DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL TOROIDAL PNEUMATIC MOTOR

Abstract

A novel toroidal pneumatic motor (rotary actuator or rotary engine) has been developed and tested. The motor is designed with a ring torus (or revolved circular cross-section) working chamber, which is formed by two rotors and sections of a casing (or stator). The rotors are designed with an equal number of pistons, an arrangement of one-way bearings (to transfer torque from the rotors to a common drive shaft), and an impact mechanism to operably control the positioning of the rotors relative to ports located within the stationary casing. This design is aimed at improving the power density (power per unit mass), efficiency and torque output at low shaft speeds, when compared to conventional vane motors. Dynamometer test results are presented, showing the torque output of the motor with compressed air supply pressures of 10 to 80 psi at 10 psi increments.