Orbiting blade rotary machine

Abstract

An orbiting blade rotary machine, especially for use in compressor and expansion motor units, includes a stator housing bounding an internal space that includes a substantially cylindrical internal chamber centered on a central axis. A power shaft extends in a centered relationship along the central axis through the internal space, being mounted on the stator housing for rotation about the central axis. Each of a plurality of orbiting blades extends substantially radially outwardly from the power shaft in the internal chamber toward the stator housing in its neutral position, being supported on the power shaft for pivoting within a limited angular range around the neutral position. An eccentric rotor is mounted in the stator housing for rotation about an eccentric axis parallel to and transversely offset from the central axis, being accommodated in the internal chamber to delimit a working space that the orbiting blades subdivide into individual compartments. Cylindrical guide members received between stationary connecting bars guide the orbiting blades within their axially and radially extending passages for sliding relative to the eccentric rotor while performing the limited pivoting relative to the power shaft. The auxiliary gear train includes a crown gear rigid with the eccentric rotor, an auxiliary shaft mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis parallel to and transversely offset from the central axis, a first and a second auxiliary spur gear secured to the auxiliary shaft for joint rotation therewith, the first auxiliary spur gear being in permanent meshing relationship with the crown gear, and another spur gear secured to the power shaft for joint rotation therewith and permanently meshing with the second auxiliary spur gear. A labyrinth seal may be provided at least on a marginal portion of each of the orbiting blades that is remote from the power shaft to seal the corresponding interface, and a pressurized sealing fluid may be supplied to it through channels present in the respective blade.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.