Engine, rotary device, power generator, power generation system, and methods of making and using the same

Abstract

An engine, a rotary device, a power generation system, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The engine includes a detonation and/or combustion chamber configured to detonate a fuel and rotate around a central rotary shaft extending from the detonation and/or combustion chamber, a fuel supply inlet configured to provide the fuel to the detonation and/or combustion chamber, at least two rotating arms extending radially from the detonation and/or combustion chamber and configured to exhaust detonation gases from detonating the fuel in the detonation and/or combustion chamber and provide a rotational thrust and/or force, the rotating arms having inner and outer walls and a nozzle at a distal end thereof, the nozzle being at or having an angle configured to provide the rotational thrust and/or force, and a plurality of cooling coils between the inner and outer walls. Alternatively, the rotary device may include a rotary disc.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotary device, comprising:
 a) a first central axle or shaft;   b) an inlet configured to receive at least one fluid; and   c) a first rotary disc comprising two plates or discs having a continuous space therebetween from an opening of the inlet to a circumference of the rotary disc, the two plates or discs being (i) sealed to each other at the circumferences of the two plates or discs and (ii) spaced apart at a first distance adjacent to the central axle or shaft and at a second distance at the circumference of the two plates or discs, the second distance being smaller than the first distance, wherein the inlet is in continuous fluid communication with the space between said two plates or discs, the first rotary disc is configured to rotate around the first central axle or shaft, and said first rotary disc has a plurality of nozzles at a distal edge thereof, said nozzles being oriented to expel the fluid in a predetermined direction.   
     
     
         2 . The rotary device of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of nozzles comprises at least four nozzles. 
     
     
         3 . The rotary device of  claim 1 , wherein said first rotary disc extends radially from the inlet. 
     
     
         4 . The rotary device of  claim 1 , wherein said plates or discs are sealingly secured directly or indirectly to each other at a circumference of the plates or discs, and the first rotary disc further comprises a plurality of fasteners configured to secure the plates or discs together. 
     
     
         5 . The rotary device of  claim 1 , further comprising a compressor at or in front of said inlet, configured to compress the at least one fluid in the inlet and/or first rotary disc, wherein said compressor comprises one or more fans joined or affixed to said first central axle or shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The rotary device of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzles are evenly distributed around the circumference of the first rotary disc and are perpendicular to a radius of the first rotary disc. 
     
     
         7 . The rotary device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the nozzles comprises an opening that faces away from the direction of rotation of the first rotary disc. 
     
     
         8 . The rotary device of  claim 1 , wherein the first rotary disc comprises a hollow, continuous space between substantial entireties of the two plates. 
     
     
         9 . The rotary device of  claim 1 , wherein the first rotary disc has a depression or indentation therein in an underside thereof, surrounding the central axle or shaft between the central axle or shaft and the inlet, wherein the depression or indentation is configured to reduce the amount of fluid in the first rotary disc and/or facilitate fluid flow through the first rotary disc. 
     
     
         10 . The rotary device of  claim 1 , wherein the first rotary disc comprises a metal, a thermoplastic polymer or a thermoset polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The rotary device of  claim 1 , wherein the central axle or shaft extends through the opening of the inlet. 
     
     
         12 . The rotary device of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet and the first rotary disc are unitary. 
     
     
         13 . A rotary device, comprising:
 a) a first central axle or shaft;   b) an inlet configured to receive at least one fluid;   c) a plurality of radial arms in fluid communication with the inlet, configured to rotate around the first central axle or shaft, each rotating arm having a nozzle at a distal end thereof and an arc between said inlet and said nozzle, said radial arms extending radially from the first central axle or shaft at least in part, and configured to rotate when said fluid enters said inlet and passes through the radial arms and/or when a first rotational force is applied to said first central axle or shaft;   d) a wheel or cylinder having a plurality of buckets or cups on an inner or outer circumference thereof, configured to receive the fluid expelled from the nozzles; and   e) a second axle or shaft connected directly or indirectly to said wheel or cylinder, configured to receive a second rotational force from said wheel or cylinder.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said buckets are equally spaced from each other by 360°/n, where n equals a number of said buckets. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein each of said radial arms comprises a curved tubular arm. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein a flow of said fluid through each of said nozzles is at an angle perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to an opening in each of said buckets or cups. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one gear on said outer circumference of said wheel or cylinder, said at least one gear is configured to drive at least one generator. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a mechanical work unit configured to (i) receive the second rotational force from said second axle or shaft or (ii) apply said first rotational force to said first axle or shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising one or more aerodynamic surfaces on or over the radial arms. 
     
     
         20 . A method of converting energy, comprising:
 a) receiving a flowing fluid in an inlet, said inlet being in fluid communication with a plurality of radial arms or a rotary disc;   b) passing said fluid from said inlet through the plurality of radial arms or the rotary disc, said plurality of radial arms and said rotary disc having a plurality of nozzles at a distal end or edge thereof, each of said nozzles having an opening facing away from a direction of rotation of said radial arms or said rotary disc, wherein rotation of said radial arms and said rotary disc applies a first rotational force to a first central axle or shaft or results from the first rotational force being applied to the first central axle or shaft;   c) expelling said fluid through said nozzles, said fluid being expelled into a plurality of buckets or cups on an inner or outer circumference of a wheel, said wheel applying a second rotational force to a second axle or shaft; and   d) converting at least one of said first and second rotational forces into mechanical work or electrical energy.