CYCLIC VOLUME MACHINE

Abstract: A rotating machine with variable volumes which can rotate in one and/or two directions like the transmission shaft, more or less than (2 pi ). The machine is composed of a body with an inner cavity holding an articulated rotating prismatic structure, composed of one or more sides. Between the inner cavity and the sides of the prismatic structure, and among the same sides in the inner area, are fluid-retaining variable-volume chambers. The cyclic volume machine exploits the variations of the physical characteristics of fluids whose movements are the cause or effect of transmission shaft rotation. In transverse bars, and/or appropriate hinges between the sides of the rotor, centripetal forces oppose centrifugal forces. Lubricating and cooling systems are foreseen. The cyclic volume machine can be coaxial to a common transmission shaft and may be used as a pump, compressor, motor, engine, valve, distributor, hydraulic joint, and heat generator. It may also feed an electric magneto-hydrodynamic generator, and act as a compressor or booster for motors with inner reactive combustion.

Description: CYCLIC VOLUME MACHINE This invention relates to a machine which exploits inner cyclic variable volumes. The variable volumes may rotate in one or two directions, like the transmission shaft. The transmission shaft may rotate more or less than 2 π : when it is more than 2π , this machine is of rotating cyclic volume type; when rotation is less than 2st, it is of alternate cyclic volume type. We explain below the cyclic volume machine as a rotating type, because the alternate function does not change the characteris¬ tic of the original geometric discovery which lies at the base of this invention. In past years many rotating machines with inner variable volumes have been invented, but they all have problems, as for example the Wankel engine, whose inner wall contour, in cross-section obtained by means of a perpendicular plane to the longitudinal machine axis, is a trochoid curve. The main problem of the Wankel' engine is insufficient com¬ pression at low speed of rotation and consequent irregular combustion. The angles of the Wankel rotor have no suitable contact with the trochoid surface, and neither they nor the springs last long. The inner stator surface of this new machine is the envelope of a rotating solid whose rotation axis runs perpendicularly to a plane in the points which are those of a plane curve with a new invariance length. This curve may be machine-tooled and drawn with continuity by means of continuous lines. The present invention is composed of a stator body with an inner cavity containing a hinged prismatic rotating structure called a rotor. Between the stator and the rotor are variable volumes defined by chambers. The interior of the rotor also has one chamber of variable volume. The volumetric yield is higher than in the Wankel engine. The sides of the prismatic structure work with external and internal walls. The transmission shaft connected to the rotor is supported by stator bases which always touch the rotor and stator body. The cyclic volume machine may be made in many shapes and used for many purposes: it can work as a pump ' , compressor, motor, engine, valve, distributor, or hydraulic joint; it may burn fuel for heat and/or electricity as in magneto-hydrodynamic generators ; it can also be used as a compressor and/or booster for thermic motors with inner reactive combustion. Some embodiments of this invention are now described by means of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 and Figure 2 show two views, erection side and plan, by means of orthogonal projections, of a rotating cyclic volume machine with a four-sided rotor; - Figure 3 shows the same stator of the rotating cyclic volume machine shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 with another type of rotor composed of cylindrical sides: - Figure 4 shows a rotating cyclic volume machine stator body and its six-sided rotor made by packing multiple thin sheets; - Figure 5 shows the scheme of a type of rotating cyclic volume machine used as a two-stroke engine. Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, we now describe an example of a rotating compressor-pump cyclic volume machine. Stator body 1 has an inner cavity defined by a wall with contour 2. In Figure 1 longitudinal axis Y of contour 2 is the longitudinal axis of the machine. Y is perpendicular to the p plane used to draw the P section of the machine, C is the point of intersection between centre line Y and the P plane. The motion of the machine's rotating parts are referred to the stator fixed to P . The prismatic rotating structure or rotor consists of four equal hinged sides R j P = ^_ ^3 = ' ' ' ...P _ P = W constant length, each composed of one solid or piston 5 between two hinges which, in this case, are cylinders 4. The rotor is inside 1 and touches 2 by interposed adaptable rings 10 between 2 and 4 and/or between 4, 5 (not shown) and stator bases or flanges 16. Inextensible connection or bar 7 joins two pistons 5 reciprocally opposite by pivots 6. Points P. » P » P , P T _ are common points of the P plane with the longitudinal axes of hinges 4 which are always parallel to Y. Rotor side length (W) lies between two of the consecutive axes 4. Pieces 4, 5, and 10 are in this case geometrical right- angled solids or pistons of equal height. " Their flat bases are parallel to P , and slip against flat inner surface 17 of stator bases 16. The stator is composed of 16 together with 1. Stator bases 16 hold transmission shaft 14 by bearings (not shown). Lubricant inlet and outlet are 15, and 3, 12 res¬ pectively, passing through 14, 7, 6, 5 and 4 among the touching parts to create a fluid film. On each rotor side is one rotating chamber, in this case four, each chamber retaining variable volume V/ α ) . These volumes vary N times/revs from a maximum to a minimum value and turn though a number N of stator chambers composed of (N/2) chambers 8 where vary N times/revs corresponding to (N /2 cycles/revs). At the back of (N) rotating sides (W) of the rotor is one chamber Z, whose volume (Z/ α \ ) varies (2N times/revs) corresponding to (N cycles/revs). Fluid/s enter through channels 3 and exit compressed by volume variation of chamber V through 12, where one-way valves are placed (not shown). The valves in 3 are optionals, but may be necessary according to machine function. ~ Similarly, rings 10 may not be necessary, according to machine function. The four chambers with variable volume Vt a \ limited by rotating sur¬ faces 9, two rings 10, stator contour 2 and two flanges 16, are defined for any value of (α) and retain one or two fluids in this case, or more than two fluids depending on the (N/2) number of chambers. Chamber Z, between four piston walls 13, four hinges 4 and two stator bases 16 with bearings, retains a fluid which enters channel 18 and exit ' s from channel 19; 18 and 19 hold one-way valves (not shown); these channels may be inner 14. Generally, the cyclic volume machine transforms the movements of fluid/s in chambers V and/or chamber Z into rotation of transmission shaft 14: on the contrary, it may transform transmission shaft rotation into movements of fluid/s in chambers V and Z. In the case of Figure 1 and Figure 2, the fluid in chamber Z is the same used for the cooling and/or lubricating systems of the machine; it can load a hydraulic accumulator and/or drive other alternate and/or rotating tools. Wall 9 of slipper pistons 5 may have the- same shape as inner stator wall 2, where / α = V Q becomes minimum. Therefore, the theoretical compression ratio can be infinite ω if (V 0 = 0). In order to obtain the required compression ratio, we change, if necessary, the radius of curve 9, and/or make a chamber inside wall 9 in piston body 5, and/or make outlet 12 larger in conformity with the assigned compression ratio. In Figure 1, wall 9 is a cylindrical surface. The rotor can be made by packing thin metallic sheets 20 and 21 as in Figure 4. it may also be an open prismatic structure, and composed of only one side without hinges, or composed of solid cylinders only. Figure 3 is the model of a pump for liquids, whose trans¬ mission shaft is connected to cylinders 4, sliding on cross-bar 22. For example, we define here a transformation of plane curves which is one of many ways of obtaining equations of curves with invariance length (W). We now pass on to treating only plane curves obtained by means of a mathematical transformation. We refer to Figure 2, by means of a polar system of coordinates with pole C and polar axis X on the P plane. P. , P ? , R, , P- Nj -^, are the points of longitudinal axes 4 running along plane trajectory [r J, maintaining reciprocal length (W) constant, as occurs in several trajectory "rotoid" curves. The term "rotoid" stands for the curves described in the article "Class of algebrical curves passing through cyclic points. Invariance of length. Invariance of area. ROTOIDS" by Professors Italo Contiero and Luigi Benghi, published privately in Padova (Italy) on March 27 1985 and regularly registered according to Italian law. The first patent request for a volu¬ metric rotating machine, equivalent to the present cyclic volume machine, was deposited in Italy on June 6 1984, no. 41597A/84, by the same inventor Italo Contiero. —N The rotoid curve is the T locus of (N) points (P- N = 2n, n£ i *of coordinate ( Q,a+π/2; Q*,a-ι-23τ:/2 ; ... ρ a+(N+l)fl/2) whose positional vectors ( Q Q. ;(? 2 ... ρ ) are perpendicular to the positional vector (f; f 1 ; — f N ) of a known function (f( α ι , 0 *_ζ a *_ζ 2 st ) describing the P locus [j2 ]of points (F N ) (not shown). Here we presume that \_ * *Q J is a simple closed plane curve with the intersection center of the (h) symmetry axes in C; (h) represents the number ofl-Q J angul r periods in 2,τc . (N= = 2h.m) is the number of points (R^) which are the vertexes of the rotor polygonal structure, corresponding to the hinge axes of rotor sides P. P„ = R P g = ... P^ ^ ^ T = P P j = w > i.e., a constant length. The angular period of h£ / . ρ > a ι is a periodic function with angular period (m = 1) when (h) is one or even, or ( = 2) when (h) is odd, excluding the number one. Here we treat only even values of (h = 2) and consequently (m = 1). By F - P = a , constant, we transform: by β (α) = Va 2 - f 2 α ] , 0 -÷ a = 2 π (1) We chose transformation constant (a) and (h) to obtain " j defined for any value of ( ) . The machine shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 has (h = 2; m = 1): that in Figure 4 has (h = 3: m = 2). The shape of the cross- section of the stator inner wall of a cyclic volume machine may be a mixed line; in this case, the rotor may travel less than ( 2i ) and the result is" an alternate cyclic volume machine and/or a rotating cyclic volume machine with inner inter¬ connected chambers: in this case the sides of the rotor may not be all equal. The lengths between consecutive (P^) points running over L^ Jat reciprocal constant equal angular length X=T/2 is (W(α) )• The coordinates of two- consecutive points are ( . ; a ),{β.;α*λ).-.(ft^; α + n λ ) . According to the Carnot theorem: W (α) = l/z a 2 -[f fα)+f +λ )]- 2#a. - f f α} ]-[a?- f{ a + λ )} cos λ when h = 2 and h = 1, n = 2; when f jα) + f ?α+λ) = constant — ? W( α ) = W constant, because n = 2. When h^ 2; f (σ) + +f (α-r-λ) = constant and f (α) f 2 α λ) = constant, also (W ( α ) ] = W constant. (W) is the invariance length between consecutive P points of [7<! J - The equations with invariance (W) allow construction of the cyclic volume machine. The midpoint of (W) is D, the locus of D points is a circumference [C], when (h = 1) and (h = - 2 ) . with radius CD = W/2. In the case of ' other hypotheses, the P locus of D need not be a circumference. For example, we can prove the equation used to project the cyclic volume machine in Figure 1 and Figure 2. By (1) we transform the ellipse function with symmetry centre in C; (A) and (B) are the ellipse half-axes and h = 2. The transformate rotoid function is: V ; α )=A\|(p- )+(l-q) cos 2 (nα/2) , ρ=a 2 ^ q.B^ 0 mi- a ≤ 271: (3) This is the basic rotoid function from the ellipse with h = 2. We presume here that the rotor needs four sides W and a com¬ pression ratio which determines the choice of the rotoid with (p = 2; q = 0) by (3) CP 1 = .4 ( α )=A Jl + cos 2 (α) , 0 ^ α ≤"2 π This is the equation of stator contour 2 of the P section of the machine in Figure 2. Machine capacity determines the choice of factor A. The rotating cyclic volume machine in Figure 1 and Figure 2 may also be a two-stroke engine. It is presumed that: channels 3, 12 and 19 are eliminated, four channels bored in each slipper piston are controlled by one-way valves; where stator inner wall 2 is at its maximum curvature, two exhaust channels are placed (not shown). The combustible mixture is precompressed in Z and, through the four piston channels, enters chambers V. When the pistons are in. 11 ignitions occur, the expansion of gases moves the rotor, and waste gases are discharged through the exhaust channels. The axis of the inner cavity of the stator body cannot coincide with the axis of the cyclic volume machine and/or the machine axis cannot coincide with the rotation axis. All longitudinal axes must, always be parallel to them. Channels for fluids, controlled by valves according to machine function, can also be inserted in the transmission shaft and rotor sides. Rotating cyclic volume machines may be connected to only one virtual or real rotation axis, giving compound rotating cyclic volume machines with their V and Z chambers all directly or indirectly connected to the transfer channel/s by the same rotors or otherwise controlled. Figure 5 shows a schematic view, by means of orthogonal pro¬ jections, of a coaxial cyclic volume machine or compound machine, composed of one rotating compressor cyclic volume machine and one rotating engine cyclic volume machine with only one transmission shaft 14 and one common stator flange between them. Operating fluid enters 3 and, through the two transfer channels 23 bored in common flange 26 controlled by engine rotor R B, R R , passes to the two opposite chambers sending waste gases through exhaust channels 24 bored in the stator flange of the engine side. Maximum fluid compression occurs in engine area 25, where ignition takes place and expansion of gases rotates the polygonal structure of the engine and com¬ pressor. In this example, we presume that cooling fluid enters the Z area of the compressor, passing through the Z area of the engine, and loads a hydraulic accumulator which is also a heat radiator (not shown). Transversal axes X. and X„ form angle β on the^projection P plane. Angle β is important for correct precompression of the engine. The cyclic volume machine may be modified or varied in many ways without changing its peculiar geometry which is the basis of the invention, i.e., the geometrical discovery of invariance length (W) which is a geometric property of many mathematical functions. Only when trajectory (72 ) with invariance (W) are defined, can machine tools or tools be programmed. The and Z/ α j volume variations can be planned according to desired phenomena to obtain the thermodynamic cycles suitable for various functions. By the liddition of suitable segments 10 and/or abrasive oils, the same cyclic volume machine rotor can be used as a tool to rectify inner stator surface 2, which is the envelope of external surface of rings 10 rotating and/or oscillating round(7£ Jpoints and pole C. The surface of 10 touching 2 need not be cylindrical, and can be radiused to the internal surface of the stator bases. The inner stator wall contour may have only one symmetry axis. All mechanical parts can be substituted by other technically equivalent parts. Materials and dimensions depend on the kind and specific use of> the cyclic volume machine/s. The many possible systems of connecting several of- these machines together, or one or more of these machines to one or more machines of another type, the many usable operating and cooling fluids, the possibilities of rotation in two directions, more or less than (2JΓ), and of choosing a closed or open rotor, all mean that the cyclic volume machine can be used in very many applications. HEET

Claims: CLAIMS 1 A cyclic volume machine exploiting inner cyclic variable volumes which can rotate in two directions, more or less than (2Λ), with rotating and/or alternate movement. The machine body or stator body has an inner cavity defined by a wall forming two or more stator chambers; the longitudinal axis of the stator cavity is a straight line. In cross-section the stator cavity may have one or more symmetry axes. Inside the inner stator wall is a hinged rotating structure or rotor composed of one or many solids or pistons having parallel bases and cross-sections shaped as closed mixed lines. The pistons have hinges on their extremities; longitudinal hinge axes are perpendicular to their bases and always parallel to the rotation axis of the rotor. The rotor is or is not hinged sequentially in a chain which may be open or closed; rotor sides lie between consecutive rotor hinges. SUBSTITUTE SHEET The hinge axes of each rotor side must have constant distance in any position, and the distance between hinge axes may or need not be the same for all the rotor sides. The stator cavity axis and the rotation axis of the rotor must coincide or be parallel. The sides of the hinged structure are composed of solids touching each other in any rotor position. One or more hinges also touch the inner stator cavity wall. When the rotor has only one side, the hinges are not necessary. Chambers V between the stator and the inner rotating side/s of the prismatic structure have cyclic variable volumes according to their angular position. The rotating cyclic volume machine has a number of variable-volume chambers V corresponding to the number of rotor sides; when these are one, chambers V are only two. In the inner machine area among the rotor sides hinged in a closed chain is one chamber Z, formed of the surfaces at the back of the rotor walls forming chamber V. When the rotor sides hinged in a closed chain do not have equal distances between hinge axes, two or more adjacent chambers V become only one chamber V. UBSTITUTE SHEET When the rotor is open, inner chamber Z becomes only one, with one or more chamber/s V. When the hinged prismatic structure is closed with all equal constant distances between hinged axes, chambers V and Z are singly defined in any rotor angular position. The cyclic volume machine exploits the variations of the physical characteristics of fluids whose movements are the cause or effect of trans¬ mission shaft rotation; this shaft rotation is transmitted to or from the rotor, whose rotating sides move in two radial directions working with the two opposite surfaces. The inner stator wall defining the stator cavity is the enve¬ lope of the external surface of one or more N equal hinges of the rotor touching them. One or more of the hinge axes of the rotor describe, on a perpendicular plane to the machine's rota¬ tion axis, a plane curve, which is the trajectory of N geo¬ metric running points with consecutive equal constant dis¬ tances of length (W) . These are the main features of the cyclic volume machine according to the invention and are intended to distinguish it SUBSTITUTE SHEET from other machines operating by means of variable volumes and/or exploiting variable volumes. The transmission shaft of the cyclic volume machine is connected to the rotating struc¬ ture and supported by bearing/s in the stator base/s. The stator bases always touch the rotating structure. The channels allowing entrance and exit of fluid/s are bored in the stator body, and/or in its flanges, and/or in the rotor, and/or in the transmission shaft. All the channels may be controlled by valves according to machine function. 2 A cyclic volume machine as claimed in Claim 1 with adapt¬ able rings and/or segments among the touching parts. The rings and/or segments may be used to rectify the common generating line of the inner cavity surface of the stator body. 3 A cyclic volume machine as claimed in any preceding claim with inextensible transverse connection/s to the rotation axis. Inextensible connection/s join the sides of the rotor opposite the rotation axis, and oppose/s centipetal forces to the centi- SUBSTITUTE SHEET fugal forces of the rotor. 4 A cyclic volume machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rotor rotates less than (2jr ) in two directions. At least one vertex of the rotating hinged prismatic structure runs on a curve with invariance length (W) . 5. A cyclic volume machine as claimed in any preceding claim, composed of two or more cyclic volume machines with one trans- mission shaft in common and common stator body flange/s with channel/s controlled by the same side/s of the rotors. S. A cyclic volume machine as described with reference to the example in Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings and having one or more charac¬ teristics described and illustrated in those drawings. HEET

Inventors: CONTIERO ITALO, CONTIERO, ITALO
Applicants: CONTIERO ITALO, CONTIERO, ITALO
Application year: 1985
Main classification: F01C1
IPC codes: F01C1