Patent ID: 8714135
Filing Date: 2014-05-06
Classification: F01C,F02B

Abstract:
1. A rotary machine, comprising: a) a rotatable crankshaft main shaft defining a central axis having an island disposed thereon, the island having a body with a volume generally defined between front and rear surfaces that are spaced apart along the main shaft, the front and rear surfaces lying in a plane parallel to a radial axis perpendicular to the central axis, the front and rear surfaces having a rounded, non-circular shape, the perimeters of the front and rear surfaces defining a curved peripheral surface therebetween; b) a front side plate disposed at the front surface of the island; c) a rear side plate disposed at the rear surface of the island, the front and rear side plates being integrated with the island and main shaft such that the front and rear side plates always rotate with the main shaft and island during operation of the rotary machine; and d) a contour assembly disposed between the front side plate and the rear side plate rotatably mounted to a stationary housing, the contour assembly having a body defining a concave inwardly facing surface that faces the curved peripheral surface of the island, the concave inwardly facing surface, the curved peripheral surface of the island, the front side plate and the rear side plate cooperating to form a working volume, the main shaft and the island being configured to rotate with respect to the contour assembly, the movement of the contour assembly being defined by oscillation about a single rotational mount as the island, the main shaft, the front side plate and the rear side plate rotate about the central axis, the contour assembly including a first apex seal disposed at a first end of the contour assembly and a second apex seal disposed at a second end of the contour assembly, the contour assembly further having at least one rolling cam follower attached to the contour assembly, the at least one rolling cam follower being configured to ride along a cam shaped pathway integrated with at least one of the front side plate and the rear side plate, the curved peripheral surface of the island and the cam shaped pathway being complementarily configured to maintain a substantially uniform gap between the ends of the contour and the island when the island is rotating about the central axis.