Rotary manifold for a cohesion-type drive

A rotary hub manifold for a cohesion-type drive, comprising:

• a) a manifold body extending along a drive axis for rotation thereabout, the body including a first endface, a second endface axially opposite the first endface, a radially outer surface extending between the first and second endfaces, and a radially inner surface opposite the radially outer surface and extending between the first and second endfaces, the radially inner surface defining a manifold bore in the body coaxial with the drive axis;
• b) a first ductwork internal the body for fluid communication with a plurality of first chambers of the cohesion-type drive, the first ductwork including a plurality of first ports open to the radially outer surface, for conducting a first fluid between the first ductwork and the plurality of first chambers, the first ports arranged in a plurality of axially spaced apart first sets, each first set arranged for fluid communication with a respective first chamber of the plurality of first chambers;
• and
• c) a second ductwork internal the body for fluid communication with a plurality of second chambers of the cohesion-type drive, the second ductwork in fluid isolation of the first ductwork and including a plurality of second ports open to the radially outer surface, for conducting a second fluid between the second ductwork and the plurality of second chambers, the plurality of second ports arranged in a plurality of axially spaced apart second sets, the second sets alternating axially with the first sets, and each second set arranged for fluid communication with a respective second chamber of the plurality of second chambers.

A rotary shroud manifold for a cohesion-type drive, comprising:

• a) a manifold body extending along a drive axis for rotation thereabout, the body including a first endface, a second endface axially opposite the first endface, a radially outer surface extending between the first and second endfaces, and a radially inner surface opposite the radially outer surface and extending between the first and second endfaces, the radially inner surface defining a manifold bore in the body coaxial with the drive axis;
• b) a first ductwork internal the body for fluid communication with a plurality of first chambers of the cohesion-type drive, the first ductwork including a plurality of first ports open to the radially inner surface, for conducting a first fluid between the first ductwork and the plurality of first chambers, the first ports arranged in a plurality of axially spaced apart first sets, each first set arranged for fluid communication with a respective first chamber of the plurality of first chambers;
• and
• c) a second ductwork internal the body for fluid communication with a plurality of second chambers of the cohesion-type drive, the second ductwork in fluid isolation of the first ductwork and including a plurality of second ports open to the radially inner surface, for conducting a second fluid between the second ductwork and the plurality of second chambers, the plurality of second ports arranged in a plurality of axially spaced apart second sets, the second sets alternating axially with the first sets, and each second set arranged for fluid communication with a respective second chamber of the plurality of second chambers.

A rotary manifold for a cohesion-type drive, comprising:

• a) a manifold body extending along a drive axis for rotation about the drive axis, the body including a core coaxial with the drive axis, and a frame mounted to the core for exerting an inwardly directed force on the core to regulate a stress distribution therein during operation of the drive;
• and
• b) ductwork internal the body for fluid communication with a plurality of working chambers of the drive, at least a portion of the ductwork passing through the core,
• wherein the core has a radially outer surface, and the frame includes an outer sleeve mounted over the core in engagement with the radially outer surface for inducing radial compression of the core during operation,
• wherein the core has a radially inner surface opposite the radially outer surface and defining a core bore extending through the core coaxial with the drive axis, and the frame includes an inner sleeve in the core bore and in engagement with the radially inner surface, the inner and outer sleeves anchored to one another for inducing radial compression of the core during operation.

A rotary manifold for a cohesion-type drive, comprising:

• a) a manifold body extending along a drive axis for rotation about the drive axis, the body including a core coaxial with the drive axis, and a frame mounted to the core for exerting an inwardly directed force on the core to regulate a stress distribution therein during operation of the drive;
• and
• b) ductwork internal the body for fluid communication with a plurality of working chambers of the drive, at least a portion of the ductwork passing through the core,
• wherein the core has a first endface and a second endface axially opposite the first endface, and the frame includes a first end cap in engagement with the first endface and a second end cap in engagement with the second endface, the first and second end caps anchored to one another for inducing axial compression of the core.

A rotary manifold for a cohesion-type drive, comprising:

• a) a manifold body extending along a drive axis for rotation about the drive axis, the body including a core coaxial with the drive axis, and a frame mounted to the core for exerting an inwardly directed force on the core to regulate a stress distribution therein during operation of the drive;
• and
• b) ductwork internal the body for fluid communication with a plurality of working chambers of the drive, at least a portion of the ductwork passing through the core,
• wherein the frame includes a disc pack mounting portion for engagement with a disc pack of the drive to fix the disc pack to the frame, a shaft mounting portion spaced radially inwardly from the disc pack mounting portion for engagement with a shaft of the drive to fix the shaft to the frame, and one or more torque-transfer members for transferring torque between the disc pack mounting portion and the shaft mounting portion, each torque-transfer member having a radially outer end fixed to the disc pack mounting portion and a radially inner end fixed to the shaft mounting portion.