Radial impulse engine, pump, and compressor systems, and associated methods of operation

Abstract

Radial impulse engine, pump, and compressor systems and assemblies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an assembly includes a first end wall portion spaced apart from a second end wall portion to at least partially define a pressure chamber therebetween. In this embodiment, the assembly also includes a plurality of movable wall portions disposed between the first and second end wall portions. Each movable wall portion includes a cylindrical surface extending at least partially between a distal end portion and a pivot axis. In this embodiment, the assembly further includes a power take out member operably coupled to the distal end portion of each of the corresponding movable wall portions.

1 . An engine comprising:
 a first end wall portion;   a second end wall portion spaced apart from the first end wall portion to at least partially define a pressure chamber therebetween;   a first movable wall portion operably disposed between the first and second end wall portions, the first movable wall portion having a first distal end portion spaced apart from a first pivot axis;   a first power take out member operably coupled proximate to the first distal end portion of the first movable wall portion;   a second movable wall portion operably disposed between the first and second end wall portions adjacent to the first movable wall portion, the second movable wall portion having a second distal end portion spaced apart from a second pivot axis, the second movable wall portion further having a surface extending at least partially between the second distal end portion and the second pivot axis and facing the pressure chamber, wherein the first distal end portion of the first movable wall portion is configured to contact the surface of the second movable wall portion as the first movable wall portion pivots about the first pivot axis and the second movable wall portion pivots about the second pivot axis; and   a second power take out member operably coupled proximate to the second distal end portion of the second movable wall portion.   
     
     
         2 . The engine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first crankshaft operably disposed between the first and second end wall portions, wherein the first power take out member operably couples the first crankshaft to the first movable wall portion; and   a second crankshaft operably disposed between the first and second end wall portions, wherein the second power take out member operably couples the second crankshaft to the second movable wall portion.   
     
     
         3 . The engine of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first timing gear operably coupled to the first crankshaft;   a second timing gear operably coupled to the second crankshaft; and   a synchronizing gear operably coupled to the first and second timing gears.   
     
     
         4 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the first movable wall portion includes a slot extending through the proximal end portion, wherein the slot is configured to provide clearance for the second power take out member as the first movable wall portion pivots about the first pivot axis and the second movable wall portion pivots about the second pivot axis. 
     
     
         5 . The engine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third movable wall portion operably disposed between the first and second end walls adjacent to the second movable wall portion, the third movable wall portion having a third distal end portion spaced apart from a third pivot axis;   a third power take out member operably coupled proximate to the third distal end portion of the third movable wall portion;   a fourth movable wall portion operably disposed between the first and second end walls adjacent to the third movable wall portion, the fourth movable wall portion having a fourth distal end portion spaced apart from a fourth pivot axis;   a fourth power take out member operably coupled proximate to the fourth distal end portion of the fourth movable wall portion;   a fifth movable wall portion operably disposed between the first and second end walls adjacent to the fourth movable wall portion, the fifth movable wall portion having a fifth distal end portion spaced apart from a fifth pivot axis;   a fifth power take out member operably coupled proximate to the fifth distal end portion of the fifth movable wall portion;   a sixth movable wall portion operably disposed between the first and second end walls adjacent to the fifth movable wall portion, the sixth movable wall portion having a sixth distal end portion spaced apart from a sixth pivot axis; and   a sixth power take out member operably coupled proximate to the sixth distal end portion of the sixth movable wall portion.   
     
     
         6 . The engine of  claim 5  wherein the first through sixth pivot axes define a circle having a first radius of curvature, and wherein the surface of the second movable wall portion is a cylindrical surface having a second radius of curvature that is at least approximately equivalent to the first radius of curvature. 
     
     
         7 . The engine of  claim 5  wherein the first through sixth movable wall portions move in unison to change a volume of the pressure chamber between a maximum volume and a minimum volume. 
     
     
         8 . The engine of  claim 7  wherein each of the first through sixth distal end portions of the corresponding first through sixth movable wall portions includes a generally planar portion, and wherein the generally planar portions at least partially define the minimum volume of the pressure chamber having a generally hexagonal shape. 
     
     
         9 . The engine of  claim 5 , further comprising a volume reducing member operably disposed in the pressure chamber between the first and second end wall portions, wherein the first through sixth movable wall portions surround the volume reducing member. 
     
     
         10 . The engine of  claim 9  wherein the volume reducing member has a generally hexagonal cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         11 . The engine of  claim 9  wherein the volume reducing member is movably disposed within the pressure chamber to change a volume of the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         12 . An assembly comprising:
 a first end wall portion;   a second end wall portion spaced apart from the first end wall portion to at least partially define a pressure chamber therebetween;   a first crankshaft extending between the first and second end wall portions and configured to rotate about a first rotation axis;   a first connecting rod having a first end portion spaced apart from a second end portion, wherein the first end portion is pivotally coupled to the first crankshaft;   a first movable wall portion extending between the first and second end wall portions, the first movable wall portion having a first distal end portion spaced apart from a first pivot axis, wherein the first distal end portion is pivotally coupled to the second end portion of the first connecting rod;   a second crankshaft extending between the first and second end wall portions and configured to rotate about a second rotation axis;   a second connecting rod having a third end portion spaced apart from a fourth end portion, wherein the third end portion is pivotally coupled to the second crankshaft; and   a second movable wall portion extending between the first and second end wall portions, the second movable wall portion having a second distal end portion spaced apart from a second pivot axis, the second movable wall portion further having a curved surface extending at least partially between the second distal end portion and the second pivot axis, wherein the second distal end portion is pivotally coupled to the fourth end portion of the second connecting rod, and wherein the first distal end portion of the first movable wall portion is configured to movably contact the curved surface of the second movable wall portion as the first crankshaft rotates about the first rotational axis and the second crankshaft rotates about the second rotational axis.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12  wherein the second end wall has a first side facing the pressure chamber and a second side opposite the first side, and wherein the assembly further comprises:
 a first timing gear adjacent to the second side of the second end wall portion, wherein the first timing gear is coupled to a first end portion of the first crankshaft extending through the second end wall portion;   a second timing gear adjacent to the second side of the second end wall portion, wherein the second timing gear is coupled to a second end portion of the second crankshaft extending through the second end wall portion; and   a synchronizing gear operably coupled to the first timing gear and the second timing gear.   
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 12  wherein the first distal end portion of the first movable wall portion carries a seal configured to slide across the cylindrical surface of the second movable wall portion as the first movable wall portion pivots about the first pivot axis and the second movable wall portion pivots about the second pivot axis. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 12  wherein the curved surface of the second movable wall portion is a cylindrical surface. 
     
     
         16 . An assembly comprising:
 a pressure chamber;   a first movable wall portion positioned adjacent to the pressure chamber, the first movable wall portion having a first distal end portion spaced apart from a first pivot axis;   a second movable wall portion positioned adjacent to the pressure chamber, the second movable wall portion having a second distal end portion spaced apart from a second pivot axis, the second movable wall portion further having a cylindrical surface extending at least partially between the second distal end portion and the second pivot axis and facing the pressure chamber, wherein the first distal end portion of the first movable wall portion is configured to contact the surface of the second movable wall portion as the first movable wall portion pivots about the first pivot axis and the second movable wall portion pivots about the second pivot axis; and   means for transferring pivotal motion from the first distal end portion of the first movable wall portion into rotational motion of an associated crankshaft.   
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16  wherein the means for transferring pivotal motion comprises a connecting rod coupled to the first distal end portion of the first movable wall portion. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising means for synchronizing movement of the first and second wall portions. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the pressure chamber is a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the pressure chamber is a pressure chamber of at least one of a pump and a compressor.