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A gerotor (pronounced ) is a type of positive-displacement rotary gear pump. The name gerotor is derived from "generated rotor." A gerotor unit consists of an inner and an outer rotor. The inner rotor has n teeth, while the outer rotor has n + 1 teeth, with n defined as a natural number greater than or equal to 2. The axis of the inner rotor is offset from the axis of the outer rotor and both rotors rotate on their respective axes. The geometry of the two rotors partitions the volume between them into n different dynamically-changing volumes. During the assembly's rotation cycle, each of these volumes changes continuously, so any given volume first increases, and then decreases. An increase creates a vacuum. This vacuum creates suction, and hence, this part of the cycle is where the inlet is located. As a volume decreases, compressibility occurs. During this compression period, can be pumped or, if they are gaseous fluids, compressed.
Gerotor pumps are generally designed using a inner rotor and an outer rotor formed by a circle with intersecting circular arcs.
A gerotor can also function as a pistonless rotary engine. High-pressure gas enters the intake and pushes against the inner and outer rotors, causing both to rotate as the volume between the inner and outer rotor increases. During the compression period, the exhaust is pumped out.
Myron Hill made his first efforts in 1906, then in 1921, gave his entire time to developing the gerotor. He developed a great deal of geometric theory bearing upon these rotors, coined the word GE-ROTOR (meaning generated rotor), and secured basic patents on GE-ROTOR.
Gerotors are widely used today throughout industry, and are produced in a variety of shapes and sizes by a number of different methods.
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