The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 28, 1981
Filed:
Jul. 24, 1980
Sherwood L Fawcett, Columbus, OH (US);
James N Anno, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Battelle Development Corporation, Columbus, OH (US);
Abstract
Thermal energy is converted into rotational energy by using the expansion of a fluid medium to propel a plurality of pistons within at least one continuous, closed-loop passageway mounted on a rotatable platform. In at least one region of the passageway, the pistons must move inwardly against centrifugal force as the platform rotates. In at least one other region of the passageway, the pistons are moved outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force. Means are provided for imparting force to successive ones of the pistons to propel them against centrifugal force in said one region; while means are provided for converting the energy of pistons moving outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force in said other region into rotational energy. This rotational energy is used to drive gears mounted on the platform which mesh with a stationary gear carried beneath the platform to cause rotation of the platform about its rotational axis. The energy used to accelerate the pistons is thereby converted into rotational energy of the platform. In one embodiment of the invention, at least two continuous, closed-loop passageways are used on the platform in order to prevent an unbalanced condition. In another embodiment of the invention, a single passageway is used on the platform comprising two essentially straight portions on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the platform interconnected at their opposite ends by curved portions, also on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the platform. By forcibly rotating the platform in reverse, the invention can be used as a compressor.