned slots 24 on the vane rotor 20, each of which sealingly abuts the inside of the motor bushing 20 and thus sealingly delimits the vane gaps 36.

[0028] On the circumference of the motor bushing 20 there are openings for the inlet and outlet of the compressed air used for operation, namely a first supply opening 30 for operation in a first direction of rotation (clockwise in Fig. 3, Fig. 6), a second feed opening 32 for operation in the opposite direction of rotation (left-hand rotation in Fig. 3, Fig. 6) and an outlet opening 34 on the top of the motor socket 20.

[0029] The supply openings 30, 32 are formed as slot-shaped openings in the cylindrical casing of the motor sleeve 20. The outlet opening 34 is formed as a radial, cylindrical bore. The inlet and outlet openings 30, 32, 34 are arranged substantially opposite one another on the circumference of the motor sleeve 20, each at an angle of approximately 120°.

[0030] During operation of the motor 14, compressed air is supplied through one of the supply openings 30, 32 and expands in the fin spaces 36 upon rotation of the fin rotor 22 before being discharged at the outlet opening 34.

[0031] An adjustable throttle element 40 is provided on the exhaust port 34 of the engine 14 to set a maximum speed. Fig. In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4b, the throttle element 40 is slidably arranged on the outside of the motor bushing 20, so that, depending on the adjusted position, it covers the outlet opening 34 to a greater or lesser extent. This allows a different effective cross-section for the flow of compressed air through the outlet opening 34 to be set, thus achieving a throttling effect.

[0032] In the first embodiment, the throttle element 40 can be moved linearly in the axial direction for adjustment. For this purpose, the throttle element has an internal thread into which an adjusting screw 42 is screwed. The adjusting screw 42 extends to a screw head 44, which is arranged such that it can be operated from the outside of the housing 12. In the embodiment shown, the screw head 44 has a hexagonal hole, which, as shown in Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b, can be accessed with a hexagonal tool through an opening 56 in the cover 46 on the side surface of the housing 12. The opening 56 can also be closed by a removable cover, as shown.

[0033] As in the comparison of Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b, the throttle element 40 can be adjusted linearly by turning the screw 42, so that, for example, in a first position the outlet opening 34 is completely open ( Fig. 4a) and the air from the fin gap 36 can flow unhindered into the gap 48 between the housing 12 and the engine bushing 20 and from there to an exhaust (see Fig. 3), and a second, heavily throttled position ( Fig. 4b), in which the throttle element 40 largely covers the outlet opening 34, so that compared to the cross section of the bore 34 only a relatively narrow opening remains for the air to flow through.

[0034] Fig. 5 to 8b show a second embodiment of a lifting device 10 and Fig. 9 to 12b show a third embodiment of a hoist 10. The hoists 10 according to the second and third embodiments largely correspond to the hoist 10 according to the first embodiment. Identical elements are identified by identical reference numerals. Only the differences will be described in more detail below.

[0035] In the second embodiment, the throttle element 40 is designed as a screw that is screwed into a thread on the housing 12 and extends into the gap 48 between the housing 12 and the motor bushing 20 to varying depths depending on the screw-in depth. The throttle element 40 is essentially radially aligned. Depending on the screw-in depth, one end 50 is at a varying distance from the outlet opening 34.

[0036] In the Fig. In the position shown in Figure 8a, the screw 40 is screwed in deeply so that the end 50 almost completely covers the outlet opening 34, leaving only a relatively small cross-section. Fig. 8b, the screw 40 is unscrewed further so that the end 50 is at a great distance from the outlet opening 34 and the full opening cross-section of the bore 34 is available for discharging the compressed air.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the screw 40 protrudes from the housing 12 and can thus be adjusted directly from the outside. In alternative embodiments, the upper end of the screw 40 can also be countersunk so that the screw 40 does not protrude from the outside of the housing 12.

[0038] In the third embodiment, the throttle element 40 is formed by a cylindrical rod that is arranged parallel to the axial direction on the outside of the engine bushing 20. In the area of the outlet opening 34, the rod 40 has a free cutout 54 within its cross section. As shown in particular in Fig. 10, in this embodiment the cutout 54 is slightly larger than half the cross section of the rod 40.

[0039] The rod 40 is rotatable to adjust the throttle. For this purpose, its shaft 52 is as shown in Fig. 9 shown to the outside of the housing 12.

[0040] By rotating the rod 40 into different rotational positions, the effective cross-section for the flow through the outlet opening 34 can be changed. Fig. 12a, the rod 40 is rotated so that its solid blocking area largely obscures the opening 34, thus significantly reducing the effective cross-section. This achieves a strong throttling effect.

[0041] In Fig. 12b, the rod 40 assumes a different rotational position, in which the cutout 54 is arranged as a passage area in front of the outlet opening 34. The area in front of the opening 34 is thus largely free, and a large cross-section is available for the flow, so that only a slight throttling effect occurs.

Claims

[1] Vane motor (14), with - a lamella rotor (22) rotatable in a motor bushing (20) with radially movable lamellae (26), wherein lamella gaps (36) delimited by the lamellae (26) are formed between the lamella rotor (22) and the motor bushing (20), - at least one supply opening (30, 32) for supplying a pressure fluid into the lamella spaces (36) and at least one discharge opening (34) for discharging the pressure fluid, wherein the discharge opening (34) is designed as a radial opening in the motor bushing (20), - an adjustable throttle element (40) arranged at the discharge opening (34) so that a flow cross-section at the discharge opening (34) can be adjusted, characterized by , that - the motor bushing (20) is arranged in a housing (12), wherein an intermediate space (48) is formed between a housing wall and the motor bushing (20), - and the throttle element (40) is arranged at least partially in the intermediate space (48). [2] Vane motor according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable throttle element (40) is arranged on the outside of the motor bushing (20). [3] Vane motor according to one of the preceding claims, in which - on the motor bushing (20) the discharge opening (34) is arranged at least substantially radially opposite the feed opening (30, 32). [4] Vane motor according to one of the preceding claims, in which - a housing (12) is arranged around the motor bushing (20), - and the throttle element (40) is adjustable from outside the housing (12). [5] Vane motor according to one of the preceding claims, in which - the throttle element (40) is arranged to be rotatable and / or displaceable for adjustment at least between a first and a second position, - wherein at least in the first position the throttle element (40) at least partially covers the discharge opening (34) such that the flow cross-section is smaller than in the second position. [6] Vane motor according to claim 5, in which - the throttle element (40) is arranged to be displaceable between the first and second positions in a guide parallel to the longitudinal axis of the motor (14). [7] Vane motor according to claim 5 or 6, in which - the throttle element (40) is rotatably arranged between the first and second positions, - wherein the throttle element (40) has at least in sections a non-circular cross-section with a passage area (54) and a blocking area, - and wherein in the first position the blocking area and in the second position the passage area (54) is arranged in front of the discharge opening (34). [8] Vane motor according to claim 7, in which - the throttle element (40) is cylindrical and the passage area (54) is designed as a cutout. [9] Vane motor according to one of the preceding claims, in which - the throttle element (40) is adjustable so that its distance from the discharge opening (34) is adjustable. [10] Vane motor according to claim 9, in which - the throttle element (40) is cylindrical and has an end region (50) which is arranged in front of the discharge opening (34), - wherein the position of the throttle element (40) is adjustable in the radial direction relative to the motor bushing (20). [11] Vane motor according to one of the preceding claims, in which - the throttle element (40) has a thread so that it can be adjusted longitudinally by rotation in the direction of a rotation axis. [12] Vane motor according to one of the preceding claims, in which - a manual control element is provided for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to the supply opening (30, 32), - wherein a throttle adjustment device is provided on the hand control element, and wherein the throttle adjustment device is coupled to the throttle element (40) in such a way that the throttle element (40) is adjustable by means of the throttle adjustment device. [13] Vane motor according to one of the preceding claims, in which - an actuator operated with pressure fluid is provided on the throttle element (40), so that the throttle element (40) can be adjusted by supplying a pressure fluid. [14] Method for operating a vane motor (14), in which - a lamella rotor (22) with radially movable lamellae (26) rotatable in a motor bushing (20) is provided, wherein lamellae spaces (36) delimited by the lamellae (26) are formed between the lamella rotor (22) and the motor bushing (20), - wherein the motor bushing (20) is arranged in a housing (12), wherein an intermediate space (48) is formed between a housing wall and the motor bushing (20), - and an adjustable throttle element (40) is arranged at least partially in the intermediate space, - wherein a pressure fluid is supplied through at least one supply opening (30, 32) and discharged through at least one discharge opening (34) formed as a radial opening in the motor bushing (20), - wherein a flow cross-section at the discharge opening (34) is adjusted by means of the throttle element (40) at the discharge opening (34).

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