Rotary element and rotary displacement device comprised thereof

Abstract

This disclosure describes new construction for rotary elements that find use in rotary displacement devices, e.g., positive displacement pumps and meters. The proposed construction may incorporate fibers, e.g., carbon fibers, disposed in a resin matrix. This construction can reduce the need to perform secondary processes that are necessary to utilize many rotary elements of conventional design. Moreover, examples of the rotary elements can improve operation of the displacement devices, e.g., by reducing resonance and allowing the displacement device to operate at increased speed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An impeller, comprising
 a body having a plurality of lobes with a curvilinear end and disposed about a rotary axis, the body comprising a composition of a resin and fibers disposed in the resin, wherein the fibers extend axially along the rotary axis.   
     
     
         2 . The impeller of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lobes comprises a first lobe and a second lobe offset from the first lobe about the rotary axis by about 180°. 
     
     
         3 . The impeller of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of lobes comprises a third lobe offset from the first lobe and the second lobe about the rotary axis by about 120°. 
     
     
         4 . The impeller of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers comprise carbon fibers. 
     
     
         5 . The impeller of  claim 4 , wherein the resin comprises an epoxy. 
     
     
         6 . The impeller of  claim 1 , wherein the resin is compatible with working fluids that have an operating temperature of about 350° F. or greater. 
     
     
         7 . The impeller of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is homogeonous throughout the body. 
     
     
         8 . An impeller, comprising:
 a body having a rotary axis, a first lobed section with a curvilinear end, and a groove extending longitudinally along the rotary axis, the body comprising a composition having a matrix component and a fiber component with fibers disposed in the matrix component, wherein the fibers form a uni-directional pattern throughout the body, and wherein the uni-directional pattern aligns the fibers longitudinally in the body along the rotary axis.   
     
     
         9 . The impeller of  claim 8 , wherein the fibers comprise carbon fiber and the matrix component comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The impeller of  claim 9 , wherein the polymer has thermal properties that are compatible with a working fluid having an operating temperature of about 350° F. or greater. 
     
     
         11 . The impeller of  claim 8 , wherein the body has a second lobed section, and wherein the fibers in the second lobed section form the uni-directional pattern. 
     
     
         12 . The impeller of  claim 11 , wherein the second lobed section is offset from the first lobed section about the rotary axis by about 180°. 
     
     
         13 . The impeller of  claim 11 , wherein the second lobed section is offset from the first lobed section about the rotary axis by about 120°. 
     
     
         14 . A rotary displacement device, comprising:
 a first impeller having a body with a rotary axis, the body comprising a first composition with a fiber component having a plurality of fibers that form a uni-directional pattern that aligns the fibers longitudinally in the body along the rotary axis.   
     
     
         15 . The rotary displacement device of  claim 14 , wherein the body comprises an outer profile that forms a first lobe and a second lobe disposed about the rotary axis, wherein the first lobe and the second lobe have a curvilinear end, wherein the body also forms one or more grooves disposed between the first lobe and the second lobe, and wherein the grooves extend longitudinally along the rotary axis. 
     
     
         16 . The rotary displacement device of  claim 14 , wherein the first composition is homogeonous throughout the body. 
     
     
         17 . The rotary displacement of  claim 16 , further comprising a second impeller having a second composition that is the same as the first impeller. 
     
     
         18 . The rotary displacement device of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of fibers in the first composition and the second composition are disposed in a resin comprising a polymer. 
     
     
         19 . The rotary displacement device of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of fibers comprise carbon fibers and the resin comprises an epoxy that is compatible with fluid temperature of at least about 350° F. or more. 
     
     
         20 . The rotary displacement device of  claim 14 , wherein the first impeller is configured to rotate under force of a working fluid.