Abstract: A fluid-working machine for a renewable energy generation device, the fluid-working machine comprising a ring cam and a plurality of working chambers, the ring cam having an annular working surface extending around an axis of rotation of the ring cam, the annular working surface defining a plurality of waves, each working chamber having a piston, each piston in operative engagement with the ring cam working surface, the ring cam and working chambers being mounted to rotate relative to each other, cycles of working chamber volume being thereby coupled to rotation of the ring cam relative to the working chambers, characterized in that the individual waves of the ring cam working surface have an asymmetric profile.

Abstract: A ring cam for a fluid-working machine is formed from a plurality of segments. The segments comprise a leading cooperating formation which has a piston facing surface which forms part of the working surface, at a trailing end, and which is recessed from the working surface at a leading end, and a trailing cooperating formation which has a piston facing surface which forms part of the working surface at a leading end, and which is recessed from the working surface at a trailing end. The segments having piston facing surfaces which are in compressive stress such as to partially or fully compensate for tensile stress arising from the action of rollers in use. The segments form a wavelike cam surface and attachment means are provided, through the working surface, on whichever of the leading or trailing surfaces thereof is subject to lowest forces from pistons in use.

Abstract: A variable displacement fluid working machine includes an inward ring and an outward ring, one of the inward ring and the outward ring including a rotatable ring cam coupled to a drive shaft, the other including a plurality of radially extending piston cylinders circumferentially spaced around the respective ring. The outward ring has first and second axially spaced structural members and a plurality of demountable blocks demountably retainable therebetween, the demountable blocks having either piston cylinders or ring cam segments. The demountable blocks are removable radially to facilitate maintenance and repair and to facilitate radial access to the inward ring.

Abstract: A fluid-working machine for a renewable energy generation device, the fluid-working machine comprising a ring cam and a plurality of working chambers, the ring cam having an annular working surface extending around an axis of rotation of the ring cam, the annular working surface defining a plurality of waves, each working chamber having a piston, each piston in operative engagement with the ring cam working surface, the ring cam and working chambers being mounted to rotate relative to each other, cycles of working chamber volume being thereby coupled to rotation of the ring cam relative to the working chambers, characterised in that the individual waves of the ring cam working surface have an asymmetric profile.

Abstract: A ring cam for a fluid-working machine is formed from a plurality of segments. The segments comprise a leading cooperating formation which has a piston facing surface which forms part of the working surface, at a trailing end, and which is recessed from the working surface at a leading end, and a trailing cooperating formation which has a piston facing surface which forms part of the working surface at a leading end, and which is recessed from the working surface at a trailing end. The segments having piston facing surfaces which are in compressive stress such as to partially or fully compensate for tensile stress arising from the action of rollers in use. The segments form a wavelike cam surface and attachment means are provided, through the working surface, on whichever of the leading or trailing surfaces thereof is subject to lowest forces from pistons in use.

Abstract: A ring cam for a fluid-working machine is formed from a plurality of segments. The segments have piston facing surfaces together defining a working surface of the fluid-working machine. The segments comprise a leading cooperating formation which has a piston facing surface which forms part of the working surface, at a trailing end, and which is recessed from the working surface at a leading end, and a trailing cooperating formation which has a piston facing surface which forms part of the working surface at a leading end, and which is recessed from the working surface at a trailing end. The cooperating formations interlock and rollers are thereby handed over smoothly from one segment to the next irrespective of slight variations in alignment due to manufacturing tolerance or wear.

Abstract: A fluid-working machine comprising a ring cam, at least one piston defining a working chamber, and at least one valve associated with the or each working chamber for connecting the working chamber alternately to low and high pressure manifolds in phased relationship to cycles of working chamber volume. The ring cam has a wave-like cam working surface for operative engagement with the at least one piston. The waves of the wave-like cam surface each having a leading face and a trailing face and discontinuities, such as apertures to retain bolts, are located in the working surface on whichever of the leading face and the trailing face the at least one piston does least work during normal operation resulting from the flow of fluid into and out of the working chamber in phased relationship to cycles of working chamber volume.

Abstract: A variable displacement fluid working machine includes an inward ring and an outward ring, one of the inward ring and the outward ring including a rotatable ring cam coupled to a drive shaft, the other including a plurality of radially extending piston cylinders circumferentially spaced around the respective ring. The outward ring has first and second axially spaced structural members and a plurality of demountable blocks demountably retainable therebetween, the demountable blocks having either piston cylinders or ring cam segments. The demountable blocks are removable radially to facilitate maintenance and repair and to facilitate radial access to the inward ring.

Abstract: A fluid-working machine for a renewable energy generation device, the fluid-working machine comprising a ring cam and a plurality of working chambers, the ring cam having an annular working surface extending around an axis of rotation of the ring cam, the annular working surface defining a plurality of waves, each working chamber having a piston, each piston in operative engagement with the ring cam working surface, the ring cam and working chambers being mounted to rotate relative to each other, cycles of working chamber volume being thereby coupled to rotation of the ring cam relative to the working chambers, characterised in that the individual waves of the ring cam working surface have an asymmetric profile.