Gas compressor/expander

A rotary engine having a drive shaft, comprising:

• an air compressor attached to the drive shaft, the compressor comprising:
• an inner chamberwall-forming member attached eccentrically to the drive shaft and being rotatable with it, an outer chamberwall-forming member attached eccentrically to the drive shaft and being rotatable with it, and a plurality of stator vanes positioned concentrically about the drive shaft between the inner and outer chamberwall-forming members, the stator vanes each being rotatable about an axis extending parallel to the drive shaft, the inner and outer chamberwall-forming members and stator vanes coacting to define a plurality of chambers which vary in size with the rotation of the stator vanes and the chamberwall-forming members;
• a stationary end wall for the air compressor providing a stationary end wall for each of the chambers;
• and
• valve means in the stationary end wall for enabling the inflow and outflow of air into and out of each chamber;
• a combustion chamber being in flow communication with the air compressor, the combustion chamber having walls defining a fixed volume, and comprising:
• fuel injection means for introducing a combustible fuel into the combustion chamber;
• compressed air inlet means connected to the air compressor for introducing compressed air into the combustion chamber concurrently with the injection of fuel into it;
• ignition means for igniting the air and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber;
• and
• exhaust gas outlet means for exhausting the combusted fuel and air mixture from the combustion chamber;
• and
• a gas expander attached to the drive shaft and being in flow communication with the combustion chamber, and the expander comprising:
• an inner chamberwall-forming member attached eccentrically to the drive shaft and being rotatable with it, an outer chamberwall-forming member attached eccentrically to the drive shaft and being rotatable with it, and a plurality of stator vanes positioned concentrically about the drive shaft between the inner and outer chamberwall-forming members, the stator vanes each being rotatable about an axis extending parallel to the drive shaft, the inner and outer chamberwall-forming members and stator vanes coacting to define a plurality of chambers which vary in size with the rotation of the stator vanes and the chamberwall-forming members;
• a stationary end wall for the expander providing a stationary end wall for each of the chambers;
• and
• valve means in the stationary end wall of the expander for enabling the inflow and outflow of gas into and out of each chamber;
• the gas expander operating to receive compressed exhaust gases from the combustion chamber and to impart rotational motion to the drive shaft through the expansion of such gases therein.