Prime mover assembly having fixed center member between rotating members
AssigneeRegi U.S., Inc.
InventorsJohn Robertson, Paul Porter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Prime movers are provided that can include: a pair of cylindrical members about a center rod, a fixed member about the center rod between the pair of cylindrical members; wherein the pair of cylindrical members rotate with the center rod in relation to the fixed member; a housing extending between the cylindrical members; and a plurality of chambers between the opposing bases of the cylindrical members and the fixed member. Methods for rotating members in relation to a fixed member are also provided. The methods can include rotating a pair of cylindrical members in relation to a fixed member about a center rod along a shared axis within a housing extending between the pair of cylindrical members.
Claims19
A prime mover comprising:
- a center rod;
- a first rotating member configured to rotate about the center rod, the first rotating member including a first cam surface and a first outer sidewall;
- a second rotating member configured to rotate about the center rod, the second rotating member including a second cam surface and a second outer sidewall, the second cam surface facing the first cam surface;
- a fixed member coupled to the center rod and interposed between the first rotating member and the second rotating member, the fixed member including:
- a first end having a first surface that faces the first cam surface;
- and
- a second end having a second surface that faces the second cam surface;
- a housing coupled to the first outer sidewall and the second outer sidewall, the housing disposed over the fixed member and configured to rotate about the center rod with the first rotating member and the second rotating member;
- a first plurality of chambers disposed between the first cam surface and the first surface;
- and
- a second plurality of chambers disposed between the second cam surface and the second surface.
A method of operating a prime mover, the method comprising:
- rotating a first member and a second member about a center rod in relation to a fixed member disposed between the first member and the second member, wherein the first member and the second member are coupled to a housing that encapsulates the fixed member and which is configured to rotate with the first member and the second member;
- providing a first fluid to a plurality of first chambers located between a first cam surface of the first rotating member and a first surface of the fixed member;
- and
- providing a second fluid to a plurality of second chamber located between a second cam surface of the second rotating member and a second surface of the fixed member.
An apparatus comprising:
- a first rotating member including a first cam surface;
- a second rotating member including a second cam surface that faces the first cam surface;
- a fixed member interposed between the first rotating member and the second rotating member, the fixed member including:
- a first surface that faces the first cam surface;
- and
- a second surface that faces the second cam surface;
- a housing coupled to the first rotating member and the second rotating member, the housing disposed over the fixed member and configured to rotate with the first rotating member and the second rotating member;
- a first plurality of chambers disposed between the first cam surface and the first surface;
- and
- a second plurality of chambers disposed between the second cam surface and the second surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.