Method of Transforming Energy in a Rotary Screw Machine of Volumetric Type

Abstract

A method of transforming energy in a rotary screw machine that comprises a first and a second set of conjugated male and female elements spaced apart from each other along a central axis and having inner/outer profiled surfaces. Upon rotary motion of the male and/or female elements, working chambers are formed between these elements. The working chambers perform an axial movement. The rotary motions of the different sets ( 1, 2, 3 ) are synchronized in such a manner that synchronous and inphase motion of the elements in the different sets is performed with different values of angular periods of oscillation of axial movement of the working chambers. Thereby, a working medium transported in these working chambers can be compressed or expanded.

1 . A method of transforming energy in a rotary screw machine, which comprises: 
 a first set of conjugated male and female elements; and    at least a second set of conjugated male and female elements spaced apart from said first set along a central axis of said machine, said female elements of each set having an inner profiled surface centered about a first longitudinal axis, said male elements of each set having an outer profiled surface centered about a second longitudinal axis, said first axis and said second axis being parallel to each other, and said male elements being placed in a cavity of the corresponding female elements;    said method comprising: 
 performing an axial movement with working chambers that are formed between the female and/or male elements upon rotary motion of the male and/or female elements; and  
 synchronizing the rotary motions of the different sets in such a manner that synchronous and in-phase motion of the elements in different sets is performed with different values of angular periods of oscillation of axial movement of said working chambers.  
   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angular period decreases from one set to the next set, thereby having the working medium compressed.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angular period increases from one set to the next set, thereby having the working medium expanded.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , using a hollow shaft and the working medium passing therethrough as a means for synchronizing the rotary motions of the different sets.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a first set forms a differential kinematic mechanism having three degrees of freedom of a mechanical rotation of which two degrees of freedom are independent; and    a second set forms a planetary kinematic mechanism, having two degrees of freedom of a mechanical rotation, of which one degree of freedom is independent.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein thermal energy of the working medium is removed and supplied in a heat exchanger.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein mechanical energy produced in one of said sets is used to drive another device.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 2 , using a hollow shaft and the working medium passing therethrough as a means for synchronizing the rotary motions of the different sets.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 3 , using a hollow shaft and the working medium passing therethrough as a means for synchronizing the rotary motions of the different sets.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 a first set forms a differential kinematic mechanism having three degrees of freedom of a mechanical rotation of which two degrees of freedom are independent; and    a second set forms a planetary kinematic mechanism, having two degrees of freedom of a mechanical rotation, of which one degree of freedom is independent.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein: 
 a first set forms a differential kinematic mechanism having three degrees of freedom of a mechanical rotation of which two degrees of freedom are independent; and    a second set forms a planetary kinematic mechanism, having two degrees of freedom of a mechanical rotation, of which one degree of freedom is independent.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 a first set forms a differential kinematic mechanism having three degrees of freedom of a mechanical rotation of which two degrees of freedom are independent; and    a second set forms a planetary kinematic mechanism, having two degrees of freedom of a mechanical rotation, of which one degree of freedom is independent.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein thermal energy of the working medium is removed and supplied in a heat exchanger.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein thermal energy of the working medium is removed and supplied in a heat exchanger.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein thermal energy of the working medium is removed and supplied in a heat exchanger.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein thermal energy of the working medium is removed and supplied in a heat exchanger.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein mechanical energy produced in one of said sets is used to drive another device.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein mechanical energy produced in one of said sets is used to drive another device.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein mechanical energy produced in one of said sets is used to drive another device.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein mechanical energy produced in one of said sets is used to drive another device.