Hypocycloid Compressor

A compressor, comprising:

• a stationary housing disposed about a central axis and having a radially inner surface defining a first plurality of circumferentially spaced cavities opening into a first interior space of the housing and a second plurality of circumferentially spaced cavities opening into a second interior space of the housing, the first plurality of cavities and first interior space axially spaced from the second plurality of cavities and second interior space;
• a first plurality of fluid volume control members, each of the first plurality of fluid volume control members disposed within one of the first plurality of cavities and defining a fluid chamber within the cavity sealed relative to the first interior space;
• a second plurality of fluid volume control members, each of the second plurality of fluid volume control members disposed within one of the second plurality of cavities and defining a fluid chamber within the cavity sealed relative to the second interior space;
• an eccentric shaft disposed within the interior space of the housing and configured for rotation about the central axis;
• a first hypocycloid rotor disposed within the first interior space of the housing and supported on the eccentric shaft, the first hypocycloid rotor defining a plurality of lobes configured for movement into and out of each cavity of the first plurality of cavities responsive to rotation of the eccentric shaft about the central axis to displace the first fluid volume control member in each cavity and adjust a volume of each fluid chamber;
• and,
• a second hypocycloid rotor disposed within the second interior space of the housing and supported on the eccentric shaft, the second hypocycloid rotor defining a plurality of lobes configured for movement into and out of each cavity of the second plurality of cavities responsive to rotation of the eccentric shaft about the central axis to displace the second fluid volume control member in each cavity and adjust a volume of each fluid chamber.

A method for compressing fluid, comprising the steps of:

• providing a compressor comprising
• a stationary housing disposed about a central axis and having a radially inner surface defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced cavities opening into an interior space of the housing;
• a plurality of fluid volume control members, each of the plurality of fluid volume control members disposed within one of the plurality of cavities and defining a fluid chamber within the cavity sealed relative to the interior space;
• an eccentric shaft disposed within the interior space of the housing and configured for rotation about the central axis;
• and,
• a hypocycloid rotor disposed within the interior space of the housing and supported on the eccentric shaft, the hypocycloid rotor defining a plurality of lobes;
• and,
• rotating the eccentric shaft and hypocycloid rotor about the central axis wherein the plurality of lobes on the hypocycloid rotor move into and out of each cavity of the plurality of cavities to displace the fluid volume control member in each cavity and adjust a volume of each fluid chamber.