A staged fuel injector comprises a pilot inner air swirler arranged along a centre axis of the injector, a pilot fuel swirler arranged radially outboard of the pilot inner air swirler, a main inner air swirler arranged radially outboard of the pilot fuel swirler and a main fuel swirler arranged radially outboard of the pilot fuel swirler. A fuel feed arm is arranged in fluid communication with the pilot fuel swirler and the main fuel swirler for delivering fuel to the pilot fuel swirler and the main fuel swirler and a heat protective casing enclosing the fuel feed arm, the pilot fuel swirler and the main fuel swirler.

The present invention generally relates to high g-field combustion methods and integrated processes requiring high-energy efficiency and low NOx emissions to maximize fuel productivity and integrated process production output. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to the combustor having a g-field greater than 100,000 g's in an isothermal configuration by achieving concurrent combustion and expansion with the high g-field combustor in a rim-rotor turbomachine.

The present invention generally relates to high g-field combustion methods and integrated processes requiring high-energy efficiency and low NOx emissions to maximize fuel productivity and integrated process production output. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to the combustor having a g-field greater than 100,000 g's in an isothermal configuration by achieving concurrent combustion and expansion with the high g-field combustor in a rim-rotor turbomachine.

This invention relates to a vortex station and method for producing a vortex similar to one of a group consisting of dust-devils and waterspouts. The apparatus comprises a ground platform forming a base for the vortex station, a plurality of vanes to direct an air flow into a vortex station and about the vortex station in a substantially swirling manner, at least one wind turbine disposed near the centre of said vortex station, in a path of a concentrated air flow, wherein the movement of the air in the vortex station is such that an atmospheric buoyancy vortex is created in the centre of the vortex station, a supply of a working fluid (e.g. water) to the vortex station at or near the centre of the vortex station such that the air is of a saturated condition or an at least partially saturated condition with the working fluid (e.g. water), the working fluid (e.g. water) supplied at a sufficient quantity or amount so as to assist with maintaining buoyancy and stability of a vortex created.

This invention relates to a vortex station and method for producing a vortex similar to one of a group consisting of dust-devils and waterspouts. The apparatus comprises a ground platform forming a base for the vortex station, a plurality of vanes to direct an air flow into a vortex station and about the vortex station in a substantially swirling manner, at least one wind turbine disposed near the centre of said vortex station, in a path of a concentrated air flow, wherein the movement of the air in the vortex station is such that an atmospheric buoyancy vortex is created in the centre of the vortex station, a supply of a working fluid (e.g. water) to the vortex station at or near the centre of the vortex station such that the air is of a saturated condition or an at least partially saturated condition with the working fluid (e.g. water), the working fluid (e.g. water) supplied at a sufficient quantity or amount so as to assist with maintaining buoyancy and stability of a vortex created.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus. The apparatus comprises an injector coupled to a head portion of a combustion chamber, the injector comprising a plurality of injector elements distributed away from an inner annulus and in an outer annulus. A geometry of combustion chamber comprises a body portion, an optional shoulder portion, and a throat portion. An inner wall of combustion chamber converges radially inward towards the throat. The plurality of injector elements in combination with the geometry of the combustion chamber are configured to confine a predetermined percentage of mass flow associated with combustion to a predetermined outer annulus of the chamber.

An injector for a liquid rocket engine includes an array of injector elements. Each injector element includes a central passage and a plurality of peripheral transverse passages. The central passages are configured to provide axial injection flow and the peripheral transverse passages are configured to provide swirl injection flow about the axial injection flow. A portion of the injector elements are configured to provide the swirl injection flow in a clockwise direction and another portion of the injector elements are configured to provide the swirl injection flow in a counter-clockwise direction. The injector elements are arranged to form a plurality of circumferential rows. The injector elements of each individual circumferential row are either all of the clockwise direction or all of the counter-clockwise direction. At least one of the circumferential rows is of the clockwise direction and at least one of the circumferential rows is of the counter-clockwise direction.

A free-vortex combustor is disclosed that generates vortices which: enhance fuel air mixing, recirculate the air, provide cooling for the combustor walls, and provide low emissions and a substantially uniform exit temperature profile. The combustor is provided fuel or fuel and air through a fuel-injector which atomizes the fuel. A first air swirler couples to the fuel-injector with a prechamber wall abutting the first swirler. A second swirler abuts a downstream end of the prechamber wall. And, a main chamber abuts the second swirler. Each of the first and second swirlers have features that cause the flow to create a vortex in the prechamber and main chamber, respectively. The features creating the swirl are blades or angled orifices. The vortex causes a pressure depression along the centerline and causes backflow along the centerline that improves mixing and improves cooling.

A trapped vortex combustor for use in a gas turbine engine includes an outer vortex chamber wall and a dome attached to, or formed integrally with, the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome, the outer vortex chamber wall, or both define at least in part an outer trapped vortex chamber and a channel. The channel extends along the circumferential direction at a forward end of the outer vortex chamber wall, the channel configured to receive an airflow through or around the outer vortex chamber wall, the dome, or both and provide such airflow as a continuous annular airflow to the inner surface of the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome further defines a fuel nozzle opening, with all openings in the dome outward of the fuel nozzle opening along the radial direction, excepting any effusion cooling holes having a diameter less than about 0.035 inches, being in airflow communication with the channel.

A trapped vortex combustor for use in a gas turbine engine includes an outer vortex chamber wall and a dome attached to, or formed integrally with, the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome, the outer vortex chamber wall, or both define at least in part an outer trapped vortex chamber and a channel. The channel extends along the circumferential direction at a forward end of the outer vortex chamber wall, the channel configured to receive an airflow through or around the outer vortex chamber wall, the dome, or both and provide such airflow as a continuous annular airflow to the inner surface of the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome further defines a fuel nozzle opening, with all openings in the dome outward of the fuel nozzle opening along the radial direction, excepting any effusion cooling holes having a diameter less than about 0.035 inches, being in airflow communication with the channel.