Rotary motor with integral fluid seal

Abstract

A rotary compressor or expander apparatus embodies a scaling solution that is based on the physical configuration of the leakage path and various of its features to substantially inhibit flow of fluid through the leakage path, with minimal leakage.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . An apparatus comprising:
 a main rotor and a stator, the main rotor being rotatable against the stator about a main axis defining axial and radial direction, the main rotor and the stator having respective annular rotor face and annular stator face that face one another and define between them a confined annular space; and   one or more auxiliary rotors fitted in said main rotor and rotatable about auxiliary axes parallel to said main axis, the rotations being synchronized and function jointly to compress, expand or pump a fluid within the confined annular space formed between the main rotor and the stator; and   fluid leakage paths that are formed between congruent opposite faces of each two of the main rotors, the auxiliary rotor and the stator; characterized in that:   physical configuration of at least one of said fluid leakage path is configured with an active sealing element obstructing flow of fluid through said path upon rotation, the active sealing element comprises   an interrupted leakage path in which a proximal section of the fluid leakage path extending from within the confined annular space branches into two distal sections including (i) one or more auxiliary rotor-associated leakage paths, each extending in a general axial direction and formed between one of the auxiliary rotors and congruent surfaces of the first part, and (ii) a generally radially extending section of a stator-associated leakage path formed between a member of said stator and congruent surfaces of said main rotor.   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein said radially directed section is linked at its distal end to a distal section of the main rotor-associated leakage path that extends from said distal end in a general axial direction. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the auxiliary rotor-associated leakage paths and the distal section of the main rotor-associated leakage path are radially separated with respect to the main axis. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , comprising one or both of
 at least one of said projecting elements, being a circumferential radial projection, radially extending from the main rotor into and rotatable within a congruent receiving recess of the stator, defining a tortuous distal section the main rotor-associated fluid leakage path extending in a general radial direction and linked to one another by a section extending over a rim the at least one circumferential radial projection, and   at least one auxiliary rotor projection, being a circumferential radial projection extending from the auxiliary rotor and rotatable within a congruent receiving recess of the stator, defining a tortuous auxiliary fluid leakage path with sections thereof defined about the circumferential radial projections.   
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , comprising at least one of said main rotor projection and at least one of said auxiliary rotor projection. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein one or more of the circumferential radial projections have a tapering cross section extending from their base to a rounded tip. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the outer face of the main rotor's annular member has a general trajectory angled at about 80-81° with respect to the axis. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the auxiliary rotor-associated fluid leakage path has a proximal segment at said branching that defines a general trajectory away from the auxiliary axis. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein the angle between said segment and said outer face is about 90°. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , comprising one or more fluid seals in respective one or more of the distal sections of the fluid leakage paths. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , for use as one or both of a compressor or an expander.