Rotary Engine Rotor

Abstract

A rotary engine rotor ( 10 ) comprising three rotor flanks ( 12 ) arranged in a generally equilateral triangle shape, each rotor flank ( 12 ) having a leading edge ( 16 ) and a trailing edge ( 17 ), an elongate lip ( 21 ) being provided on the leading edge ( 16 ) of at least one of the rotor flanks ( 12 ), the elongate lip ( 21 ) extending the full axial length of the rotor flank ( 12 ). In another aspect, at least one rotor flank ( 12 ) comprises a cavity having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and at least a portion of the base of the cavity proximal to a trailing edge thereof is curved outwardly.

1 . A rotary engine rotor comprising three rotor flanks arranged in a generally equilateral triangle shape, each rotor flank having a leading edge and a trailing edge
 characterised in that the leading edge of at least one of the rotor flanks comprises an elongate lip that extends the full axial length of the rotor flank.   
     
     
         2 . A rotary engine rotor according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one rotor flank comprises a generally outwardly curved profile from the lip to the trailing edge of the rotor flank. 
     
     
         3 . A rotary engine rotor according to  claim 1 , wherein the lip comprises a leading face and a trailing face. 
     
     
         4 . A rotary engine rotor according to  claim 3 , wherein a leading face of the lip is directed outwardly with respect to the circumferential centre of the rotor flank. 
     
     
         5 . A rotary engine rotor according to  claim 3 , wherein a trailing face of the lip is directed inwardly towards the circumferential centre of the rotor flank. 
     
     
         6 . A rotary engine rotor according to  claim 3 , wherein the leading face of the lip is curved outwardly. 
     
     
         7 . A rotary engine rotor according to  claim 6 , wherein the radius of curvature of the leading face of the lip is substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the at least one rotor flank proximal to the trailing edge thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A rotary engine rotor according to  claim 3 , wherein the trailing face of the lip is curved radially inwardly. 
     
     
         9 . A rotary engine rotor according to  claim 3 , wherein the trailing face of the lip is substantially planar. 
     
     
         10 . A rotary engine rotor according to  claim 3 , wherein the trailing face of the lip has a stepped profile. 
     
     
         11 . A rotary engine rotor according to  claim 1 , wherein the lip extends from the leading edge of the rotor flank across less than 30% of the circumferential length of the rotor flank. 
     
     
         12 . A rotary engine rotor according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one rotor flank comprises a recess formed in the outer surface therein, the recess comprising a leading edge and a trailing edge and extending axially across the full length of the rotor flank, the lip being defined between the leading edge of the rotor flank and the leading edge of the recess. 
     
     
         13 . A rotary engine rotor comprising three rotor flanks arranged in a generally equilateral triangle shape, each rotor flank having a leading edge and a trailing edge, at least one rotor flank comprising a cavity having a leading edge and a trailing edge,
 characterised in that at least a portion of the base of the cavity proximal to a trailing edge thereof is curved outwardly.   
     
     
         14 . A rotary engine rotor as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the radius of curvature of the base of the cavity proximal to the trailing edge thereof is between 100 mm and 170 mm. 
     
     
         15 . A rotary engine rotor as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the base blends into the rotor flank at the trailing edge of the cavity. 
     
     
         16 . A rotary engine rotor as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein a portion of the base proximal to the leading edge of the cavity is substantially planar. 
     
     
         17 . A rotary engine rotor as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein a portion of the base proximal to the leading edge of the cavity is curved radially inwardly. 
     
     
         18 . A rotary engine rotor as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the radius of curvature of the base portion proximal to the trailing edge of the cavity is substantially greater than the radius of curvature of the base portion proximal to the leading edge of the cavity. 
     
     
         19 . A rotary engine rotor as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the cavity extends between 80% and 95% of the axial length of the rotor flank and is located substantially axially centrally. 
     
     
         20 . A rotary engine rotor as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one rotor flank comprises a secondary cavity having a first part formed in the base of the first cavity and a second part formed in the rotor flank.