A compound engine assembly with an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine, a compressor, and a turbine section where the turbine shaft is configured to compound power with the engine shaft. The turbine section may include a first stage turbine and a second stage turbine. The turbine shaft is rotationally supported by a plurality of bearings all located on a same side of the compressor rotor(s) and all located on a same side of the turbine rotor(s), for example all located between the compressor rotor(s) and the turbine rotor(s), such that the compressor rotor(s) and the turbine rotor(s) are cantilevered. A method of driving a rotatable load of an aircraft is also discussed.

A compression and expansion machine is disclosed that includes a body with at least one chamber about an axis of symmetry, and pistons rotating about the axis of symmetry and dividing the chamber into cells rotating with the pistons. The invention also includes a device for coordinating the movement of the pistons and configured so that, during one rotation cycle, each of the cells performs at least one first expansion/contraction cycle corresponding to a stage of compressing a first stream of gas passing through this cell and at least one second expansion/contraction cycle corresponding to a stage of expanding a second stream of gas passing through this cell.

This invention describes a mechanism containing two coaxial rotators, embedded on a driveshaft, (1a, 1b) that spin alternately with two velocities. Each rotator has at least two vanes (2) and during the rotators' spin chambers of variable capacities form between the vanes. When the vanes touch together the velocities of the rotators change (2). Rotation speed changes from V1 to V2 and vice-versa are enabled by gearshifts consisting of two-speed ratchets (3) interlocked with rotators' shafts (1a, 1b) that transmit force from and to steering ratchets (4). At a constant velocity of the steering ratchet (4) after its every 180 rotation the angular velocity of the two-speed ratchet (3) and rotator change. The correct functioning of the whole mechanism is provided by engagement of the steering ratchet, transporting force from and to the two-speed ratchet (3), with the coaxial steering ratchet (4) transporting force from the rotator (1b).

A rotary fluid pressure device, such as a low-speed, high-torque gerotor motor, is provided with a valve drive shaft that is partially inserted into and engaged with a main drive shaft as the main drive shaft engages a rotating output shaft and engages a rotating and orbiting star member of a positive displacement device. The device is also provided with a drive retainer configured to retain the engagement of the main drive shaft and the valve drive shaft.

A method and a Rotary Combustion Engine (RCE) suitable for deactivation of at least one rotor out of a plurality of rotors. The RCE includes at least a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion which are disposed in straight coextensive longitudinal axial alignment. Each shaft portion may support at least one rotor. The at least first shaft portion and second shaft portion are separated by a gap. A shaft coupling mechanism is operable to bridge the gap and couple the first shaft portion in engagement with the second shaft portion for rotation together. The shaft coupling mechanism is also operable to disengage the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, and thereby deactivate the rotation of at least one rotor.

A method and system is provided for pressure balancing one or more seals in machines such as expanders and/or compressors using the process fluid which is being expanded or compressed to provide the pressure for pressure balancing the other side of the one or more seals. The one or more seals may be part of a pressure containing chamber which may comprise a seal, a bearing and/or a gear on a rotating shaft common to the seal. An amount of pressure to be supplied to housing(s) for a machine so as to create a pressure cascade, and thereby dropping the pressure in each subsequent chamber as pressure approaches atmosphere. Pressure differentials may be directed to leak process fluid to the chamber into the process. Pressurized lube oil systems may be employed for balancing pressure and delivering lubricant to the seals, bearings and gears.

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.

Provided is an actuator of a link mechanism for an internal combustion engine, in which a speed reducer is sufficiently lubricated. The actuator includes an oil passage formed in a control shaft for changing the posture of a control link and configured to feed lubricant oil to the speed reducer; and an open portion which opens to face the speed reducer in one end side located on the speed reducer side, and which is in communication with the oil passage in the other end side. An inner diameter of the one end side of the open portion is larger than an outer diameter of one end side of the oil passage.

A rotary-vane internal combustion engine of the cat and mouse or scissor type with coordinated rotation of two co-axial shafts with position sensors creating chambers of variable volume for intake, compression, power and exhaust strokes. A reversible electric generator motor on at least one of the shafts with an electronic control system for current, an energy storage unit and electrical load. The total work done and angular speed is calculated or empirically determined while an alternating accelerating or decelerating torque is applied for a continuous, uniform rotation cycle.

A pneumatic engine includes a plurality of pneumatic motors and an engine drive shaft. Each motor has a motor gas inlet, a motor gas outlet, and a rotor driven by gas flow between the motor gas inlet and the motor gas outlet. The engine drive shaft is drivingly coupled to the motor drive shaft of each of the pneumatic motors.