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A trochoidal gear pump or engine uses a coaxial hub with an outer and/or inner rotor and an associated rolling element bearing assembly that uses pre-loaded bearings to precisely set the rotational axis and/or the axial position of the rotor with which it is associated. This allows the fixed-gap cle

A trochoidal gear pump or engine uses a coaxial hub with an outer and/or inner rotor and an associated rolling element bearing assembly that uses pre-loaded bearings to precisely set the rotational axis and/or the axial position of the rotor with which it is associated. This allows the fixed-gap clearance between the rotor surfaces and the housing or other rotor surfaces to be set at a distance that minimizes operating fluid shear forces and/or by-pass leakage and eliminates gear tooth wear thus preserving effective chamber to chamber sealing. The device is useful in handling gaseous and two-phase fluids in expansion/contracting fluid engines/compressors and can incorporate an output shaft for an integrated condensate pump for use with Rankine cycles. A vent from the housing cavity to a lower pressure input or output port regulates built-up fluid pressure in the housing, thereby optimizing the efficiency of the device by controlling bypass leakage.

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1. A rotary chambered fluid energy-transfer device comprising: (a) a housing comprising: (1) a central portion having a central portion bore formed therein; and(2) an end plate having an inlet passage and an outlet passage;(b) an outer rotor rotatable in the central portion bore, the outer rotor com

1. A rotary chambered fluid energy-transfer device comprising: (a) a housing comprising: (1) a central portion having a central portion bore formed therein; and(2) an end plate having an inlet passage and an outlet passage;(b) an outer rotor rotatable in the central portion bore, the outer rotor comprising: (1) a female gear profile formed in a radial portion;(2) a first end covering the female gear profile;(3) a second end skirting the female gear profile; and(4) an outer rotor hub extending from the first end and mounted in the housing with a first bearing assembly comprising a rolling element bearing; and(c) an inner rotor with a male gear profile in operative engagement with the outer rotor and having an inner rotor bore formed therein, the inner rotor mounted in the housing with a second bearing assembly comprising a first rolling element bearing and a second rolling element bearing mounted in a pre-loaded configuration with each other in the inner rotor bore by attachment means, wherein the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly: 1) set at least one of: a) a rotational axis of the inner rotor;b) a rotational axis of the outer rotor;c) an axial position of the inner rotor; andd) an axial position of the outer rotor; and2) maintain a fixed-gap clearance of at least one of the inner rotor and the outer rotor with at least one surface of: a) the housing; andb) the other rotor. 2. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 1, wherein the fixed-gap clearance is a distance greater than a fluid boundary layer of an operating fluid used in the fluid energy-transfer device. 3. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 1, wherein the fixed-gap clearance is a substantially optimal distance as a function of bypass leakage and operating fluid shear forces. 4. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 1, wherein the fluid energy-transfer device is adapted for use as a prime mover. 5. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 4, wherein a pressurized operating fluid is used in the fluid energy-transfer device to provide a motive force. 6. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 5, wherein the inlet passage and the outlet passage of the end plate are configured for optimum expansion of the pressurized fluid in the fluid energy-transfer device. 7. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 5, wherein the pressurized fluid is in both a gaseous state and a liquid state. 8. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 5, wherein the pressurized fluid is in a gaseous state. 9. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 4, further comprising an integrated condensate pump driven from an output shaft of the fluid energy-transfer device. 10. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 1, wherein the fluid energy-transfer device is hermetically sealed. 11. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 1, wherein the fluid energy-transfer device is magnetically coupled with an external rotational shaft. 12. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 1, further comprising a conduit for venting operating fluid from an internal housing cavity. 13. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 12, wherein the operating fluid is vented to said outlet passage. 14. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 12, with the conduit further comprises a pressure regulating valve. 15. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 1, wherein the fluid energy-transfer device is adapted for use as a compressor. 16. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 15, wherein the inlet passage and the outlet passage of the end plate are configured for optimum compression of the fluid. 17. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 1, wherein the second bearing assembly is mounted on a housing hub of the housing. 18. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 17, wherein the housing hub is integral with the end plate. 19. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 18, further comprising an end cap attached to the housing hub with the attachment means to preload the second bearing assembly. 20. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 17, wherein the housing hub is attached to the end plate with the attachment means. 21. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 20, wherein the housing hub comprises an end flange to preload the second bearing assembly. 22. The fluid energy-transfer device of claim 1, wherein the first bearing assembly further comprises a second rolling element bearing mounted in a pre-loaded configuration.