Device for changing the pressure of a fluid

Abstract

A device for changing the pressure of a fluid having a shaft with rotor blades spiraling in a first direction located on the shaft. The rotor blades rotate adjacent stator vanes that spiral along a stator housing in a direction opposite the first direction. The device changes the pressure of a fluid from a pressure P1 to a pressure P2.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device, such as a compressor or vacuum pump, for changing the pressure of a fluid, such as water or air.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, devices, such as compressors or vacuum pumps, that change the pressure of a fluid, such as water or air, are well known to those skilled in the art. Such pressure changing devices can be found in a wide variety of applications including, but not limited to, jet watercraft, such as jet-skis®, turbo charges for vehicles, such as automobiles, jet engines and blowers for inflatable devices.

It is also well known that pressure changing devices take many different forms. One form of a pressure changing device is commonly known as an axial flow device since the fluid it moves travels generally parallel with respect to an axis of rotation of the device. Typically, in an axial flow device, a rotor is located within and parallel to a stator, to move fluid through the device.

It has been found that such axial flow devices for changing the pressure of a fluid can be unnecessarily heavy, large, complex, expensive to manufacture and repair, and in some instances, dangerous. A brief summary of such devices, as presented in U.S. patents, appears below.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,397,139 teaches a fluid unit having a pair of helices 34 and 34′ nested within each other and which rotate with the core 2. The mechanism also includes another pair of helices 35 and 36 which rotate with the core 2 and are intermeshed with helices 34 and 34′. An alternative embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG. 79 where a stationary shell 274 is located around a rotatable core 277. The patent states in column 10, lines 55-57 that the helices of the rotatable core rotate in cooperation with the outer helices with which they intermesh.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,401 provides for a helical down-hole machine for drilling but, due to the design of the machine, it may also be used as a pump. The machine has a plurality of segments wherein each segment is provided with rotor and stator elements adapted to cooperate with each other during operation. Each stator has a surface facing the rotor that is helically grooved. The rotor disposed within the stator is likewise provided with helical grooves. The patent indicates that the helical grooves of the stator and rotor form cavities of variable volume for the passage of fluid. The stator and rotors are respectively continuously formed at least within a single segment.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,232 teaches a device for moving fluid consisting of drive means having a spiral rotor which is located within a spiral stator. A pump means is included and is also taught to have a spiral rotor located within a spiral stator. The spiraled rotors of the drive means and the pump are depicted as continuous.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,204 provides for a helical gear pump comprised of an outer stator member with a female helical gear formation and an inner rotor rotatable within the stator having a helical male gear formation. The patent emphasizes that a good seal must be present at all times between the stator and the rotor for the pump to efficiently operate.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,819 teaches the use of carbon fibers for turbine blades. The blades are not wholly constructed of carbon fibers, but instead are comprised of a resin, the carbon fibers and a mineral filler.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,451 provides for a pump having an inlet housing provided with three helical vanes disposed on an interior surface of the housing. An impeller is provided which is comprised of a first conical surface and a plurality of vanes. The base of a second conical surface abuts the base of the first conical surface. The second conical surface is fitted with three helical discharge vanes.

Other related patents include U.S. Pat. No. 2,771,900 which provides for a continuous helical screw rotor on a conical impeller for fluid movement; U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,896 which provides for a continuous helical screw rotor interwoven with a continuous helical screw stator for fluid pumping; U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,810 which teaches a continuous helical screw rotor having a decreasing pitch in the direction of fluid flow; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,855 which provides for a pump having a root diameter of each rotor increasing, and the thread diameter of each rotor decreasing, in the direction of fluid flow. Additionally, the thickness of the rotors decreases in the direction of fluid flow.

In light of the above, it would advantageous to have an axial flow device for changing the pressure of a fluid that is lightweight, relatively compact, efficient in its design, inexpensive to manufacture and repair and also which is safe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device for changing the pressure of a fluid comprising a shaft having at least two substantially continuous rotor blades spiraling in a first direction from a leading portion of the shaft to a trailing portion of the shaft. The rotor blades rotate adjacent at least two substantially continuous, spiraling stator vanes. The stator vanes spiral in a direction opposite of the first direction to change the pressure of a fluid from a pressure P1 at the leading portion of the shaft to a pressure P2 at the trailing portion of the shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, exploded side view of a preferred embodiment of a rotor portion and a stator housing of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a rotor portion of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic side view of yet another embodiment of a rotor portion of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic, exploded, cut-away side view of the rotor portion and the stator housing take along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic, exploded, perspective view of the rotor portion and the stator housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic, perspective view of the rotor portion located in the stator housing;

FIG. 5 is a schematic, side view of the rotor portion located in a stator housing that has been partially cut-away;

FIG. 6 is a schematic, cut-away side view of a jet engine;

FIG. 7 is a schematic, exploded side view of another preferred embodiment of a rotor portion and a stator housing of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic, exploded, cut-away side view of the rotor portion and the stator housing taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic, exploded, perspective view of the rotor portion and the stator housing of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a schematic, exploded side view of another preferred embodiment of a rotor portion and a stator housing of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic, exploded, cut-away side view of the rotor portion and the stator housing take along lines 11-11 of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic, exploded, perspective view of the rotor portion and the stator housing of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 of the present invention, a rotor portion 20 comprising a shaft 22 and at least two rotor blades 24 located on the shaft 22, is depicted as exploded from a stator housing portion 26. The rotor blades 24 may be integrally formed with the shaft 22 or they may be separate pieces that are secured to the shaft 22. Preferably, at least the rotor blades 24 are constructed of a lightweight material, such as carbon fiber. The rotor blades 24 may also be constructed of other materials including, but not limited to, one or more metals, one or more composite materials and/or one or more polymers, such as a plastic material.

Regardless of the material from which the rotor blades 24 are constructed, it is preferred that they are substantially non-permeable to fluid. While fluid does not flow through the rotor blades 24 themselves, fluid does flow around the rotor blades 24.

Each rotor blade 24 preferably begins at a leading portion 28 of the shaft 22 and spirals along a central portion 30 of the shaft 22 where it preferably terminates at a trailing portion 32 of the shaft 22. Thus, the rotor blades 24 preferably extend substantially continuously from the leading portion 28 of the shaft 22 to the trailing portion 32 of the shaft 22. Preferably, the rotor blades 24 spiral along the shaft 22 in a first direction, as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

While the figures depict the rotor blades 24 spiraling along the shaft 22 in a first direction, it should be appreciated that the blades 24 can spiral along the shaft 22 in a direction opposite the first direction without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Each rotor blade 24 has a leading edge 34. As shown in FIG. 1, the leading edge 34 of each blade 24 extends from the leading portion 28 of the shaft 22 substantially perpendicularly to an axis of rotation 36 of the shaft 22. In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 1A, the leading edge 34 of each blade 24 is swept back toward the trailing portion 32 of the shaft 22. The angle at which the leading edge 34 of each blade 24 may be swept can very without departing from the scope of the invention. A swept leading edge 34 reduces drag on the rotor blade 24.

In yet another embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1B, the leading edge 34 of one or more rotor blades 24 may define a scoop 38. The scoop 38 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the axis of rotation 36 of the shaft 22 or it may be swept back and taper toward the trailing portion 32. It should also be appreciated the present invention may comprise rotor blades 24 having one or more leading edges 34 extending perpendicularly from the axis of rotation 36 of the shaft 22, one or more leading edges 34 that are swept back and/or one or more leading edges 34 that define a scoop 38.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3, including FIGS. 1A and 1B, the rotor blades 24 spiral toward the trailing portion 32 of the shaft 22 substantially equidistant from one another at a predetermined distance. It can be appreciated, however, that the rotor blades 24 may be located nearer one another, farther from one another and/or the distance between them may vary along the shaft 22.

FIGS. 1-3, including FIGS. 1A and 1B, also depict an outboard portion 40 of each rotor blade 24 having an upturned edge 42. It should be appreciated that it is not critical to the present invention for each rotor blade 24 to have an upturned edge 42 and that one, none, some or all of the rotor blades 24 can have an upturned edge 42. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to an upturned edge 42 that continues along each rotor blade 24 from the leading portion 28 of the shaft 22 to the trailing portion 32. Instead, the upturned portion 42 can extend for any portion of the rotor blade 24 or for portions of the rotor blade 24. An upturned edge 42 on the rotor blade 24 assists the fluid to transition from the rotor blade 24 to the stator vane in the housing portion 26, discussed in more detail below.

The rotor blades 24 depicted in the figures are shown extending from the shaft 22 at substantially the same angle, or pitch. The rotor blades 24 may extend from the shaft 22 at a pitch other than as depicted in the figures and it should be appreciated that the pitch can vary along the shaft 22. Additionally, the pitches of one or more rotor blades 24 can vary from each other.

The shaft 22 may be one-piece or multiple pieces secured together. The shaft 22 is preferably constructed of a lightweight material, such as carbon fiber, however, the present invention is not limited to just carbon fiber. Instead, the shaft may be constructed of one or more metals, one or more ceramics, one or more composite materials and/or one or more polymers, such as a plastic material.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 2 and 3, the shaft 22 is preferably an elliptical paraboloid, or cone-shaped, with the shaft 22 tapering down from the trailing portion 32 to the leading portion 28. The shaft 22 is depicted in the figures as substantially solid; however, this is not a prerequisite for the present invention. The shaft 22 may be hollow, partially solid or entirely solid.

In the embodiment where the shaft 22 is an elliptical paraboloid, the rotor blades 24 are wider adjacent the leading portion 28 of the shaft 22. The rotor blades 24 gradually decrease in width as they spiral along the shaft 22 so as to maintain a relatively constant overall diameter of the rotor portion 20.

The rotor blades 24 preferably have a relatively constant thickness from the leading portion 28 of the shaft 22 to the trailing portion 32 of the shaft 22. The present invention is not, however, limited to the rotor blades 24 having a relatively constant thickness over the entire shaft 22. Instead, the rotor blades 24 may be thicker near the leading portion 28 of the shaft 22 as compared to the trailing portion 32, or vice versa, and/or they may vary in thickness (T) along the shaft 22.

The housing portion 26 comprises an outer wall 44 that contains an inner wall 46. The inner wall 46 defines an inlet 48 and an outlet 50 for the housing portion 26. The inner wall 46 has a complimentary shape to the above-described shaft 22. For example, in the preferred embodiment of the shaft 22 of FIGS. 1-3, the inner wall 46 tapers downwardly from the inlet 48 to the outlet 50 to match the design of the shaft 22. Preferably, the taper is of a curvilinear fashion, although it is within the scope of the present invention to taper the inner wall 46 in a linear fashion.

At least two stator vanes 52 depend from the inner wall 46 and extend inwardly into an inner portion 54 of the housing portion 26. The stator vanes 52 may be integrally formed with the inner wall 46 or they may be separate pieces that are secured to the inner wall 46.

Preferably, at least the stator vanes 52 are constructed of a lightweight material, such as carbon fiber. The stator vanes 52 may also be constructed of other materials including, but not limited to, one or more metals, one or more ceramics, one or more composite materials and/or one or more polymers, such as a plastic material.

Regardless of the material from which the stator vanes 52 are constructed, it is preferred that they are substantially non-permeable to fluid. While fluid does not flow through the stator vanes 52 themselves, fluid does flow around the stator vanes 52.

Each stator vane 52 substantially begins at the inlet 48 and spirals substantially continuously along the inner wall 46 where each vane 52 terminates substantially at the outlet 50. Preferably, the stator vanes 52 spiral along the inner wall 46 in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction of the rotor blades 24.

It can be appreciated that it was mentioned above that the rotor blades 24 spiral along the shaft 22 in the first direction, as depicted in the figures, or in the opposite direction. Regardless of which direction the rotor blades 24 spiral along the shaft 22 in, the stator vanes 52 spiral in the opposite direction.

Each stator vane 52 has a leading edge 56. The leading edge 56 of each stator vane 52 extends from the inlet 48 substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation 36 of the shaft 22, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Alternatively, the leading edge 56 of each stator vane 52 may be swept back toward the outlet 50. A swept leading edge 56 on the stator vanes 52 helps reduce drag from the fluid.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the stator vanes 52 spiral toward the outlet 50 substantially equidistant from one another at a predetermined distance. It can be appreciated, however, that the stator vanes 52 may be located nearer one another, farther from one another and/or the distance between them may vary along the inner wall 46.

FIGS. 2-3, also depict an outboard portion 58 of each stator vane 52 having an upturned edge 60. It should be appreciated that it is not critical to the present invention for each stator vanes 52 to have an upturned edge 60 and that one, some, none or all of the stators vanes 52 can have an upturned edge 60. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to an upturned edge 60 that continues along each stator vane 52 from the inlet 48 to the outlet 50. Instead, the upturned edge 60 can extend for any portion of the stator vane 52 or portions of the stator vanes 52. An upturned edge 60 on the rotor blade 24 assists the fluid to transition from the rotor blade 24 to the stator vane 52.

In the embodiment where the shaft 22 is a paraboloid, the stator vanes 52 are wider adjacent the inlet 48. The stator vanes 52 gradually decrease in width as they spiral along the inner wall 46 to accommodate the wider base of the shaft 22 near the outlet 50. Preferably, the stator vanes 52 create a substantially constant inner diameter for the stator housing portion 26.

The stator vanes 52 preferably have relatively constant thicknesses from the inlet 48 to the outlet 50. The present invention is not, however, limited to the stator vanes 52 having a relatively constant thickness. Instead, the stator vanes 52 may be thicker near the inlet 48 than at the outlet 50, or vice versa, and/or they may vary in thickness along the inner wall 46.

The stator vanes 52 depicted in the figures are shown extending from the stator housing portion 26 at substantially the same angle, or pitch. The stator vanes 52 may extend from the stator housing portion 26 at a pitch other than as depicted in the figures. Further, the pitch of the stator vanes 52 can vary along the stator housing portion 26. Additionally, the various stator vanes 52 may be provided with various pitches that are not the same as one another.

Regardless of the size, shape, location or number of stator vanes 52, it can be appreciated that the stator vanes 52 counteract the spin imparted to the fluid from the rotor blades 24, also regardless of the size, shape, location or number of rotor blades 24. More particularly, the pitch of the stator vanes 52 assists in counteracting the spin imparted to the fluid from the rotor blades 24 and in converting the rotated fluid to an axial flow. The viscosity of the fluid is also a function of the extent to which the stators 52 counteract the spin imparted to the fluid.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the rotor portion 20 is preferably located in the housing portion 26 such that at least the initial portions of the leading edges 34 of the rotor blades 24 are substantially in the same horizontal plane as the leading edges 56 of the stator vanes 52. It should be appreciated, however, that the leading edges 56 of the rotor blades 24 and the leading edges 56 of the stator vanes 52 need not be aligned.

It can also be appreciated by referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 that the outboard portions 40 of the rotor blades 24 do not touch the outboard portions 58 of the stator vanes 52. Preferably, a small, constant gap 62 is located between the rotor blades 24 and the stator vanes 52, as shown in the figures. It is also within the scope of the present invention for this gap 62 to be a dimension other than as depicted in the figures. Further, it is within the scope of this invention for this gap 62 to vary in size over the length of the rotor portion 20 and the stator housing portion 26. Additionally, it is preferred that the rotor blades 24 are not intertwined with the stator vanes 52.

FIGS. 7-9 depict another embodiment of the present invention. Reference numbers used for FIGS. 1-5 described above are used for like features of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7-9, but are multiplied by 100.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9, a fan 64 is located on the leading portion 128 of the shaft 122. The fan 64 is comprised of a plurality of blades 66. The blades 66 may be integrally formed with the shaft 122 or they may be separately formed and secured to the shaft 122. Preferably, the blades 66 are constructed of a lightweight material, such as carbon fiber, although other materials, such as one or more metals, one or more ceramics, one or more polymers, and/or one or more composite materials, are within the scope of the present invention.

The blades 66 of the fan 64 preferably are oriented to have a complimentary twist to the rotor blades 124 on the shaft 122. The blades 66 of the fan 64, however, may be set at any angle with respect to the rotor blades 124 on the shaft 122.

The blades 66 of the fan 64 are depicted as having a larger diameter than the diameter of the shaft 122 and its rotor blades 124. It should be appreciated that the blades 66 of the fan 64 can be any diameter with respect to the rotor blades 124 of the shaft 122.

Preferably, the blades 66 of the fan 64 transition into the rotor blades 124. The fan blades 66 and the rotor blades 124 can be integrally formed as one piece, or they can be separately formed and attached to one another to create a smooth, preferably seamless, transition from one to the other.

As best seen in FIG. 8, the outer diameter of each rotor blade 124 decreases from the fan 64 to the trailing portion 132 of the shaft 122. FIG. 8 depicts the individual rotor blades 124 decreasing in diameter at different amounts from another. It is with the scope of the present invention, however, to have the individual rotor blades 124 decrease in diameter in the same amounts. Regardless of whether the individual rotor blades 124 decrease in diameter along the shaft 122 in the same amount or in different amounts from one another, it should be appreciated the stators 152 will have a complementary design.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, as best seen in FIG. 8, the housing portion 126 has an inlet 148 with an initial interior diameter large enough to receive the fan blades 66. Preferably, the fan blades 66 are located adjacent the inner wall 146 of the housing portion 126, but do not touch the inner wall 146.

As shown in FIG. 8, the inner wall 146 adjacent the fan blades 66 lack stator vanes 152. The present invention is not limited, however, to this depicted embodiment. Instead, stator vanes 152 can be located adjacent the fan blades 66 and extend toward the fan blades 66 to any extent. Where stator vanes 152 are located adjacent the fan blades 66, the diameter of the fan blades 66 is reduced to avoid contact with the stator vanes 152.

FIGS. 10-12 depict yet another embodiment of the present invention. Reference numbers used for FIGS. 1-5 described above are used for like features of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 10-12, but are multiplied by 200.

As before, a shaft 222 with at least two rotor blades 224 is provided. In this embodiment, however, the rotor blades 224 are not located, at least for a portion of the shaft 222, equidistant from one another. Instead, as shown in FIG. 10-12, the distance between the rotor blades 224 varies as the rotor blades 224 spiral along the shaft 222 toward the trailing portion 232.

FIGS. 10-12 depict the rotor blades 224 completing one or two turns around the leading portion 228 of the shaft 222 with a relatively constant distance between them before the distance between them gradually increases. It should be understood that this is merely one embodiment of the invention and that the distance between the rotor blades 224 can vary from the leading portion 228 to the trailing portion 232 of the shaft 222.

FIGS. 11 and 12 depict the housing portion 226 for the rotor portion 200 described above. The inner wall 246 of the housing portion 226 defines stator vanes 252 that spiral in an opposite direction from the rotor blades 224 but which have spaces that are substantially similar to the spaces between the rotor blades 224. It can be appreciated, however, that the spacing between the stator vanes 252 may vary with respect to the spacing between the rotor blades 224.

A brief description of the method of using the present invention, applicable to each of the embodiments disclosed above, but using reference number for the first embodiment, comprises locating the combined rotor portion 20 and stator housing portion 26 within a vehicle, such as a jet, a watercraft, an automobile, or any other vehicle where it is desirable to change the pressure of a fluid. It should be understood that the present invention is in no way limited to vehicles. For example, the present invention may be used as a blower, such as for inflatable devices, or as a vacuum pump.

In the exemplary embodiment of the jet engine 68 of FIG. 6, the rotor portion 20 is rotated within the housing portion 26 adjacent the stator vanes 52, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example. When the rotor portion 20 is rotated in a first direction, air enters the inlet 48 of the stator housing portion 26 at a first pressure P1. The first direction of rotation is counterclockwise. The air may be drawn into the inlet 48 by virtue of the rotor blades 24 rotating adjacent the stator vanes 52. Alternatively, if a fan 64 is located on the shaft 22, such as that depicted in FIGS. 7-9, the plurality of rotating blades 66 of the fan 64 pulls air into the inlet 48. Additionally, or alternatively, if the invention is part of the jet engine 68, as shown in FIG. 6, a fan 70 may be located upstream of the invention to force air into the inlet 48.

Once the air enters the inlet 48, the stator vanes 52 increase the pressure of the air and move the air substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 36 of the shaft 22. It can be appreciated that the amount the air is compressed is a function of many factors associated with the design of the rotor blades 24 and stator vanes 52 including, but not limited to, the spacing between the rotor blades 24 and the spacing between the stator vanes 52, the gap 62 between the stator vanes 52 and the rotor blades 24, the number of rotor blades 24 and stator vanes 52, the speed at which the shaft 22 is rotated, and the length of the device. The air exits the outlet 50 of the invention at a raised pressure P2.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the compressed air can be sent to a combustor 72 where fuel 74 is added and the mixture is burned. The combustion product is a high energy air flow that is passed through a turbine 76 to extract energy from the flow.

It can be appreciated that one or more scoops 38 located on the leading edges 34 of one or more of the rotor blades 24 can capture and draw additional air into the inlet 48. Leading edges 34, 56 on one or more of the rotor blades 24 and/or the stator vanes 52 that are swept will result in less fluid being drawn into the inlet 48. Further, the use of upturned outboard edges 42, 60 of one or more rotor blades 24 and/or stator vanes 52 help contain and direct the flow of fluid in the invention.

It can be appreciated that the present invention can function equally well as a vacuum device. By way of example only, if the shaft 22 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the stator vanes 52 will function to lower the pressure of air entering the inlet 48.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

1. A device for changing the pressure of a fluid, comprising: a shaft having at least two substantially continuous rotor blades spiraling in a first direction from a leading portion of said shaft to a trailing portion of said shaft, said rotor blades rotating adjacent at least two substantially continuous, spiraling stator vanes, said stator vanes spiraling in a direction opposite of said first direction, to change the pressure of a fluid from a pressure P1 at said leading portion of said shaft to a pressure P2 at said trailing portion of said shaft.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said pressure P1 is greater than said pressure P2.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said shaft is a paraboloid.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said fluid is located among said rotor blades and said stator vanes and flows between said leading portion and said trailing portion of said shaft.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein a first rotor blade decreases in diameter at a first amount along said shaft and a second rotor blade decreases in diameter at a second, different amount along said shaft.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein each of said rotor blades has an upturned outboard portion.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein each of said rotor blades has a leading edge portion that is swept back from said leading portion of said shaft.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein each of said stator vanes has an upturned outboard portion.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein each of said stator vanes has a leading edge portion that is swept back from an inlet portion of a stator housing, said stator vanes being attached to said stator housing.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least two rotor blades do not contact said at least two stator blades.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein each of said stator vanes decreases in diameter as said shaft increases in diameter from said leading portion to said trailing portion.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein each of said rotor blades decreases in diameter as said shaft increases in diameter from said leading portion to said trailing portion.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said fluid is air.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein said stator vanes extend into a hollow interior portion of said stator housing and wherein said interior portion has a longitudinal centerline and said shaft has a rotational axis and wherein said longitudinal centerline of said interior portion and said rotational axis of said shaft are aligned.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein a fan directs said fluid into said stator vanes and said rotor blades, and said stator vanes and rotor blades pressurize said fluid and direct said fluid into a combustor.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein said stator vanes and said rotor blades are constructed of carbon fiber.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the distance between said stator vanes changes along said shaft.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the distance between said rotor blades changes along said shaft.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of fan blades are located on said leading portion of said shaft, said fan blades transitioning into said rotor blades.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein said stator vanes and said rotor blades themselves are substantially nonpermeable but said fluid can flow between them.

21. A fluid compressor, comprising:

a stator housing having an inner wall and at least two substantially continuous stator vanes located on said inner wall, said stator vanes extending radially into a hollow inner portion of said stator housing from said inner wall and said stator vanes spiraling along said inner wall from an inlet of said stator housing to an outlet of said stator housing; and

at least two substantially continuous rotor blades spiraling from a forward portion of a shaft to a trailing portion of said shaft, said rotor blades spiraling in an opposite direction from said stator vanes;

wherein said shaft is located within said hollow inner portion of said stator housing such that said at least two rotor blades are free to rotate adjacent said at least two stator vanes to compress a fluid within said housing.

22. The fluid compressor of claim 21, wherein said fluid is air.

23. The fluid compressor of claim 26, wherein a fan directs said fluid into said stator vanes and said rotor blades, and said stator vanes and rotor blades direct said fluid into a combustor.

24. The fluid compressor of claim 21, wherein said stator vanes and said rotor blades are constructed of carbon fiber.

25. The fluid compressor of claim 21, wherein said stator vanes and said rotor blades themselves are substantially nonpermeable but said fluid can flow between them.

26. The fluid compressor of claim 21, wherein at least one of said rotor blades has an upturned side edge portion.

27. The fluid compressor of claim 21, wherein at least one of said rotor blades has a leading edge portion that is swept back from said leading portion of said shaft.

28. The fluid compressor of claim 21, wherein at least one of said stator vanes has an upturned side edge portion.

29. The fluid compressor of claim 26, wherein at least one of said stator vanes has a leading edge portion that is swept back from said inlet of said stator housing.

30. The fluid compressor of claim 21, wherein said at least two rotor blades do not contact said at least two stator vanes and said at least two rotor blades are not intertwined with said at least two stator vanes.

31. The fluid compressor of claim 21, wherein said interior portion of said housing has a longitudinal centerline and said shaft has a rotational axis and wherein said longitudinal centerline of said interior portion and said rotational axis of said shaft are aligned.

32. A compressor for a vehicle, comprising:

a fan having a plurality of rotating surfaces for drawing air into an engine;

a compressor located behind said fan for receiving at least a portion of said air from said fan and increasing the pressure of said air from an inlet of said compressor to an outlet of said compressor, said compressor comprised of at least two continuous stator vanes spiraling in a first direction and at least two continuous rotor blades spiraling in a direction opposite of said first direction adjacent said stator vanes;

a combustor for receiving pressurized air from said compressor, for adding fuel to said pressurized air and for igniting the fuel and pressurized air combination to produce a high energy air flow; and

a turbine located behind said combustor, where said high energy air flow acts on said turbine to cause said turbine to rotate.

33. The fluid compressor of claim 32, wherein said fluid is air.

34. The fluid compressor of claim 32, wherein said stator vanes and said rotor blades are constructed of carbon fiber.

35. The fluid compressor of claim 32, wherein said stator vanes and said rotor blades themselves are substantially nonpermeable but said fluid can flow between them.

36. The fluid compressor of claim 32, wherein at least one of said rotor blades has an upturned outboard portion.

37. The fluid compressor of claim 32, wherein at least one of said rotor blades has a leading edge portion that is swept back from a leading portion of said shaft.

38. The fluid compressor of claim 32, wherein at least one of said stator vanes has an upturned outboard portion.

39. The fluid compressor of claim 32, wherein at least one of said stator vanes has a leading edge portion that is swept back from an inlet of a housing on which said stator vanes are attached.

40. The fluid compressor of claim 32, wherein said at least two rotor blades are not intertwined with said at least two stator blades.

41. The fluid compressor of claim 32, wherein said housing has an interior portion having a longitudinal centerline and wherein said rotor blades are mounted on a shaft having a rotational axis, said shaft being rotatably mounted within said interior portion and wherein said longitudinal centerline of said interior portion and said rotational axis of said shaft are aligned.