System and method of utilizing a housing to control wrapping flow in a fluid working apparatus

摘要

A fluid working apparatus (130) includes a housing structure (130) with an inlet (132), an outlet (133), an outer housing member (134) defining a tubular portion with an inner surface and an inner housing member (138) within the outer housing member (130) and having an outer surface spaced from the inner surface such that a working flow chamber (141) is defined between the radially inner most portions of the outer and inner surfaces and a return chamber (140) is defined between the radially outer most portions of the outer and inner surfaces. A working assembly is positioned in the housing with a rotor (114) thereof rotatably supported in the housing structure (130) and extending into the working flow chamber (141). At least one return assembly (140, 142) is positioned within the tubular portion and configured to return fluid flow from an outlet side to an inlet side of the working assembly (141). A method of defining a re-circulating working fluid apparatus is also provided.

主权项

1. A fluid working apparatus, comprising:
a housing structure with a housing inlet and a housing outlet, the housing structure including an outer housing member defining a circumferential tubular portion with an inner surface, and an inner housing member positioned within the outer housing member and having an outer surface spaced from the inner surface such that a working flow chamber is defined between the radially inner most portions of outer surface and the inner surface; a working assembly having an inlet side and an outlet side with at least one rotor having a plurality of blades directly coupled to a hub so as to be positioned between the inlet and outlet sides, the working assembly positioned in the housing structure such that the rotor is rotatably supported therein with the rotor blades extending into the working flow chamber; and at least one single return chamber positioned within the tubular portion and configured to return fluid flow from the outlet side of the working assembly to the inlet side of the working assembly, whereby all of a working fluid flows through
(a) the housing inlet in a direction towards a first circumferential portion of a circumferential inlet area defined between the housing structure and the inlet side of the working assembly,(b) the first circumferential portion of the circumferential inlet area in a direction towards the outlet side of the working assembly while workingly engaging a first subset of the plurality of blades,(c) a first circumferential portion of a circumferential outlet area defined between the housing structure and the outlet side of the working assembly,(d) the single return chamber in a direction towards a second circumferential portion of the circumferential inlet area,(e) the second circumferential portion of the circumferential inlet area in a direction towards the outlet side of the working assembly while exclusively workingly engaging a second subset of the plurality of blades, and(f) the housing outlet.