WO2007122007A1

WO2007122007A1 - Rotary pistons machine

Info

Publication number: WO2007122007A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/003681
Authority: WO
Inventors: Valeriano Antonio Lollato
Original assignee: Valeriano Antonio Lollato
Priority date: 2006-04-26
Filing date: 2007-04-26
Publication date: 2007-11-01
Also published as: EP1849958A1

Abstract

A volumetric rotary machine for generating or transforming mechanical energy comprising four rotary bodies rotating about a respective rotation axes, said four rotary bodies having said respective axes two by two perpendicular and two by two coincident but opposite to each other, wherein each rotary body has a recess that is penetrated by the two adjacent rotary bodies with axis perpendicular to each other, the rotary bodies with axis perpendicular to each other being mirror-like and counter-rotating, the rotary bodies with axes coincident and opposite being alike and counter-rotating, said recess penetrated by said rotary bodies creating at least four variable volume chambers, the volume of said chambers being responsive to the angular relative position between said rotary bodies, said chambers shrinking and expanding alternatively; at least one fluid inlet and a fluid outlet present in at least one said inlet and outlet resulting in at least one position in said chambers; a stiff containing structure arranged about said four rotary bodies, adapted to support said rotary bodies allowing their relative movement.

Description

TITLE

ROTARY PISTONS MACHINE

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the mechanical field of machines adapted for transforming or obtaining mechanical energy.

Background of the invention.

The need is felt to provide a volumetric rotary machine for generating or transforming mechanical energy, which is configurable as internal combustion engine or as actuating operating machine, having a configuration adapted to exploit the energy of an expanding gas better than the presently existing machines, obtaining a lower pressure and temperature of the exhaust gas higher efficiency.

Furthermore, many known internal combustion engines have relatively sliding parts, which, owing to the high working temperature, are subject to mechanical wear and risk of seizure requiring to dissipate much heat to limit the maximum temperature. Therefore the need is felt to provide an internal combustion machine without sliding surfaces .

DE19738132 discloses a multi-element compression machine having three or more elements rotating about fixed axles and with spiral interlocking but not contacting surfaces. The elements, while rotating, generate compression volumes without seals. The elements rotate all in a same rotation direction and the axles are not in a same plane. The surfaces of the elements are spiral-shaped without recesses, and engage with one another to form said compression volumes.

Summary of the invention

It is then a feature of the present invention to provide a volumetric rotary machine that solves these problems and meets said needs.

A particular feature of the present invention is to provide a rotary volumetric operating machine that is configurable both as internal combustion machine and as volumetric operating rotary machine, either as pump or as compressor.

Another object is to provide a rotary machine that, without any mechanical parts having sliding surfaces in contact with one another, allows heat resistance quality higher than in known machines.

A further feature of the invention is to provide a machine with high efficiency and compression ratio.

It is still a feature of the invention to provide an internal combustion machine capable of working with a very high temperature drop between warm source and cold source and a very high pressure drop.

Another object is to provide an internal combustion machine capable of fully evacuating the burnt gas from the combustion chamber before the suction of a fresh fuel charge.

A further feature of the invention is to provide a machine without reciprocating masses, so that it has an agile operation and substantially without vibrations, that is substantially noiseless.

It is still a feature of the invention to provide a machine with compact external shape.

These and other objects are achieved by a volumetric rotary machine for generating or transforming mechanical energy, characterised in that it comprises:

- four rotary bodies rotating about a respective rotation axis, said four rotary bodies having said respective axes two by two perpendicular and two by two coincident but opposite to each other, wherein each rotary body has a recess that is penetrated by the two adjacent rotary bodies with axis perpendicular to each other, the rotary bodies with axis perpendicular to each other being mirror-like and counter-rotating, the rotary bodies with axes coincident and opposite being alike and counter- rotating, said recess penetrated by said rotary bodies creating at least four variable volume chambers, the volume of said chambers being responsive to the angular relative position between said rotary bodies, said chambers shrinking and expanding alternatively;

- at least one fluid inlet and a fluid outlet present in at least one said inlet and outlet resulting in at least one position in said chambers;

- a stiff containing structure arranged about said four rotary bodies, adapted to support said rotary bodies allowing their relative movement.

Advantageously, said containing structure has inner spherical shape.

In particular, each rotary body of said four rotary bodies has said rotation axes, a plane face orthogonal to said rotation axis and having a spiral-shaped opening, a spherical portion defined by said plane face and by a couple of curved end portions separated by said rotation axes, an inner recess that originates from said spiral-shaped opening and plunges into said rotary body following a spiral shape, said spiral-shaped recess having transversal sections and axial sections consisting of portions of spiral and being defined by walls having thickness substantially the same as the pitch of said spiral.

Advantageously, said spiral shape is obtained according to a spiral of Archimedes.

In particular, said curved end portions are symmetrical in a plane passing through said rotation axis and perpendicular to said plane face, said curved end portions being defined by points rotationally equidistant both from said plane face and from a plane passing through said rotation axis.

In particular, between said rotary bodies and between said rotary bodies and said stiff structure a gap is provided adapted to allow the relative rotation of the rotary bodies without contacting each other and to limit fluid leakage between said chambers.

Preferably, said gap has a thickness less than lmm. In particular, each rotary body comprises a shaft portion opposite to said spiral-shaped opening and having an axis coincident with said rotation axis. This way, the machine has four shafts in pairs perpendicular to each other and belonging to a plane, each shaft being pivotally connected to said support structure. This way, taking two of said rotary bodies that are opposite to each other, they have respective plane faces opposite to each other at a minimum distance from each other and not penetrating each other. The same occurs for the other two opposite rotary bodies and with axes orthogonal to the former two rotary bodies. Instead, each rotary body penetrates the other adjacent rotary bodies that are opposite to each other, since its "positive" portion occupies instantly a part of the two "negative" portions of the two adjacent rotary bodies, i.e. the spiral-shaped recess, taking into account the different directions of rotation and the mirror-like shape of two adjacent rotary bodies. Advantageously, said machine comprises motion transmitting means arranged between each shaft and an output shaft capable of providing mechanical power.

In particular, said motion transmitting means comprise a bevel gear integral to each shaft adapted to mesh with a corresponding gear integral to an adjacent shaft.

Advantageously, said variable volume of said four chambers changes cyclically in an increasing way starting from a first minimum value up to a maximum value and then in a decreasing way up to a second minimum value.

In a particular exemplary embodiment, said volumetric rotary machine is an internal combustion machine and said inlet comprises at least one inlet duct, made in a respective rotary body, adapted to bring in said chambers a fresh fuel charge, whereas said outlet comprises at least one outlet duct adapted to expel the burnt gas.

Advantageously, said outlet is arranged according to a respective position fixed on said stiff containing structure. This way, said opening is alternatively closed and opened automatically by the movement of the outer back surface of said rotary body.

Advantageously each rotary body of said internal combustion engine comprises a central portion, integral to a central part of said rotary body, having a plane face that is an extension of said plane face of said rotary body, and a couple of concave curved surfaces that join on said plane face according to a first edge, said curved surfaces crossing along a second rectilinear edge incident to said first edge and passing through the rotation axis of said rotary body. The extension of said recess of each rotary body and, therefore, the angular extent of a cycle with the machine depending from the angular position of said first edge.

In a particular exemplary embodiment, said at least one inlet duct passes through each rotary body and is adapted to connect the outer environment with at least two of said chambers in a predetermined zone of said chambers. In particular, said at least one inlet duct comprises a fuel injector adapted to inject the fuel along the flow of said fresh fuel charge.

In particular, said predetermined zone is located on one of said concave curved surfaces of said central portion, in particular the innermost surface.

Advantageously, said central portion comprises a device for igniting said fresh fuel charge, in particular, a sparking plug, arranged according to a position selected from the group comprised of:

- on said plane face of said central portion;

- one of said concave curved surfaces of said central portion.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, said outlet from said two first chambers is connected to a respective inlet of two second chambers by at least one return duct. This way in said first two chambers the suction and the compression of a fresh fuel charge is carried out, whereas in said second two chambers out the combustion and the expulsion of the burnt gas is carried out, said fresh fuel charge passing in a compressed condition from said first two chambers to said second two chambers. Furthermore, this way two suction and compression steps occur at the same time of two combustion and exhaust steps. Preferably, said return duct is obtained in at least two of said rotary bodies, said duct having a first end on one of said curved end portions and a second end on said central portion.

In a possible exemplary embodiment, said return duct comprises at least one valve adapted to obstruct in a synchronized way said return duct during the expansion owing to the combustion.

In particular, each of said four return ducts comprises a fuel injector and at least one valve adapted to obstruct said four ducts in a synchronized way during the expansion owing to the combustion.

According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, each outlet from said four chambers is connected to an inlet of four chambers through a transfer duct.

In particular, said transfer duct comprises at least one first valve adapted to block said duct during the combustion and to open said duct during the compression for conveying the fresh compressed fuel charge from the periphery of each chamber to the central portion.

In particular, said inlet duct has a first end oriented out of the machine and at least one second end at said central portion, said at least one second end comprising a second valve adapted to be opened during the suction step and closed during the combustion step.

In particular, said inlet duct has a third end that connects said chamber in a zone of maximum volume, preferably said end comprising a third valve.

In a particular exemplary embodiment, said transfer duct and said inlet duct coincide, said inlet duct comprising a fourth valve arranged upstream from said second and third valve adapted to block said inlet duct during the transfer through said transfer duct between said second and third end. In a possible exemplary embodiment, said first and/or second and/or third valve are non-return valves, whereas said fourth valve is a controlled valve.

This way, four chambers carry out a suction and a compression of a fresh fuel charge, this fresh fuel charge, when compressed, is transferred into four successive chambers where the expansion occurs owing to the combustion and the expulsion of the burnt gas.

Alternatively, said volumetric rotary machine is a compressor for a fluid or a pump for liquid. Advantageously, said compressor for a fluid or said pump for liquid has a central spherical recess defined by spherical surface portions belonging to each rotary body, said central recess communicating with said chambers for a predetermined rotation angle of said rotary bodies.

Advantageously, said fluid inlet in said chambers comprises at least one suction duct in at least one rotary body adapted to connect said central spherical recess with a fluid ready for suction, said duct having a first end connected to said spherical surface portion by a first opening. This way the expansion step of the chambers produce a depression in the chambers that causes the suction of the fluid same.

Advantageously, in case of a pump for liquid, said at least one suction duct comprises at least one second opening communicating with said central recess.

In a further exemplary embodiment, said internal combustion machine is associated to said compressor, said operating machine being connected to said compressor by at least four connection ducts adapted to connect said compressor outlet means with said inlet ducts of said operating machine.

According to another exemplary embodiment, said compressor is obtained about said operating machine, said operating machine being arranged according to said spherical recess of said compressor, each rotary body of said operating machine being co-axial and integral to a corresponding rotary body of said compressor. This way the inlet of fresh fuel charge is obtained without the use of auxiliary compressors.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be made clearer with the description of some exemplary embodiments, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- Figures from 1 to 4 show four different views of an example of a rotary body of a machine according to the invention in case of internal combustion machine;

- Figure 5 shows a cross sectional view of such a rotary body, with a plane passing through its rotation axis;

- Figures from 6 to 8 show a perspective view of three respectively different shapes of such a rotary body, corresponding to three different ratios between maximum volume and minimum volume of the chambers due to three different shapes of a central portion; - Figures 9 and 10 show two perspective views of this central portion;

- Figure 11 shows four rotary bodies both in separated and assembled operative position in order to rotate on four perpendicular axes; - Figures 12-16 show such a rotary body divided into two assemblable parts for allowing to assemble the machine according to the invention;

- Figure 17 shows a succession of relative positions of four central portions belonging to respective rotary bodies during a complete cycle, showing the evolution of the creation of four equal chambers;

- Figure 18 shows a succession of relative positions of four rotary bodies, showing the evolution of the peripheral part of four groups of equal chambers; - Figure 19 shows a rotary body of an internal combustion machine obtained according to the invention, having an inlet port for the mixture and a point of ignition;

- Figure 19A shows an opposite view of the rotary body of figure 19, wherein an opening for the inlet duct is arranged on a curved end portion of the rotary body;

- Figure 20 shows a rotary body as a pump for liquid obtained according to the invention;

- Figure 21 shows a duct of a rotary body of such a machine;

- Figure 22 shows a rotary body as a volumetric compressor obtained according to the invention; - Figure 23 shows diagrammatically the course of the volume of a chamber responsive to the angle of rotation of a machine according to the invention;

- Figure 24 shows diagrammatically the course of the volume of two successive chambers; - Figure 25 shows the course of the volume on a cycle with a machine according to the invention comprising a first step of suction and compression and a second step of expansion and expulsion;

- Figure 26 shows a diagrammatical view of the operation of an exemplary embodiment of an internal combustion machine according to the invention;

- Figure 27 shows a cross sectional view of a possible configuration of a machine according to the invention, where the motion of the four shafts is transmitted to one another by means of corresponding four reduction gears and a transmission belt;

- Figure 28 shows a cross section of another exemplary embodiment of a machine according to the invention where the rotation between the four axes is transmitted by means of corresponding bevelled gears integrated to the machine with a spherical outer compressor obtained according to the invention; this example comprises an operating machine according to the invention in the central part and a compressor according to the invention in the peripheral part;

- Figure 29 shows an exploded view of an example of internal combustion machine according to the invention, having a compressor according to the invention in the peripheral part;

- Figure 30 shows a cross sectional partial view of such a machine once assembled, without the rotary bodies;

- Figure 31 shows a perspective three-dimensional view of an outer compressor obtained according to the invention,

- Figure 32 shows the evolution of variable volume chambers that are formed between the rotary bodies and a compressor obtained according to the invention in a peripheral zone of an operating machine obtained according to the invention.

Description of the preferred exemplary embodiment In the following description an example of volumetric rotary machine is given, according to the invention, for generating or transforming mechanical energy by the simultaneous rotation of four rotary bodies IA, IB, 1C, ID shown in figure 11, having each a rotation axis 11A, HB, HC and HD, such rotary bodies being arranged so that such rotation axes are incident and perpendicular belonging to a same plane, between such rotary bodies at least one group of four equal chambers being created, not shown in the figure, whose volume changes cyclically between a minimum value and a maximum value during the rotation of the rotary bodies. As shown in figure 11, the front face 5A of rotary body IA is facing the front face 5C of rotary body 1C, IA and 1C creating a couple of rotary bodies counter rotating about coincident axes HA and HC. Similarly, front face 5B of rotary body IB faces the front face 5D of rotary body ID, IB and ID, creating a couple of rotary bodies counter rotating about coincident axes HB and HD. Rotary bodies IA and 1C have mirror-like shape with respect to rotary bodies IB and ID. In other words, each rotary body rotates in a direction contrary to the direction of rotation of the other two rotary bodies adjacent and perpendicular. When assembled together the above described four rotary bodies form an assembly 12 with substantially spherical external shape and having four perpendicular shafts continuously rotating about axes HA, HB, HC and HD, each shaft being integral to the respective rotary body. Between the four rotary bodies no sliding occurs since a minimum gap is present, having thickness preferably less than lmm. The net drawn on the elements of figure 11 is not a real feature of the rotary bodies but is used only for highlighting its curved shape.

Figures 1 and 4 show two opposite side views of an example of rotary body 1, as shown in figure 11, whereas figure 2 shows a top plan view and figure 3 a view from below thereof, with respect to rotation axis 11. Each rotary body 1, as shown also in the examples of figures 5- 8, has a plane face 5 orthogonal to the rotation axis 11, a spiral-shaped opening, in particular an Archimedean spiral, on the front face 5, having origin on axis 11, an inner recess 4 having a spiral-shaped cross section, in particular an Archimedean spiral. Rotary body 1 has a spiral-shaped external surface 3 and an inner surface 6 that define a wall. As shown in figure 5, this rotary body 1, when cross-sectioned with a plane passing through the rotation axis H, provides sections 7 with spiral-shaped edge, also in this case Archimedean spirals, obtained as intersection of surfaces 3 and 6. Rotary body 1 comprises a spherical portion 2 with axis coincident to axis H, which covers substantially a half of the rotary body same, having an end on plane face 5 and an end comprising two curved end portions 14 and 14' symmetrical with respect to a midplane passing through axis 11 and perpendicular to plane face 5. Each of such curved end portions 14 is defined by a curved surface consisting of points rotationally equidistant both from the plane of front face 5 and from the plane passing through axis 11 and perpendicular to the above described plane of symmetry. This shape of the curved end portions 14 is adapted to allow the relative rotation of the four rotary bodies. Furthermore, the spherical shape of portion 2 is adapted to allow the rotation of the rotary bodies in a spherical containing structure 20 shown in figures 27, 28 and 29.

In a particular exemplary embodiment, as shown in figures 12-16, the above described rotary bodies 1 can be obtained in two assemblable parts 170 and 171, allowing to assemble the four rotary bodies in order to permit their mutual rotation about the respective rotational axes. Rotary body 1, shown in assembled configuration in figure 16, is shown in a cut configuration in two separate parts 170 and 171 in figures 12 and 13, whereas in figures 14 and 15 the above described separate parts 170 and 171 are shown comprising inlet ducts 19 and connection means between the parts same, which in the embodiment described are two screws 172 passing through two corresponding holes 173 obtained in part 171 and screwed into corresponding screw threaded holes made in part 170. Inlet ducts 19, have been shown in figures 14 and 15 for simplicity, but actually would not be visible being within the rotary body same. Along the surfaces of separation between parts 171 and 170, ducts 19 come to an end, and on such surfaces connection sleeves 174 can be present.

Figure 17 shows a succession of positions, corresponding to angular successive positions, of four central portions of respective four rotary bodies, illustrating the creation and the development, near to the central portions, of a group of four equal chambers, that, in any case, are not at the same time shown in the figure. Such positions are spaced by 30° degrees of rotation each. At the position 0° two chambers 200 and 201 are shown whereas other two equal chambers are created at the opposite region and then not shown in the figure. After a rotation of 30° of the rotary bodies a chamber 203 is created whereas the chambers 200 and 201 change their own shape. At each instant at least one group of four equal chambers is always present, and then also in this configuration, in addition to chambers 203 other four equal chambers are created and not shown in the figure. By the rotation chamber 203 increases its volume, whereas chamber 200 decreases. After a further rotation, at 180°, a configuration is shown where only two chambers are shown 203 and 204. Then other four chambers are formed of which only chamber 205 is visible in the figure, whereas the chambers of which chamber 204 is visible, after a first portion where they increase the volume, have a decrease up to annulling it at 360°. The angular course shown is purely descriptive and the correspondence between angles of rotation and configurations of the chambers depends on the geometry of the rotary bodies. Similarly, figure 18 shows a succession of configurations, corresponding to following angular positions of the four rotary bodies, which shows the evolution of the geometry of the peripheral zone of a group of four chambers, responsive to the angular position. At a position of 0° the peripheral zone of two chambers 300 and 301 is shown of a group of four chambers. Progressively with the rotation the creation of an opening at the boundary of a chamber 302 and its variation during the rotation of the rotary bodies is shown. At 330° the creation is shown of an opening 304 and then an opening 307. The course of the creation of the apertures of the chambers responsive to the angle of rotation depends on the shape of the rotary bodies, which in the case described is that of figure 7.

A machine obtained according to the invention comprises the four rotary bodies having a geometry described in the previous figures, that can be formed in order to work as volumetric operating machine capable of transforming mechanical energy into pressure, such as a volumetric compressor or a pump, or as internal combustion machine capable of transforming thermal energy, developed in a combustion step in a central zone, into mechanical energy supplied to a rotating shaft. In case of an operating machine or internal combustion engine, the above described group of four equal chambers that is formed between the four rotary bodies 1 comprises chambers that arise from a central portion 8, which, as shown in figures from 6 to 10, belongs to rotary body 1 and can be conformed in many ways for not allowing a free rotation of adjacent rotary bodies 1. In particular, the shape of this central portion 8, described in figures 9 and 10, comprises a first rectilinear edge 15 given by the intersection between a plane passing through the front face 5 and two curved concave surfaces 9 and 9' that join on a second rectilinear edge 15' perpendicular to the first edge and arranged along the rotation axis 11. Figure 6 shows a rotary body 1 having a central portion 8 with first edge 15 arranged according to an angle predetermined with respect to the geometry of the rotary body same. In figure 7 a rotary body 1 is shown having the first edge 15 rotated of 90° with respect to that of figure 6 and, in figure 8 a rotary body is shown with edge rotated of 180° always with respect to that of figure 6. Obviously, this edge 15 can be arranged according to a desired angle different from those mentioned. Advantageously in the description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention the geometry of the example of figure 7 will be referred to. During the operation as operating machine, i.e. during the relative rotation of the four rotary bodies, the above described four chambers is formed starting from a central zone at the above described central portion 8 and starting from volume zero. Progressively with the rotation of rotary bodies 1, the volume of the chambers increases according to an increasing section 102 shown diagrammatically in figure 23, having in abscissas 100 the angular position of the rotary body and in ordinates 101 the volume, achieving a maximum 104 at a predetermined angle and then decreasing, at section 103, up to zeroing at another predetermined angle on the boundary of the machine. The values of such angles depend on the geometry of the rotary body and, in particular, assume the values described in the drawing in case of reference to the example of figure 7. In a first possible shape of an internal combustion engine, a gaseous mixture of fuel and comburent under pressure is injected at the same time in each four chambers at central portion 8, for a time corresponding to a predetermined rotation, which for the particular geometry of figure 7, goes substantially from 0° to 90°. About at this position of rotary body a sparking effect is created at the same time in each four chambers, for igniting the mixture and creating an expansion of the gas that in figure 23 is shown by the increasing section 102. In this section the machine produces work. Then, the rotation of the rotary bodies reduces the volume of the chambers, according to decreasing section 103, pushing the burnt gas towards the boundary of the machine and expelling them through an exhaust opening depending on the geometry of the rotary bodies when they are in a predetermined angular position, which in the case shown ends at 630°. This operation is repeated cyclically. The particular geometry produces the creation of a second group of four chambers, always in central zone and with the same evolution as that already described, after a rotation of 180°; then, during the expansion step of the first group of four, the ignition of the mixture in the second group of four chambers is carried out. Likewise, the process is repeated cyclically each 180° of rotation, as shown in figure 24, where the cycle 102 is followed by a cycle 106 after 180°. Thus an agile movement of the motor is obtained with a group of four contemporaneous combustions every 180°. In particular, the above described mixture is injected at the increasing chamber through an inlet duct obtained in each rotary body, where in figure 19 on surface 9' the inlet end 16 of such inlet duct is visible, this surface 9' being the innermost of the curved surfaces of central portion 8. Furthermore, the ignition of the mixture can be operated with a sparking source 17 arranged on the plane edge of the central portion 8, shown in figure 19, opposite with respect to the inlet port 16 and belonging to one of the perpendicular rotary bodies. Obviously, in an alternative exemplary embodiment, this sparking source 17 can be arranged on one of the concave surfaces 9 and 9' and preferably on surface 9' . In this case, this source 17 is capable of igniting the mixture contained in a chamber different from a chamber that would be used if source 17 were arranged on the plane face. The exhaust port of each four chambers is closed always in the same position for each cycle, whereby it is possible to provide an exhaust collector at this position. Such a machine could require non-return valves arranged on the above described inlet duct adapted to block this duct during the combustion step, whereas the exhaust ports are open and close cyclically for the geometry and the kinematics of the rotary bodies. In particular, if an ignition of the mixture is triggered at an angle higher than 90° and less than 180°, always with reference to the geometry of rotary body 1 described in figure 7, the presence of the above described non-return valves is not necessary because the inlet would be automatically closed by the relative position of the rotary bodies.

Figure 19A shows the end opening 139 opposite to end 16 of the inlet duct passing through rotary body 19. This opening 139 is arranged on the curved end section 14 and in a position close to the rotation axis of rotary body 1.

In a possible exemplary embodiment, said internal combustion machine comprises a suction step and a compression step of the comburent, previous to the expansion step owing to the combustion. This suction and compression steps can be effected by a group of four chambers that at the same time suck a mixture of fuel and comburent from the outside by depression along an increasing portion of the volume, indicated as 110 in figure 25, followed by a decreasing compression section 111, adapted to bring this compressed mixture into the central zone. Before that the volume of each chamber containing the mixture is reduced to zero, in particular, after a rotation of the rotary bodies of 540°, this mixture starts to pass through a duct into a second group of four chambers that is created starting from 540°. This fluid passage stops after a rotation of 90° starting from the beginning of the flow up to the end of the decreasing section 111. At this point, after a rotation of 630°, a spark is created in the second group of four chambers, containing the compressed mixture, thus igniting the mixture and causing an expansion 102 followed by a compression 103 the same as those described in figure 23. Such a machine, this way, carries out a group of four combustions each 360°, differently from the previous example that carries out a group of four combustions each 180°. Such an internal combustion engine is structurally more complex of the previous case since it needs valves arranged on the path of the mixture for allowing a correct operation.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, said internal combustion machine comprises a suction step and a compression step of the comburent that is carried out in only two chambers, at the same time of an expansion step owing to the combustion in the other two chambers. A diagrammatical view of this operation is described in figure 26, where shown four rotary bodies 1 are diagrammatically obtained according to the geometry described in figure 7, which define a group of four equal chambers diagrammatically indicated with 120, 121, 122, 123, whose edge is a representation of a section of volume as described in the graphs of figures 23, 24 and 25. The angular amplitude of such diagrammatically shown chambers is proportional to the actual volume of the chambers as the angle of rotation of the rotary bodies varies. In the diagrammatical view as shown, in chambers 121 and 123 the suction and the compression of the comburent is carried out, for example air drawn from the environment, whereas in chambers 120 and 122 the expansion due to combustion and the expulsion of the burnt gas are carried out. The chambers 123 and 121 are connected respectively to the chamber 120 and 122 by a respective duct 130 and 131, on whose path a fuel injector 140 is present and a check valve 150 is provided adapted to prevent the back flow of the burnt gas into suction chamber 123. Such ducts 130 and 131 are obtained within the respective rotary bodies 1, having a first end 139, shown also in figure 19A, on the curved end section 14 near the rotation axis and a second end coincident with inlet 16. The comburent is drawn from the outside and sucked into chambers 121 and 123 respectively by ducts 132 and 133. The duct 132 has a first opening 134 at a central zone of the machine and a second opening 136 in a zone of maximum expansion, this opening comprising a check valve 138. Similarly, the duct 133 comprises a first opening 135 and a second opening 137 with a valve 139. During the operation, the comburent is sucked into chambers 121 and 123 through the ducts 132 and 133 using at first the apertures 134 and 135 and then the apertures 136 and 139, since inlet apertures 134 and 135, shown along with opening 16 in figure 19, are closed automatically by the relative movement of the rotary bodies, after a first angle of rotation. Then, such chambers reduce their own volume forcing the comburent, with the fuel coming from the injectors 141 and 140, to pass compressed into chambers 122 and 120, near the central portion where a spark 150 and 151 is produced and combustion starts followed by expansion and expulsion of the burnt gas. The power supplied by the motor is adjusted changing the flow of comburent at the inlet by the butterfly valves 152 and 153. In this case, the course of the volume in the chambers is the same of that already described in the diagram of figure 25.

Such a machine, this way, carries out a couple of combustions each 180°, and at the same time a couple of suctions. This exemplary embodiment is useful because it allows to obtain an agile o movement fluid and needs of only non-return valves.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the machine according to the invention, is conformed as a volumetric compressor adapted to cause the suction of a gas from the outside and to bring it towards the centre of the machine, thus compressing it. The shape of each rotary body 1, shown in figure 22 with dotted line, in this case, does not comprise the central portion 8 shown above in the case of the operating machine, being instead provided a spherical empty space defined completely by a central surface 18 on each rotary body 1. At least at one of such surfaces a delivery port 16' is present that, in case of operating machine coincides with the inlet 16, which is the end of a duct 19 passing in the rotary body and that leads out to shaft 10. In this case it could be enough a single duct 19, since the above described central empty space is continually in communication with each rotary body. Differently from the operating machine, the above described group of four chambers comprises four chambers growing in the boundary of the machine in four fixed positions where a suction collector is located. The course of the volume is shown diagrammatically in the diagram of figure 23 according to a negative rotation speed, inverted with respect to that of the operating machine, carrying out a suction along the increasing section 103, followed by the compression in section 102.

Obviously, the operation could have a speed of rotation opposite to that just described, depending on the fact that, progressively with the rotation, the volume of the chambers increases according to an increasing portion similar to section 102 of figure 23, creating a depression in the chambers that thus draw the gas from the outside. This increase of volume is followed by a decrease 103 that compresses the gas bringing it towards the centre.

Such second exemplary embodiment can be conformed to obtain a pump for liquid, whose rotary body 1 is described in figure 20, operating in the same way as the compressor already described, with the difference that since liquids are incompressible the above described duct 19, shown in figure 21, must comprise a plurality of apertures 16' oriented towards the inner wall of each rotary body 1, adapted to keep in communication this duct 19 with the variable volume chamber during the variation of this volume forcing the liquid to outflow progressively outwards.

Obviously, as in case of the compressor, this machine can work according to a speed of rotation positive or negative, according to it the towards of the flow of the liquid through the machine.

It is possible, furthermore, to provide an exemplary embodiment of a machine according to the invention combining an operating machine obtained according to the above described first exemplary embodiment of an internal combustion engine, and a outer compressor obtained according to the invention. This outer compressor can be a machine separated from the motor and connected by means of inlet delivery ducts, or it can be obtained about the motor same, creating a peripheral compressor of which figures 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 provide an example. In this last exemplary embodiment, the peripheral compressor comprises four rotary bodies 50 that remain external and coaxial to rotary bodies 1 of the motor that form the unit 12. Unit 12 of the motor, instead, remains in the peripheral compressor occupying the above described central empty space of the compressor, suitably enlarged. The four rotary bodies have the shape of a spherical shell portion having a suitably dimensioned thickness and proportional to the volumes of the variable volume chambers that are formed instantly between rotary bodies 50. The delivery of the peripheral compressor, not shown in the figures, is connected to the inlets of the motor, which are also not shown, located on the central portion by a duct in the rotary body so that the pressurized comburent is brought with the fuel at the central portion where the ignition is carried out of the mixture.

Figure 28 shows such an operating machine consisting of four rotary bodies 1, having rotational axes 11, such rotary bodies being hosed in a containing structure 20 and being integral and coaxial to the respective bevelled gears 21, having a curved axial cross section in order to rotate about the containing structure 20, such gears meshing with each other and transmitting the motion. Outside such wheels a second spherical covering is provided, not shown in the figure, which separates such wheels from the rotary bodies 50 that form the peripheral compressor obtained about the motor. Outside the rotary bodies a third spherical covering 52 is present adapted to contain the whole machine.

Figure 29 shows an exploded view of such a machine where the motor block 12 is arranged at the centre and has four protruding shafts 10. This motor block 12 is housed in containing structure 20. Coaxial to shafts 10 the gears 21 are mounted separated by the rotary bodies 50 of the compressor by the second spherical covering 51. The rotary bodies 50 of the peripheral compressor are closed within a third spherical covering 52. In the drawing are shown also the injectors 160, adapted to inject the fuel in the inlet duct to reach the variable volume chambers, not shown.

Figure 30 shows a partial view of an example of machine according to the invention assembled and already shown in figure 29 in exploded view. Advantageously, the rotary bodies have not been depicted, in order to show the bevelled gears 21.

Figure 31 shows a perspective view of a peripheral compressor without the third covering shown in the two previous figures. In particular, the rotational axes 11 and the rotary bodies 50 are shown.

Figure 32 shows the evolution of the variable volume chambers present in the peripheral compressor. The volume of such chambers, indicated with references from 400 to 406, changes according to an increasing portion followed by a decreasing portion, creating a depression and then a suction in the increasing portion and a compression in the decreasing portion. In particular, the drawings refer to successive configurations obtained with rotation steps of 30°.

The foregoing description of a specific embodiment will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications such an embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiment. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Claims

1. A volumetric rotary machine for generating or transforming mechanical energy, characterised in that it comprises: - four rotary bodies rotating about a respective rotation axes, said four rotary bodies having said respective axes in a same plane two by two perpendicular and two by two coincident but opposite to each other, wherein each rotary body has a recess that is penetrated by the two adjacent rotary bodies with axis perpendicular to each other, the rotary bodies with axis perpendicular to each other being mirror-like and counter-rotating, the rotary bodies with axes coincident and opposite being alike and counter-rotating, said recess penetrated by said rotary bodies creating at least four variable volume chambers, the volume of said chambers being responsive to the angular relative position between said rotary bodies, said chambers shrinking and expanding alternatively;

2. A machine, according to claim 1, wherein each rotary body of said four rotary bodies has said rotation axes, a plane face orthogonal to said rotation axis and having a spiral-shaped opening, a spherical portion defined by said plane face and by a couple of curved end portions separated by said rotation axes, an inner recess that originates from said spiral-shaped opening and plunges into said rotary body following a spiral shape, said spiral- shaped recess having transversal sections and axial sections consisting of portions of spiral, in particular, a spiral of Archimedes, and being defined by walls having thickness substantially the same as the pitch of said spiral.

3. A machine, according to claim 2, wherein said curved end portions are symmetrical in a plane passing through said rotation axis and perpendicular to said plane face, said curved end portions being defined by points rotationally equidistant both from on said plane face and from a plane passing through said rotation axis.

4. A machine, according to claim 1, wherein each rotary body comprises a shaft portion opposite to said spiral-shaped opening and having an axis coincident with said rotation axes, means being provided for transmitting the movement between each shaft portion and an output shaft capable of providing mechanical power.

5. A machine, according to claim 8, wherein said motion transmitting means comprises a bevel gear integral to each shaft adapted to mesh with a corresponding gear integral to an adjacent shaft.

6. A machine, according to claim 1, wherein said volumetric rotary machine is an internal combustion machine and said inlet comprises at least one inlet duct, made in a respective rotary body, adapted to bring into said chambers a fresh fuel charge, in association with an ignition device located in a central portion of said rotary body, whereas said outlet comprises at least one outlet duct adapted to expel the burnt gas.

7. A machine, according to claim 6, wherein each rotary body of said internal combustion engine comprises a central portion, integral to a central part of said rotary body, having a plane face that is an extension of on said plane face of said rotary body and a couple of concave curved surfaces that join to on said plane face according to a first edge, said curved surfaces crossing along a second rectilinear edge incident to said first edge and passing through the rotation axis of said rotary body.

8. A machine, according to claim 6, wherein said outlet from two first chambers is connected to a respective inlet of two second chambers by at least one return duct, wherein said return duct comprises at least one valve adapted to obstruct in a synchronized way said return duct during the expansion owing to the combustion.

9. A machine, according to claim 1, wherein said volumetric rotary machine is a compressor for a fluid or a pump for liquid, wherein said compressor for a fluid or said pump for liquid has a central spherical recess defined by spherical surface portions belonging to each rotary body, said central recess communicating with said chambers for predetermined rotation angle of said rotary bodies.

10. A machine, according to claim 9, wherein said fluid inlet in said chambers comprises at least one suction duct in at least one rotary body adapted to connect said central spherical recess with a fluid ready for suction, said duct having a first end connected to said spherical surface portion by a first opening.

11. A machine, according to claims 6 and 9, wherein said internal combustion machine is associated to a said compressor, said operating machine being connected to said compressor, wherein said compressor is obtained about said operating machine, said operating machine being arranged in said spherical recess of said compressor, each rotary body of said operating machine being coaxial and integral to a corresponding rotary body of said compressor.