Dynamic rotary engine vane force actuation apparatus and method of use thereof

Abstract

The invention comprises a rotary engine apparatus and method of use thereof. The rotary engine comprises a rotor configured to rotate in a housing and a set of vanes separating a volume between the rotor and housing into a set of chambers. Each of the vanes are dynamically controlled to: (1) yield a greater radially outward and/or sealing force to the housing at start-up and/or at low engine speeds and (2) dynamically reduce radially outward and/or sealing forces at higher engine speeds.

1 . A method comprising the steps of:
 providing an engine, said engine comprising:
 a housing; 
 a rotor; and 
 a set of vanes; 
   using said set of vanes, dividing a volume between said rotor and said housing into a set of chambers,   rotating said set of vanes with said rotor within said housing, said set of vanes comprising a first vane;   using a stressed sheet, in a first vane of said set of vanes, to apply a radially outward force on a section of said first vane toward said housing; and   providing electromechanical means for controlling extension of said first vane toward said housing.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 said electromechanical means extending said stressed sheet toward said housing when an operational speed of said engine decreases; and   said electromechanical means retracting said stressed sheet away from said housing when the operational speed of said engine increases.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 said electromechanical means retracting a rotor end of said stress sheet away from said housing after start-up of said engine.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the step of:
 using a signal from a sensor in control of said electromechanical means.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of:
 releasing more potential energy from said stressed band as a rotational speed of said rotor decreases.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing a fuel inlet port in a rotor-vane slot between said first vane and said rotor; and   using expanding fuel from said inlet port in said rotor-vane slot to provide a radially outward expansive force on said first vane toward said housing.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing a first inlet port to an expansion chamber rotationally trailing said first vane;   providing a second inlet port to a rotor-vane slot between said rotor and said first vane; and   delivering an expanding substance to said engine through at least one of said first inlet port and said second inlet port.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of:
 using a microcontroller to supply said expanding substance to only said first inlet port at a first time and to both said first inlet port and said second inlet port at a second time.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , said expanding substance comprising liquid nitrogen. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , said stressed band:
 providing a first force on said first vane toward said rotor at a first engine speed; and   providing a second force on said first vane toward said rotor housing at a second engine speed, said second engine speed at least five times said first engine speed, said first force at least ten percent greater than said second force.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an engine, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a rotor configured to rotate within said housing; 
 a set of vanes configured to rotate with said rotor, said set of vanes configured to divide a volume between said rotor and said housing into a set of chambers, said set of vanes comprising a first vane, said first vane comprising:
 a stressed sheet, said stressed sheet configured to apply a radially outward force on a section of said first vane toward said housing; and 
 
 electromechanical means for controlling extension of said first vane toward said housing. 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , said electromechanical means for controlling extension of said first vane comprising at least one of:
 a clamping mechanism configured to lock a section of said stressed sheet in place; and   a computer controlled device.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , said stressed sheet comprising at least one of:
 a sheet of metal;   a bimetallic strip;   a metallic bilayer strip; and   a sheet of plastic.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a sensor configured to generate a signal, said signal communicatively linked to said computer controlled device.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , said engine further comprising:
 at least three fuel inlet ports.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a shaft, said rotor configured to rotate about said shaft; and   a passageway between said shaft and said first vane, said passageway comprising a section of a first inlet port of said three fuel inlet ports.