Abstract: A fluid working apparatus (100) including a housing structure (130) with an inlet (132) and an outlet (133). A working assembly positioned in the housing (130) has an inlet side and an outlet side with the at least one rotor (114) having a plurality of blades (115) positioned between the inlet and outlet sides. At least one return assembly (140, 142) is configured to return fluid flow from the outlet to the inlet side of the working assembly whereby a working fluid passes through the housing inlet (132), from the inlet side of the working assembly to the outlet side thereof while workingly engaging a first subset of the rotor blades (115), through the at least one return assembly (140, 142), from the inlet side of the working assembly to the outlet side thereof while workingly engaging a second subset of the rotor blades (115), and out of the housing outlet (133). A method of working a fluid is also provided.

Abstract: A fluid working apparatus (130) includes a housing structure (130) with an inlet (132), an outlet (133), an outer housing member (134) defining a tubular portion with an inner surface and an inner housing member (138) within the outer housing member (130) and having an outer surface spaced from the inner surface such that a working flow chamber (141) is defined between the radially inner most portions of the outer and inner surfaces and a return chamber (140) is defined between the radially outer most portions of the outer and inner surfaces. A working assembly is positioned in the housing with a rotor (114) thereof rotatably supported in the housing structure (130) and extending into the working flow chamber (141). At least one return assembly (140, 142) is positioned within the tubular portion and configured to return fluid flow from an outlet side to an inlet side of the working assembly (141). A method of defining a re-circulating working fluid apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A fluid working apparatus (100) having an inlet side and an outlet side with the at least one rotor (114) having a plurality of blades (115) positioned in the housing. A circumferential inlet area is defined on the inlet side of the rotor (114) and a circumferential outlet area is defined on the outlet side of the rotor (116). At least one return assembly (140, 142) is configured to return fluid flow from the outlet side of the rotor (114) to a circumferentially offset portion of the circumferential inlet area on the inlet side of the rotor (114) whereby a working fluid workingly engages a second subset of the rotor blades (115) before exiting the housing outlet (133). A method of working a fluid is also provided.

Abstract: A fluid working apparatus (100) having an inlet side and an outlet side with the at least one rotor (114) having a plurality of blades (115) positioned in the housing. A circumferential inlet area is defined on the inlet side of the rotor (114) and a circumferential outlet area is defined on the outlet side of the rotor (116). At least one return assembly (140, 142) is configured to return fluid flow from the outlet side of the rotor (114) to a circumferentially offset portion of the circumferential inlet area on the inlet side of the rotor (114) whereby a working fluid workingly engages a second subset of the rotor blades (115) before exiting the housing outlet (133). A method of working a fluid is also provided.

Abstract: A fluid working apparatus (100) including a housing structure (130) with an inlet (132) and an outlet (133). A working assembly positioned in the housing (130) has an inlet side and an outlet side with the at least one rotor (114) having a plurality of blades (115) positioned between the inlet and outlet sides. At least one return assembly (140, 142) is configured to return fluid flow from the outlet to the inlet side of the working assembly whereby a working fluid passes through the housing inlet (132), from the inlet side of the working assembly to the outlet side thereof while workingly engaging a first subset of the rotor blades (115), through the at least one return assembly (140, 142), from the inlet side of the working assembly to the outlet side thereof while workingly engaging a second subset of the rotor blades (115), and out of the housing outlet (133). A method of working a fluid is also provided.