Fluid supplying device

Abstract

A fluid supplying device comprises a reservoir configured to store a fluid and a conveying element disposed in or in fluid communication with a lower portion of the reservoir. The conveying element includes a rotatable shaft and a device configured to convey or move a fluid, e.g., a lubricant. A radial-piston pump having at least one radial-piston unit is in fluid communication with a fluid output of the conveying element. The pump comprises a shaft part rotatably coupled with the shaft of the conveying element. A motor drives both the conveying element and the pump. The motor, the conveying element shaft and the pump are sequentially arranged one after another in the axial direction of the shaft.

1 . A fluid supplying device comprising:
 a reservoir configured to store a fluid,   a conveying element disposed in or in fluid communication with a lower portion of the reservoir, the conveying element comprising a rotatable shaft having a fluid conveying means,   a radial-piston pump having at least one radial-piston unit in fluid communication with a fluid output of the conveying element, the pump comprising a shaft part that is coupled with the shaft of the conveying element so that the shaft and the shaft part rotate together, and   a motor driving both the shaft with the fluid conveying means and the shaft part of the pump, wherein the motor, the shaft with the fluid conveying means and the pump are sequentially arranged one after another in the axial direction of the shaft.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid conveying means comprises at least one screw channel that extends around the shaft. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the shaft extends beyond the axial length of the at least one screw channel. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the shaft with the fluid conveying means and shaft part of the pump are arranged coaxially to each other and are connected with one another via an interlocking-fit so that they rotate together. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 4 , wherein the interlocking-fit is the sole connection between the shaft with the fluid conveying means and the shaft part of the pump. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein a plurality of radial-piston units is disposed around the circumference of the shaft part of the pump. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein between 2 and 10 radial piston units are disposed equidistantly around the circumference of the shaft part of the pump. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein the pump further comprises an eccentric cam driving the radial piston units, the eccentric cam being connected with the shaft part of the pump so that they rotate together. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 8 , further comprising means for urging the radial piston units in a radially inward direction towards a predetermined position in the absence of external application of force. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the motor is one of electric, hydraulic and pneumatic. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 10 , further comprising an annular conduit in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid output of the radial piston units. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 11 , further comprising at least one one-way valve disposed between at least one radial piston unit and the annular conduit. 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 12 , further comprising a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the annular conduit. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 13 , further comprising at least one directional control valve in fluid communication with the annular conduit. 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the shaft with the fluid conveying means and shaft part of the pump are arranged coaxially to each other and are connected with one another via an interlocking-fit so that they rotate together, the interlocking-fit being the sole connection between the shaft and the shaft part of the pump. 
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein between 2 and 10 radial piston units are disposed equidistantly around the circumference of the shaft part of the pump. 
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein the pump further comprises an eccentric cam driving the radial piston units, the eccentric cam being connected with the shaft part of the pump so that they rotate together. 
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an annular conduit in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid output of the radial piston units. 
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 18 , further comprising at least one directional control valve in fluid communication with the annular conduit. 
     
     
         20 . A device comprising:
 a motor having a rotatable shaft,   a screw conveyer rotatably coupled to the motor shaft and in fluid communication with a fluid medium, and   a radial piston pump in fluid communication with a fluid output of the screw conveyer, the pump comprising an eccentric cam shaft rotatably coupled to the screw conveyer and a plurality of pistons radially movable by the eccentric cam shaft, wherein the motor shaft, the screw conveyer and the eccentric cam shaft are disposed in a linear or substantially linear arrangement.