Abstract: A counterweight assembly for counteracting vibrations or other forces in an appliance or machine includes a body and a funnel coupled to the body. The body includes an outer surface and an inner surface that defines an internal cavity that is adapted to receive a heavy aggregate material to form a counterweight. The funnel extends outwardly from the body and is adapted to deliver the heavy aggregate material to the internal cavity of the body.

Abstract: An intermediate duct (108) is connected between first and second positive displacement machines (104, 106). An inlet duct (107) is connected to the first positive displacement machine (104). An outlet duct (109) is connected to the second positive displacement machine (106). A heater (102) raises the temperature and pressure of a gaseous working fluid in the intermediate duct (108). There is a kinematic connection (111) between the first and second positive displacement machines (104, 106) and the arrangement is such that, in operation, the first positive displacement machine (104) causes the working fluid to flow through the intermediate duct (108) to the second positive displacement machine (106), the heated working fluid drives the second positive displacement machine (106), and the second positive displacement machine (106) drives the first positive displacement machine (104) via the kinematic connection (111). The positive displacement machines include at least one orbiting piston.

Abstract: A casing 1 has a circular cylindrical internal surface 3 delimiting an operating chamber. An orbiting piston 4 in the operating chamber is mounted so as to orbit about a chamber axis which is the axis of the internal surface 3. The orbiting piston 4 has a circular cylindrical external surface 11, a generatrix of the external surface being adjacent to the said internal surface, and a diametrically opposite generatrix being spaced from the said internal surface. A vane member 17 mounted on the casing 1 has a tip face which faces the external surface of the orbiting piston and which has a length substantially equal to that of the orbiting piston 4. A linkage 71 connects the vane membe 17r to the orbiting piston 4 so as to keep the tip face of the vane member adjacent the external surface 11 of the orbiting piston.

Abstract: A casing (1) with a circular cylindrical internal surface (3) delimits an operating chamber. A rotor (4) orbits about a chamber axis which is the axis of the internal surface (3). The rotor (4) has a circular cylindrical external surface (11), a generatrix of which is adjacent to the internal surface (3), a diametrically opposite genetrix being spaced from the internal surface (3). A vane member (17), mounted on the casing (1) and pivotable about a pivot axis parallel to the chamber axis, is accommodated in a fluid inlet/outlet aperture (18) in the casing, the vane member having a passageway (17a) communicating between the exterior of the casing and the operating chamber.