Patent ID: 8607762

Claim:
An rotary machine, comprising: a) an island having a generally elliptical front face and a generally elliptical rear face separated by a curved surface defined between the front face and the rear face; b) a front plate disposed against the front face of the island, the front plate having a generally cam-shaped perimeter; c) a back plate disposed against the back face of the island; d) at least one contour having a radially inwardly facing concave face that is biased toward the curved surface of the island, wherein a working volume is defined between concave face of the contour, the front plate, the back plate, and the curved surface of the island; e) at least one front plate roller bearing attached to the contour that is adapted to urge against the cam-shaped perimeter of the front plate to maintain substantially uniform spacing between the contour and curved surface of the island when the island and contour rotate with respect to each other; f) a crankshaft adapted to cause relative rotational motion between the contour and the island; g) at least one intake port for introducing a working fluid into the working volume; and h) at least one exhaust port for removing the working fluid from the working volume.