Abstract: A rotor can comprise a body having arcuate voids each presenting away from a rotation axis and, for each void, a vane. The vane is mounted to the body for pivotal movement between retracted and extended positions; is adapted to sweep the void in the manner in which a piston sweeps a cylinder during movement between the positions; and terminates in a tip. A stator defines the rotation axis; and has an annular surface which, in use, is swept by the tips during rotation of the body. The surface is positioned such that, in each rotation, each vane cycles between its extended and retracted positions. A sealing arrangement defines a pair of ports and, in combination with the rotor and stator, defines, in use, chambers that increase in volume when in communication with one of the ports and that decrease in volume when in communication with the other of the ports.

Abstract: A rotor can comprise a body having arcuate voids each presenting away from a rotation axis and, for each void, a vane. The vane is mounted to the body for pivotal movement between retracted and extended positions; is adapted to sweep the void in the manner in which a piston sweeps a cylinder during movement between the positions; and terminates in a tip. A stator defines the rotation axis; and has an annular surface which, in use, is swept by the tips during rotation of the body. The surface is positioned such that, in each rotation, each vane cycles between its extended and retracted positions. A sealing arrangement defines a pair of ports and, in combination with the rotor and stator, defines, in use, chambers that increase in volume when in communication with one of the ports and that decrease in volume when in communication with the other of the ports.

Abstract: An improvement to an expander is disclosed. The expander is of the type that has vanes that extend and retract from a rotor body during rotation and create chambers that increase and decrease in size. The improvement comprises, for each vane, for each vane, a pivot axis orientated parallel to the rotational axis and about which said each vane pivots between the extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A rotary machine is provided, having a stator forming a chamber for a rotor, the stator having two sidewalls defining opposite sides of the chamber and a substantially continuous, circumferentially extending inner wall, and at least one inlet and outlet. A rotor and stator define two cavities at opposite ends of the chamber. The rotor has at least two radially extending slots and at least two radially movable vanes having first and second primary rollers and first and second secondary rollers mounted on a radially inward section of the vane. Two roller cam devices are each provided on a respective one of the stator side walls and are positioned centrally adjacent opposite sides of the rotor. In use, outer tips of the vanes slidingly engage the inner wall of the stator. The primary rollers limit outward vane movement due to centrifugal forces. Secondary rollers limit and control inward vanes movement.

Abstract: A rotary machine is provided, having a stator forming a chamber for a rotor, the stator having two sidewalls defining opposite sides of the chamber and a substantially continuous, circumferentially extending inner wall, and at least one inlet and outlet. A rotor and stator define two cavities at opposite ends of the chamber. The rotor has at least two radially extending slots and at least two radially movable vanes having first and second primary rollers and first and second secondary rollers mounted on a radially inward section of the vane. Two roller cam devices are each provided on a respective one of the stator side walls and are positioned centrally adjacent opposite sides of the rotor. In use, outer tips of the vanes slidingly engage the inner wall of the stator. The primary rollers limit outward vane movement due to centrifugal forces. Secondary rollers limit and control inward vanes movement.