Rotary device including a counterbalanced seal assembly

Abstract

A rotary device is provided. The rotary device includes a housing having a cylindrical inner surface and a rotor assembly mounted for rotation in the housing. The rotor assembly includes a rotor, at least one rocker pivotally coupled to the rotor, and a counterbalanced seal assembly. The rotor includes a central portion and a plurality of arms extending radially outward from the central portion. Each arm has a distal end disposed for sliding engagement with the inner surface. Pivoting of the rocker causes the rotor to rotate. The counterbalanced seal assembly is disposed at the distal end of at least of one of the arms, and includes a seal and a counterweight mechanism. The counterweight mechanism is configured to control a contact pressure exerted by the seal on the inner surface resulting from rotation of the rotor.

1 . A rotary device comprising:
 a housing having a cylindrical inner surface;   a rotor assembly mounted for rotation in said housing, said rotor assembly comprising:
 a rotor comprising a central portion and a plurality of arms extending radially outward from said central portion, each arm having a distal end disposed for sliding engagement with said inner surface; 
 at least one rocker pivotally coupled to said rotor for pivoting between a first position spaced from said inner surface of said housing and a second position adjacent said inner surface of said housing, wherein pivoting of said rocker causes said rotor to rotate; and 
 a counterbalanced seal assembly disposed at the distal end of at least of one of said arms, said counterbalanced seal assembly comprising a seal and a counterweight mechanism configured to control a contact pressure exerted by said seal on said inner surface resulting from rotation of said rotor. 
   
     
     
         2 . A rotary device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said counterweight mechanism includes a counterweight and a lever extending away from said counterweight, said lever engaging said seal to control radial displacement of said seal resulting from centrifugal forces imparted on said seal from rotation of said rotor. 
     
     
         3 . A rotary device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said seal has a groove defined therein, said lever received within the groove. 
     
     
         4 . A rotary device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one arm includes a fulcrum configured to pivotally support said counterweight mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . A rotary device in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein said counterweight mechanism defines an axially extending groove, said fulcrum comprising a support received within the groove. 
     
     
         6 . A rotary device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said seal comprises a T-shaped body including a head and a stem, said head configured to sealingly engage the inner surface of said housing, said stem operably coupled to said counterweight mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . A rotary device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said housing includes an intake port and an exhaust port, said seal having an arc length greater than a circumferential width of at least one of the intake port and the exhaust port. 
     
     
         8 . A rotary device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said seal comprises a first sealing member and a second sealing member, said first and second sealing members configured to move independently of one another in a radial direction. 
     
     
         9 . A rotary device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said rotor assembly further comprises:
 a first driver operably coupled to said rocker, said first driver rotating in response to said rocker pivoting between the first and second positions; and   a second driver operably coupled to said housing and engaging said first driver, wherein rotation of said first driver causes said first driver to rotate about said second driver and said rotor to rotate.   
     
     
         10 . A rotary device in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein at least one of said arms includes a bore, said first driver disposed within the bore. 
     
     
         11 . A rotary device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said arms are disposed circumferentially around said central portion, each arm extending arcuately from said central portion. 
     
     
         12 . A rotor assembly for use in a rotary device, said rotor assembly comprising:
 a rotor comprising a central portion and a plurality of arms extending radially outward from said central portion, said central portion and said plurality of arms defining a plurality of chambers extending radially outward from said central portion;   at least one rocker pivotally coupled to said rotor for pivoting between a first position proximate said central portion and a second position distal from said central position, wherein pivoting of said rocker causes said rotor to rotate; and   a counterbalanced seal assembly configured to inhibit fluid flow between adjacent chambers of the plurality of chambers, said counterbalanced seal assembly comprising a seal and a counterweight mechanism configured to control radial displacement of said seal resulting from centrifugal forces imparted on said seal by rotation of said rotor.   
     
     
         13 . A rotor assembly in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said counterweight mechanism includes a counterweight and a lever extending away from said counterweight, said lever engaging said seal to control radial displacement of said seal resulting from centrifugal forces imparted on said seal from rotation of said rotor. 
     
     
         14 . A rotor assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said seal has a groove defined therein, said lever received within the groove. 
     
     
         15 . A rotor assembly in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said at least one arm includes a fulcrum configured to pivotally support said counterweight mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . A rotor assembly in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said counterweight mechanism defines an axially extending groove, said fulcrum comprising a support received within the groove. 
     
     
         17 . A rotor assembly in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said seal comprises a first sealing member and a second sealing member, said first and second sealing members configured to move independently of one another in a radial direction. 
     
     
         18 . A rotary device comprising:
 a housing having an inner surface;   a rotor assembly mounted for rotation in said housing, said rotor assembly comprising:
 a rotor comprising a central portion and a plurality of arms extending radially outward from said central portion, each arm having a distal end disposed for sliding engagement with said inner surface; 
 at least one rocker pivotally coupled to said rotor for pivoting between a first position spaced from said inner surface of said housing and a second position adjacent said inner surface of said housing, wherein pivoting of said rocker causes said rotor to rotate; and 
 a seal assembly disposed at the distal end of at least of one of said arms, said seal assembly comprising a seal and a control mechanism operably coupled to said seal and configured to exert a variable radial force on said seal to control a contact pressure exerted by said seal on said inner surface resulting from rotation of said rotor. 
   
     
     
         19 . A rotary device in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein said seal assembly further comprises a counterweight mechanism including a counterweight and a lever extending away from said counterweight, said control mechanism configured to exert a variable force on said counterweight to control the contact pressure exerted by said seal on said inner surface. 
     
     
         20 . A rotary device in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein said control mechanism comprises a multi-layer metallic strip operably coupled to said seal, said multi-layer metallic strip configured to exert a variable radial force on said seal based on a temperature within said rotary engine. 
     
     
         21 . A rotary device in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein said control mechanism comprises an actuator configured to exert a variable radial force on said seal during a single revolution of said rotor. 
     
     
         22 . A rotary device in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein said actuator is configured to exert a variable radial force on said seal based upon at least one of a rotational position of said seal, a rotational position said rotor, and a specified time during the revolution of said rotor. 
     
     
         23 - 46 . (canceled)