Patent classifications
F02K7/00
Aluminum cylinder block and method of manufacture
A cast cylinder block for an internal combustion engine includes a first and a second cylinder bore and a shared bore wall. The first cylinder bore includes a first bore wall and the second cylinder bore includes a second bore wall. The shared cylinder bore wall includes a first portion and a second portion. A portion of the first bore wall combines with a portion of the second bore wall to form the shared cylinder bore wall. The first portion of the shared bore wall is an as-cast portion. The second portion of the shared bore wall is a metal matrix composite.
Hybrid combustor assembly and method of operation
A hybrid combustion system, and method of operation, for a propulsion system is provided. The hybrid combustion system defines a radial direction, a circumferential direction, and a longitudinal centerline in common with the propulsion system extended along a longitudinal direction. The hybrid combustion system includes a rotating detonation combustion (RDC) system comprising an annular outer wall and an annular inner wall each generally concentric to the longitudinal centerline and together defining a RDC chamber and a RDC inlet, the RDC system further comprising a nozzle located at the RDC inlet defined by a nozzle wall. The nozzle defines a lengthwise direction extended between a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet along the lengthwise direction, and the nozzle inlet is configured to receive a flow of oxidizer. The nozzle further defines a throat between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet, and wherein the nozzle defines a converging-diverging nozzle. The hybrid combustion system further includes an inner liner extended generally along the longitudinal direction; an outer liner extended generally along the longitudinal direction and disposed outward of the inner liner along the radial direction; a bulkhead wall disposed at the upstream end of the inner and outer liners, in which the bulkhead wall extends generally in the radial direction and couples the inner liner and the outer liner, and wherein the inner liner, the outer liner, and the bulkhead wall together define a primary combustion chamber, and further wherein the RDC system and bulkhead wall together define a RDC outlet through the bulkhead wall and adjacent to the primary combustion chamber; and a fuel manifold assembly extended at least partially through the bulkhead wall, in which the fuel manifold assembly defines a fuel manifold assembly exit disposed adjacent to the primary combustion chamber.
Hybrid combustor assembly and method of operation
A hybrid combustion system, and method of operation, for a propulsion system is provided. The hybrid combustion system defines a radial direction, a circumferential direction, and a longitudinal centerline in common with the propulsion system extended along a longitudinal direction. The hybrid combustion system includes a rotating detonation combustion (RDC) system comprising an annular outer wall and an annular inner wall each generally concentric to the longitudinal centerline and together defining a RDC chamber and a RDC inlet, the RDC system further comprising a nozzle located at the RDC inlet defined by a nozzle wall. The nozzle defines a lengthwise direction extended between a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet along the lengthwise direction, and the nozzle inlet is configured to receive a flow of oxidizer. The nozzle further defines a throat between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet, and wherein the nozzle defines a converging-diverging nozzle. The hybrid combustion system further includes an inner liner extended generally along the longitudinal direction; an outer liner extended generally along the longitudinal direction and disposed outward of the inner liner along the radial direction; a bulkhead wall disposed at the upstream end of the inner and outer liners, in which the bulkhead wall extends generally in the radial direction and couples the inner liner and the outer liner, and wherein the inner liner, the outer liner, and the bulkhead wall together define a primary combustion chamber, and further wherein the RDC system and bulkhead wall together define a RDC outlet through the bulkhead wall and adjacent to the primary combustion chamber; and a fuel manifold assembly extended at least partially through the bulkhead wall, in which the fuel manifold assembly defines a fuel manifold assembly exit disposed adjacent to the primary combustion chamber.
ENGINE, ROTARY DEVICE, POWER GENERATOR, POWER GENERATION SYSTEM, AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME
An engine, a rotary device, a power generation system, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The engine includes a detonation and/or combustion chamber configured to detonate a fuel and rotate around a central rotary shaft extending from the detonation and/or combustion chamber, a fuel supply inlet configured to provide the fuel to the detonation and/or combustion chamber, at least two rotating arms extending radially from the detonation and/or combustion chamber and configured to exhaust detonation gases from detonating the fuel in the detonation and/or combustion chamber and provide a rotational thrust and/or force, the rotating arms having inner and outer walls and a nozzle at a distal end thereof, the nozzle being at or having an angle configured to provide the rotational thrust and/or force, and a plurality of cooling coils between the inner and outer walls. Alternatively, the rotary device may include a rotary disc.
Rotating detonation engine multi-stage mixer
A fuel mixer for mixing a fuel and an oxidizer prior to detonation in a rotating detonation engine includes a combustion channel configured to transport a final mixture of the fuel and the oxidizer for combustion. The fuel mixer also includes a mixture channel positioned upstream from the combustion channel and configured to transport a first mixture having at least some of the fuel and at least some of the oxidizer. The fuel mixer also includes a secondary outlet positioned upstream from the combustion channel and configured to output a supplemental mixture of the fuel and the oxidizer that includes at least one of the fuel or the oxidizer such that the first mixture and the supplemental mixture combine in the combustion channel to form the final mixture.
Rotating detonation engine multi-stage mixer
A fuel mixer for mixing a fuel and an oxidizer prior to detonation in a rotating detonation engine includes a combustion channel configured to transport a final mixture of the fuel and the oxidizer for combustion. The fuel mixer also includes a mixture channel positioned upstream from the combustion channel and configured to transport a first mixture having at least some of the fuel and at least some of the oxidizer. The fuel mixer also includes a secondary outlet positioned upstream from the combustion channel and configured to output a supplemental mixture of the fuel and the oxidizer that includes at least one of the fuel or the oxidizer such that the first mixture and the supplemental mixture combine in the combustion channel to form the final mixture.
Engine, rotary device, power generator, power generation system, and methods of making and using the same
An engine, a rotary device, a power generation system, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The engine includes a detonation and/or combustion chamber configured to detonate a fuel and rotate around a central rotary shaft extending from the detonation and/or combustion chamber, a fuel supply inlet configured to provide the fuel to the detonation and/or combustion chamber, at least two rotating arms extending radially from the detonation and/or combustion chamber and configured to exhaust detonation gases from detonating the fuel in the detonation and/or combustion chamber and provide a rotational thrust and/or force, the rotating arms having inner and outer walls and a nozzle at a distal end thereof, the nozzle being at or having an angle configured to provide the rotational thrust and/or force, and a plurality of cooling coils between the inner and outer walls. Alternatively, the rotary device may include a rotary disc.
Rotary jet, power generation systems and motors including the same, and methods of making and using the same
A rotary device (e.g., a rotary jet), power generation system, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The rotary jet includes a central axle or shaft, an inlet configured to receive at least one fluid, and a plurality of radial arms in fluid communication with the inlet, configured to rotate around the central axle or shaft. Each radial arm has a nozzle at a distal end thereof and an arc between the inlet and the nozzle. The radial arms extend radially from the central axle or shaft at least in part, and are configured to rotate when the fluid enters the inlet and passes through the radial arms, or when a rotational force is applied to the central axle or shaft. Each nozzle may have an opening facing away from a direction of rotation of the radial arms or facing in a direction parallel with the central axle or shaft.
Toroidal combustion chamber
A device comprising a combustion toroid for receiving combustion-induced centrifugal forces therein to continuously combust fluids located therein and an outlet for exhaust from said combustion toroid.
METHOD FOR DRIVING A ROTOR WITH THE AID OF A JET ENGINE
Rotor systems are driven by jet engines arranged at the tip of a rotor that includes a structure that turns on a rotational axis. A jet stream generated by a jet engine produces a thrust force orthogonal to a rotor radius to motivate rotation. Methods presented include those which take advantage of the intrinsic centrifugal forces present in the rotor to convey gaseous fuel to the engine. Liquefied fuel from a source reservoir is evaporated into a gaseous state and made subject to centrifugal force causing it to move radially outward to a detonation type jet engine. These methods further include special process for mixing fuel with oxidizer and treating fuel or/and fuel mixtures to improve their detonation capacity.