F
SECTION F — MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  
ENGINES OR PUMPS
 F01 - 
F04

Note(s)

Guide to the use of this subsection (classes F01-F04)

The following notes are meant to assist in the use of this part of the classification scheme.

  1. In this subsection, subclasses or groups designating "engines" or "pumps" cover methods of operating the same, unless otherwise specifically provided for.
  2. In this subsection, the following terms or expressions are used with the meanings indicated:
    • "engine" means a device for continuously converting fluid energy into mechanical power. Thus, this term includes, for example, steam piston engines or steam turbines, per se, or internal-combustion piston engines, but it excludes single-stroke devices. "Engine" also includes the fluid-motive portion of a meter unless such portion is particularly adapted for use in a meter;
    • "pump" means a device for continuously raising, forcing, compressing, or exhausting fluid by mechanical or other means. Thus, this term includes fans or blowers;
    • "machine" means a device which could equally be an engine and a pump, and not a device which is restricted to an engine or one which is restricted to a pump;
    • "positive displacement" means the way the energy of a working fluid is transformed into mechanical energy, in which variations of volume created by the working fluid in a working chamber produce equivalent displacements of the mechanical member transmitting the energy, the dynamic effect of the fluid being of minor importance, and vice versa;
    • "non-positive displacement" means the way the energy of a working fluid is transformed into mechanical energy, by transformation of the energy of the working fluid into kinetic energy, and vice versa;
    • "oscillating-piston machine" means a positive-displacement machine in which a fluid-engaging work-transmitting member oscillates. This definition applies also to engines and pumps;
    • "rotary-piston machine" means a positive-displacement machine in which a fluid-engaging work-transmitting member rotates about a fixed axis or about an axis moving along a circular or similar orbit. This definition applies also to engines and pumps;
    • "rotary piston" means the work-transmitting member of a rotary-piston machine and may be of any suitable form, e.g., like a toothed gear;
    • "cooperating members" means the "oscillating piston" or "rotary piston" and another member, e.g., the working-chamber wall, which assists in the driving or pumping action;
    • "movement of the co-operating members" is to be interpreted as relative, so that one of the "co-operating members" may be stationary, even though reference may be made to its rotational axis, or both may move;
    • "teeth or tooth equivalents" include lobes, projections or abutments;
    • "internal-axis type" means that the rotational axes of the inner and outer co-operating members remain at all times within the outer member, e.g., in a similar manner to that of a pinion meshing with the internal teeth of a ring gear;
    • "free piston" means a piston of which the length of stroke is not defined by any member driven thereby;
    • "cylinders" means positive-displacement working chambers in general. Thus, this term is not restricted to cylinders of circular cross-section;
    • "main shaft" means the shaft which converts reciprocating piston motion into rotary motion or vice versa;
    • "plant" means an engine together with such additional apparatus as is necessary to run the engine. For example, a steam engine plant includes a steam engine and means for generating the steam;
    • "working fluid" means the driven fluid in a pump and the driving fluid in an engine. The working fluid may be in a gaseous state, i.e., compressible, or liquid. In the former case coexistence of two states is possible;
    • "steam" includes condensable vapours in general, and "special vapour" is used when steam is excluded;
    • "reaction type" as applied to non-positive-displacement machines or engines means machines or engines in which pressure/velocity transformation takes place wholly or partly in the rotor. Machines or engines with no, or only slight, pressure/velocity transformation in the rotor are called "impulse type".
  3. In this subsection:
  4. For use of this subsection with a good understanding, it is essential to remember, so far as subclasses F01B, F01C, F01D, F03B, and F04B, F04C, F04D, which form its skeleton, are concerned:
    • the principle which resides in their elaboration,
    • the classifying characteristics which they call for, and
    • their complementarity.
      1. Principle

        This concerns essentially the subclasses listed above. Other subclasses, notably those of class F02, which cover better-defined matter, are not considered here.

        Each subclass covers fundamentally a genus of apparatus (engine or pump) and by extension covers equally "machines" of the same kind. Two different subjects, one having a more general character than the other, are thus covered by the same subclass.

        Subclasses F01B, F03B, F04B, beyond the two subjects which they cover, have further a character of generality in relation to other subclasses concerning the different species of apparatus in the genus concerned.

        This generality applies as well for the two subjects dealt with, without these always being in relation to the same subclasses.

        Thus, subclass F03B, in its part dealing with "machines", should be considered as being the general class relating to subclasses F04B, F04C, and in its part dealing with "engines" as being general in relation to subclass F03C.

      2. Characteristics
        1. The principal classifying characteristic of the subclass is that of genera of apparatus, of which there are three possible:

          Machines; engines; pumps.

        2. As stated above, "machines" are always associated with one of the other two genera. These main genera are subdivided according to the general principles of operation of the apparatus:

          Positive displacement; non-positive displacement.

        3. The positive displacement apparatus are further subdivided according to the ways of putting into effect the principle of operation, that is, to the kind of apparatus:

          Simple reciprocating piston; rotary or oscillating piston; other kind.

        4. Another classifying characteristic is that of the working fluid, in respect of which three kinds of apparatus are possible, namely:

          Liquid and elastic fluid; elastic fluid; liquid.

      3. Complementarity

        This resides in association of pairs of the subclasses listed above, according to the characteristics under consideration in respect of kind of apparatus or working fluid.

        The subclasses concerned with the various principles, characteristics and complementarity are shown in the subsection index below.

It is seen from this index that:

 F01 - 
F04
Subsection index
MACHINES
positive displacement
rotary or oscillating piston
liquid and elastic fluid or elastic fluidF01C
liquid onlyF04C
reciprocating piston or other
liquid and elastic fluid or elastic fluidF01B
liquid onlyF04B
non-positive displacement
liquid and elastic fluid or elastic fluidF01D
liquid onlyF03B
ENGINES
positive displacement
rotary or oscillating piston
liquid and elastic fluid or elastic fluidF01C
liquid onlyF03C
reciprocating piston or other
liquid and elastic fluid or elastic fluidF01B
liquid onlyF03C
non-positive displacement
liquid and elastic fluid or elastic fluidF01D
liquid onlyF03B
PUMPS
positive displacement
rotary or oscillating pistonF04C
reciprocating piston or otherF04B
non-positive displacementF04D
 F04
POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS (portable fire extinguishers with manually-operated pumps A62C 11/00, with power-driven pumps A62C 25/00; charging or scavenging combustion engines by pumps F02B; engine fuel-injection pumps F02M; ion pumps H01J 41/12; electrodynamic pumps H02K 44/02)
 F04

Note(s)

Combinations of positive-displacement and non-positive-displacement pumps are classified in subclass F04B as a general subclass for pumps, and in subclasses F04C, F04D in respect of matter specific to those subclasses.

 F04C
ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS (engines F03C); ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
 F04C

Note(s)

Attention is drawn to the Notes preceding class F01, especially as regards the definitions of "machines", "pumps", "positive displacement", "rotary-piston machines", "oscillating-piston machines", "rotary piston", "co-operating members", "movement of co-operating members", "teeth or tooth-equivalents", and "internal axis".

 F04C
Subclass index
MACHINES OR PUMPS
Rotary-piston
general characteristics; non-parallel axes of movement of co-operating members 2/00; 3/00
resiliently-deformable chamber walls; fluid ring 5/00; 7/00
Oscillating-piston 9/00
Combinations or adaptations 11/00, 13/00
Pump installations 11/00
Control; monitoring; safety arrangements 14/00
Other details or accessories 15/00
PUMPS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ELASTIC FLUIDS
Rotary-piston pumps 18/00
Rotary-piston pumps with fluid ring or the like 19/00
Oscillating-piston pumps 21/00
Combinations of two or more pumps, each being of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type; Pumping installations; Multi-stage pumps 23/00
Adaptations of pumps for special use 25/00
Sealing arrangements in rotary-piston pumps 27/00
Control; monitoring; safety arrangements 28/00
Other components parts, details or accessories 29/00
P:140 F04C 2/00
Rotary-piston machines or pumps (with non-parallel axes of co-operating members F04C 3/00; with the working-chamber walls at least partly resiliently deformable F04C 5/00; with fluid ring or the like F04C 7/00; rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids F04C 18/00, F04C 19/00; rotary-piston machines or pumps in which the working-fluid is exclusively displaced by, or exclusively displaces, one or more reciprocating pistons F04B)  [3]
 F04C 2/02 - 
F04C 2/24

Note(s)

Group F04C 2/30 takes precedence over groups F04C 2/02-F04C 2/24.   [3]

 F04C 2/02
·  of arcuate-engagement type, i.e. with circular translatory movement of co-operating members, each member having the same number of teeth or tooth-equivalents  [3]
 F04C 2/04
·  ·  of internal-axis type  [3]
 F04C 2/06
·  ·  of other than internal-axis type (F04C 2/063 takes precedence)  [3]
 F04C 2/063
·  ·  with coaxially-mounted members having continuously-changing circumferential spacing between them  [3]
 F04C 2/067
·  ·  ·  having cam-and-follower type drive  [3]
 F04C 2/07
·  ·  ·  having crankshaft-and-connecting-rod type drive  [3]
 F04C 2/073
·  ·  ·  having pawl-and-ratchet type drive  [3]
 F04C 2/077
·  ·  ·  having toothed-gearing type drive  [3]
 F04C 2/08
·  of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing  [3]
 F04C 2/10
·  ·  of internal-axis type with the outer member having more teeth or tooth-equivalents, e.g. rollers, than the inner member  [3]
 F04C 2/107
·  ·  ·  with helical teeth  [3]
 F04C 2/113
·  ·  ·  the inner member carrying rollers intermeshing with the outer member  [3]
 F04C 2/12
·  ·  of other than internal-axis type  [3]
 F04C 2/14
·  ·  ·  with toothed rotary pistons  [3]
 F04C 2/16
·  ·  ·  ·  with helical teeth, e.g. chevron-shaped, screw type  [3]
 F04C 2/18
·  ·  ·  ·  with similar tooth forms (F04C 2/16 takes precedence)  [3]
 F04C 2/20
·  ·  ·  ·  with dissimilar tooth forms (F04C 2/16 takes precedence)  [3]
 F04C 2/22
·  of internal-axis type with equidirectional movement of co-operating members at the points of engagement, or with one of the co-operating members being stationary, the inner member having more teeth or tooth-equivalents than the outer member  [3]
 F04C 2/24
·  of counter-engagement type, i.e. the movement of co-operating members at the points of engagement being in opposite directions  [3]
 F04C 2/26
·  ·  of internal-axis type  [3]
 F04C 2/28
·  ·  of other than internal-axis type  [3]
 F04C 2/30
·  having the characteristics covered by two or more of groups F04C 2/02, F04C 2/08, F04C 2/22, F04C 2/24 or having the characteristics covered by one of these groups together with some other type of movement between co-operating members  [3]
 F04C 2/32
·  ·  having both the movement defined in group F04C 2/02 and relative reciprocation between the co-operating members  [3]
 F04C 2/324
·  ·  ·  with vanes hinged to the inner member and reciprocating with respect to the outer member  [3]
 F04C 2/328
·  ·  ·  ·  and hinged to the outer member  [3]
 F04C 2/332
·  ·  ·  with vanes hinged to the outer member and reciprocating with respect to the inner member  [3]
 F04C 2/336
·  ·  ·  ·  and hinged to the inner member  [3]
 F04C 2/34
·  ·  having the movement defined in group F04C 2/08 or F04C 2/22 and relative reciprocation between the co-operating members  [3]
 F04C 2/344
·  ·  ·  with vanes reciprocating with respect to the inner member  [3]
 F04C 2/348
·  ·  ·  ·  the vanes positively engaging, with circumferential play, an outer rotatable member  [3]
 F04C 2/352
·  ·  ·  ·  the vanes being pivoted on the axis of the outer member  [3]
 F04C 2/356
·  ·  ·  with vanes reciprocating with respect to the outer member  [3]
 F04C 2/36
·  ·  having both the movements defined in groups F04C 2/22 and F04C 2/24  [3]
 F04C 2/38
·  ·  having the movement defined in group F04C 2/02 and having a hinged member (F04C 2/32 takes precedence)  [3]
 F04C 2/39
·  ·  ·  with vanes hinged to the inner as well as to the outer member  [3]
 F04C 2/40
·  ·  having the movement defined in group F04C 2/08 or F04C 2/22 and having a hinged member  [3]
 F04C 2/44
·  ·  ·  with vanes hinged to the inner member  [3]
 F04C 2/46
·  ·  ·  with vanes hinged to the outer member  [3]
P:110 F04C 3/00
Rotary-piston machines or pumps, with non-parallel axes of movement of co-operating members, e.g. of screw type (with the working-chamber walls at least partly resiliently deformable F04C 5/00; rotary-piston pumps with non-parallel axes of movement of co-operating members specially adapted for elastic fluids F04C 18/48)
 F04C 3/02
·  the axes being arranged at an angle of 90 degrees  [5]
 F04C 3/04
·  ·  of intermeshing engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing  [5]
 F04C 3/06
·  the axes being arranged otherwise than at an angle of 90 degrees  [5]
 F04C 3/08
·  ·  of intermeshing engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing  [5]
P:120 F04C 5/00
Rotary-piston machines or pumps with the working-chamber walls at least partly resiliently deformable (such pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids F04C 18/00)
P:130 F04C 7/00
Rotary-piston machines or pumps with fluid ring or the like (such pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids F04C 19/00)
P:150 F04C 9/00
Oscillating-piston machines or pumps (such pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids F04C 21/00)
P:100 F04C 11/00
Combinations of two or more machines or pumps, each being of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type (combinations of such pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids F04C 23/00); Pumping installations (F04C 13/00 takes precedence; specially adapted for elastic fluids F04C 23/00; fluid gearing F16H)
P:90 F04C 13/00
Adaptations of machines or pumps for special use, e.g. for extremely high pressures (of pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids F04C 25/00)
P:80 F04C 14/00
Control of, monitoring of, or safety arrangements for, machines, pumps or pumping installations (of pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for elastic fluids F04C 28/00)  [8]
 F04C 14/02
·  specially adapted for several machines or pumps connected in series or in parallel  [8]
 F04C 14/04
·  specially adapted for reversible machines or pumps  [8]
 F04C 14/06
·  specially adapted for stopping, starting, idling or no-load operation  [8]
 F04C 14/08
·  characterised by varying the rotational speed  [8]
 F04C 14/10
·  characterised by changing the positions of the inlet or outlet openings with respect to the working chamber  [8]
 F04C 14/12
·  ·  using sliding valves  [8]
 F04C 14/14
·  ·  using rotating valves  [8]
 F04C 14/16
·  ·  using lift valves  [8]
 F04C 14/18
·  characterised by varying the volume of the working chamber (by changing the positions of inlet or outlet openings F04C 14/10)  [8]
 F04C 14/20
·  ·  by changing the form of the inner or outer contour of the working chamber  [8]
 F04C 14/22
·  ·  by changing the eccentricity between cooperating members  [8]
 F04C 14/24
·  characterised by using valves regulating pressure or flow rate, e.g. discharge valves (F04C 14/10 takes precedence)  [8]
 F04C 14/26
·  ·  using bypass channels  [8]
 F04C 14/28
·  Safety arrangements; Monitoring  [8]
P:160 F04C 15/00
Component parts, details or accessories of machines, pumps or pumping installations, not provided for in groups F04C 2/00-F04C 14/00 (of pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids F04C 18/00-F04C 29/00)  [1,8]
 F04C 15/06
·  Arrangements for admission or discharge of the working fluid, e.g. constructional features of the inlet or outlet  [8]
 F04C 18/00 - 
F04C 29/00
Pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids
P:40 F04C 18/00
Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids (with fluid ring or the like F04C 19/00; rotary-piston pumps in which the working-fluid is exclusively displaced by one or more reciprocating pistons F04B)  [3]
 F04C 18/02 - 
F04C 18/24

Note(s)

Group F04C 18/30 takes precedence over groups F04C 18/02-F04C 18/24.  [3,5]

 F04C 18/02
·  of arcuate-engagement type, i.e. with circular translatory movement of co-operating members, each member having the same number of teeth or tooth-equivalents  [3]
 F04C 18/04
·  ·  of internal-axis type  [3]
 F04C 18/06
·  ·  of other than internal-axis type (F04C 18/063 takes precedence)  [3]
 F04C 18/063
·  ·  with coaxially-mounted members having continuously-changing circumferential spacing between them  [3]
 F04C 18/067
·  ·  ·  having cam-and-follower type drive  [3]
 F04C 18/07
·  ·  ·  having crankshaft-and-connecting-rod type drive  [3]
 F04C 18/073
·  ·  ·  having pawl-and-ratchet type drive  [3]
 F04C 18/077
·  ·  ·  having toothed-gearing type drive  [3]
 F04C 18/08
·  of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing  [3]
 F04C 18/10
·  ·  of internal-axis type with the outer member having more teeth or tooth-equivalents, e.g. rollers, than the inner member  [3]
 F04C 18/107
·  ·  ·  with helical teeth  [3]
 F04C 18/113
·  ·  ·  the inner member carrying rollers intermeshing with the outer member  [3]
 F04C 18/12
·  ·  of other than internal-axis type  [3]
 F04C 18/14
·  ·  ·  with toothed rotary pistons  [3]
 F04C 18/16
·  ·  ·  ·  with helical teeth, e.g. chevron-shaped, screw type  [3]
 F04C 18/18
·  ·  ·  ·  with similar tooth forms (F04C 18/16 takes precedence)  [3]
 F04C 18/20
·  ·  ·  ·  with dissimilar tooth forms (F04C 18/16 takes precedence)  [3]
 F04C 18/22
·  of internal-axis type with equidirectional movement of co-operating members at the points of engagement, or with one of the co-operating members being stationary, the inner member having more teeth or tooth-equivalents than the outer member  [3]
 F04C 18/24
·  of counter-engagement type, i.e. the movement of co-operating members at the points of engagement being in opposite directions  [3]
 F04C 18/26
·  ·  of internal-axis type  [3]
 F04C 18/28
·  ·  of other than internal-axis type  [3]
 F04C 18/30
·  having the characteristics covered by two or more of groups F04C 18/02, F04C 18/08, F04C 18/22, F04C 18/24, F04C 18/48, or having the characteristics covered by one of these groups together with some other type of movement between co-operating members  [3]
 F04C 18/32
·  ·  having both the movement defined in group F04C 18/02 and relative reciprocation between the co-operating members  [3]
 F04C 18/324
·  ·  ·  with vanes hinged to the inner member and reciprocating with respect to the outer member  [3]
 F04C 18/328
·  ·  ·  ·  and hinged to the outer member  [3]
 F04C 18/332
·  ·  ·  with vanes hinged to the outer member and reciprocating with respect to the inner member  [3]
 F04C 18/336
·  ·  ·  ·  and hinged to the inner member  [3]
 F04C 18/34
·  ·  having the movement defined in group F04C 18/08 or F04C 18/22 and relative reciprocation between the co-operating members  [3]
 F04C 18/344
·  ·  ·  with vanes reciprocating with respect to the inner member  [3]
 F04C 18/348
·  ·  ·  ·  the vanes positively engaging, with circumferential play, an outer rotatable member  [3]
 F04C 18/352
·  ·  ·  ·  the vanes being pivoted on the axis of the outer member  [3]
 F04C 18/356
·  ·  ·  with vanes reciprocating with respect to the outer member  [3]
 F04C 18/36
·  ·  having both the movements defined in groups F04C 18/22 and F04C 18/24  [3]
 F04C 18/38
·  ·  having the movement defined in group F04C 18/02 and having a hinged member (F04C 18/32 takes precedence)  [3]
 F04C 18/39
·  ·  ·  with vanes hinged to the inner as well as to the outer member  [3]
 F04C 18/40
·  ·  having the movement defined in group F04C 18/08 or F04C 18/22 and having a hinged member  [3]
 F04C 18/44
·  ·  ·  with vanes hinged to the inner member  [3]
 F04C 18/46
·  ·  ·  with vanes hinged to the outer member  [3]
 F04C 18/48
·  Rotary-piston pumps with non-parallel axes of movement of co-operating members  [5]
 F04C 18/48

Note(s)

Group F04C 18/30 takes precedence over group F04C 18/48.  [8]

 F04C 18/50
·  ·  the axes being arranged at an angle of 90 degrees  [5]
 F04C 18/52
·  ·  ·  of intermeshing engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing  [5]
 F04C 18/54
·  ·  the axes being arranged otherwise than at an angle of 90 degrees  [5]
 F04C 18/56
·  ·  ·  of intermeshing engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing  [5]
P:30 F04C 19/00
Rotary-piston pumps with fluid ring or the like, specially adapted for elastic fluids
P:50 F04C 21/00
Oscillating-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids
P:20 F04C 23/00
Combinations of two or more pumps, each being of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type, specially adapted for elastic fluids; Pumping installations specially adapted for elastic fluids; Multi-stage pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids (F04C 25/00 takes precedence)
 F04C 23/02
·  Pumps characterised by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors (predominant aspects of the engines or motors, see the relevant classes)
P:10 F04C 25/00
Adaptations for special use of pumps for elastic fluids
 F04C 25/02
·  for producing high vacuum (sealing arrangements F04C 27/00; silencing F04C 29/06)
P:60 F04C 27/00
Sealing arrangements in rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids
 F04C 27/02
·  Liquid sealing for high-vacuum pumps
P:0 F04C 28/00
Control of, monitoring of, or safety arrangements for, pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for elastic fluids  [8]
 F04C 28/02
·  specially adapted for several pumps connected in series or in parallel  [8]
 F04C 28/04
·  specially adapted for reversible pumps  [8]
 F04C 28/06
·  specially adapted for stopping, starting, idling or no-load operation  [8]
 F04C 28/08
·  characterised by varying the rotational speed  [8]
 F04C 28/10
·  characterised by changing the positions of the inlet or outlet openings with respect to the working chamber  [8]
 F04C 28/12
·  ·  using sliding valves  [8]
 F04C 28/14
·  ·  using rotating valves  [8]
 F04C 28/16
·  ·  using lift valves  [8]
 F04C 28/18
·  characterised by varying the volume of the working chamber (by changing the positions of inlet or outlet openings F04C 28/10)  [8]
 F04C 28/20
·  ·  by changing the form of the inner or outer contour of the working chamber  [8]
 F04C 28/22
·  ·  by changing the eccentricity between cooperating members  [8]
 F04C 28/24
·  characterised by using valves regulating pressure or flow rate, e.g. discharge valves (F04C 28/10 takes precedence)  [8]
 F04C 28/26
·  ·  using bypass channels  [8]
 F04C 28/28
·  Safety arrangements; Monitoring  [8]
P:70 F04C 29/00
Component parts, details, or accessories, of pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for elastic fluids, not provided for in groups F04C 18/00-F04C 28/00
 F04C 29/02
·  Lubrication (of machines or engines in general F01M); Lubricant separation (separation in general B01D)
 F04C 29/04
·  Heating; Cooling (of machines or engines in general F01P); Heat insulation (heat insulation in general F16L 59/00)
 F04C 29/06
·  Silencing (gas-flow silencers or exhaust apparatus for machines or engines in general F01N)
 F04C 29/12
·  Arrangements for admission or discharge of the working fluid, e.g. constructional features of the inlet or outlet  [8]