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: The casing (1) of a positive displacement machine has a cylindrical internal surface (3) delimiting an operating chamber which accommodates an orbiting piston (4) having a cylindrical external surface. At least one of the said surfaces, e.g. the internal surface (3), is at least partly constituted by a peripheral wall (2) having a front surface facing the operating chamber and a rear surface. The peripheral wall (2) having through-slots (22) which extend parallel to one another and accommodate respective compliant strips (24) extending from the front surface to the rear surface. The strips (22) are retained in the slots (22), against pressure in the operating chamber, by a retaining device such as a clamping member (28). An assembly of three positive displacement machines and engines comprising first and second positive displacement machines are also described.

Abstract: A casing has a circular cylindrical internal surface delimiting an operating chamber. An orbiting piston is mounted so as to orbit about a chamber axis which is the axis of the internal surface. The orbiting piston has a circular cylindrical external surface, a generatrix of the external surface being adjacent to the said internal surface, and a diametrically opposite generatrix spaced form the internal surface. A vane member 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. A linkage connects the vane member to the orbiting piston to keep the tip face adjacent the external surface. At least one of the external and internal surfaces has individual compliant strips distributed around the one surface, which run parallel to one another, and project above the one surface.

Abstract: A rotary displacement machine includes a casing having a circular cylindrical internal surface and a rotor disposed in the chamber mounted to orbit about a chamber axis, with the rotor having a circular cylindrical external surface. A vane member is mounted on the casing and pivotable about a pivot axis parallel to the chamber axis. The vane member has a passage way communicating between the exterior of the casing and the operating chamber. A linkage connects the vane member to the rotor so as to keep a tip face of the vane member in sealing contact with an external surface of the rotor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine in combination with a rotary positive displacement fluid machine. The combination having a rotor eccentrically mounted in a casing with a plurality of vanes defining compartments within the casing which vary in volume as the rotor rotates. Each vane is connected to a linkage to cause the vane, during rotation of the rotor, to pivot radially outwardly such that the outermost extremity of each vane is constrained to follow closely the internal wall of the casing. The linkage being constrained to follow at least one track in a member rotatable upon the same axis as the casing. The machine being connected to an air inlet manifold of the engine, and to atmosphere, such that the rotor is driven by the pressure difference between ambient air and air at the inlet manifold. The machine also is operatively connected to an energy using device.

Abstract: A rotary positive-displacement fluid machine comprising a rotor eccentrically mounted in a casing for rotation about an axis, the rotor having recesses respectively receiving vanes which oscillate in the recesses as the rotor rotates. Each vane is connected by a crank to an arm for oscillation about a vane axis which is located inwards of the outer extremity of the tip which itself has a clearance fit within the casing. The tip of each vane is preferably curved about an axis parallel to the respective vane axis. The machine may be connected to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and driven by the pressure difference between the ambient air and that at the engine inlet manifold. Alternatively, the device may be operated as a heat pump.

Abstract: A rotary machine has a rotor eccentrically mounted in a casing and having a plurality of vanes connected to oscillating arms via cranks, the cranks having elements pivotally embracing a radial outer end of the arms. The arms can be radial. The rotor has outer axial parts connected to an intermediate part by grooves and rings resisting radial expansion. The rotary machine can be used in a fuel-injected engine for example to derive energy from the difference in air pressure between ambient and the inlet manifold.

Abstract: A data processor comprises a multifrequency receiver formed together with a central processor on a semiconductor substrate. The multifrequency receiver produces digital data for identifying a tone wave included in a multifrequency analog signal or produces an identification result in accordance with the condition of signal issued by the central processor. The multifrequency receiver is thereby operative to deal with tone waves which are flexible in type and input analog signals which are flexible in their frequency band, and has increased latitude of choice for the operational characteristics and function such as the number of sampling periods of input analog signals and the discrimination accuracy.