Partition Compressor and Turbine
The partition compressor is designed to minimize energy loss during gas compression. Working in the opposite direction, it becomes an efficient turbine.
Abstract
Known gas compressors and turbines have limited efficiency. Also, they achieve their top efficiency only within a limited range of operating speed. The partition compressor and turbine are designed to solve both of these problems. They are based on barriers that rotate at variable speed. When they accelerate, they suck in (or expand) the gas; when they decelerate, they compress (or exhaust) the gas. The variation in rotational speed results from the use of elliptical gears.
Idea
The partition compressor is a cylinder with two ports, for low and high pressure gas, and a set of barriers that rotate inside the cylinder at variable speed. The barriers are attached to rings in the center of the cylinder. The rings are coupled to the main shaft using elliptical gears, hence the variable speed of the barriers. As a barrier accelerates, it moves away from the next one and they suck gas between them. As the barrier slows down, it approaches the next one, thereby compressing and blowing out the gas between them.
The operation of a partition compressor involves minimal friction and energy loss. Moreover, it is efficient over a wide range of operating speeds.
When the same device is operated in the opposite direction, it expands the gas and produces torque, thus becoming a turbine.
Figure 2. Partition Turbine
Formal status
A patent for this invention is pending.