Apparatus for driving fluid having a rotating cam and rocker arm

An apparatus for driving fluid comprising:

• a housing having a first interior chamber in communication with a first fluid inlet for receiving the fluid and a first fluid outlet for expelling the fluid, and a second interior chamber in communication with a second fluid inlet for receiving the fluid and a second fluid outlet for expelling the fluid;
• a cam rotatably mounted within the housing, the cam configured to enable the fluid to flow, the cam having first and second annular channels formed therein;
• a first working vane extending into the first annular channel for sliding therein as the cam rotates, wherein the first working vane divides the first annular channel into a first inlet chamber and a first outlet chamber such that, as the cam rotates, the first inlet chamber expands and the first outlet chamber contracts;
• a first follower vane extending into the first annular channel for sliding therein as the cam rotates, wherein the first follower vane has at least one aperture that allows fluid to pass through the follower vane whenever the follower vane extends into the first annular channel;
• a first rocker arm providing dependent motion between the first working vane and the first follower vane;
• a second working vane extending into the second annular channel for sliding therein as the cam rotates, wherein the second working vane divides the second annular channel into a second inlet chamber and a second outlet chamber such that, as the cam rotates, the second inlet chamber expands and the second outlet chamber contracts;
• a second follower vane extending into the second annular channel for sliding therein as the cam rotates, wherein the second follower vane has at least one aperture that allows fluid to pass through the follower vane whenever the follower vane extends into the second annular channel;
• and
• a second rocker arm providing dependent motion between the second working vane and the second follower vane.

A method of driving fluid comprising:

• receiving the fluid via a fluid inlet in communication with an interior chamber and expelling the fluid via a fluid outlet;
• rotating a cam mounted within the housing and driving fluid to flow, the cam having an annular channel formed therein;
• reciprocating a working vane in the annular channel as the cam rotates, wherein the working vane divides the annular channel into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber such that, as the cam rotates, the inlet chamber expands and the outlet chamber contracts;
• and
• reciprocating a follower vane in the annular channel as the cam rotates, wherein the follower vane has at least one aperture that allows fluid to through the follower vane whenever the follower vane extends into the annular channel, wherein extension of the follower vane is dependent on the retraction of the working vane.