Rotary piston engine having continuous torque characteristics

Abstract

A rotary piston engine is disclosed of a novel, geometric construction whereby substantially pressure dependent operation is ensured along with continuous torque characteristics. In the preferred inventive embodiment, an elongated rotatable shaft having a disc plate intermediate thereof is provided with a pair of rotor assemblies disposed to either side of the disc plate and attached for rotation as a unit, each rotor assembly including an inner and an outer concentrically arranged ring of different diameters with a radially extending piston vane disposed therebetween in linking relationship therewith. A slotted intermediate ring is placed between the inner and outer rings of each respective rotor assembly, the intermediate ring being journalled off-center of its respective rotor assembly such that the intermediate ring effects a rolling contact seal with both the inner and outer rings of the rotor assembly during rotation thereof. The arrangement is such that a plurality of crescent-shaped sealed chambers of varying volume are formed between the intermediate and outer rings, and between the intermediate and inner rings of each rotor assembly as the shaft rotates, with the radial vane of each rotor assembly dividing the respective chambers into sectors. A fluid inlet means communicates with such sectors disposed to one side of each radial vane and a fluid outlet means communicates with the chamber sectors disposed to the other side of each radial vane. The device can be operated as both a motor and as a pump.