BALANCE PLATE ASSEMBLY FOR A FLUID DEVICE
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is being filed on 03 August 201 , as a PCT
International Patent application in the name of Eaton Corporation, a U.S. national
corporation, applicant for the designation of all countries except the U.S., and Aaron
Michael Hicks, a citizen of the U.S., applicant for the designation of the U.S. only,
and claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 61/370,310 filed on 03
August 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Displacement assemblies of conventional fluid pumps/motors require
close fits and tight tolerances in order to achieve high volumetric efficiencies.
Conventional balance plates are typically used to reduce leakage over the face of the
rotating component of the displacement assembly. These conventional balance
plates typically contact the rotating component. While these conventional balance
plates are effective for many applications, a need exists for a fluid pump/motor with
high efficiency that can operate when there is a significant temperature differential
between the fluid pump/motor and the fluid communicated to the fluid pump/motor.
SUMMARY
[0003] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fluid device having a
displacement assembly and a balance plate assembly disposed adjacent to the
displacement assembly. The displacement assembly includes a ring having a first
end face and an oppositely disposed second end face. The ring defines a bore that
extends through the first and second end faces. A rotor is disposed in the bore of the
ring. The ring and rotor cooperatively define a plurality of volume chambers. The
balance plate assembly includes a housing that defines a cavity. A balance plate is
disposed in the cavity. The balance plate includes a first end surface and an
oppositely disposed second end surface. The balance plate is adapted to move
axially between a first position in which the second end surface of balance plate
abuts the first end face of the ring to a second position in which the second surface
of the balance plate is recessed in the cavity.
[0004] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fluid device
having a displacement assembly and a balance plate assembly disposed adjacent to
the displacement assembly. The displacement assembly includes a ring having a
first end face and an oppositely disposed second end face. The ring defines a bore
that extends through the first and second end faces. A rotor is disposed in the bore
of the ring. The rotor has a first end surface and an oppositely disposed second end
surface. The ring and rotor cooperatively define a plurality of volume chambers.
The balance plate assembly includes a housing that defines a cavity. A balance plate
is disposed in the cavity. The balance plate includes a first end surface and an
oppositely disposed second end surface. The balance plate is adapted to move
axially between a first position in which the second end surface of balance plate
abuts the first end face of the ring and a second position in which the second surface
of the balance plate is recessed in the cavity. The rotor actuates the balance plate to
the second position.
[0005] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fluid device
having a displacement assembly and a balance plate assembly disposed adjacent to
the displacement assembly. The displacement assembly includes a ring having a
first end face and an oppositely disposed second end face. The ring defines a bore
and a plurality of openings disposed about the bore that extend through the first and
second end faces. A plurality of rolls is disposed in the openings. A rotor is
disposed in the bore of the ring. The rotor includes a first end surface and an
oppositely disposed second end surface. The ring, rolls and rotor cooperatively
define a plurality of volume chambers. The balance plate assembly includes a
housing that defines a cavity. A spring is disposed in the cavity. A balance plate is
disposed in the cavity. The balance plate includes a first end surface abutting the
spring and an oppositely disposed second end surface. The balance plate is adapted
to move axially between a first position in which the second end surface of balance
plate abuts the first end face of the ring to a second position in which the second
surface of the balance plate is recessed in the cavity. Thermal expansion of the rotor
actuates the balance plate to the second position.
[0006] A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that
follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of
features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not
restrictive of the broad concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are
based.
DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid device having exemplary
features of aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid device of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a balance plate of the
fluid device of FIG. 1 in a first position.
[0010] FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a balance plate of the
fluid device of FIG. 1 in a second position.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a displacement assembly suitable for
use with the fluid device of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a front view of the displacement assembly.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the displacement assembly.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first axial end of a housing of a
bearing plate assembly suitable for use with the fluid device of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second axial end of the housing of
FIG. 6
[0016] FIG. 8 is a side view of the housing of FIG. 6 showing a fragmentary
cross-section.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a balance plate suitable for use with
the fluid device of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a front view of the balance plate of FIG. 9.
[0019] FIG. is a rear view of the balance plate of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of the
present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever
possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer
to the same or like structure.
[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a fluid device 10 is shown. While
the fluid device 0 can be used as a fluid pump or a fluid motor, the fluid device 0
will be described herein as a fluid motor.
[0022] The fluid device 10 includes a housing assembly 12. The housing
assembly 12 includes a balance plate assembly 14, a displacement assembly 16, a
valve housing 8 and a valve plate 20. In the depicted embodiment, the housing
assembly 12 is a bearingless assembly. It will be understood, however, that the
scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the housing assembly 12 being a
bearingless assembly as the housing assembly 12 could be adapted to receive an
output shaft with bearings.
[0023] In the depicted embodiment, the balance plate assembly 4 is
disposed at a first axial end 2 1 of the fluid device 10 while the valve housing 8 is
disposed at a second axial end 22, which is opposite the first axial end 2 1. The
displacement assembly 1 is disposed between the balance plate assembly 14 and
the valve housing 18 and the valve plate 20 is disposed between the displacement
assembly 6 and the valve housing 18. The balance plate assembly 14, the
displacement assembly 16, the valve housing 18 and the valve plate 20 are held in
engagement by a plurality of fasteners 23 (e.g. bolts, screws, etc.). In the depicted
embodiment, the fasteners 23 are in threaded engagement with the balance plate
assembly 14.
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the displacement assembly 16 is shown.
The displacement assembly 16 includes a ring assembly 24 and a rotor 26.
[0025] The ring assembly 24 includes a ring 28 and a plurality of rolls 30. It
will be understood, however, that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to
including rolls 30. In the depicted embodiment, the ring 28 is rotationally stationary
relative to the fluid device 10. The ring 28 is manufactured from a first material. In
one embodiment, the first material is ductile iron. In another embodiment, the first
material is grey iron. In another embodiment, the first material is steel. The ring 28
includes a first end face 31 that is generally perpendicular to a central axis 32 of the
ring 28 and an oppositely disposed second end face 33.
[0026] The ring 28 defines a central bore 34 and a plurality of openings 5
disposed about the central bore 34. In the depicted embodiment, the openings 35 are
generally semi-cylindrical in shape. The rolls 30 are disposed in the openings 35 so
that each of the rolls 30 can rotate about a central longitudinal axis 36 of the roll 30.
In the depicted embodiment, the ring assembly 24 includes nine rolls 30. In another
embodiment, the ring assembly 24 includes seven rolls 30.
[0027] Eccentrically disposed in the central bore 34 of the ring assembly 24
is the rotor 26. The rotor 26 is adapted to orbit about the central axis 32 of the ring
28 and rotate in the central bore 34 of the ring assembly 24 about an axis 40 of the
rotor 26.
[0028] The rotor 26 is manufactured from a second material. In one
embodiment, the second material is different from the first material. In one
embodiment, the second material is steel. The rotor 26 includes a first end surface
42 and an oppositely disposed second end surface 44.
[0029] The rotor 26 includes a plurality of external teeth 46 and a plurality of
internal splines 48 that extend between the first and second end surfaces 42, 44. In
the depicted embodiment, the number of external teeth 46 on the rotor 26 is one less
than the number of rolls 30 in the ring assembly 24. The ring assembly 24 and the
external teeth 46 of the rotor 26 cooperatively define a plurality of volume chambers
50. As the rotor 26 orbits and rotates in the ring assembly 24, the volume chambers
50 expand and contract.
[0030] The second end surface 44 of the rotor 26 defines an annular groove
52. The annular groove 52 is disposed between the external teeth 46 and the internal
splines 48 of the rotor 26.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 2, the fluid device 10 includes a main drive
shaft 54. The main drive shaft 54 includes a first end 55 having a first set of external
crowned splines 56 and an opposite second end 57 having a second set of external
crowned splines 58. The internal splines 48 of the rotor 26 are in engagement with
the first set of external, crowned splines 56. The second set of external crowned
splines 58 is adapted for engagement with internal splines of a customer-supplied
output device (e.g., a shaft, coupler, etc.).
[0032] In the depicted embodiment, the internal splines 48 of the rotor 26 are
also in engagement with a first set of external splines 60 formed on a first end 62 of
a valve drive 64. The valve drive 64 includes an oppositely disposed second end 66
having a second set of external splines 68. The second set of external splines 68 are
in engagement with a set of internal splines 70 formed about an inner periphery of a
valve member 72 that is rotatably disposed in a valve bore 74 of the valve housing
18. The valve drive 64 is in splined engagement with the rotor 26 and the valve
member 72 to maintain proper timing between the rotor 26 and the valve member
72.
[0033] While the fluid device 10 is depicted as having a valve member that
is of a disc-valve type, it will be understood, however, that the scope of the present
disclosure is not limited to the valve member 72 being of the disc-valve type. In
alternative embodiments, the valve member 72 could be of the spool-valve type or a
valve-in-star type.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the valve housing 18 defines a first
fluid port 76 and a second fluid port 78. The first fluid port 76 is in fluid
communication with the valve bore 74 of the valve housing 8. The second fluid
port 78 is in fluid communication with an annular cavity 80 that is disposed adjacent
to the valve bore 74.
[0035] The valve member 72 defines a first plurality of fluid passages 82
that is in fluid communication with the valve bore 74 and a second plurality of fluid
passages (not shown) that is in fluid communication with the annular cavity 80. The
first and second pluralities of fluid passages are alternately disposed in the valve
member 72.
[0036] A valve-seating mechanism 83 biases the valve member 72 toward a
valve surface 84 of the valve plate 20. A valve-seating mechanism suitable for use
with the fluid device 10 has been described in U.S. Patent No. 7,530,801 , which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. It will be understood, however, that
conventional valve-seating mechanisms may be used in the alternative.
[0037] As the valve member 72 rotates, the valve member 72 slides in a
rotary motion against the valve surface 84 of the valve plate 20. The valve member
72 and the valve plate 20 provide commutating fluid communication to the volume
chambers 50 of the displacement assembly 16. A valve plate suitable for use with
the fluid device 10 has been described in U.S. Patent No. 7,695,259, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety. It will be understood, however, that
conventional valve plates may be used in the alternative.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6-8, the balance plate assembly 14
will be described. In the depicted embodiment, the balance plate assembly 14
includes a housing 84 and a balance plate 86 disposed in the housing 84.
[0039] The housing 84 includes a first axial end 88 and an oppositely
disposed second axial end 90. In the depicted embodiment, the housing 84 includes
a flange 92 disposed between the first and second axial ends 88, 90. The flange 92
extends outwardly from the housing 84. The flange 92 is adapted to abut a support
structure (e.g., mounting bracket, vehicle frame, axle etc.) so that the fluid device 10
can be secured to the support structure. The flange 92 defines a plurality of
mounting holes 94 that extend through the flange 92. The mounting holes 94 are
adapted to receive fasteners to fasten the fluid device 0 to the support structure.
While the housing 84 is shown as having the flange 92, it will be understood that the
scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the housing 84 having the flange 92
as a separate mounting structure such as a mounting plate and/or bearing assembly
(e.g., output shaft with bearings disposed in a bearing housing) could be engaged to
the housing 84.
[0040] The housing 84 defines a bore 96 that extends through the first and
second axial ends 88, 90. The bore 96 is configured so that the main drive shaft 56
passes through the bore 96. The bore 96 defines a central axis 97 that extends
through the bore 96.
[0041] In the depicted embodiment, the first axial end 88 includes a pilot
portion 98 that extends outwardly from the housing 84 in a direction that is generally
perpendicular to the flange 92. In the subject embodiment, the pilot portion 98 is
generally cylindrical in shape and is adapted to align the fluid device 10 with the
corresponding support structure to which the fluid device 10 is mounted.
0042] The second axial end 90 defines a plurality of holes 100 that is
adapted for engagement with the fasteners 23. In the depicted embodiment, the
holes 100 include internal threads that are adapted to receive external threads of the
fasteners 23.
[0043] The second axial end 90 further defines a cavity 102. The cavity 102
is adapted to receive the balance plate 86. The cavity 2 is defined by a base wall
104 and a side wall 106. The base wall 104 defines a spring cavity portion 108. The
spring cavity portion 108 is a recessed portion in the cavity 102 that is adapted to
receive a spring 110. In the depicted embodiment, the spring 110 is a wave spring.
Alternatively, the spring 110 may be a Belleville-type spring or a coil-type spring.
[0044] The base wall 104 further defines a plurality of alignment holes 112.
The alignment holes 112 are disposed in the spring cavity portion 108. In the
depicted embodiment, there are two oppositely disposed alignment holes 12.
[0045] The side wall 106 is generally perpendicular to the base wall 104.
The side wall 106 has an inner diameter that is less than the innermost diameter of
the holes 100.
[0046] The housing 84 defines a fluid passage 114 that is in fluid
communication with the spring cavity portion 108 of the cavity 102. The fluid
passage 1 4 receives pressurized fluid from one of the first and second fluid ports
76, 78 through a shuttle valve. In one embodiment, the shuttle valve is disposed in
the valve housing 18. In another embodiment, the shuttle valve is disposed in the
valve plate 20.
[0047] In one embodiment, the pressurized fluid from the shuttle valve is
passed through the valve plate 20 and the ring 28 to a first portion 1 6 of the fluid
passage 14. The first portion 116 of the fluid passage 14 is disposed a radial
distance from the central axis 97 of the housing 84 that is greater than the radius of
the side wall 06 and less than a radius of a circle that circumscribes the holes 100.
[0048] The first portion 16 of the fluid passage 114 is in fluid
communication with a second portion 1 8 of the fluid passage 114. The second
portion 118 of the fluid passage 114 is disposed at a radial distance from the central
axis 97 of the housing 84 that is greater than a radius of the 96 and less than a radius
of the side wall 106. In the depicted embodiment, the second portion 118 is in fluid
communication with the spring cavity portion 108 of the cavity 102.
[0049] In the depicted embodiment, the first and second portions 116, 118 of
the fluid passage 114 are connected by a connection passage 120. The connection
passage 1 0 extends from the flange 92 and intersects the first and second portions
116, 118 of the fluid passage 114. In the depicted embodiment, the connection
passage 120 is plugged at the flange 92. The plug allows fluid to be communicated
from the first portion 16 to the second portion 118 but prevents fluid from leaking
out the fluid device 10. In one embodiment, a threaded plug is inserted into the
connection passage 120 at the flange 92.
[0050] The base wall 04 of the cavity 102 defines a groove 122 disposed
between the bore 96 and the spring cavity portion 108. The groove 122 includes a
sealing surface 124 that is generally cylindrical in shape. The sealing surface 124
extends in a direction that is generally parallel to the central axis 97.
[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 9-11, the balance plate 86 is shown. In
the depicted embodiment, the balance plate 86 is manufactured from a steel material
(e.g., 8620, etc.) that is subsequently heat treated. In another embodiment, the
balance plate 86 is manufactured from a ductile iron material (e.g., 65-45-12, 80-55-
06, etc.).
[0052] The balance plate 86 is generally cylindrical in shape. The balance
plate 86 includes a first end surface 130, an oppositely disposed second end surface
132 and an outer surface 134 that extends between the first and second end surfaces
130, 132. The balance plate 86 defines a central opening 136 through which the
main drive shaft 56 passes.
[0053] The balance plate 86 includes a plurality of alignment pins 138. The
alignment pins 138 are adapted for engagement with the alignment holes 112 in the
cavity 102 of the housing 84. The alignment pins 138 extend outwardly from the
first end surface 130 of the balance plate 86 in a direction that is generally
perpendicular to the first end surface 130. In the depicted embodiment, the
alignment pins 138 are roll pins that are in press fit engagement with holes defined
by the balance plate 86.
[0054] The outer surface 134 of the balance plate 86 has an outer diameter
that is less than an inner diameter of the side wall 106 of the cavity 102 of the
housing 84. The outer surface 134 defines a seal groove 140. The seal groove 140
is adapted to receive a seal 142 (shown in FIG. 2). In one embodiment, the seal 142
is an o-ring. In another embodiment, the seal 142 is a lip seal. In another
embodiment, the seal 142 is a quad-ring seal.
[0055] The outer surface 134 of the balance plate 86 includes a reduced
diameter portion 144 disposed between the first end surface 130 and the seal groove
140. An outer diameter of the reduced diameter portion 144 decreases as the
reduced diameter portion 144 approaches the first end surface 130. In the depicted
embodiment, the reduced diameter portion 144 is a taper. In another embodiment,
the reduced diameter portion 144 is a radius.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 2, the assembly of the balance plate assembly
14 will be described. The spring 110 is positioned in the spring cavity portion 108
of the cavity 102 of the housing 84. A seal assembly 150 is disposed in the groove
122. In the depicted embodiment, the seal assembly 150 includes a sealing member
(e.g., an o-ring) and a sealing washer.
[0057] With the seal 142 installed in the seal groove 140 of the balance plate
86, the alignment pins 38 of the balance plate 86 are aligned with the alignment
holes 12 in the housing 84. The balance plate 86 is inserted into the cavity 102
until the first end surface 130 abuts the spring 110.
[0058] Referring now to FIGS. 1- 11, the operation of the fluid device 0 will
be described. The rotor 26 of the displacement assembly 16 has a width that is
measured from the first end surface 42 to the second end surface 44. The width of
the rotor 26 is less than a width of the ring 28, which is measured from the first end
face 31 to the second end face 33. The difference between the width of the rotor 26
and the width of the ring 28 is referred to as side clearance.
[0059] The amount of side clearance in a convention fluid pump/motor
affects the operation of the conventional fluid pump/motor. As side clearance in the
conventional fluid pump/motor increases, volumetric efficiency of the fluid
pump/motor decreases. The greater the side clearance, the greater the amount of
fluid that can leak over the faces of the rotating member of the displacement
assembly. As the amount of fluid that leaks over the faces of the rotating member
increases, the volumetric efficiency of the fluid pump/motor decreases since the
leaking fluid does not contribute to the operation of the fluid pump/motor.
[0060] While reduced side clearances result in higher volumetric efficiencies
in conventional fluid pumps/motors, reduced side clearances can result in
mechanical seizure of the conventional fluid pumps/motors during cold start-up
condition (i.e., a thermo-shock condition). In a cold start-up condition, the
temperature of the fluid pump/motor is low (e.g., ambient temperature). The fluid
routed to the fluid pump/motor, on the other hand, is at a higher temperature (e.g.,
about 70°F higher than the fluid pump/motor). With fluid passing through the
displacement assembly of the fluid pump/motor, the width of the rotating member
becomes temporarily larger than the width of the ring, which causes the rotating
member to seize between surfaces immediately adjacent to the displacement
assembly. This increase in width is due to the difference between the rate of thermal
expansion of the rotating member and the rate of thermal expansion of the
corresponding ring.
[0061] The balance plate assembly 1 of the fluid device 1 addresses the
cold-start-up issues of conventional fluid pumps/motors while maintaining high
volumetric efficiencies. The balance plate 86 of the balance plate assembly 14 is
adapted to move axial between a first position 200 and a second position 204. n the
first position, the second end surface 132 of the balance plate 86 is biased into
contact with the first end face 1 of the ring 28. In the depicted embodiment, the
balance plate 86 is biased into contact with the ring 28 by fluid pressure
communicated to the cavity 102 of the balance plate assembly 14 and/or the spring
, which is disposed in the cavity 102. As the balance plate 86 is in contact with
the ring 28 and the housing 84 is in contact with the ring 28, the second end surface
132 of the balance plate 86 is generally coplanar with the second axial end 90 of the
housing 84.
[0062] In the first position 200, schematically shown in FIG. 2A, the balance
plate 86 contacts the ring 28 at an outer portion of the second end surface 132 of the
balance plate 86. In the depicted embodiment, a width of the balance plate 86 is
such that deflection of the balance plate 86 is minimize or eliminated so that an inner
portion of the second end surface 132 of the balance plate 86 does not deflect into
contact with the first end surface 42 of the rotor 26. In one embodiment, there is a
gap 202 between the first end surface 42 of the rotor 26 and the second end surface
32 of the balance plate 86 when the balance plate 86 in contact with the ring 28 and
when a differential temperature between the fluid and the fluid device 10 is less than
70°F.
[0063] As the fluid device 10 operates, pressurized fluid, which is routed
through the fluid passage 4 to the cavity 102, acts against the first end surface 131
of the balance plate 86 to keep the balance plate 86 in contact with the ring 28. By
keeping the balance plate 86 in contact with the ring 28 during operation, the
displacement assembly 16 has a generally constant side clearance.
[0064] In the second position 204, the balance plate 86 is axially moved into
the cavity 102 so that the second end surface 132 of the balance plate 86 is recessed
from the second axial end 90 of the housing 84 to form a gap 206, as schematically
show in FIG 2B. When the starting differential temperature between the fluid and
the fluid device 10 is in a cold start-up temperature range (i.e., temperature of the
fluid minus the temperature of the fluid device 10 is greater than about 70°F), the
rotor 26 thermally expands at a rate that is greater than a rate of thermal expansion
of the ring 28. As a result, the width of the rotor 26 becomes greater than the width
of the ring 28. As the width of the rotor 26 expands, the side clearance between the
first end surface 42 of the rotor 26 and the second end surface 132 of the balance
plate 86 decreases. When the width of the rotor 26 exceeds the width of the ring 28,
the first end surface 42 of the rotor 26 contacts the second end surface 132 of the
balance plate 86 and pushes the balance plate 86 in an axial direction into the cavity
102 of the housing 84. The depth of the cavity 102 is greater than the distance
between the first and second end surfaces 130, 132 of the balance plate 86.
Therefore, when the width of the rotor 26 is greater than the width of the ring 28, the
rotor 26 pushes against the balance plate 86 so that the second end surface 132 of the
balance plate 86 is recessed relative to the second axial end 90 of the housing 84.
With the second end surface 132 of the balance plate 86 recessed in the cavity 102,
the first end surface 42 of the rotor 26 can enter the cavity 102. This allows for the
rotor 26 of the displacement assembly 16 to orbit and rotate relative to the ring 28
even though the width of the rotor 26 is greater than the width of the ring 28.
[0065] Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will become
apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this
disclosure, and it should be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not to be
unduly limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein.
What is claimed is:
1. A fluid device (10) comprising:
a displacement assembly (16) including:
a ring (28) having a first end face (31) and an oppositely disposed
second end face (33), the ring defining a bore (34) that
extends through the first and second end faces (31,33);
a rotor (26) disposed in the bore (34) of the ring (28), wherein the
ring (28) and the rotor cooperatively define a plurality of
volume chambers (50);
a balance plate assembly (14) disposed adjacent to the displacement
assembly (16), the balance plate assembly (14) including:
a housing (84) defining a cavity (86);
a balance plate (86) disposed in the cavity (86), the balance plate (86)
having a first end surface (130) and an oppositely disposed
second end surface (132), the balance plate (86) being adapted
to move axially between a first position (200) in which the
second end surface of the balance plate (86) abuts the first end
face (31) of the ring (28) to a second position (204) in which
the second end surface of the balance plate (86) is recessed in
the cavity (86).
2. . The fluid device ( 10) of claim 1, further comprising a rotatable valve
member (72) in fluid communication with the volume chambers (50) of the
displacement assembly (16).
3. The fluid device ( 0) of claim 2, wherein the rotatable valve member (72) is
a disc-valve-type valve member (72).
4. The fluid device ( 10) of claim 1, wherein the displacement assembly (16)
includes a plurality of rolls (30) rotatably disposed in a plurality of openings (35)
disposed about the bore (34) in the ring (28).
5. The fluid device (10) of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a flange (92)
that extends outwardly from the housing (84).
6. The fluid device ( 10) of claim , wherein the balance plate (86) is biased
toward the ring (28) by a spring ( 110).
7. The fluid device ( 10) of claim 6, wherein the spring ( 11 ) is a wave-type
spring ( 110).
8. The fluid device ( ) of claim 6, wherein the spring ( 110) is disposed in a
recessed spring cavity portion (108) of the cavity (86).
9. The fluid device (10) of claim 1, wherein the housing (84) of the balance
plate assembly (14) defines a fluid passage ( 114) that is adapted to route fluid to the
cavity (86).
10. A fluid device (10) comprising:
a displacement assembly (16) including:
a ring (28) having a first end face (31) and an oppositely disposed
second end face (33), the ring (28) defining a bore (34) that
extends through the first and second end faces (31, 33);
a rotor (26) disposed in the bore (34) of the ring (28), the rotor (26)
having a first end surface (130) and a second end surface
(132), wherein the ring (28) and the rotor (26) cooperatively
define a plurality of volume chambers (50);
a balance plate (86) assembly abutting the displacement assembly (16), the
balance plate assembly (14) including:
a housing (84) defining a cavity (86); and
a balance plate (86) disposed in the cavity (86), the balance plate (86)
having a first end surface (130) and an oppositely disposed
second end surface (132), the balance plate (86) being adapted
to move axially between a first position (200) in which the
second end surface (132) of the balance plate (86) abuts the
first end face (31) of the ring (28) and a second position (204)
in which the second end surface (132) of the balance plate
(86) is recessed in the cavity (86), wherein the first end
surface (130) of the rotor (26) actuates the balance plate (86)
to the second position.
11. The fluid device ( 0) of claim , wherein displacement assembly (16)
includes a plurality of rolls (30) disposed in a plurality of openings (35) defined
about the bore (34) of the ring (28).
12. The fluid device (10) of claim 10, wherein there is a gap (202) disposed
between the first end surface (130) of the rotor (26) and the second end surface (132)
of the balance plate (86) when the balance plate (86) is in the first position (204).
13. The fluid device (10) of claim 10, wherein the balance plate (86) includes a
plurality of alignment pins (138) that extend outwardly from the first end surface
(130) of the balance plate (86).
14. The fluid device (10) of claim 13, wherein the cavity (86) includes a plurality
of alignment holes ( 112) that is adapted to receive the plurality of alignment pins
(138) of the balance plate (86).
15. The fluid device (10) of claim 10, wherein an outer surface (134) of the
balance plate (86) that extends between the first and second end surfaces (130, 132)
defines a seal groove (140) that receives a seal (142) that is adapted to seal against a
sidewall (106) of the cavity (86).
16. A fluid device (10) comprising:
a displacement assembly (16) including:
a ring (28) having a first end face (31) and an oppositely disposed
second end face (33), the ring (28) defining a bore (34) and a
plurality of openings (35) disposed about the bore (34) that
extend through the first and second end faces (3 1, 33);
a plurality of rolls disposed in the openings (35);
a rotor (26) disposed in the bore (34) of the ring (28), the rotor (26)
having a first end surface (42) and a second end surface (44),
wherein the ring (28), the rolls and the rotor (26)
cooperatively define a plurality of volume chambers (50);
a balance plate assembly (14) disposed adjacent to the displacement
assembly (16), the balance plate assembly (14) including:
a housing (84) defining a cavity (86);
a spring ( 110) disposed in the cavity (86); and
a balance plate (86) disposed in the cavity (86), the balance plate'(86)
having a first end surface (130) abutting the spring ( 110) and
an oppositely disposed second end surface (132), the balance
plate (86) being adapted to move axially between a first
position (200) in which the second end surface (132) of the
balance plate (86) abuts the first end face (31) of the ring (28)
and a second position (204) in which the second end surface
(132) of the balance plate (86) is recessed in the cavity (86),
wherein thermal expansion of the rotor (26) actuates the
balance plate (86) to the second position (204).
17. The fluid device ( 10) of claim 16, wherein the housing of the balance plate
assembly (14) defines a fluid passage ( 114) that is adapted to route fluid to the
cavity (86) so that the fluid and the spring bias the balance plate (86) toward the ring
(28).
18. The fluid device (10) of claim 16, wherein there is a gap (202) disposed
between the first end surface (42) of the rotor (26) and the second end surface (44)
of the balance plate (86) when the balance plate is in the first position (200).
19. The fluid device (10)of claim 16, wherein the balance plate (86) includes a
plurality of alignment pins (138) that extend outwardly from the first end surface
(42) of the balance plate (86).
20. The fluid device ( 10) of claim , wherein the cavity (86) includes a plurality
of alignment holes ( 11 ) that is adapted to receive the plurality of alignment pins
(138) of the balance plate (86).