초록 ▼

The invention relates to rotary units and rotary mechanisms that are suitable for use in numerous applications. Rotary units typically include rotational components that are configured to rotate. In some embodiments, for example, multiple rotary units are assembled in rotary mechanisms such that nei

The invention relates to rotary units and rotary mechanisms that are suitable for use in numerous applications. Rotary units typically include rotational components that are configured to rotate. In some embodiments, for example, multiple rotary units are assembled in rotary mechanisms such that neighboring pairs of rotational components counter-rotate or contra-rotate relative to one another during operation of the rotary mechanisms. Rotational components generally include one or more implements that are structured to perform or effect one or more types of work as the rotational components rotate relative to one another in a given rotary mechanism. In certain embodiments, implements are configured to rotate and/or to effect the movement of other components as rotational components rotate.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A rotational mechanism, comprising: at least a first rotary unit that comprises at least one rotational component that comprises at least first and second sun gear components;at least a second rotary unit that comprises at least one rotational component that comprises at least first and second ri

1. A rotational mechanism, comprising: at least a first rotary unit that comprises at least one rotational component that comprises at least first and second sun gear components;at least a second rotary unit that comprises at least one rotational component that comprises at least first and second ring gear components;at least a first planetary gear component that is configured to operably engage the second sun gear component of the first rotary unit and the first ring gear component of the second rotary unit such that when the rotational component of the first rotary unit rotates in a first direction, the rotational component of the second rotary unit rotates in a second direction; and,at least one gear structure that comprises at least one support component, wherein the first planetary gear component is rotatably coupled to the support component and wherein the second sun gear component of the first rotary unit and the first ring gear component of the second rotary unit are configured to rotate relative to the support component, which support component is substantially fixedly positioned when the rotational component of the first rotary unit rotates in the first direction, the rotational component of the second rotary unit rotates in the second direction. 2. The rotational mechanism of claim 1, wherein the rotational components of the first and second rotary units are configured to rotate at different rates relative to one another. 3. The rotational mechanism of claim 1, comprising at least a second planetary gear component that is configured to operably engage one or more gear components of at least a third rotary unit and the second ring gear component of the second rotary unit such that when the rotational component of the second rotary unit rotates in the second direction, a rotational component of the third rotary unit rotates in the first direction. 4. The rotational mechanism of claim 1, comprising more than two rotary units. 5. The rotational mechanism of claim 1, wherein a sum of rotational rates of the rotational components of a first pair of neighboring rotary units is configured to be substantially identical to a sum of rotational rates of the rotational components of a second pair of neighboring rotary units when the rotational components rotate relative. 6. The rotational mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first sun gear component of the first rotary unit is configured to operably engage one or more gear components of at least a fourth rotary unit such that when the rotational component of the first rotary unit rotates in the first direction, a rotational component of the fourth rotary unit rotates in the second direction. 7. The rotational mechanism of claim 6, wherein the first sun gear component of the first rotary unit is configured to operably engage the one or more gear components of the fourth rotary unit via one or more planetary gear components. 8. The rotational mechanism of claim 1, wherein one or more of the rotational components comprise one or more implements. 9. The rotational mechanism of claim 8, wherein the rotational components are configured to rotate around a rotational axis and wherein at least one surface of the one or more rotational components comprise the one or more implements, which surface is configured to rotate substantially non-perpendicular to the rotational axis. 10. A gear structure, comprising at least one support component and at least first and second planetary gear components rotatably coupled to the support component, wherein the first planetary gear component is configured to operably engage at least a first ring gear component of a first rotary unit when the first planetary gear component is disposed proximal to the first ring gear component, wherein the second planetary gear component is configured to operably engage at least a second ring gear component of the first rotary unit when the second planetary gear component is disposed proximal to the second ring gear component, and wherein the first ring gear component and/or the second ring gear component is configured to rotate relative to the support component, which support component is substantially fixedly positioned when the first ring gear component and/or the second ring gear component rotates relative to the support component. 11. The gear structure of claim 10, wherein the gear structure is configured to operably connect to at least one other component. 12. The gear structure of claim 11, wherein the other component comprises at least one gear structure. 13. A method of rotating an implement, the method comprising: providing a rotary mechanism that comprises at least a first rotary unit that comprises at least one rotational component that comprises at least first and second sun gear components, at least a second rotary unit that comprises at least one rotational component that comprises at least first and second ring gear components, at least a first planetary gear component that is configured to operably engage the second sun gear component of the first rotary unit and the first ring gear component of the second rotary unit, at least one ear structure that comprises at least one support component, wherein the first planetary gear component is rotatably coupled to the support component and wherein the second sun gear component of the first rotary unit and the first ring gear component of the second rotary unit are configured to rotate relative to the support component, and wherein at least one of the rotational components comprises at least one implement; and,moving at least a portion of one or more of the rotary units such that the rotational component of first rotary unit rotates in a first direction and the rotational component of the second rotary unit rotates in a second direction, wherein the support component is substantially fixedly positioned when the rotational component of the first rotary unit rotates in the first direction, the rotational component of the second rotary unit rotates in the second direction, thereby rotating the implement.