Abstract: A positive-displacement pump or turbine includes a rotor casing that defines a rotor chamber having a contoured wall that forms a plurality of lobes. A rotor is positioned within the rotor chamber, and has an outer rotor surface spaced inward from the contoured wall at the lobes. Vanes are mounted around the outer rotor surface, and structures associated with the vanes follow a track or groove defined by the rotor chamber as the rotor spins, thereby forcing the vanes radially inwardly and outwardly to follow a curvature of the contoured wall.

Abstract: Exchanger devices include a plurality of fixed exchange ducts and a rotating valve assembly for directing flow to and from the plurality of exchange ducts. Methods of exchanging pressure between fluid streams may include directing fluids through an exchange device and pressurizing a fluid in the plurality of exchange ducts of the exchanger device.

Abstract: A positive-displacement unitary pump and turbine is operable as a fluid energy exchanger using a charging fluid as motive force and acting upon a separate feed fluid that exits the turbine at an elevated energy state. The rotor casing defines a rotor chamber having a contoured wall that forms a plurality of lobes, typically in an even number. Each lobe has an inlet port and an outlet port defined by the contoured wall, and the rotor has a plurality of vanes that follow the contoured wall as the rotor spins. The rotor is driven by the charging fluid entering first and second lobes, located generally opposite one another, and exiting the lobes at a lower energy state. The driven rotor is operable to elevate the energy level of a feed fluid in third and fourth lobes, located generally opposite one another.

Abstract: Exchanger devices include a plurality of fixed exchange ducts and a rotating valve assembly for directing flow to and from the plurality of exchange ducts. Methods of exchanging pressure between fluid streams may include directing fluids through an exchange device and pressurizing a fluid in the plurality of exchange ducts of the exchanger device.

Abstract: Exchanger devices include a plurality of fixed exchange ducts and a rotating valve assembly for directing flow to and from the plurality of exchange ducts. Methods of exchanging pressure between fluid streams may include directing fluids through an exchange device and pressurizing a fluid in the plurality of exchange ducts of the exchanger device.

Abstract: A positive-displacement unitary pump and turbine is operable as a fluid energy exchanger using a charging fluid as motive force and acting upon a separate feed fluid that exits the turbine at an elevated energy state. The rotor casing defines a rotor chamber having a contoured wall that forms a plurality of lobes, typically in an even number. Each lobe has an inlet port and an outlet port defined by the contoured wall, and the rotor has a plurality of vanes that follow the contoured wall as the rotor spins. The rotor is driven by the charging fluid entering first and second lobes, located generally opposite one another, and exiting the lobes at a lower energy state. The driven rotor is operable to elevate the energy level of a feed fluid in third and fourth lobes, located generally opposite one another.

Abstract: Exchanger devices include a plurality of fixed exchange ducts and a rotating valve assembly for directing flow to and from the plurality of exchange ducts. Methods of exchanging pressure between fluid streams may include directing fluids through an exchange device and pressurizing a fluid in the plurality of exchange ducts of the exchanger device.