Hydraulic machine with stepped roller vane and fluid power system including hydraulic machine with starter motor capability

A system comprising:

• a hydraulic device, the hydraulic device comprising:
• a rotor disposed for rotation about an axis;
• a plurality of vanes each including a vane step, each of the plurality of vanes moveable relative to the rotor between a retracted position and an extended position where the plurality of vanes work a hydraulic fluid introduced adjacent the rotor;
• a roller mounted to a tip of each of the plurality of vanes;
• a ring disposed at least partially around the rotor, the rotor including one or more passages for ingress or egress of a hydraulic fluid to or from a region adjacent the vane step and defined by at least the rotor and the vane step;
• an accumulator in fluid communication with the hydraulic device to supply the hydraulic fluid thereto, the hydraulic fluid extending one or more of the plurality of vanes out of the rotor and against the ring such that the hydraulic device is operable as a starter motor;
• a first thrust bearing disposed adjacent a first axial end of the rotor;
• a second thrust bearing disposed adjacent a second axial end of the rotor, the second axial end opposing the first axial end;
• wherein the hydraulic fluid passes across at least one of the first thrust bearing and the second trust bearing to communicate with the one or more passages in the rotor;
• a first plate disposed adjacent the first axial end of the rotor and configured to at least partially house the first thrust bearing, the first plate defining at least a first passageway configured to communicate the hydraulic fluid between the ring and the first thrust bearing;
• and
• a second plate disposed adjacent the second axial end of the rotor and configured to at least partially house the second thrust bearing, the second plate defining at least a second passageway configured to communicate the hydraulic fluid to the second thrust bearing.

A hydraulic device comprising:

• a rotor disposed for rotation about an axis;
• a plurality of vanes each including a vane step, each of the plurality of vanes moveable relative to the rotor between a retracted position and an extended position where the plurality of vanes work a hydraulic fluid introduced adjacent the rotor;
• a roller mounted to a tip of each of the plurality of vanes;
• and
• a ring disposed at least partially around the rotor, the rotor including one or more passages for ingress or egress of a hydraulic fluid to or from a region adjacent the vane step and defined by at least the rotor and the vane step;
• a first thrust bearing disposed adjacent a first axial end of the rotor;
• a second thrust bearing disposed adjacent a second axial end of the rotor, the second axial end opposing the first axial end;
• wherein the hydraulic fluid passes across at least one of the first thrust bearing and the second trust bearing to communicate with the one or more passages in the rotor;
• a first plate disposed adjacent the first axial end of the rotor and configured to at least partially house the first thrust bearing, the first plate defining at least a first passageway configured to communicate the hydraulic fluid between the ring and the first thrust bearing;
• and
• a second plate disposed adjacent the second axial end of the rotor and configured to at least partially house the second thrust bearing, the second plate defining at least a second passageway configured to communicate the hydraulic fluid to the second thrust bearing.