Rotary engine with recirculating arc roller power transfer

Abstract

The disclosure provides rotary machines that include, in one embodiment, a shaft defining a central axis A, the shaft having a first end and a second end. The shaft can have a first gearbox disposed thereon defining one or more cavities therein. At least one contour is slidably received into an arcuate cavity in an exterior surface of the gearbox. The contour has a convex outer surface that cooperates with an inwardly facing curved surface of a housing to form a working volume. A gearbox mechanism consisting of gears, crankshafts, bearings and connecting rod creates an oscillatory motion 2 times per revolution such that the contour can navigate about the arcuate cavity without contacting the cavity at a high rate of rotating speed. Thus, said working volume can expand and compresses twice per rotatable shaft revolution.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotary machine, comprising:
 a) a housing defining an inwardly facing continuously curved surface;   b) front and rear side plates attached to the housing;   c) a central shaft defining a central axis A, the shaft having a first end and a second end;   d) a first gearbox disposed on the central shaft, the first gearbox having a body with a volume generally defined between front and rear surfaces that are spaced apart along the central shaft, at least a portion of the first gearbox being situated axially between the front and rear side plates; and   e) at least one contour assembly coupled to the first gearbox, at least one contour assembly being defined at least in part by a convex radially outwardly facing surface, the convex radially outwardly facing surface of the at least one contour assembly, front and rear side plates and the inwardly facing continuous curved surface of the housing cooperating to form at least one working volume that changes in volume as the central shaft rotates about the central axis A.   
     
     
         2 . The rotary machine of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one contour assembly is coupled to the first gearbox by way of a connecting rod, a radially inward end of the connecting rod being pivotally coupled to the gearbox, and a radially outward end of the connecting rod being pivotally coupled to the at least one contour assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The rotary machine of  claim 2 , wherein the radially inward end of the connecting rod is pivotally coupled to a crank pin. 
     
     
         4 . The rotary machine of  claim 3 , wherein the crank pin is defined on a crankshaft that is distinct from the central shaft, the crankshaft having a center of rotation that is disposed radially outwardly with respect to the central shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The rotary machine of  claim 4 , wherein the crankshaft includes gear teeth that mesh with a central gear that surrounds the central shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The rotary machine of  claim 5 , wherein the central gear is stationary with respect to the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The rotary machine of  claim 6 , wherein the rotary machine is configured to forcibly articulate cyclical motion to cause the at least one contour assembly to circumnavigate through a constrained orbit while maintaining a predetermined spacing between the convex radially outwardly facing surface of the contour assembly and the inwardly facing continuously curved surface of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The rotary machine of  claim 1 , wherein the central shaft is coupled to the first gearbox and further wherein the central shaft and first gearbox rotate as a single unit. 
     
     
         9 . A rotary machine, comprising:
 a) a housing defining an inwardly facing continuously curved surface;   b) front and rear side plates attached to the housing;   c) a central shaft defining a central axis A, the shaft having a first end and a second end;   d) first hub disposed on the central shaft, the first hub having a body with a volume generally defined between front and rear surfaces that are spaced apart along the central shaft, the perimeters of the front and rear surfaces defining at least one radially outwardly facing concavity through the first hub, at least a portion of the first hub being situated axially between the front and rear side plates;   e) at least one contour assembly at least partially slidably disposed on the at least one radially outwardly facing concavity defined on the first hub, the at least one contour assembly being defined at least in part by a convex radially inwardly facing surface and a convex radially outwardly facing surface, the convex radially inwardly facing surface of the at least one contour assembly facing the at least one radially outwardly facing concavity of the first hub, the convex radially outwardly facing surface of the at least one contour assembly, front and rear side plates and the inwardly facing continuous curved surface of the housing cooperating to form at least one working volume that changes in volume as the central shaft rotates about the central axis A; and   f) a guide coupled to the first hub that extends into the at least one contour assembly, the guide being configured to prevent radial outward movement of the at least contour assembly with respect to the first hub.   
     
     
         10 . The rotary machine of  claim 9 , wherein the guide includes at least one yoke roller rotatably coupled to a link that is in turn coupled to the first hub, wherein the at least one yoke roller defines an outer surface that is in rolling mechanical contact with a roller track defined along a further radially outwardly facing surface of the at least one contour assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The rotary machine of  claim 10 , wherein the link includes a bracket having a radially outward end coupled to the at least one yoke roller, and a radially inward end coupled to a portion of the first hub. 
     
     
         12 . The rotary machine of  claim 10 , wherein the link is configured to preload a radially inward force onto the at least one contour assembly to maintain mechanical contact between the at least one contour assembly and the first hub. 
     
     
         13 . The rotary machine of  claim 10 , wherein the link is adjustable in length. 
     
     
         14 . The rotary machine of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the convex radially inwardly facing surface of the at least one contour assembly and the at least one radially outwardly facing concavity of the first hub includes at least one roller bearing for contacting the other surface of the at least one of the convex radially inwardly facing surface of the at least one contour assembly and the at least one radially outwardly facing concavity of the first hub. 
     
     
         15 . The rotary machine of  claim 13 , wherein the preload is achieved at least in part by way of a compression spring. 
     
     
         16 . The rotary machine of  claim 12 , wherein the preload is achieved at least in part by way of an elastically deformable washer. 
     
     
         17 . The rotary machine of  claim 9 , further comprising a connecting rod that couples the first hub to the at least one contour assembly, the connecting rod being distinct from the guide. 
     
     
         18 . A rotary machine, comprising:
 a) a housing defining an inwardly facing continuously curved surface;   b) front and rear side plates attached to the housing component; and   c) a first hub configured to rotate about a central axis A, the first hub having a body with a volume at least partially defined between front and rear surfaces that are spaced apart along the central axis A, the perimeters of the front and rear surfaces defining at least one radially outwardly facing concavity through the first hub, at least a portion of the first hub being situated axially between the front and rear side plates, and further wherein the first hub includes at least one further crankshaft that includes a gear that in turn meshes with a central gear.   
     
     
         19 . The rotary machine of  claim 18 , wherein the central gear is stationary with respect to the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The rotary machine of  claim 18  where the first hub defines at least one fluidly sealed internal cavity therein for containing and circulating lubricants therethrough.