Rotary pump having a valve rotor and one or more vane rotors and methods for pumping fluids

Abstract

A rotary pump includes a valve rotor and one or more vane rotors positioned around it. Each vane rotor has a vane that engages a slot in the valve rotor as the vane rotor rotates. A housing around the valve rotor and the vane rotor(s) defines a generally constant-radius pump space around each vane rotor and includes inlet and discharge openings associated with each vane rotor. As each vane rotor rotates within the housing, its vane sealingly interacts with the housing, while that vane rotor sealingly interacts with the valve rotor. The vane interacts with the channel, allowing the vane to move past the valve rotor. As the vane rotor rotates, the vane enters the pump space to divide the pump space into at least inlet and discharge portions, while fluid within the discharge portion is discharged or compressed and additional fluid is drawn into the inlet portion.

1 . A rotary pump, comprising:
 a valve rotor having an outer surface;   at least one vane rotor arranged around the periphery of the valve rotor; and   a housing around the at least one vane rotor and the valve rotor, the housing having an inner surface and forming a pump space around each vane rotor; wherein each vane rotor comprises:
 a rotor body having an outer surface, and 
 at least one vane, each at least one vane rotating with the rotor body and movable within the pump space provided around that vane rotor; 
   wherein, for each vane rotor:
 the valve rotor and that vane rotor rotate in a coordinated manner, and 
 at various rotational positions of that vane rotor relative to the valve rotor, the outer surface of the rotor body sealingly interacts with the outer surface of the valve rotor and each vane sealingly interacts with the inner surface of the housing to divide the pump space around that vane rotor into at least two portions that are substantially fluidly isolated from each other. 
   
   
   
       2 . The rotary pump of  claim 1 , wherein, for each vane rotor, the outer surface of the rotor body of that vane rotor sealingly interacts with the outer surface of the valve rotor by contacting the outer surface of the valve rotor at a corresponding contact point. 
   
   
       3 . The rotary pump of  claim 2 , wherein a rotation of the valve rotor in a first direction matched by a corresponding rotation of that rotor body in a second direction opposite the first direction, such that a generally rolling contact is provide between the valve rotor and that vane rotor. 
   
   
       4 . The rotary pump of  claim 3 , wherein the outer surface of the rotor body of that vane rotor sealingly contacts the outer surface of the valve rotor at the corresponding contact point. 
   
   
       5 . The rotary pump of  claim 2 , wherein, for each vane rotor, the outer surface of the rotor body of that vane rotor sealingly interacts with the outer surface of the valve rotor at an interaction point by establishing a sufficiently small gap between them at the interaction point, such that, for an amount of a desired fluid to be pumped in the pump space, only an insubstantial portion of the amount of the fluid in the pump space is able to pass through the gap. 
   
   
       6 . The rotary pump of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the valve rotor has at least one channel formed in its outer surface; and   each of the at least one vane is able to extend into each channel formed in the outer surface of the valve rotor.   
   
   
       7 . The rotary pump of  claim 6 , wherein:
 each channel has an interior surface; and   for each vane, an outer surface of the vane sealingly interacts with the interior surface of that channel as the vane passes from a discharge end to an inlet end of the pump space.   
   
   
       8 . The rotary pump of  claim 7 , wherein, for each vane, the outer surface of that vane sealingly interacts with the interior surface of that channel by contacting the interior surface of that channel as the vane passes from the discharge end to the inlet end of the pump space. 
   
   
       9 . The rotary pump of  claim 7 , wherein, for each vane, the outer surface of that vane rotor sealingly interacts with the interior surface of that by establishing a sufficiently small gap between them as the vane passes from the discharge end to the inlet end of the pump space, such that, for an amount of a desired fluid to be pumped in the pump space, only an insubstantial portion of the amount of the fluid in the pump space is able to pass through the gap. 
   
   
       10 . The rotary pump of  claim 6 , wherein:
 as the valve rotor and a vane rotor rotates, a vane of that vane rotor approaches a corresponding interaction point between the rotor body of that vane rotor and the valve rotor, one of the at least one channel formed in the outer surface of the valve rotor approaches the interaction point between the rotor body of that vane rotor and the valve rotor such that the vane extends into that channel to allow that vane to move from a discharge end of the pump space for that vane rotor to an inlet end of the space for that vane rotor.   
   
   
       11 . The rotary pump of  claim 1 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor:
 that vane rotor is located within a corresponding rotor housing portion of the housing, that rotor housing portion having an inlet end and an discharge end; and   a distance from the outer surface of rotor body of that vane rotor to the inner surface of the rotor housing portion is generally constant.   
   
   
       12 . The rotary pump of  claim 11 , wherein:
 as that vane rotor rotates within the corresponding rotor housing portion such that, as each vane rotates from the inlet end to the discharge end, that vane interacts with the inner surface of the corresponding rotor housing portion to create an effective fluid seal.   
   
   
       13 . The rotary pump of  claim 1 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor:
 that vane rotor is located within a corresponding rotor housing portion of the housing, each rotor housing portion having an inlet end and an discharge end; and   a radial extent of the pump space around that vane rotor from the inlet end to the discharge end is generally constant.   
   
   
       14 . The rotary pump of  claim 13 , wherein:
 as that vane rotor rotates within the corresponding rotor housing portion such that, as each vane rotates from the inlet end to the discharge end, that vane interacts with the inner surface of the corresponding rotor housing portion to create an effective fluid seal.   
   
   
       15 . The rotary pump of  claim 1 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor, each vane of that vane rotor is integrally formed with that vane rotor. 
   
   
       16 . The rotary pump of  claim 1 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor, each vane of that vane rotor is connected to that vane rotor such that it does not move radially relative to that vane rotor a substantial amount. 
   
   
       17 . The rotary pump of  claim 1 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor, each vane of that vane rotor is held stationary relative to that vane rotor such that it does not move radially relative to that vane rotor a substantial amount. 
   
   
       18 . The rotary pump of  claim 1 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor, each vane of that vane rotor is held stationary relative to that vane rotor such that it does not move radially relative to that vane rotor a substantial amount. 
   
   
       19 . The rotary pump of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first gear associated with and rotationally fixed to the valve rotor; and   for each of the at least one vane rotor, a second gear associated with and rotationally fixed to that vane rotor;   wherein each second gear is engaged with the first gear, such that the valve rotor and the at least one vane rotor are rotationally coordinated by the first gear and at least one second gear.   
   
   
       20 . A rotary pump, comprising:
 a valve rotor having an outer surface;   at least one vane rotor having an outer surface, wherein each vane rotor is positioned relative to the circumference of the valve rotor such that at least one point around the outer surface of each vane rotor is at substantially a same radial position from a center point of the valve rotor as at least one point of the outer surface of the valve rotor;   a housing around the at least one vane rotor and the valve rotor, at least one of the valve rotor and the housing forming a pump space around each vane rotor; and   at least one vane provided on each vane rotor, each such vane extending radially away from the outer surface of that vane rotor, each such vane rotating with that vane rotor and movable within the pump space provided around that vane rotor;   wherein, for each vane rotor:   the valve rotor and that vane rotor rotate in a coordinated manner, and at various rotational positions of that vane rotor relative to the valve rotor, the outer surface of the rotor body sealingly interacts with the outer surface of the valve rotor and each vane sealingly interacts with the inner surface of the housing to divide the pump space around that vane rotor into at least two portions that are substantially fluidly isolated from each other.   
   
   
       21 . The rotary pump of  claim 20 , wherein, for each vane rotor, the outer surface of the rotor body of that vane rotor contacts the outer surface of the valve rotor at a corresponding contact point. 
   
   
       22 . The rotary pump of  claim 21 , wherein a rotation of the valve rotor in a first direction matched by a corresponding rotation of that rotor body in a second direction opposite the first direction, such that a generally rolling contact is provide between the valve rotor and that vane rotor. 
   
   
       23 . The rotary pump of  claim 22 , wherein the outer surface of the rotor body of that vane rotor sealingly contacts the outer surface of the valve rotor at the corresponding contact point. 
   
   
       24 . The rotary pump of  claim 21 , wherein, for each vane rotor, the outer surface of the rotor body of that vane rotor sealingly interacts with the outer surface of the valve rotor at an interaction point by establishing a sufficiently small gap between them at the interaction point, such that, for an amount of a desired fluid to be pumped in the pump space, only an insubstantial portion of the amount of the fluid in the pump space is able to pass through the gap. 
   
   
       25 . The rotary pump of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the valve rotor has at least one channel formed in its outer surface; and   each of the at least one vane is able to extend into each channel formed in the outer surface of the valve rotor.   
   
   
       26 . The rotary pump of  claim 25 , wherein:
 each channel has an interior surface; and   for each vane, an outer surface of the vane sealingly interacts with the interior surface of that channel as the vane passes from a discharge end to an inlet end of the pump space.   
   
   
       27 . The rotary pump of  claim 26 , wherein, for each vane, the outer surface of that vane sealingly interacts with the interior surface of that channel by contacting the interior surface of that channel as the vane passes from the discharge end to the inlet end of the pump space. 
   
   
       28 . The rotary pump of  claim 26 , wherein, for each vane, the outer surface of that vane rotor sealingly interacts with the interior surface of that by establishing a sufficiently small gap between them as the vane passes from the discharge end to the inlet end of the pump space, such that, for an amount of a desired fluid to be pumped in the pump space, only an insubstantial portion of the amount of the fluid in the pump space is able to pass through the gap. 
   
   
       29 . The rotary pump of  claim 25 , wherein:
 as the valve rotor and a vane rotor rotates, a vane of that vane rotor approaches a corresponding interaction point between the rotor body of that vane rotor and the valve rotor, one of the at least one channel formed in the outer surface of the valve rotor approaches the interaction point between the rotor body of that vane rotor and the valve rotor such that the vane extends into that channel to allow that vane to move from a discharge end of the pump space for that vane rotor to an inlet end of the space for that vane rotor.   
   
   
       30 . The rotary pump of  claim 20 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor:
 that vane rotor is located within a corresponding rotor housing portion of the housing, that rotor housing portion having an inlet end and an discharge end; and   a distance from the outer surface of rotor body of that vane rotor to the inner surface of the rotor housing portion is generally constant.   
   
   
       31 . The rotary pump of  claim 30 , wherein:
 as that vane rotor rotates within the corresponding rotor housing portion such that, as each vane rotates from the inlet end to the discharge end, that vane interacts with the inner surface of the corresponding rotor housing portion to create an effective fluid seal.   
   
   
       32 . The rotary pump of  claim 20 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor:
 that vane rotor is located within a corresponding rotor housing portion of the housing, each rotor housing portion having an inlet end and an discharge end; and   a radial extent of the pump space around that vane rotor from the inlet end to the discharge end is generally constant.   
   
   
       33 . The rotary pump of  claim 32 , wherein:
 as that vane rotor rotates within the corresponding rotor housing portion such that, as each vane rotates from the inlet end to the discharge end, that vane interacts with the inner surface of the corresponding rotor housing portion to create an effective fluid seal.   
   
   
       34 . The rotary pump of  claim 20 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor, each vane of that vane rotor is integrally formed with that vane rotor. 
   
   
       35 . The rotary pump of  claim 20 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor, each vane of that vane rotor is connected to that vane rotor such that it does not move radially relative to that vane rotor a substantial amount. 
   
   
       36 . The rotary pump of  claim 20 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor, each vane of that vane rotor is held stationary relative to that vane rotor such that it does not move radially relative to that vane rotor a substantial amount. 
   
   
       37 . The rotary pump of  claim 20 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor, each vane of that vane rotor is held stationary relative to that vane rotor such that it does not move radially relative to that vane rotor a substantial amount. 
   
   
       38 . The rotary pump of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a first gear associated with and rotationally fixed to the valve rotor; and   for each of the at least one vane rotor, a second gear associated with and rotationally fixed to that vane rotor;   wherein each second gear is engaged with the first gear, such that the valve rotor and the at least one vane rotor are rotationally coordinated by the first gear and at least one second gear.   
   
   
       39 . A rotary motor, comprising:
 a valve rotor having an outer surface;   at least one vane rotor arranged around the periphery of the valve rotor; and   a housing around the at least one vane rotor and the valve rotor, the housing having an inner surface and forming a motor space around each vane rotor; wherein each vane rotor comprises:
 a rotor body having an outer surface, and 
 at least one vane, each at least one vane rotating with the rotor body and movable within the motor space provided around that vane rotor; 
   wherein, for each vane rotor:
 the valve rotor and that vane rotor rotate in a coordinated manner, and 
 at various rotational positions of that vane rotor relative to the valve rotor, the outer surface of the rotor body sealingly interacts with the outer surface of the valve rotor and each vane sealingly interacts with the inner surface of the housing to divide the motor space around that vane rotor into at least two portions that are substantially fluidly isolated from each other. 
   
   
   
       40 . The rotary motor of  claim 39 , wherein, for each vane rotor, the outer surface of the rotor body of that vane rotor sealingly interacts with the outer surface of the valve rotor by contacting the outer surface of the valve rotor at a corresponding contact point. 
   
   
       41 . The rotary motor of  claim 40 , wherein a rotation of the valve rotor in a first direction matched by a corresponding rotation of that rotor body in a second direction opposite the first direction, such that a generally rolling contact is provide between the valve rotor and that vane rotor. 
   
   
       42 . The rotary motor of  claim 41 , wherein the outer surface of the rotor body of that vane rotor sealingly contacts the outer surface of the valve rotor at the corresponding contact point. 
   
   
       43 . The rotary motor of  claim 40 , wherein, for each vane rotor, the outer surface of the rotor body of that vane rotor sealingly interacts with the outer surface of the valve rotor at an interaction point by establishing a sufficiently small gap between them at the interaction point, such that, for an amount of a desired fluid to be introduced into the motor space, only an insubstantial portion of the amount of the fluid in the motor space is able to pass through the gap. 
   
   
       44 . The rotary motor of  claim 39 , wherein:
 the valve rotor has at least one channel formed in its outer surface; and   each of the at least one vane is able to extend into each channel formed in the outer surface of the valve rotor.   
   
   
       45 . The rotary motor of  claim 44 , wherein:
 each channel has an interior surface; and   for each vane, an outer surface of the vane sealingly interacts with the interior surface of that channel as the vane passes from a discharge end to an inlet end of the motor space.   
   
   
       46 . The rotary motor of  claim 45 , wherein, for each vane, the outer surface of that vane sealingly interacts with the interior surface of that channel by contacting the interior surface of that channel as the vane passes from the discharge end to the inlet end of the motor space. 
   
   
       47 . The rotary motor of  claim 45 , wherein, for each vane, the outer surface of that vane rotor sealingly interacts with the interior surface of that by establishing a sufficiently small gap between them as the vane passes from the discharge end to the inlet end of the motor space, such that, for an amount of a desired fluid to introduced into the motor space, only an insubstantial portion of the amount of the fluid in the motor space is able to pass through the gap. 
   
   
       48 . The rotary motor of  claim 44 , wherein:
 as the valve rotor and a vane rotor rotates, a vane of that vane rotor approaches a corresponding interaction point between the rotor body of that vane rotor and the valve rotor, one of the at least one channel formed in the outer surface of the valve rotor approaches the interaction point between the rotor body of that vane rotor and the valve rotor such that the vane extends into that channel to allow that vane to move from a discharge end of the motor space for that vane rotor to an inlet end of the space for that vane rotor.   
   
   
       49 . The rotary motor of  claim 39 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor:
 that vane rotor is located within a corresponding rotor housing portion of the housing, that rotor housing portion having an inlet end and an discharge end; and   a distance from the outer surface of rotor body of that vane rotor to the inner surface of the rotor housing portion is generally constant.   
   
   
       50 . The rotary motor of  claim 49 , wherein:
 as that vane rotor rotates within the corresponding rotor housing portion such that, as each vane rotates from the inlet end to the discharge end, that vane interacts with the inner surface of the corresponding rotor housing portion to create an effective fluid seal.   
   
   
       51 . The rotary motor of  claim 39 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor:
 that vane rotor is located within a corresponding rotor housing portion of the housing, each rotor housing portion having an inlet end and an discharge end; and   a radial extent of the motor space around that vane rotor from the inlet end to the discharge end is generally constant.   
   
   
       52 . The rotary motor of  claim 51 , wherein:
 as that vane rotor rotates within the corresponding rotor housing portion such that, as each vane rotates from the inlet end to the discharge end, that vane interacts with the inner surface of the corresponding rotor housing portion to create an effective fluid seal.   
   
   
       53 . The rotary motor of  claim 39 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor, each vane of that vane rotor is integrally formed with that vane rotor. 
   
   
       54 . The rotary motor of  claim 39 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor, each vane of that vane rotor is connected to that vane rotor such that it does not move radially relative to that vane rotor a substantial amount. 
   
   
       55 . The rotary motor of  claim 39 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor, each vane of that vane rotor is held stationary relative to that vane rotor such that it does not move radially relative to that vane rotor a substantial amount. 
   
   
       56 . The rotary motor of  claim 39 , wherein, for at least one vane rotor, each vane of that vane rotor is held stationary relative to that vane rotor such that it does not move radially relative to that vane rotor a substantial amount. 
   
   
       57 . The rotary motor of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 a first gear associated with and rotationally fixed to the valve rotor; and   for each of the at least one vane rotor, a second gear associated with and rotationally fixed to that vane rotor;   wherein each second gear is engaged with the first gear, such that the valve rotor and the at least one vane rotor are rotationally coordinated by the first gear and at least one second gear.