Abstract: A rotary device includes a shaft, a rotor coupled to the shaft, and a stator having a cam surface. Vanes reside within slots of the rotary device and engage with the cam surface. A first seal couples to the rotor and includes first grooves that extend in a direction substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the shaft. A second seal couples to the stator and includes second grooves extending in the direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis. A third seal couples to the rotor and includes third grooves extending in the direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis. A fourth seal couples to the stator and includes fourth grooves extending in the direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis. The first grooves and the second grooves, as well as the third grooves and the fourth grooves, from labyrinth seals for the chambers of the rotary device.

Abstract: A modified two-phase refrigeration cycle compresses a working fluid, condenses the working fluid into a saturated or supercooled liquid, expands the saturated or supercooled liquid into a two-phase fluid, and evaporates the two-phase working fluid. The modified two-phase refrigeration cycle reduces irreversibilities imposed by conventional refrigeration cycles and extracts energy from the working fluid during the expansion process. For instance, a system that employs the modified two-phase refrigeration cycle includes a two-phase expander to reduce irreversibilities during an expansion process and extract energy. In some instances, the system includes a two-phase compressor to compress two-phase fluids for varying loads and environmental conditions of the system.

Abstract: A system including a pump, a boiler coupled to the pump, a turbine coupled to the boiler, a two-phase expander coupled to the turbine, and a condenser coupled to the two-phase expander and the pump.

Abstract: Prime movers are provided that can include: a fixed member in operational relationship to a rotating member; a reciprocating vane assembly operationally engaged with the rotating member; and a track member about the rotating member and engaging the reciprocating vane assembly. Engines are provided that can include: a stator in operational relationship to a rotor; a reciprocating vane assembly operationally engaged with the rotor; and a track member about the rotor and engaging the reciprocating vane assembly. Processes for powering a prime mover are also provided, the processes can include engaging vanes between a fixed member and rotating member to create compression and expansion zones, the engaging comprising guiding the vanes from a track member about the rotating member.

Abstract: Prime movers are provided that can include: a pair of cylindrical members about a center rod, a fixed member about the center rod between the pair of cylindrical members; wherein the pair of cylindrical members rotate with the center rod in relation to the fixed member; a housing extending between the cylindrical members; and a plurality of chambers between the opposing bases of the cylindrical members and the fixed member. Methods for rotating members in relation to a fixed member are also provided. The methods can include rotating a pair of cylindrical members in relation to a fixed member about a center rod along a shared axis within a housing extending between the pair of cylindrical members.

Abstract: Electricity generators are provided that can include: members having opposing bases that include chambers to facilitate the conversion of source energy to mechanical energy with one of the members rotating in relation to another of the members and a housing about the rotating member. Generator components can be operably engaged to the housing and rotating member to generate electricity. Methods for generating electricity are also provided. The methods can include: rotating a first cylindrical member in relation to a fixed second member about a center rod along a shared axis within a housing; and generating electricity between conductive components along both the sidewalls of the first cylindrical member and the housing.

Abstract: A rotary device comprises a stator and a rotor. The stator has a cam surface. The rotor has a sleeve and a hub. There is a plurality of vanes reciprocatingly mounted on the rotor. There is a plurality of first longitudinal edge seals disposed on the sleeve. The first longitudinal edge seals each seal at least a portion of a first longitudinal edge of one of the vanes against the sleeve. There is a plurality of second longitudinal edge seals disposed on the hub. The second longitudinal edge seals each seal at least a portion of a second longitudinal edge of one of the vanes against the hub. There is a plurality of end edge seals. The end edge seals each seal a respective end edge of one of the vanes against the cam surface. The end edge seals each are in sealing engagement with respective ones of the first and second longitudinal edge seals.

Abstract: An axial vane rotary device (14) includes a stator (16) with a cylindrical internal chamber (34) defined an annular outer wall (40) and two side walls (36, 38) of the stator. Each side wall has an annular cam surface (42, 44). A rotor (54) is rotatably mounted within the chamber. The rotor has an annular outer wall (66) and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart, axially extending slots (64) extending therethrough. A vane (68) is slidably received in each slot. The vanes reciprocate axially and alternatively expand and compress spaces between adjacent vanes and the cam surfaces as the rotor rotates. The cam surfaces have alternating first portions (92) and second portions (90). The second portions are further from the rotor than the second portions. The first portions of one said cam surface are aligned with second portions of another said cam surface. The slots extend radially outwards on the rotor to the annular outer wall thereof.

Abstract: An axial vane rotary device (14) includes a stator (16) with a cylindrical internal chamber (34) defined an annular outer wall (40) and two side walls (36, 38) of the stator. Each side wall has an annular cam surface (42, 44). A rotor (54) is rotatably mounted within the chamber. The rotor has an annular outer wall (66) and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart, axially extending slots (64) extending therethrough. A vane (68) is slidably received in each slot. The vanes reciprocate axially and alternatively expand and compress spaces between adjacent vanes and the cam sur-faces as the rotor rotates. The cam surfaces have alternating first portions (92) and second portions (90). The second portions are further from the rotor than the second portions. The first portions of one said cam surface are aligned with second portions of another said cam surface. The slots extend radially outwards on the rotor to the annular outer wall thereof.