Multi-Hybrid Aircraft Engine
20190186418 ยท 2019-06-20
Inventors
Cpc classification
F02C7/36
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F02K5/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F05D2260/4031
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B64U50/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B64D27/026
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F02K3/06
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Y02T50/60
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
International classification
F02K5/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
A multi-hybrid aircraft engine that includes a primary compressor 1, a multiplier 199 comprising a drive block, a driven block, driven block pistons 54, and primary shafts 78 and 41; an output shaft 105, and a speed regulator 167. The multi-hybrid aircraft engine is configured such that the primary compressor 1 is fluidly connected to the drive block 46 which is mechanically connected to the driven block 57. The primary compressor 1 pumps compressible fluid to the drive block 46 through the speed regulator 167 to drive the drive block 46, which in turn, drives the primary shafts 78 and 41. The primary shafts 78 and 41 drive the driven block 57, which pumps fluid via the driven block pistons 54, to the drive block 46 through the speed regulator 167 to increase the flow rate of compressible fluid within the multi-hybrid aircraft engine. Furthermore, the driven block 57 provides a shaft 68 that is connected to sets of planetary gears 62 connected to an output shaft 105 that drives a propeller 186.
Claims
1. A multi-hybrid aircraft engine comprising: a reservoir; an oil pump; an air chamber; a speed regulator configured to regulate the flow of compressible fluid through the speed regulator; a primary compressor comprising an inlet in fluid communication with the air chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with the speed regulator; a multiplier comprising plurality of inlets/outlets, a drive block linked to an inlet in fluid communication with the speed regulator and a driven block linked to an outlet in fluid communication with the speed regulator; primary shafts; and an output shaft; wherein the primary compressor is configured to receive compressible fluid from the air chamber through the inlet of the primary compressor and pump the compressible fluid to the drive block through the speed regulator to drive the drive block; wherein the drive block, when driven by the compressible fluid pumped by the primary compressor, rotates the primary shafts to drive the driven block; and wherein the driven block is configured to receive non-compressible fluid from the air chamber through the inlet and pump the compressible fluid from the air chamber to the drive block through the speed regulator when the driven block is driven by the primary shafts that are rotated by the drive block.
2. The multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 1, further comprising set of planetary gears wherein the set of planetary gears when coupled to the driven block increases the speed of the output shaft.
3. The multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 1, wherein the multi-hybrid aircraft engine is configured to transition between one or more states, wherein the one or more states are selected from the group consisting of: (a) a state in which the multiplier rotates the output shaft in a first direction (b) a state in which the multiplier rotates the output shaft in a second direction that is different from the first direction; and (c) a state in which the compressible fluid pumped by the primary compressor bypasses the multiplier.
4. A multi-hybrid turbojet engine comprising; a primary compressor; an output shaft; a compression chamber configured to receive compressed air from the primary compressor; a secondary compressor configured to compress air toward the compression chamber a turbine configured to be driven by compressed air received by the compression chamber; a propeller coupled to the output shaft; a set of planetary gears driven by the output shaft; a combustion compressor; and a combustion chamber; wherein the turbine when driven by the compressed air from the compression chamber drives the output shaft; and wherein the output shaft when driven by the turbine drives the secondary compressor for compression of air toward the compression chamber. wherein the combustion compressor is driven by the set of planetary gears for compression of air toward the combustion chamber.
5. The multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 1, further comprising primary supporting components, wherein the oil pump pumps lubricant from the reservoir towards the multiplier and the primary supporting components for lubrication.
6. The multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 1, further comprising a swash plate configured to provide piston tracks for driven block pistons and drive block pistons wherein the piston tracks for the driven block pistons are formed by mounting a swash plate retainer on the swash plate, wherein an opposite part of the swash plate provides an inclined flat surface for the drive block pistons to roll on.
7. The multiplier of the multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 1, wherein the driven block is configured to receive lubricant from the inlet to lubricate the driven block pistons and piston tracks through openings in the driven block pistons.
8. The multiplier of the multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 1, further comprising set of insertable seals configured to receive lubricant/compressible fluid through the multiplier inlets and allow then flow toward the drive block, wherein the drive block has protruded parts to be inserted into the set of insertable seals.
9. The multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 1, wherein the multiplier uses a flat surface seal for sealing the space between the drive block/driven block and the valve retainers.
10. The multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 1, wherein any suitable compressor can serve as the primary compressor.
11. The multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 1, wherein the multiplier can be configured to function as two separate units, a compressor and an air motor; wherein the unit can be modified and configured with other components of the multi-hybrid aircraft engine for a complete functioning unit.
12. The multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 1, wherein the multiplier is configured by integrating any suitable known compressor and air motor.
13. The multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 1, wherein the multiplier and the primary compressor are configured to function as a compressor and/or an air motor.
14. The multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 1, wherein the multiplier and the primary compressor are configured to work in other applications such as a windmill, tidal turbine, auto mobiles, and/or machinery; wherein the primary compressor is driven by a power source of the intended application while the multiplier drives the application as well as compresses and uses compressed air.
15. The multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 5, further comprising; set of planetary gears, driven by a drive block shaft; a compressor; and one or more combustion chambers linked to an afterburner exhaust, wherein the driven set of planetary gears drives the compressor to compress air toward the combustion chamber for combustion; and wherein when the combustion chambers combusts, bypass compressed air flows through the afterburner exhaust to create afterburner effect.
16. The multi-hybrid turbojet engine of claim 4, wherein the primary compressor can be configured to compress air towards one or more compression chambers of multi-hybrid turbojet engine.
17. The multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 1, wherein the drive block pistons are larger (e.g., wider in diameter) than the compressor pistons, which are larger than the driven bock pistons.
18. The multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 1, wherein the drive block pistons are larger (e.g., wider in diameter) than the driven block pistons, which are larger than the compressor pistons.
19. The multi-hybrid aircraft engine of claim 1, wherein the drive block pistons are larger (e.g., wider in diameter) than both the driven block pistons and the compressor pistons, which are of the same diameter.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The written disclosure herein describes illustrative embodiments that are nonlimiting and non-exhaustive. Reference is made to certain of such illustrative embodiments that are depicted in the figures, in which:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0076] The multi-hybrid aircraft engine above is described in further detail below in connection with exemplary embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying drawings.
[0077] The primary compressor 1 as shown in
[0078] With hydraulic seals fixed at the other end of compressor pistons 23, the compressor pistons 23 may be inserted into their cartridges 32. (Because the primary compressor 1 may be designed to run as low as one revolution per second throughout the operation time, a hydraulic sealing system may be the most suitable, for maximum compression at low speed. However, other sealing system e.g., compression rings, may be used). Each of the cartridges 32 may have a valve housing 117. A space 36 is provided inside each cartridge 32 so that the compressor pistons 23 do not touch the valve housing 117. This space 36 also permits easy movement of the compressor pistons 23. Each of the valve housings 117 may have an inlet valve 121 and an outlet valve 120. The inlet valves 121 may be inserted into the valve housings 117 from the right side of the view, as shown in
[0079] A spring support 123 and a lock 124 (bolt) may be connected to the inlet valve 121. The lock 124 may prevent the inlet valve 121 from moving completely away from the valve housing 117 when a vacuum is created as the compressor pistons move away from the valve housing 117. The springs 122 may provide a proper sealing of inlet valves 121. The inlet valves 121 are hallow but not all through. This allow valve supports 125 to go through the inlet valves 121 to restrict undesirable movements of the inlet valves 121 as they move in and out of valve housings 36. The locks 124, the spring supports 123 and the inlet valves 121 slide in chambers 38, as can be seen in
[0080] As can be seen in
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[0082] As can be seen in
[0083] As can be seen in
[0084] In connection with the above disclosure, when the speed regulator control valve 176 is in the open state, compressible fluid leaves the speed regulator through outlet 178 to the drive block valve 46 through a pipe 184 and an inlet 147. As shown in
[0085] A first primary shaft 78 may be meshed to the drive block 77 with a second primary shaft 41 inserted in the other end of the first primary shaft 78. The other end of the second primary shaft 41 may be splined to a driven block 57 so that the drive block 77 drives the driven block 57. Both the first primary shaft 78 and the second primary shaft 41 may go through a swash plate 52 mounted inside the wall of the fifth housing 48 with bolts 51. The swash plate 52 houses an M-bearing chamber 42 with openings 53 and 50 at each end for ball bearings to seat in. When a ball bearing is mounted in the swash plate 52 and the M-bearing chamber 42 is inserted into the swash plate 52, the swash plate 52 provides a support for the bearing in the swash plate 52 and the other end of the M-bearing chamber 42 is locked with a support or snap ring that seats in the swash plate 52. The support or snap ring prevents a ball bearing from falling off from its chamber 50 while the primary shafts 78 and 41 rotate and share the load on the rotating drive block 77 and the rotating driven block 57.
[0086] In this way the rotating drive block 77 drives the primary shafts 78 and 41 which are connected to it and the motion of the drive block 77 may drive the driven block 57. As the driven block 57 rotates, the driven block pistons 54 which are inserted into the driven block 57 are caused to translate as they move on a track on the swash plate 52 while in rotational motion with the driven block 57. The rotational and translational motion of the driven block pistons 54 may cause compressible fluid to enter the driven block valve 60 air inlet 146 and then to the driven block 57. The compressible fluid entering the driven block 57 goes in from an inlet passage and leaves through an outlet passage that leads it to the speed regulator from driven block valve outlet 160 through speed regulator inlet 170. The compressible fluid entering the speed regulator through inlet 170 may flow through a cooling system where the temperature of the compressible fluid is reduced. The compressible fluid entering the speed regulator may merge with the compressible fluid entering the speed regulator from the primary compressor 1 through speed regulator inlet 169 and head for the drive block 77. In this manner, compressible fluid pumped by the driven block 57 may be delivered to the drive block 77, thereby increasing fluid flow through the drive block 77. The process described above may be repeated any number of times. Over time, the amount of fluid from the driven block 46 that merges with fluid pumped by the primary compressor 1 may increase. This, in turn, may increase the flow rate of compressible fluid through the drive block 77, thereby increasing the rotational speed of the drive block 77. This increased speed may increase the rotational speed of the primary shafts over time.
[0087] As can be seen in
[0088] The drive block valve 46 and a valve retainer 80 may be coupled and positioned between the nozzle 76 and the fifth housing 48 and held together with bolts 45. The fifth housing 48 provides an edge where the valve retainer 8 seats and also restricts its movements. The nozzle 76 has an edge that supports the drive block valve 86 and keeps the drive block valve 46 and the valve retainer 80 in fixed position when connected to the fifth housing 48 with bolts 45. The drive block valve 46 provides housing 79 for a roller bearing. The drive block valve 46 has inlet/outlet passages. The outlet passage of the drive block valve 46 has an opening that went all through the drive block valve 46 whereas the inlet passage opening went through half way and has a port, inlet 147, through which compressible fluid may flow into the drive block valve 46. A set of seals 81 and 82/43 (insertable seals) may seat in the valve retainer 80. The drive block 77 seats in the set of insertable seals 81 and 82/43.
[0089] The drive block 77 seated in the insertable seals 81 and 82/43 may be coupled to a drive block retainer 85 and held in place with bolts 84. Some lubricant from the primary compressor 1 may flow into the drive block 77 through inlet 44 to lubricate drive block pistons 40 by passing through cavities created on the contact surfaces between the drive block 77 and drive block retainer 85. The drive block pistons 40 are designed so that lubricant may pass through them to lubricate the contacts between the drive block pistons 40 and the swash plate 52 and then to fill the multiplier. In other words, the drive block pistons 40 are hollowed so that lubricant from the drive block 77 goes through them and discharges into the multiplier.
[0090] The driven block pistons 54 may be placed on their track and a swash plate retainer 86 may be coupled to the swash plate 52 with bolts to keep the driven block piston 54 heads on their track. The driven block piston 54 heads have a ball like shapes with the sides cut to allow easy coupling and free movement on their tracks. The other end part of the driven block pistons 54 with their rings in them may be inserted into both driven block retainer 55 and driven block 57. The driven block retainer 55 may be connected to the driven block 57 and held together with bolts 47. The driven block 57 may be connected to a set of insertable seals. The set of insertable seals may be seated in a valve retainer 58. The connections of the insertable seals to the driven block 57 and the valve retainer 58 is analogous to the coupling described in connection with the drive block 77 and the valve retainer 80. The valve retainer 58 may be coupled to a driven block valve 60 with bolts 67. A roller bearing may be mounted in an element 89. The valve retainer 58 may be positioned between fourth housing 61 and fifth housing 48 and held together with bolts 87 so that the valve retainer 58 maintains a fixed position.
[0091] The driven block valve 60 has an oil inlet through which lubricant may flow through and head for the driven block 57. The flow of lubricant from oil inlet 88 into the multiplier is analogous to that described in connection with the flow of lubricant from oil inlet 44 to the multiplier. Compressible fluid may be drawn into the driven block 57 by driven block pistons 54 through the inlet passage of drive block valve and valve retainer, and be discharged through outlet 160. The driven block 57 may have a shaft 68 that is attached to it, that may be coupled to a planetary gear gearbox 63, connected to increase the speed of the main shaft 105. The driven block shaft 68 may go through a bearing in an element 89, a seal, and a roller bearing seated in the fourth covering 90.
[0092] As can be seen in
[0093] As can be seen in
[0094] In some embodiments, as depicted in
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[0096] As can be seen in
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[0098] When the multi-hybrid aircraft engine is in operation as shown in
[0099] The entire system of the multi-hybrid aircraft engine may be lubricated with lubricant which may be circulated by an oil pump c7. In some embodiments, the lubricant may be introduced to the oil reservoir x5. An external power source may drive the oil pump c7. Lubricant from the oil reservoir x5 may enter the oil pump c7 from outlet x4 through inlet z1 and then may be pumped to the primary compressor from outlet z2 through primary compressor oil inlet 12. In the case where lubricant is introduced to the primary compressor 1 the first time, air in the primary compressor may leave the primary compressor through the primary compressor oil outlet 11 until the desired space within is filled up. When filled, lubricant leaving the primary compressor may enter the multiplier 199 through inlets 44 and 88. In some embodiments, lubricant may pass through the drive block 77 and the driven block 57 to fill up the space within the multiplier 199 where the swash plate and the pistons interact. Lubricant may enter the gearbox and the bearing chamber from outlets 49 and 56 through gearbox inlet/outlet 163 and bearing chamber inlet 109, outlets 49 and 56, gearbox inlet/outlet 163 and inlet 109 are in fluid communication; in other words, pipe 65 links the lubricant to each inlets and outlets. In some embodiments, fluid leaving the bearing chamber may pass through outlet 103, a connector 102 and a pipe 101 to a cooling system c8 through x1 and to an oil filter from outlet x2 through inlet x3 before returning back to the oil reservoir x5. The volume of oil in the multiplier 199, the gearbox, and the bearing chamber may depend on how far the bearing chamber outlet 103 pipe stretches down inside the bearing chamber 96. In some embodiments, oil in the multiplier 199, the gearbox 63, the bearing chamber 96 and oil reservoir x5 may be drained by detaching bearing chamber inlet 109 while the oil pump c7 may be running.
[0100] According to another aspect of the multi-hybrid aircraft engine, a hydraulic axial piston compressor for compressing air is provided as can be seen in
[0101] The primary compressor 1 may be driven by any suitable power source. Compressible fluid may be drawn from the surrounding to the primary compressor 1 from an outlet g2 of a filter d2 through inlet 9. The primary compressor 1 may pump the compressible fluid toward the speed regulator 167 from valve 8 through inlet 169. Some compressible fluid may be discharged to drive block valve 162 from outlet 178 through inlet 147. At higher pressure, some compressible fluid entering the speed regulator 167 may leave the speed regulator through outlet 168 to the surrounding. The compressible fluid entering the drive block valve 162 through inlet 147 may drive the drive block 77 and leave the drive block valve 162 through outlet 203. The drive block valve 162 provides housing for a ball bearing 202 to seat in to support the primary shaft. The fluid leaving the drive block valve outlet 203 may be directed to an engine to increase the air intake of the engine or to a compressed air tank 205. The drive block 77 may drive primary shafts 78 and 41 coupled to it.
[0102] The primary shafts 78 and 41 may drive a driven block 57 that may drive driven block pistons 54 that may cause compressible fluid to enter the driven block valve 201 from outlet g1 of the filter d2 through inlet 206. The driven block valve 201 has an element for a bearing 200 and a seal g3. The compressible fluid entering the driven block valve 201 may be collected by the driven block pistons 54 and be ejected to the speed regulator 167 from outlet 160 through inlet 170. The fluid entering the speed regulator 167 through inlet 170 may pass through a cooling system d1 so that the temperature of the fluid may be lowered. The compressible fluid entering the speed regulator 167 from inlet 169 and inlet 170 may merge, thereby, resulting in an increase of compressible fluid flow rate. This increases the rotation of the drive block 77 and the primary shafts 78 and 41 which in turn increase the rotational speed of the driven block 57 and fluid flow from the driven block 57 to the speed regulator 167. Insofar as the primary compressor 1 is driven by an external power source, the speed of the output shaft of the driven block 57 will increase and the rate of air flow from outlet 203 to the engine or compressed air tank 205 will increase over time. In the case where the air from outlet 203 is directed to the engine it may pass through a cooling system and a relief valve. The relief valve may be set to allow enough air that permits combustion and cleaner burning of fuel as the engine may be set to maintain a steady speed throughout operation time. In some embodiments, compressible fluid leaving the drive block valve 46 through outlet 203 may be compressed into a compressed air tank 205. The compressed air in the compressed air tank 205 may be allowed into the speed regulator 167 from outlet 204 through inlet 169 to drive the drive block 77.
[0103] The entire system of the hydraulic axial piston compressor of
[0104] In accordance with another aspect of the multi-hybrid aircraft engine, as depicted in
[0105] The phrase turbo engine is broad enough to refer to any suitable jet engine (e.g., turbojet engine, turbofan engine, turboprop engine, and/or any other suitable known jet engine).
[0106] As can be seen in
[0107] To run the multi-hybrid aircraft engine of
[0108] The primary compressor 1 may pump compressible fluid to a speed regulator 167 from outlet 8 through inlet 169 where the pressure of the compressed fluid may be controlled. The compressible fluid entering the speed regulator 167 from primary compressor 1 may be directed to a drive block valve 215 where it may drive a drive block 77 and be discharged to the compressed air tank a6 through a5. In some embodiments, upon full compression of the compressed air tank a6, a relief valve may open a valve that allows compressed fluid from outlet 208 to discharge to the surrounding. The driven drive block 77 may drive a driven block 57 coupled to primary shafts 78 and 41. The rotation of the driven block 57 may cause driven block pistons 54 to collect compressible fluid from the air chamber c6 from outlet a2 through inlet 146 and pump the compressible fluid to the speed regulator 167 from outlet 160 through inlet 170. In the speed regulator, compressible fluid from the driven block 57 combines with the compressed air from the primary compressor 1 and heads for the drive block 77. The merging of compressible fluid results in an increased flow rate of compressible fluid through the drive block 77. This in turn increases the rotational speed of the primary shafts 78 and 41 that are coupled to drive block 77 and driven block 57. The increase of speed of the driven block 57 causes more compressible fluid from the driven block 57 to be discharged to the speed regulator 167 which results to more flow of compressible fluid through the drive block 77. The increase of rotational speed of drive block 77 and the output shafts may continue over time provided that the primary compressor 1 is continuously driven by the external power source. In some embodiments, when the external power source is shut down, compressed air from the compressed air tank a6 may drive the drive block 77 by flowing through the speed regulator 167 from outlet a4 through inlet 169 and 178 and then through inlet 147 of the drive block valve 215.
[0109] Lubricant may be circulated throughout the system by traveling from the oil pump c7 driven by an external power source. The lubricant may be received from a reservoir c8 to the oil pump c7 from outlet x4 through inlet 11, outlet 12, and inlet z1 and then from outlet z2 of the oil pump c7 to the multiplier 199 through inlets 44 and 88. The lubricant may leave the multiplier 199 through outlets 49 and 56, and may head for the gearbox inlets 210 and 163, and the bearing chamber 96 through inlet 109. The lubricant may leave the bearing chamber 96 to the reservoir c8 from outlet 103 through inlet x3. In some embodiments, the lubricant may pass through a cooling system and an oil filter before entering the reservoir c8.
[0110] Accordingly, a multi-hybrid aircraft engine is provided with a sealing system that allows for the flow of lubricant through a flat surface seal 216 to contact surfaces between the flat surface seal 216 and the drive block 77 as shown in
[0111] As can be seen in
[0112] The sealing system described above may be used to seal the driven block 57 and the valve retainer 58. This type of sealing may permit the escape of lubricant through the outlet passage P2 therefore; the outlet hose/pipe may be connected to a coalescer to separate air from lubricant and to return lubricant back to the oil reservoir.
[0113] Furthermore, another aspect of the multi-hybrid aircraft engine herein referred to as a multi-hybrid turbojet engine is provided comprising a primary compressor (an axial or a centrifugal compressor), a secondary compressor, a combustion compressor, an output shaft, and at least one turbine. The embodiment, as can be seen in
[0114] As can be seen in
[0115] It should be known that the secondary compressor 222 is a high pressure compressor and the turbine 229 is a high pressure turbine. However, the combustion compressor 234 is a higher pressure compressor. This type of configuration ensures cleaner combustion as the combustion is cleaner and efficient when the combustion compressor produces higher compression. However, the compression that drives the front fan 219 allows the engine to operate at higher efficiency as the front fan 219 reduces drag when running at subsonic speeds.
[0116] In some embodiments, the output shaft 220 seats in a plurality of bearings 221, 230, and 236. The front bearing 221 seats in a front bearing support 223, the center bearing 230 seats in a center bearing support 232, and the rear bearing 236 seats in a rear bearing support 235. The front bearing support 223 and the center bearing support 232 are connected to an inner casing that is supported with casing supports 224 and 228. The gear chamber 233 has a support 231 attached to an outer casing. In some embodiments, the multi-hybrid turbojet engine is equipped with an afterburner exhaust 239 for combustion of compressed air that bypasses the combustion chamber 238. One of the purposes of the combustion chamber 238 is to ignite jet fuel injected into the combustion chamber 238 through one or more fuel nozzles 237.
[0117] The multi-hybrid turbojet engine may be powered by one or more external power sources at the same time. For example, an electric motor and/or an internal combustion engine may run the primary compressor 240 so that the primary compressor 240 serves as the main power source while the thrust produced by combusting compressed air and jet fuel in the combustion chamber 238 and afterburner effect are used for take-off and landing. The electric motor may be powered by batteries and/or a combustion engine. In this way, the combustion engine may be engaged to run the electric motor and at the same time charge the batteries, and when the batteries are fully charged the engine may be shut down so that the electric motor is powered by the batteries. In some embodiments, compressed air in a compressed air tank may be allowed to flow directly into the compression chamber 227 to drive the turbine 229. Thus, the multi-hybrid turbojet engine may be powered by one or more external power sources. In some embodiments, compressed air from primary compressor 240 and/or compressed air tank may be directed to compression chambers 227 of one or more multi-hybrid turbojet engines.
[0118] One of ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit of this disclosure, will understand that other configurations are also within the scope of this disclosure, such as configurations in which any suitable compressors and turbines/compressor motors may be configured to work as a multiplier or in a multi-hybrid aircraft engine.
[0119] Moreover, the multi-hybrid aircraft engine operation method comprises a combination of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor/generator, coupled through the same drive pulley to spin the primary compressor. During take-off and climb, when maximum power is required, the internal combustion engine and motor work together to power the aircraft, but once cruising height is reached, the electric motor may be switched into generator mode to recharge the batteries or used in motor assist mode to minimise fuel consumption. In some cases, compressed air in the compressed air tank may power the multiplier and when at low pressure state, the internal combustion engine and/or electric motor may assume power while the multiplier stores air in the compressed air tank.
[0120] It should be appreciated by one skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure that the multiplier is merely a combination of a compressor and a compressor motor that are mechanically in connection with each other hence, any unit (the compressor or the compressor motor) can be disconnected from the other and be configured to function as a single unit. Accordingly, a unit of the multiplier functioning as a compressor may serve the purpose of a primary compressor of the present disclosure. In addition, the primary compressor may be designed having one or more outlets for permitting the flow of compressed air to the multiplier(s) through the speed regulator(s). Each outlet of the primary compressor may be linked to one or more speed regulators that are linked to one or more multipliers. In this way, a single primary compressor driven by an external power source may drive one or more multipliers. In other words, a single primary compressor may drive one or more multi-hybrid aircraft engines.
[0121] Reference throughout this specification to embodiment or the embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0122] Similarly, it should be appreciated by one of skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim requires more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following this Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims. It will be apparent to those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the present disclosure.
[0123] In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit of this disclosure, will understand that a configuration in which the multiplier is rotated in another direction is within the scope of this disclosure. The method of operation however, may require the inflow of compressible fluid from the speed regulator through the outlet of the drive block valve while permitting compressible fluid to flow to the speed regulator through the inlet of the driven block valve.
[0124] Any methods disclosed herein include one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified. Moreover, sub-routines or only a portion of a method described herein may be a separate method within the scope of this disclosure. Stated otherwise, some methods may include only a portion of the steps described in a more detailed method.
[0125] Furthermore, it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art with the benefit of this disclosure that the configuration and use of the multiplier and the primary compressor is not limited to aircraft application but can as well be used in other applications such as a windmill and a power source for machines/equipment. In other words, the multiplier and the primary compressor may be sued in windmill application. For example, the windmill propeller may drive the primary compressor while the multiplier drives the AC motor. In addition, compressed air from the multiplier may be stored in a compressed air tank for driving the multiplier when there is less wind to propel the windmill propeller that drives the primary compressor. Accordingly, in some embodiments, where the multiplier and the primary compressor are configured for the purpose of compressing air, the driven block shaft and the drive block shaft may not be needed so that the multiplier only has openings (ports) for fastening inlet/outlet valves.