Rotor with hat section air pump

Abstract

The invention is directed to a rotor having a vented hat section. A plurality of spaced apart vents are defined in the rotor hat wall. The vents are defined by a first aperture in the radially outer hat wall surface, a second aperture in the radially inner hat wall surface and a vent wall extending therebetween. The vent wall includes an upper surface and a lower surface which extend from the from the first aperture to the second aperture. The upper surface and lower surfaces form an angle A with respect to the outer surface of the hat wall which partially determines the quantity of air moved through the vents when the rotor turns. The vent wall also preferably includes a pair of approximately parallel side surfaces between the upper and lower surfaces which extend through the hat wall. The angle B of the vent wall side surfaces with respect to the radius of the rotor partially determines the quantity of air pushed or pumped through the vents when the rotor turns. Each vent aperture is elongated and extends along a first aperture axis. The aperture axis forms a predetermined angle C with respect to a line extending axially along the radially outer surface of said hat wall. The size of the angle C determines in part the quantity of air flowing through the vent when the rotor is turning.