Patent ID: 9115697
Filing Date: 2015-08-25
Classification: F03B,F03D,F04D,F05B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fluid interacting device for interacting with a moving fluid, the fluid interacting device comprising: a first shaft defining a first axis; a fluid interacting element, wherein a first point on the fluid interacting element defines an orbital path about the first axis of the first shaft as the fluid interacting element progresses through a cycle of interaction with the moving fluid, wherein bulk movement of the fluid generally defines a first direction, wherein a portion of the fluid interacting element that is spaced from the first point varies an orientation with respect to the orbital path and with respect to the first direction as the fluid interacting element progresses through the cycle; and a u-joint like control arrangement operably connected to the fluid interacting element, the u-joint like control arrangement adapted to cyclically vary the orientation of the fluid interacting element with respect to the orbital path and with respect to the first direction as the fluid interacting element progresses through the cycle, the control arrangement including: wherein the angle of the fluid interacting element stays constant relative to the fourth axis as it pivots about the fourth axis; and wherein during a return portion of the cycle the fluid interacting element is oriented by the first and second steering groups of the control arrangement with respect to the first direction at a first orientation resulting in minimal interaction between the fluid interacting element and the moving fluid; wherein during an active portion of the cycle the fluid interacting element is oriented by the first and second steering groups of the control arrangement with respect to the first direction at a second orientation resulting in maximal interaction between the fluid interacting element and the moving fluid; and wherein the third axis of the second steering group is angularly offset from the first axis of the first steering group, wherein the first axis and the second axis of the first steering group are substantially perpendicular to each other, wherein the third axis and the fourth axis of the second steering group are substantially perpendicular to each other, and wherein the first axis, the second axis, the third axis, and the fourth axis intersect each other at a point.