IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO LIQUID RING MACHINES

摘要

A liquid ring machine comprises an outer drum having a cylindrical outer wall (1) surrounding a central axis (2), a vaned rotor (3) rotatable within the drum about an axis (4) which is parallel to, but offset from, the central axis (2) of the drum, and a liquid disposed within the drum such that, when the rotor (3) rotates at a sufficient speed, the liquid forms a rotating ring (5) adjacent the outer wall (1) of the drum. The ends of the vanes (6) on the rotor are maintained in contact with the liquid during such rotation so that a series of chambers (8) is formed between the vanes (6) of the rotor (3). The chambers (8) are bounded at the outer periphery by the liquid ring (5) and vary in volume in dependence on the angular orientation of the rotor (3) in view of the offset between the axis (4) of rotation of the rotor and the central axis (2) of the drum. An inlet (23) and an outlet (25) are provided by means of which a working fluid is introduced into, and discharged from, each of the chambers (8) at appropriate angular positions of the rotor (3). Furthermore at least the cylindrical outer wall (1) of the drum is freely rotatable about the central axis (2) to enable the outer wall to be rotated by the liquid ring (5).