Abstract: An axial vane rotary device includes members defining an outer wing and an inner wing, both of which are affixed to the rotor for rotation therewith. The outer wing defines a surface that carries the radially outer ends of the vanes for axial movement thereon. The outer wing forms a seal between the radially outer end of the vanes and the inner face of the annular outer wall of the stator. In addition frictional wear of the vanes is substantially reduced by elimination of sliding contact between the radially outer ends of the vanes and the stationary annular outer wall of the stator. The inner wing axially slidably carries the radially inner ends of the vanes. In this manner, excessive wear on the radially outer and radially inner ends of the vanes is substantially reduced since the only frictional wear experienced by the ends of the vanes is due to the axial movement of the vanes in the rotor slots. Leakage between the inner housing and the rotor is essentially eliminated by the inner wing.

Abstract: An improved vane for axial vane rotary devices such as pumps, compressors and expanders comprising at a pair of axially movable inner housing seal pieces defining and upper camming surface and a lower edge. The vanes are provided with spaces for receiving the seal pieces and the spaces have at least one edge corresponding to the camming surface of the seal piece. In one embodiment a median portion of a single piece vane is cut away to define a space in which the seal pieces are received. In another embodiment the vane is divided into two axially slidable sections and a corner portion of each section is cut away to provide a space for receiving a seal piece. During operation the seal pieces are cammed radially downward during axial movement to bring the lower edge of the seal piece into contact with the inner housing of the device rotor to improve sealing and reduce leakage of pressurized fluid between the vane and the inner housing.

Abstract: A microturbine for the generation of mechanical and electrical power comprising a positive displacement axial vane rotary compressor and an axial vane rotary expander. The compressor and expander are joined by a common shaft. The system further includes at least one combustor for heating a driving fluid prior to its entering the expander. The driving fluid, such as air, enters the compressor at ambient conditions of pressure and temperature and is compressed. The compressed driving fluid is preheated by the exhaust from the expander, then passes through a combustor to bring its temperature to a desired expander inlet temperature and then enters the expander where the expansion force of the hot driving fluid acting against the vanes of the expander is translated into rotation of the common shaft for driving both the compressor and a suitable power device such as an electrical generator.

Abstract: A rotary apparatus includes a stationary stator having an internal cylindrical chamber. A rotor is rotatably mounted in the chamber. There are cam-like annular surfaces on the stator to each side of the rotor. A plurality of vane assemblies are slidably mounted on the rotor. The vane assemblies each have two outer ends. These slidingly engage the cam-like annular surfaces, whereby gases between the vane assemblies are compressed and expand between the cam-like surfaces and the rotor as the rotor and vanes rotate relative to the stator. Preferably each of the vane assemblies has two separate components, each outer end being on one of the components. The apparatus has a conduit for conducting compressed gases between the two components of each of the vane assemblies and thereby biasing each of the components towards one of the cam-like annular surfaces.

Abstract: A microturbine for the generation of mechanical and electrical power comprising a positive displacement axial vane rotary compressor and an axial vane rotary expander. The compressor and expander are joined by a common shaft. The system further includes at least one combustor for heating a driving fluid prior to its entering the expander. The driving fluid, such as air, enters the compressor at ambient conditions of pressure and temperature and is compressed. The compressed driving fluid is preheated by the exhaust from the expander, then passes through a combustor to bring its temperature to a desired expander inlet temperature and then enters the expander where the expansion force of the hot driving fluid acting against the vanes of the expander is translated into rotation of the common shaft for driving both the compressor and a suitable power device such as an electrical generator.