Rotary chamber-type compressor

Claim 2

In a rotating chamber-type pumping device including a body structure having a cavity therein and having an end wall, a rotor in the cavity having a compound movement which is the resultant of two circular components of rotation about parallel axes at different angular velocities whereby rotating chambers of changing volume are created in areas of the cavity lying radially outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, a fluid inlet orifice in the end wall communicating with a suction chamber-defining area of the cavity outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, an outlet port in the body structure communicating with the exterior and with a compression chamber-defining area of the cavity, a check-type outlet valve controlling flow through said outlet port, a shaft for driving said rotor, said end wall extending radially outwardly a substantial distance beyond said orifice, a second pumping device located on the opposite side of the body from said end wall and also drivable by said shaft; the improvement comprising the rotor being hollow and said inlet orifice extending through said end wall within the peripheral path of and discharging into the interior of the rotor of the first-mentioned pumping device, an additional inlet orifice extending through said body structure radially outwardly of said cavity, a chambered divider member between the first and second pumping devices having passage portions therein communicating with said additional inlet orifice and with said second pumping device to supply fluid to the latter, and a transfer port in said divider member segregated from said passage portions and openings into the cavity of said first mentioned pumping device at positions both inwardly and outwardly of the peripheral wall of the rotor, on the side of the rotor opposite said end wall, to transfer fluid from the hollow interior of the rotor to a suction area of the cavity outside the periphery of the rotor.

Claim 3

Rotating chamber-type pumping apparatus comprising a body structure having a cavity therein for a first pumping device, said cavity having an end wall, said first pumping device comprising a rotor in the cavity having a peripheral wall, means mounting the rotor for rotation in the cavity with a compound movement which is the resultant of two circular components of rotation about parallel axes a different angular velocities whereby rotating chambers of chanGing volume are created in areas of the cavity lying radially outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, a fluid inlet orifice for said pumping device in the end wall communicating with a suction chamber-defining area of the cavity outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, and outlet port in the body structure communicating with the exterior and with a compression chamber-defining area of the cavity, a check-type outlet valve controlling flow through said outlet port, a shaft for driving said rotor, a motor for driving the shaft, a motor housing portion interiorly communicating with said fluid inlet orifice and in sealingly overengaged relation to said orifice appurtenant to said end wall, and a main service inlet opening into the interior of said motor housing portion, the pumping apparatus being characterized by a second pumping device located on the side of the first pumping device opposite from the motor housing portion and also drivable by said shaft, the rotor being hollowed and the first-mentioned fluid inlet orifice extending through said end wall within the peripheral path of and discharging into the interior of the rotor of the first-mentioned pumping device, a divider member interposed between said two pumping devices on the opposite side of said first-mentioned pumping device from said end wall, said divider member having a relatively large chamber therein, additional inlet passage means interconnecting the interior of the motor housing portion with the last-mentioned chamber independently of the aforementioned fluid inlet orifice, inlet port portions in said divider member for connecting said chamber to the second pumping device, and a radially extending transfer port in said divider member segregated from said chamber and open on its side facing the cavity of the first-mentioned pumping device at positions both inwardly and outwardly of the peripheral wall of the rotor, to transfer fluid from the hollow interior of the rotor of the first-mentioned pumping device to a suction area of the cavity outside the periphery of the rotor thereof.

Claim 4

Rotating chamber-type pumping apparatus comprising a body structure having a cavity therein for a first pumping device, said cavity having an end wall, said first pumping device comprising a rotor in the cavity having a peripheral wall, means mounting the rotor for rotation in the cavity with a compound movement which is the resultant of two circular components of rotation about parallel axes a different angular velocities whereby rotating chambers of chanGing volume are created in areas of the cavity lying radially outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, a fluid inlet orifice for said pumping device in the end wall communicating with a suction chamber-defining area of the cavity outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, and outlet port in the body structure communicating with the exterior and with a compression chamber-defining area of the cavity, a check-type outlet valve controlling flow through said outlet port, a shaft for driving said rotor, a motor for driving the shaft, a motor housing portion interiorly communicating with said fluid inlet orifice and in sealingly overengaged relation to said orifice appurtenant to said end wall, and a main service inlet opening into the interior of said motor housing portion, the pumping apparatus being characterized by a second pumping device located on the side of the first pumping device opposite from the motor housing portion and also drivable by said shaft, the rotor being hollowed and the first-mentioned fluid inlet orifice extending through said end wall within the peripheral path of and discharging into the interior of the rotor of the first-mentioned pumping device, a divider member interposed between said two pumping devices on the opposite side of said first-mentioned pumping device from said end wall, said divider member having a relatively large chamber therein, additional inlet passage means interconnecting the interior of the motor housing portion with the last-mentioned chamber independently of the aforementioned fluid inlet orifice, inlet port portions in said divider member for connecting said chamber to the second pumping device, and a radially extending transfer port in said divider member segregated from said chamber and open on its side facing the cavity of the first-mentioned pumping device at positions both inwardly and outwardly of the peripheral wall of the rotor, to transfer fluid from the hollow interior of the rotor of the first-mentioned pumping device to a suction area of the cavity outside the periphery of the rotor thereof.

Claim 5

Rotating chamber-type pumping apparatus comprising a body structure having a cavity therein for a first pumping device, said cavity having an end wall, said first pumping device comprising a rotor in the cavity having a peripheral wall, means mounting the rotor for rotation in the cavity with a compound movement which is the resultant of two circular components of rotation about parallel axis at different angular velocities whereby rotating chambers of changing volume are created in areas of the cavity lying radially outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, a fluid inlet orifice for said pumping device in the end wall communicating with a suction chamber-defining area of the cavity outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, and outlet port in the body structure communicating with the exterior and with a compression chamber-defining area of the cavity, a check-type outlet valve controlling flow through said outlet port, a shaft for driving said rotor, a motor for driving the shaft, a motor housing portion interiorly communicating with said fluid inlet orifice and in sealingly overengaged relation to said orifice appurtenant to said end wall, and a main service inlet opening into the interior of said motor housing portion, the pumping apparatus being characterized by a second pumping device located on the side of the first pumping device opposite from the motor housing portion and also drivable by said shaft, the rotor being hollowed and the first-mentioned fluid inlet orifice extending through said end wall within the peripheral path of and discharging into the interior of the rotor of the first-mentioned pumping device, a divider member interposed between said two pumping devices on the opposite side of said first-mentioned pumping device from said end wall, said divider member having a relatively large chamber therein and means defining an opposite end wall of the cavity of the first-mentioned pumping device, additional inlet pasSage means interconnecting the interior of the motor housing portion with the last-mentioned chamber independently of the aforementioned fluid inlet orifice, inlet port portions in said divider member for connecting said chamber to the second pumping device, and a radially extending transfer port in one of said end walls of the cavity of the first-mentioned pumping device open at position both inwardly and outwardly of the peripheral wall of the rotor, to transfer fluid from the hollow interior of the rotor of the first-mentioned pumping device of a suction area of the cavity outside the periphery of the rotor thereof.

Claim 6

Rotating chamber-type pumping apparatus comprising a body structure having a cavity therein for a first pumping device, said cavity having an end wall, said first pumping device comprising a rotor in the cavity having a peripheral wall, means mounting the rotor for rotation in the cavity with a compound movement which is the resultant of two circular components of rotation about parallel axis at different angular velocities whereby rotating chambers of changing volume are created in areas of the cavity lying radially outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, a fluid inlet orifice for said pumping device in the end wall communicating with a suction chamber-defining area of the cavity outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, and outlet port in the body structure communicating with the exterior and with a compression chamber-defining area of the cavity, a check-type outlet valve controlling flow through said outlet port, a shaft for driving said rotor, a motor for driving the shaft, a motor housing portion interiorly communicating with said fluid inlet orifice and in sealingly overengaged relation to said orifice appurtenant to said end wall, and a main service inlet opening into the interior of said motor housing portion, the pumping apparatus being characterized by a second pumping device located on the side of the first pumping device opposite from the motor housing portion and also drivable by said shaft, the rotor being hollowed and the first-mentioned fluid inlet orifice extending through said end wall within the peripheral path of and discharging into the interior of the rotor of the first-mentioned pumping device, a divider member interposed between said two pumping devices on the opposite side of said first-mentioned pumping device from said end wall, said divider member having a relatively large chamber therein and means defining an opposite end wall of the cavity of the first-mentioned pumping device, additional inlet pasSage means interconnecting the interior of the motor housing portion with the last-mentioned chamber independently of the aforementioned fluid inlet orifice, inlet port portions in said divider member for connecting said chamber to the second pumping device, and a radially extending transfer port in one of said end walls of the cavity of the first-mentioned pumping device open at position both inwardly and outwardly of the peripheral wall of the rotor, to transfer fluid from the hollow interior of the rotor of the first-mentioned pumping device of a suction area of the cavity outside the periphery of the rotor thereof.

Claim 7

In a rotating-chamber type gas compressor, the combination of: two body structures aligned in spaced apart relationship along the axis of rotation of the compressor, said bodies having inner peripheral walls defining first and second cylindrical cavities respectively around said axis; a divider plate having opposed end walls disposed between and connected to said body structures, each divider plate end wall defining a first end wall of a respective one of said cavities, said divider plate having a suction gas chamber therein; closure means defining a second end wall of each said cavity; first and second flow multi-lobed rotors in said first and second cavities respectively, each said rotor having peripheral walls between the lobes thereof; means for mounting each hollow rotor for rotation in its respective cavity with a compound orbital-rotational movement about said axis with the lobes of each rotor in sealing engagement with peripheral wall of its respective cavity to form plural rotating chambers of changing volume lying radially outside the peripheral walls of the rotor; first port means in said second end wall of said first cavity for feeding suction gas to the hollow interior of said first rotor in all positions thereof; second port means in said first end wall of said second cavity for feeding suction gas from said suction gas chamber to the hollow interior of said second rotor in all positions thereof, said first end wall of said first cavity preventing communication of suction gas from said suction gas chamber to said first rotor; inlet means placing the hollow interior of each rotor in fluid communication with its respective rotating chambers to feed suction gas from the interior of the rotor to said rotating chambers; inlet passage means for communicating suction gas to said suction gas chamber; and outlet passage means in communication with each cavity.

Claim 8

In a rotating-chamber type gas compressor, the combination of: two body structures aligned in spaced apart relationship along the axis of rotation of the compressor, said bodies having inner peripheral walls defining first and second cylindrical cavities respectively around said axis; a divider plate having opposed end walls disposed between and connected to said body structures, each divider plate end wall defining a first end wall of a respective one of said cavities, said divider plate having a suction gas chamber therein; closure means defining a second end wall of each said cavity; first and second flow multi-lobed rotors in said first and second cavities respectively, each said rotor having peripheral walls between the lobes thereof; means for mounting each hollow rotor for rotation in its respective cavity with a compound orbital-rotational movement about said axis with the lobes of each rotor in sealing engagement with peripheral wall of its respective cavity to form plural rotating chambers of changing volume lying radially outside the peripheral walls of the rotor; first port means in said second end wall of said first cavity for feeding suction gas to the hollow interior of said first rotor in all positions thereof; second port means in said first end wall of said second cavity for feeding suction gas from said suction gas chamber to the hollow interior of said second rotor in all positions thereof, said first end wall of said first cavity preventing communication of suction gas from said suction gas chamber to said first rotor; inlet means placing the hollow interior of each rotor in fluid communication with its respective rotating chambers to feed suction gas from the interior of the rotor to said rotating chambers; inlet passage means for communicating suction gas to said suction gas chamber; and outlet passage means in communication with each cavity.

Claim 9

In a rotating-chamber type gas compressor, the combination of: two body structures aligned in spaced apart relationship along the axis of rotation of the compressor, said bodies having inner peripheral walls defining first and second cylindrical cavities respectively around said axis; a divider plate having opposed end walls disposed between and connected to said body structures, each divider plate end wall defining a first end wall of a respective one of said cavities, said divider plate having a suction gas chamber therein; closure means defining a second end wall of each said cavity; first and second hollow multi-lobed rotors in said first and second cavities respectively, each said rotor having peripheral walls between the lobes thereof; means for mounting each hollow rotor for rotation in its respective cavity with a compound orbital-rotational movement about said axis with the lobes of each rotor in sealing engagement with the peripheral wall of its respective cavity to form plural rotating chambers of changing volume lying radially outside the peripheral walls of the rotor; first port means in said second end wall of said first cavity for feeding suction gas to the hollow interior of said first rotor in all positions thereof; second port means in said first end wall of said second cavity for feeding suction gas from said suction gas chamber to the hollow interior of said second rotor in all positions thereof; means defining a transfer port in said first end wall of said first cavity for Placing the hollow interior of said first rotor in fluid communication with the rotating chambers created thereby, said transfer port being fromed by wall means preventing communication of suction gas from said suction gas chamber to said first rotor; inlet means placing the hollow interior of said second rotor in communication with the rotating chambers created thereby; inlet passage means for communicating suction gas to said suction gas chamber; and outlet passage means in communication with each cavity.

Claim 10

In a rotating-chamber type gas compressor, the combination of: two body structures aligned in spaced apart relationship along the axis of rotation of the compressor, said bodies having inner peripheral walls defining first and second cylindrical cavities respectively around said axis; a divider plate having opposed end walls disposed between and connected to said body structures, each divider plate end wall defining a first end wall of a respective one of said cavities, said divider plate having a suction gas chamber therein; closure means defining a second end wall of each said cavity; first and second hollow multi-lobed rotors in said first and second cavities respectively, each said rotor having peripheral walls between the lobes thereof; means for mounting each hollow rotor for rotation in its respective cavity with a compound orbital-rotational movement about said axis with the lobes of each rotor in sealing engagement with the peripheral wall of its respective cavity to form plural rotating chambers of changing volume lying radially outside the peripheral walls of the rotor; first port means in said second end wall of said first cavity for feeding suction gas to the hollow interior of said first rotor in all positions thereof; second port means in said first end wall of said second cavity for feeding suction gas from said suction gas chamber to the hollow interior of said second rotor in all positions thereof; means defining a transfer port in said first end wall of said first cavity for Placing the hollow interior of said first rotor in fluid communication with the rotating chambers created thereby, said transfer port being fromed by wall means preventing communication of suction gas from said suction gas chamber to said first rotor; inlet means placing the hollow interior of said second rotor in communication with the rotating chambers created thereby; inlet passage means for communicating suction gas to said suction gas chamber; and outlet passage means in communication with each cavity.

Claim 11

A divider plate for a rotating-chamber type fluid-handling rotary piston machine having at least two cavities each with a generally hollow rotor disposed therein mounted for orbital-rotational movement with respect thereto, said divider plate being disposed between the cavities and comprising: side walls having opposed outer end surfaces and inner and outer peripheral walls disposed between said side walls defining a generally hollow interior, said hollow interior being generally annular and circumscribing the axis of rotation of the rotors, each said end surface forming an end wall of one of the cavities; inlet means for communicating inlet fluid to said hollow interior of said divider plate; means defining a passageway through one said end surface for communicating fluid from said hollow interior to one said cavity; and means defining a transfer port in the other said end surface for placing the hollow interior of the rotor in the other said cavity in fluid communication with the exterior of such rotor, said transfer port being formed by wall means preventing direct communication between fluid in said transfer port and fluid in said hollow interior of said divider plate.

Claim 12

A divider plate for a rotating-chamber type fluid-handling rotary piston machine having at least two cavities each with a generally hollow rotor disposed therein mounted for orbital-rotational movement with respect thereto, said divider plate being disposed between the cavities and comprising: side walls having opposed outer end surfaces and inner and outer peripheral walls disposed between said side walls defining a generally hollow interior, said hollow interior being generally annular and circumscribing the axis of rotation of the rotors, each said end surface forming an end wall of one of the cavities; inlet means for communicating inlet fluid to said hollow interior of said divider plate; means defining a passageway through one said end surface for communicating fluid from said hollow interior to one said cavity; and means defining a transfer port in the other said end surface for placing the hollow interior of the rotor in the other said cavity in fluid communication with the exterior of such rotor, said transfer port being formed by wall means preventing direct communication between fluid in said transfer port and fluid in said hollow interior of said divider plate.

Claim 13

A divider plate as claimed in claim 6, wherein said machine has a shaft interconnecting said rotors, and further comprising bearing means disposed within said inner peripheral wall for rotatably journaling said shaft.

Claim 14

A fluid-handling piston machine comprising: an annular body having an inner peripheral surface defining the peripheral wall of a cylindrical cavity extending around the axis of the machine; a plate structure connected to said body and having at one end a surface defining one end wall of said cavity, said plate structure having an induction chamber therein; means defining an opposite end wall of said cavity; a piston mounted in said cavity for movement with respect to said body in a plane transverse to said axis, said piston having an outer periheral surface facing said inner peripheral surface of said body and end surfaces in sealing engagement with the end walls of said cavity, said piston having a generally hollow interior open at said end surfaces thereof; means for controlling the relative movement of said piston with respect to its body so that such movement creates at least one working chamber of increasing and decreasing volume between said outer peripheral surface of said piston and said inner peripheral surface of said body, said induction chamber having a volume equal to or greater than the displacement of said working chamber; an inlet passageway for placing said induction chamber in fluid communication with the hollow interior of said piston in all positions thereof; inlet means for communicating inlet fluid to said induction chamber; passage means for placing said hollow interior of said piston in fluid communication with said working chamber created thereby at predetermined intervals; and outlet means for communicating outlet fluid from said cavity.

Claim 15

A fluid-handling piston machine comprising: an annular body having an inner peripheral surface defining the peripheral wall of a cylindrical cavity extending around the axis of the machine; a plate structure connected to said body and having at one end a surface defining one end wall of said cavity, said plate structure having an induction chamber therein; means defining an opposite end wall of said cavity; a piston mounted in said cavity for movement with respect to said body in a plane transverse to said axis, said piston having an outer periheral surface facing said inner peripheral surface of said body and end surfaces in sealing engagement with the end walls of said cavity, said piston having a generally hollow interior open at said end surfaces thereof; means for controlling the relative movement of said piston with respect to its body so that such movement creates at least one working chamber of increasing and decreasing volume between said outer peripheral surface of said piston and said inner peripheral surface of said body, said induction chamber having a volume equal to or greater than the displacement of said working chamber; an inlet passageway for placing said induction chamber in fluid communication with the hollow interior of said piston in all positions thereof; inlet means for communicating inlet fluid to said induction chamber; passage means for placing said hollow interior of said piston in fluid communication with said working chamber created thereby at predetermined intervals; and outlet means for communicating outlet fluid from said cavity.

Claim 16

A machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein said induction chamber is generally annular in shape and circumscribes said axis.

Claim 17

Rotating chamber-type pumping apparatus comprising a body structure having a cavity therein for a first pumping device, said cavity having an end wall, said first pumping device comprising a hollowed rotor in the cavity having a peripheral wall, means mounting the rotor for rotation in the cavity with a compound movement which is the resultant of two circular components of rotatiOn about parallel axes at different angular velocities whereby rotating chambers of changing volume are created in areas of the cavity lying radially outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, a fluid inlet orifice for said pumping device in said end wall for supplying fluid to a suction chamber-defining area of the cavity outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, an outlet port in the body structure communicating with the exterior and with a compression chamber-defining area of the cavity, a check-type outlet valve controlling flow through said outlet port, a shaft for driving said rotor, a motor for driving the shaft, a motor housing portion interiorly communicating with said fluid inlet orifice and in sealingly overengaged relation to said orifice appurtenant to said end wall, said end wall comprising a partition extending radially outwardly beyond said orifice between the motor housing portion and said pumping device, and a main service inlet opening into the interior of said motor housing portion, the pumping apparatus being characterized by a second pumping device located on the side of the first pumping device opposite the motor housing portion and also drivable by said shaft, a divider member interposed between said two pumping devices on the opposite side of said first-mentioned pumping device from the partition, said divider member having a chamber therein, additional inlet passage means interconnecting the interior of the motor housing portion with the last-mentioned chamber independently of the aforementioned fluid inlet orifice, and inlet port portions in said divider member for said second pumping device.

Claim 18

Rotating chamber-type pumping apparatus comprising a body structure having a cavity therein for a first pumping device, said cavity having an end wall, said first pumping device comprising a hollowed rotor in the cavity having a peripheral wall, means mounting the rotor for rotation in the cavity with a compound movement which is the resultant of two circular components of rotatiOn about parallel axes at different angular velocities whereby rotating chambers of changing volume are created in areas of the cavity lying radially outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, a fluid inlet orifice for said pumping device in said end wall for supplying fluid to a suction chamber-defining area of the cavity outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, an outlet port in the body structure communicating with the exterior and with a compression chamber-defining area of the cavity, a check-type outlet valve controlling flow through said outlet port, a shaft for driving said rotor, a motor for driving the shaft, a motor housing portion interiorly communicating with said fluid inlet orifice and in sealingly overengaged relation to said orifice appurtenant to said end wall, said end wall comprising a partition extending radially outwardly beyond said orifice between the motor housing portion and said pumping device, and a main service inlet opening into the interior of said motor housing portion, the pumping apparatus being characterized by a second pumping device located on the side of the first pumping device opposite the motor housing portion and also drivable by said shaft, a divider member interposed between said two pumping devices on the opposite side of said first-mentioned pumping device from the partition, said divider member having a chamber therein, additional inlet passage means interconnecting the interior of the motor housing portion with the last-mentioned chamber independently of the aforementioned fluid inlet orifice, and inlet port portions in said divider member for said second pumping device.

Claim 19

In combination with the apparatus defined in claim 10, an unloader comprising a shutoff valve carried by said divider member for controlling communicating between said additional inlet passage means and the inlet port portions for the second pumping device, and means powered by pressure derived from said outlet port for actuating said shutoff valve.

Claim 20

In combination with the apparatus defined in claim 10, an unloader carried by said divider member for closing said additional inlet passage means to the second pumping device.

Claim 21

The apparatus defined in claim 12 wherein said unloader comprises a shutoff valve controlling communication between said additional inlet passage means and said inlet port portions for the second pumping device.

Claim 22

Rotating chamber-type pumping apparatus comprising a body structure having a cavity therein for a first pumping device, said cavity having an end wall, said first pumping device comprising a hollowed rotor in the cavity having a peripheral wall, means mounting the rotor for rotation in the cavity with a compound movement which is the result of two circular components of rotation about parallel axes at different angular velocities whereby rotating chambers of changing volume are created in areas of the cavity lying radially outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, a fluid inlet orifice for said pumping device in said end wall for supplying fluid to a suction chamber-defining area of the cavity outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, an outlet port in the body structure communicating with the exterior and with a compression chamber-defining area of the cavity, a check-type outlet valve controlling flow through said outlet port, a shaft for driving said rotor, a motor for driving the shaft, a motor housing portion interiorly communicating with said fluid inlet orifice and in sealingly overengaged relation to said orifice appurtenant to said end wall, said end wall comprising a partition extending radially outwardly beyond said orifice between the motor housing portion and said pumping device, a main service inlet opening into the interior of said motor housing portion, the pumping apparatus being characterized by a second pumping device located on the side of the first pumping device opposite the motor housing portion and also drivable by said shaft, an additional inlet orifice extending through said partition radiAlly outwardly of said cavity, and inlet passage portions extending axially in said body structure and isolated from said cavity and providing communication between said additional inlet orifice and said second pumping device to supply fluid thereto.

Claim 23

Rotating chamber-type pumping apparatus comprising a body structure having a cavity therein for a first pumping device, said cavity having an end wall, said first pumping device comprising a hollowed rotor in the cavity having a peripheral wall, means mounting the rotor for rotation in the cavity with a compound movement which is the result of two circular components of rotation about parallel axes at different angular velocities whereby rotating chambers of changing volume are created in areas of the cavity lying radially outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, a fluid inlet orifice for said pumping device in said end wall for supplying fluid to a suction chamber-defining area of the cavity outside the peripheral wall of the rotor, an outlet port in the body structure communicating with the exterior and with a compression chamber-defining area of the cavity, a check-type outlet valve controlling flow through said outlet port, a shaft for driving said rotor, a motor for driving the shaft, a motor housing portion interiorly communicating with said fluid inlet orifice and in sealingly overengaged relation to said orifice appurtenant to said end wall, said end wall comprising a partition extending radially outwardly beyond said orifice between the motor housing portion and said pumping device, a main service inlet opening into the interior of said motor housing portion, the pumping apparatus being characterized by a second pumping device located on the side of the first pumping device opposite the motor housing portion and also drivable by said shaft, an additional inlet orifice extending through said partition radiAlly outwardly of said cavity, and inlet passage portions extending axially in said body structure and isolated from said cavity and providing communication between said additional inlet orifice and said second pumping device to supply fluid thereto.

Claim 24

In combination with the apparatus defined in claim 14, an unloader member for said second pumping device carried by said divider.

Claim 25

A pumping apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein the first-mentioned fluid inlet orifice extends through said end wall within the peripheral path of and discharges into the interior of the rotor of the first-mentioned pumping device, and further comprising a chambered divider member between said first and second pumping devices having passage portions therein forming a part of said means communicating with the second pumping device to supply fluid thereto, and a transfer port in said divider member segregated from said passage portions and opening into the cavity of said first-mentioned pumping device at positions both inwardly and outwardly of the peripheral wall of the rotor, on the side of the rotor opposite said end wall, to transfer fluid from the hollow interior of the rotor to a suction area of the cavity outside the periphery of the rotor.

Claim 26

In combination with the apparatus defined in claim 14, a divider member interposed between said two pumping devices on the opposite side of the first-mentioned pumping device from said partition and containing a chamber and having further inlet passage portions interconnecting said previously mentioned inlet passage portions with said chamber and also having an inlet port for the second pumping device leading from the chamber to said second pumping device.

Claim 27

A combination as defined in claim 17, wherein said second-mentioned pumping device includes a body portion having further inlet passage portions extending entirely therethrough in an axial direction and connected to previously mentioned inlet passage portions whereby a third pumping device may be arranged with its inlet in communication therewith on the opposite side of the second pumping device.

Claim 28

A combination as defined in claim 17, wherein said divider member contains a separate outlet passage portion isolated from the chamber and from the inlet passage portions and extending therethrough in an axial direction and communicating with said outlet port in the body structure.

Claim 29

A combination as defined in claim 19 wherein said second pumping device includes a second body portion having segregated passages extending entirely therethrough in an axial direction and communicating with said further inlet passage portions and with said outlet passage portions whereby additional pumping devices may be serially assembled beyond the second on said opposite side in operative communication with said further inlet passage portions and the outlets of all such pumping devices may be conducted to the end of such assembly farthest from the motor housing.

Claim 30

A rotating-chamber type gas compressor comprising: an annular body having an inner peripheral surface defining the peripheral wall of a cylindrical cavity extending around the axis of said compressor; a plate structure connected to said body and having at one end a surface defining one end wall of said cavity, said plate structure having an induction chamber therein; means defining an opposite end wall of said cavity; a piston mounted in said cavity for movement with respect to said body in plane transverse to said axis, said piston having an outer peripheral surface facing said inner peripheral surface of said body and opposite end surfaces in sealing engagement with the end walls of said cavity, said piston having a generally hollow interior open at both said end surfaces thereof; means for mounting said piston for compound orbital-rotational movement with respect to said body whereby at least one working chamber of increasing and decreasing volume is created between said outer peripheral surface of said piston and said innEr peripheral surface of said body, said hollow interior of said piston having a volume equal to or greater than the displacement of said working chamber; and inlet passageway extending from said induction chamber through said one end wall for placing said induction chamber in fluid communication with the hollow interior of said piston in all positions thereof; inlet means for communicating inlet fluid to said induction chamber; passage means spaced from said one end wall for placing said hollow interior of said piston in fluid communication with said working chamber created thereby at predetermined intervals; and outlet means for communicating outlet fluid from said cavity.

Claim 31

A rotating-chamber type gas compressor comprising: an annular body having an inner peripheral surface defining the peripheral wall of a cylindrical cavity extending around the axis of said compressor; a plate structure connected to said body and having at one end a surface defining one end wall of said cavity, said plate structure having an induction chamber therein; means defining an opposite end wall of said cavity; a piston mounted in said cavity for movement with respect to said body in plane transverse to said axis, said piston having an outer peripheral surface facing said inner peripheral surface of said body and opposite end surfaces in sealing engagement with the end walls of said cavity, said piston having a generally hollow interior open at both said end surfaces thereof; means for mounting said piston for compound orbital-rotational movement with respect to said body whereby at least one working chamber of increasing and decreasing volume is created between said outer peripheral surface of said piston and said innEr peripheral surface of said body, said hollow interior of said piston having a volume equal to or greater than the displacement of said working chamber; and inlet passageway extending from said induction chamber through said one end wall for placing said induction chamber in fluid communication with the hollow interior of said piston in all positions thereof; inlet means for communicating inlet fluid to said induction chamber; passage means spaced from said one end wall for placing said hollow interior of said piston in fluid communication with said working chamber created thereby at predetermined intervals; and outlet means for communicating outlet fluid from said cavity.

Claim 32

A gas compressor as claimed in claim 21, wherein said hollow interior of said piston entirely surrounds said axis.

Claim 33

A gas compressor as claimed in claim 21, wherein said cylindrical cavity is epitrochoidal in cross-sectional configuration.

Claim 34

A gas compressor as claimed in claim 21, wherein said cylindrical cavity is parametric epitrochoidal in cross-sectional configuration.

Claim 35

A gas compressor as claimed in claim 21, wherein said cylindrical cavity is oval in cross-sectional configuration.

Claim 36

A gas compressor as claimed in claim 21, wherein said passage means comprises a transfer port in one of said end walls of said cavity.

Claim 37

A gas compressor as claimed in claim 21, wherein said passage means comprises a port through said outer peripheral surface of said piston, and a check-type valve for controlling flow through said port.

Claim 38

A gas compressor as claimed in claim 21, wherein said piston comprises an annular outer peripheral wall portion, an inner annular hub portion, and generally radially extending spokes interconnecting said portions.

Claim 39

A gas compressor as claimed in claim 28, wherein said spokes are spaced inwardly from the planes of said opposite end surfaces of said piston.