Peristaltic engine

Abstract

A peristaltic engine including two members and a conduit with a varying cross-sectional area disposed on the outer surface of one of the two members in the form of a helix. Each member has an axis and an outer surface in close proximity of each other forming a pinch point therebetween. The conduit has a combustible fluid disposed therein. The pinch point causes the combustible fluid within the conduit to compress. Then, the combustible fluid expands when the cross-sectional area of the conduit increases, thereby causing the two members to rotate and produce torque along their axis.

1 . A peristaltic engine, comprising:
 two members, each member having an axis and outer an surface in close proximity of each other forming a pinch point therebetween; and   a conduit with a varying cross-sectional area disposed on the outer surface of one of the two members in the form of a helix, the conduit having a combustible fluid disposed therein,   wherein the pinch point causes the combustible fluid within the conduit to compress, and wherein the combustible fluid expands when the cross-sectional area of the conduit increases, thereby causing the two members to rotate and produce torque along their axis.   
   
   
       2 . The peristaltic engine according to  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of maximal cross-sectional area and minimal cross-sectional area of the conduit is approximately 70:1. 
   
   
       3 . The peristaltic engine according to  claim 1 , wherein a pitch of the conduit is directly related to a rate of air intake with respect to a rotational speed at the outer surface of the two members. 
   
   
       4 . The peristaltic engine according to  claim 3 , wherein the pitch of the conduit is approximately 5:1. 
   
   
       5 . The peristaltic engine according to  claim 3 , wherein the rotational speed at the outer surface of the two members is approximately 60 m/s. 
   
   
       6 . The peristaltic engine according to  claim 3 , wherein the rotational speed at the outer surface of the two members is approximately 300 m/s.