Rotary expansible chamber devices having adjustable arcs of rotation, and systems incorporating the same

摘要

Rotary expansible chamber (REC) devices having one or more working-fluid ports that are adjustable, for example, in size or location. In some embodiments, the variable port mechanisms can be used to control any one or more of a plurality of operating parameters of a REC device independently of one or more others of the operating parameters. In some embodiments, the REC devices can have a plurality of fluid volumes that change in size during rotation of the REC device, and that transition to a zero volume condition during the rotation of the REC device. Systems are also provided that can include one or more REC devices. Methods for controlling various aspects of REC devices, including methods of controlling one or more operating parameters, are also provided.

主权项

1. A rotary expansible chamber device, comprising:
a first mechanism comprising a first rotary component, said first mechanism partially bounding at least a first volume, said first volume moving with or substantially with rotation of said first rotary component during operation of the rotary expansible chamber device; a second mechanism interfacing with said first mechanism to substantially or fully bound said first volume; and a first arc of inaccessibility having a circumferential extent, said first volume being substantially or fully bound by said first and second mechanisms along the entire circumferential extent; wherein:
said first arc of inaccessibility has a first end and a second end;said first volume changes size during operation of the rotary expansible chamber device; andsaid rotary expansible chamber device is designed and configured to allow for changing location of each of said first and second ends of said first arc of inaccessibility independently of changing location of the other of said first and second ends so as to independently control the size of said first volume when said first volume is positioned at said first end of said arc of inaccessibility and independently control the size of said first volume when said first volume is positioned at said second end of said arc of inaccessibility.