US2010003152A1PendingUtilityA1

Gerotor apparatus for a quasi-isothermal brayton cycle engine

Assignee: TEXAS A & M UNIV SYSPriority: Jan 23, 2004Filed: Jan 21, 2005Published: Jan 7, 2010
Est. expiryJan 23, 2024(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
F01C 11/004F04C 11/003F01C 17/04F01C 21/008F04C 2/10F01C 19/085F01C 21/04F01C 1/10F01C 1/104F01C 21/06F04C 15/0003F01C 17/06F01C 21/00
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Claims

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 a first gerotor;   a second gerotor; and   a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor, the synchronizing system including:
 a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, the cam plate including a plurality of cams; and 
 an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor, the alignment plate including at least one alignment member; 
 wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. 
   
   
   
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       17 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 an outer gerotor defining an outer gerotor chamber and rotatable about a first axis;   an inner gerotor disposed at least partially within the outer gerotor chamber and rotatable about a second axis offset from the first axis;   a synchronizing system housing disposed at least partially within the inner gerotor, the synchronizing system housing not rotatable about either the first or second axis; and   a synchronizing system substantially disposed within the synchronizing system housing, the synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the outer gerotor with a rotation of the inner gerotor.   
   
   
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       20 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 an outer gerotor rotatable about a first axis;   an inner gerotor disposed at least partially within the outer gerotor and rotatable about a second axis offset from the first axis, the inner gerotor including a lubricant channel and a lubricant channel opening formed in an outer surface of the inner gerotor;   wherein the lubricant channel is operable to transport a fluid lubricant through the lubricant channel opening to provide lubrication between the outer surface of the inner gerotor and an inner surface of the outer gerotor during rotation of the inner gerotor relative to the outer gerotor.   
   
   
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       32 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 a first face;   a second face generally opposite the first face;   an outer gerotor at least partially defining an the outer gerotor chamber;   an inner gerotor disposed at least partially within the outer gerotor chamber;   a fluid inlet port formed in the first face of the gerotor apparatus, the fluid inlet port allowing fluid to enter the outer gerotor chamber; and   a fluid outlet port formed in the second face of the gerotor apparatus, the fluid outlet port allowing fluid to exit the outer gerotor chamber.   
   
   
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       38 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a vacuum chamber including a first portion and a second portion;   a gerotor disposed between the first portion and the second portion of the vacuum chamber, the gerotor including:
 a first face interfacing with the first portion of the vacuum chamber; 
 a second face generally opposite the first face and interfacing with the second portion of the vacuum chamber; 
 an outer gerotor at least partially defining an the outer gerotor chamber; 
 an inner gerotor disposed at least partially within the outer gerotor chamber; 
 a fluid inlet port formed in the first face of the gerotor apparatus, the fluid inlet port allowing fluid to enter the outer gerotor chamber; and 
 a fluid outlet port formed in the second face of the gerotor apparatus, the fluid outlet port allowing fluid to exit the outer gerotor chamber. 
   
   
   
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       40 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 a first face;   a second face generally opposite the first face;   a first outer gerotor at least partially defining a first outer gerotor chamber;   a second outer gerotor rigidly coupled to the first outer gerotor and at least partially defining a second outer gerotor chamber;   a first inner gerotor disposed at least partially within the first outer gerotor chamber;   a second inner gerotor disposed at least partially within the second outer gerotor chamber;   a first fluid inlet port and a first fluid outlet port proximate the first face, the first fluid inlet port allowing fluid to enter the first outer gerotor chamber, and the first fluid outlet port allowing fluid to exit the first outer gerotor chamber;   a second fluid inlet port and a second fluid outlet port proximate the second face, the second fluid inlet port allowing fluid to enter the second outer gerotor chamber, and the second fluid outlet port allowing fluid to exit the second outer gerotor chamber; and   a rotatable shaft coupled to the rigidly coupled first and second outer gerotors by one or more gears such that rotation of the rigidly coupled first and second outer gerotors causes rotation of the shaft.   
   
   
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       53 . An engine system, comprising:
 an expander comprising:
 an inner expander gerotor; and 
 an outer expander gerotor; and 
   a compressor comprising:
 an inner compressor gerotor; and 
 an outer compressor gerotor; 
   the inner compressor gerotor including an outer surface adjacent the outer compressor gerotor;   the outer compressor gerotor including an inner surface adjacent the inner compressor gerotor;   at least a portion of at least one of the outer surface of the inner compressor gerotor and the inner surface of the outer compressor gerotor is formed from a low-friction material; and   a rotatable shaft coupled to the rigidly coupled first and second outer gerotors by one or more gears such that rotation of the rigidly coupled first and second outer gerotors causes rotation of the shaft.   
   
   
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       77 . An engine system, comprising:
 a housing;   an expander comprising:
 an inner expander gerotor; and 
 an outer expander gerotor having a diameter; and 
   a compressor comprising:
 an inner compressor gerotor; and 
 an outer compressor gerotor having a diameter; 
   an outer gerotor support rigidly coupled to the outer expander gerotor and the outer compressor gerotor and rotatably coupled to the housing, the outer gerotor support having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer expander gerotor and the diameter of the outer compressor gerotor.   
   
   
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       80 . A system, comprising:
 a housing;   an expander comprising:
 an outer expander gerotor at least partially defining an outer expander gerotor chamber; and 
 an inner expander gerotor at least partially disposed within the outer expander gerotor chamber; and 
   a compressor comprising:
 an outer compressor gerotor at least partially defining an outer compressor gerotor chamber; and 
 an inner compressor gerotor at least partially disposed within the outer compressor gerotor chamber; 
   wherein the system is operable to produce power from energy in the form of compressed gas exiting the outer compressor gerotor chamber.   
   
   
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       85 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 a housing;   a rotatable outer gerotor disposed at least partially within the housing, the outer gerotor at least partially defining an outer gerotor chamber;   a rotatable inner gerotor disposed at least partially within the outer gerotor chamber; and   a seal formed between the housing and the outer gerotor, the seal operable to restrict the passage of fluid between the outer gerotor chamber and a region outside the outer gerotor chamber.   
   
   
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       92 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 a housing;   a rotatable outer gerotor disposed at least partially within the housing, the outer gerotor at least partially defining an outer gerotor chamber; and   a rotatable inner gerotor disposed at least partially within the outer gerotor chamber;   the inner gerotor including an outer surface adjacent the outer gerotor;   the outer gerotor including an inner surface adjacent the inner gerotor;   wherein at least a portion of at least one of the outer surface of the inner gerotor and the inner surface of the outer gerotor is formed from a low-friction material; and   wherein the outer gerotor and inner gerotor are operable to cooperate to pump a liquid through the outer gerotor chamber.   
   
   
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       120 . An engine system, comprising:
 a housing;   an expander comprising:
 an outer expander gerotor defining an outer expander gerotor chamber and disposed at least partially within the housing; 
 an inner expander gerotor disposed at least partially within the outer expander gerotor; and 
   a compressor comprising:
 an outer compressor gerotor defining an outer compressor gerotor chamber and disposed at least partially within the housing, the outer compressor gerotor rigidly coupled to the outer expander gerotor; and 
 an inner compressor gerotor disposed at least partially within the outer compressor gerotor and rigidly coupled to the inner expander gerotor; and 
   wherein the outer compressor gerotor and outer expander gerotor are rotatably coupled to the housing by one or more bearings; and   wherein the inner compressor gerotor and inner expander gerotor are rotatably coupled to the housing by one or more bearings located proximate the inner compressor gerotor.   
   
   
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       128 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 a rotatable outer gerotor;   an alignment guide associated with the outer gerotor;   a rotatable inner gerotor disposed at least partially within the outer gerotor;   one or more sockets associated with the inner gerotor; and   one or more alignment members mounted within the one or more sockets and traveling along the alignment guide to synchronize a rotation of the outer gerotor with a rotation of the inner gerotor.   
   
   
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       133 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 a rotatable outer gerotor;   one or more sockets associated with the outer gerotor;   a rotatable inner gerotor disposed at least partially within the outer gerotor;   an alignment guide associated with the inner gerotor; and   one or more alignment members mounted within the one or more sockets and traveling along the alignment guide to synchronize a rotation of the outer gerotor with a rotation of the inner gerotor.   
   
   
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       138 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 a housing having a plurality of openings formed in a sidewall of the housing;   an outer gerotor disposed within the housing and rotatable with respect to the housing, the outer gerotor having an inlet port and an inner chamber;   an inner gerotor disposed within the inner chamber and rotatably coupled to a first end of the housing;   an exit pipe rigidly coupled to the first end of the housing; and   the inner gerotor having a plurality of tips, each tip having a passageway in fluid communication with the exit pipe.   
   
   
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       157 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 a housing having a plurality of openings formed in a sidewall of the housing;   an outer gerotor disposed within the housing and rotatable with respect to the housing, the outer gerotor having an inlet port and an inner chamber;   an inner gerotor disposed within the inner chamber and rotatably coupled to a first end of the housing;   an exit pipe rigidly coupled to the first end of the housing;   the inner gerotor having a pair of tips, each tip having a passageway in fluid communication with the exit pipe; and   the exit pipe including a projecting portion operable to block the passageway of a respective tip at predetermined positions of the inner and outer gerotors.   
   
   
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       163 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 a housing having a plurality of openings formed in a sidewall of the housing;   an outer gerotor disposed within the housing and rotatable with respect to the housing, the outer gerotor having an inlet port and an inner chamber;   an inner gerotor disposed within the inner chamber and rotatably coupled to a first end of the housing;   an exit pipe rigidly coupled to the first end of the housing;   the inner gerotor having a plurality of tips, each tip having a passageway in fluid communication with the exit pipe; and   a plurality of check valves associated with respective ones of the passageways.   
   
   
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       169 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 a housing having a plurality of openings formed in a sidewall of the housing;   an outer gerotor disposed within the housing and rotatable with respect to the housing, the outer gerotor having an inlet port and an inner chamber;   an inner gerotor disposed within the inner chamber and rotatably coupled to a first end of the housing;   an exit pipe rigidly coupled to the first end of the housing;   the inner gerotor having a pair of tips, each tip having a passageway in fluid communication with the exit pipe;   a plurality of check valves associated with respective ones of the passageways; and   a synchronizing system operable to control the rotation of the inner gerotor relative to the outer gerotor, the synchronizing system comprising an alignment member aligned with an alignment guide.   
   
   
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       177 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 a housing having an intake port formed therein and an exhaust port formed in a first endwall of the housing;   an outer gerotor rotatably coupled within the housing, the outer gerotor having an inlet port, an inner chamber, and an outlet port formed in a faceplate of the outer gerotor;   an inner gerotor disposed within the inner chamber and rotatably coupled to a first end of the housing; and   wherein the outlet port of the outer gerotor aligns with the exhaust port of the housing intermittently during rotation of the outer gerotor.   
   
   
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       189 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 a stationary outer gerotor having at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port formed in a sidewall of the outer gerotor and an inner chamber;   a first shaft rotatably coupled to the outer gerotor;   a disk coupled to the first shaft;   a second shaft coupled to the disk and offset from the axis of rotation of the first shaft; and   an inner gerotor disposed within the inner chamber and rotatably coupled to the second shaft such that the inner gerotor rotates and orbits within the inner chamber during operation of the apparatus.   
   
   
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       197 . An engine system, comprising:
 a compressor section comprising:
 an inner compressor gerotor; and 
 an outer compressor gerotor; 
   an expander section comprising:
 an outer expander gerotor formed from a ceramic disposed within the housing and rigidly coupled to the outer compressor gerotor; and 
 an inner expander gerotor formed from a ceramic rigidly coupled to the inner compressor gerotor and disposed within the outer expander gerotor; 
   a rotatable hollow shaft coupled to the inner expander gerotor, the hollow shaft having a primary passageway;   a disk coupled to the hollow shaft and having a plurality of secondary passageways in fluid communication with the primary passageway of the hollow shaft such that air drawn in through the primary and secondary passageways via centrifugal force during operation of the engine system directs the air toward the outer expander gerotor.   
   
   
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       210 . An engine system, comprising:
 a compressor section comprising:
 an inner compressor gerotor; and 
 an outer compressor gerotor; 
   an expander section comprising:
 a perforated housing; 
 a heat sink disposed within the housing and rigidly coupled to the outer compressor gerotor; 
 an outer expander gerotor formed from a ceramic, an upper portion of the outer expander gerotor being segmented and rigidly coupled to the heat sink; and 
 an inner expander gerotor formed from a ceramic rigidly coupled to the inner compressor gerotor and disposed within the outer expander gerotor. 
   
   
   
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       220 . The system of  claim 210 , wherein:
 the inner compressor gerotor including an outer surface adjacent the outer compressor gerotor;   the outer compressor gerotor including an inner surface adjacent the inner compressor gerotor; and   at least a portion of at least one of the outer surface of the inner compressor gerotor and the inner surface of the outer compressor gerotor is formed from a low-friction material.   
   
   
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       222 . An engine system, comprising:
 a compressor section comprising:
 an inner compressor gerotor; and 
 an outer compressor gerotor; 
   an expander section comprising:
 a perforated housing; 
 a spring cup disposed within the housing and rigidly coupled to the outer compressor gerotor, the spring cup having a plurality of longitudinal fingers each with a radial protrusion disposed at an end thereof; 
 a heat sink coupled to an outside of the spring cup; 
 an outer expander gerotor formed from a ceramic, an lower portion of the outer expander gerotor having a circumferential groove configured to engage the radial protrusions of the spring cup; and 
 an inner expander gerotor formed from a ceramic rigidly coupled to the inner compressor gerotor and disposed within the outer expander gerotor. 
   
   
   
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       231 . A tip-breathing gerotor, comprising:
 a plurality of openings circumferentially spaced around a wall of the gerotor; and   means for providing support to the wall.   
   
   
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       235 . A face-breathing gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 a housing having an upper valve plate and a lower valve plate;   an outer gerotor disposed within the housing and rotatable with respect to the housing, the outer gerotor having a plurality of slots formed in upper and lower ends thereof; and   an inner gerotor disposed within the outer gerotor and rotatably coupled to a rigid shaft coupled to a first end of the housing.   
   
   
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       240 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 an outer gerotor having a plurality of outer gerotor tips;   an inner gerotor disposed within the outer gerotor and having a plurality of inner gerotor tips; and   wherein a portion of each of the outer gerotor tips is removed to allow for thermal expansion of the inner gerotor.   
   
   
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       246 . A gerotor apparatus, comprising:
 a housing having a lower valve plate;   an outer gerotor disposed within the housing and rotatable with respect to the housing, the outer gerotor having a plurality of slots formed in a lower end thereof;   an inner gerotor disposed within the outer gerotor and rotatably coupled to a rigid shaft coupled to a first end of the housing; and   a synchronizing system operable to control the rotation of the inner gerotor relative to the outer gerotor.   
   
   
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       249 . A method for obtaining a power boost in a Brayton cycle engine, comprising:
 providing a compressor, a heat exchanger, a combustor, and an expander in order in series;   delivering liquid water to the combustor; and   delivering extra fuel to the combustor to cause the liquid water to vaporize.   
   
   
       250 . (canceled) 
   
   
       251 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein:
 the first fluid inlet port and the first fluid outlet port are formed in the first face; and   the second fluid inlet port and the second fluid outlet port are formed in the second face.   
   
   
       252 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , further comprising:
 a first lubricant channel formed in the first inner gerotor and operable to transport a lubricant to provide lubrication between the first inner gerotor and the first outer gerotor; and   a second lubricant channel formed in the second inner gerotor and operable to transport a lubricant to provide lubrication between the second inner gerotor and the second outer gerotor.   
   
   
       253 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein:
 the first inner gerotor and the first outer gerotor comprise a first compressor; and   the second inner gerotor and the second outer gerotor comprise a second compressor.   
   
   
       254 . The apparatus of  claim 253 , further comprising an electric motor operable to rotate the rigidly coupled first and second outer gerotors. 
   
   
       255 . The apparatus of  claim 254 , wherein the electric motor comprises one of a magnetic motor, a switched reluctance motor, or an induction motor. 
   
   
       256 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein:
 the first inner gerotor and the first outer gerotor comprise a first expander; and   the second inner gerotor and the second outer gerotor comprise a second expander.   
   
   
       257 . The apparatus of  claim 256 , further comprising an electric generator operable to be powered by rotation of the rigidly coupled first and second outer gerotors. 
   
   
       258 . The apparatus of  claim 257 , wherein the electric generator comprises one of a magnetic generator, a switched reluctance generator, or an induction generator. 
   
   
       259 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein:
 the first inner gerotor and the first outer gerotor comprise an expander; and   the second inner gerotor and the second outer gerotor comprise a compressor.   
   
   
       260 . The apparatus of  claim 259 , wherein:
 the second inner gerotor includes an outer surface adjacent the second outer gerotor;   the outer compressor gerotor including an inner surface adjacent the inner compressor gerotor; and   at least a portion of at least one of the outer surface of the inner compressor gerotor and the inner surface of the outer compressor gerotor is formed from a low-friction material.   
   
   
       261 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , further comprising:
 an electric motor operable to rotate the rigidly coupled first and second outer gerotors.   
   
   
       262 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , further comprising:
 an electric generator operable to be powered by rotation of the rigidly coupled first and second outer gerotors.   
   
   
       263 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein the low-friction material comprises one of a polymer, graphite, and oil-impregnated sintered bronze. 
   
   
       264 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein the low-friction material comprises VESCONITE. 
   
   
       265 . The system of  claim 53 , further comprising a lubricant channel formed in the inner compressor gerotor and operable to transport a lubricant to provide lubrication between the inner compressor gerotor and the outer compressor gerotor. 
   
   
       266 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein:
 the inner expander gerotor is rigidly coupled to the inner compressor gerotor; and   the outer expander gerotor is rigidly coupled to the outer compressor gerotor.   
   
   
       267 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein:
 the inner compressor gerotor includes a plurality of tips; and   the tips of the inner compressor gerotor are formed from a low-friction material.   
   
   
       268 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein:
 the outer compressor gerotor has an inner surface adjacent the inner compressor gerotor; and   at least a portion of the outer compressor gerotor including the inner surface of the outer compressor gerotor is formed from a low-friction material.   
   
   
       269 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein:
 the outer gerotor includes an outer gerotor chamber and an outer perimeter, the outer perimeter comprising a first opening coupled to the outer gerotor chamber;   in a first position of the outer gerotor, a volume of fluid may enter the outer gerotor chamber through the first opening in the outer perimeter; and   in a second position of the outer gerotor, at least a portion of the volume of fluid may exit the outer gerotor chamber through the first opening in the outer perimeter.   
   
   
       270 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein:
 at least a portion of the inner compressor gerotor including at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner compressor gerotor is formed from a low-friction material; and   at least a portion of the outer compressor gerotor including at least a portion of the inner surface of the outer compressor gerotor is formed from a low-friction material.   
   
   
       271 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein:
 the inner expander gerotor and the inner compressor gerotor are rigidly coupled to the rotatable shaft;   the apparatus further includes a housing; and   the outer expander gerotor and the outer compressor gerotor are rigidly coupled to each other and rotatably coupled to the housing.   
   
   
       272 . The system of  claim 271 , wherein:
 rotation of the inner expander gerotor and the inner compressor gerotor is synchronized with rotation of the outer expander gerotor and the outer compressor gerotor; and   rotation of the inner expander gerotor and the inner compressor gerotor in connection with rotation of the outer expander gerotor and the outer compressor gerotor causes transmission of torque from the outer expander gerotor and the outer compressor gerotor to the shaft.   
   
   
       273 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein the rotatable shaft is coupled to the rotatable outer expander gerotor and outer compressor gerotor by a coupling device. 
   
   
       274 . The system of  claim 273 , wherein the coupling device comprises one or more gears. 
   
   
       275 . The system of  claim 273 , wherein the coupling device comprises one of a belt and a chain. 
   
   
       276 . The system of  claim 273 , wherein:
 the outer expander gerotor and outer compressor gerotor rotate around a first axis; and   the rotatable shaft rotates around a second axis generally perpendicular to the first axis.   
   
   
       277 . The system of  claim 53 , further comprising an electric motor operable to rotate at least one of (a) the outer expander gerotor and outer compressor gerotor and (b) the inner expander gerotor and inner compressor gerotor. 
   
   
       278 . The system of  claim 277 , wherein the electric motor is coupled to, and operable to rotate, the outer expander gerotor and outer compressor gerotor. 
   
   
       279 . The system of  claim 278 , wherein the electric motor operable to rotate the rotatable shaft. 
   
   
       280 . The system of  claim 277 , wherein the electric motor is one of a permanent magnet motor, a switched reluctance motor, and an induction motor. 
   
   
       281 . The system of  claim 277 , wherein the electric motor includes one or more magnetic elements coupled around an outer perimeter surface of the outer compressor gerotor. 
   
   
       282 . The system of  claim 53 , further comprising an electric generator operable to be powered by rotation of at least one of (a) the outer expander gerotor and outer compressor gerotor and (b) the inner expander gerotor and inner compressor gerotor. 
   
   
       283 . The system of  claim 282 , wherein the electric generator is coupled to, and operable to be powered by rotation of, the outer expander gerotor and outer compressor gerotor. 
   
   
       284 . The system of  claim 282 , wherein the electric generator is one of a permanent magnet generator, a switched reluctance generator, and an induction generator. 
   
   
       285 . The system of  claim 282 , wherein rotation of the outer expander gerotor and outer compressor gerotor and generates a first portion of power operable to power the electric generator and a second portion of power operable to rotate the rotatable shaft. 
   
   
       286 . The apparatus of  claim 77 , wherein the outer gerotor support is rotatably coupled to the housing by one or more bearings having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer expander gerotor and the diameter of the outer compressor gerotor. 
   
   
       287 . The apparatus of  claim 77 , wherein:
 the inner compressor gerotor includes an outer surface adjacent the outer compressor gerotor;   the outer compressor gerotor includes an inner surface adjacent the inner compressor gerotor; and   at least a portion of at least one of the outer surface of the inner compressor gerotor and the inner surface of the outer compressor gerotor is formed from a low-friction material.   
   
   
       288 . The system of  claim 80 , wherein:
 the outer expander gerotor chamber has a volume; and   the outer compressor gerotor chamber has a volume larger than the volume of the outer expander gerotor chamber.   
   
   
       289 . The system of  claim 80 , further comprising an outer gerotor support rigidly coupled to the outer expander gerotor and the outer compressor gerotor and rotatably coupled to the housing, the outer gerotor support having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the outer expander gerotor and a diameter of the outer compressor gerotor. 
   
   
       290 . The system of  claim 80 , wherein the outer gerotor support is rotatably coupled to the housing by one or more bearings having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the outer expander gerotor and a diameter of the outer compressor gerotor. 
   
   
       291 . The system of  claim 80 , wherein:
 the inner compressor gerotor includes an outer surface adjacent the outer compressor gerotor;   the outer compressor gerotor includes an inner surface adjacent the inner compressor gerotor; and   at least a portion of at least one of the outer surface of the inner compressor gerotor and the inner surface of the outer compressor gerotor is formed from a low-friction material.   
   
   
       292 . The system of  claim 210 , further comprising a plurality of fins coupled to the heat sink. 
   
   
       293 . The system of  claim 210 , wherein the heat sink is a heat pipe. 
   
   
       294 . The system of  claim 210 , further comprising a hollow cylinder coupled to the heat sink, the hollow cylinder containing a phase change material therein. 
   
   
       295 . The system of  claim 210 , further comprising a rotatable hollow shaft coupled to the inner expander gerotor, the hollow shaft having a primary passageway; and
 a disk coupled to the hollow shaft and having a plurality of secondary passageways in fluid communication with the primary passageway of the hollow shaft such that air drawn in through the primary and secondary passageways via centrifugal force during operation of the engine system directs the air toward the outer expander gerotor.   
   
   
       296 . The system of  claim 210 , wherein the outer expander gerotor includes a plurality of cooling passageways running longitudinally therethrough. 
   
   
       297 . The system of  claim 210 , wherein the inner expander gerotor includes a plurality of cooling passageways running longitudinally therethrough and the system further comprising a conduit configured to direct bleed air from the compressor section to the cooling passageways of the inner expander gerotor. 
   
   
       298 . The system of  claim 210 , wherein the inner expander gerotor is intermittently coupled to the rotatable hollow shaft. 
   
   
       299 . The system of  claim 210 , further comprising a rotatable shaft coupled to the rotatable outer compressor gerotor and outer expander gerotor by a coupling device such that rotation of the outer expander gerotor and outer compressor gerotor causes rotation of the shaft. 
   
   
       300 . The system of  claim 299 , wherein the coupling device comprises one or more gears. 
   
   
       301 . The system of  claim 220 , wherein the low-friction material comprises one of a polymer, graphite, oil-impregnated sintered bronze, and VESCONITE. 
   
   
       302 . The system of  claim 222 , further comprising a plurality of fins coupled to the heat sink. 
   
   
       303 . The system of  claim 222 , wherein the heat sink is a heat pipe. 
   
   
       304 . The system of  claim 222 , further comprising a hollow cylinder coupled to the heat sink, the hollow cylinder containing a phase change material therein. 
   
   
       305 . The system of  claim 222 , wherein the outer expander gerotor includes a plurality of cooling passageways running longitudinally therethrough. 
   
   
       306 . The system of  claim 222 , wherein the inner expander gerotor includes a plurality of cooling passageways running longitudinally therethrough and the system further comprising a conduit configured to direct bleed air from the compressor section to the cooling passageways of the inner expander gerotor. 
   
   
       307 . The apparatus of  claim 246 , wherein the apparatus comprises a compressor or an expander. 
   
   
       308 . The apparatus of  claim 246 , wherein the outer gerotor tips comprise cylinders. 
   
   
       309 . The method of  claim 249 , further comprising coupling the compressor and the expander with a rigid shaft.

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