Intermittent Combustion Type Patents (Class 60/39.38)
  • Patent number: 11815266
    Abstract: A combustor nozzle, a combustor, and a gas turbine including the same are proposed. The combustor nozzle includes a nozzle module. The nozzle module includes a fuel supply pipe supplying fuel from the front side to the rear side, a fuel plenum having an internal fuel flow path through which the fuel flows and communicating with the fuel supply pipe, an air inlet formed in front of the fuel plenum, a plurality of tubes disposed through a rear side of the fuel plenum, wherein a front end of each tube communicates with the air inlet, and a fuel port communicating with the fuel flow path is formed on a lateral side of each tube, and a swirler provided with a plurality of swirling guides disposed obliquely in axial and circumferential directions on an inner circumferential surface of each of the plurality of tubes to swirl fluid, with a central portion thereof opened when viewed from the axial direction of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: DOOSAN ENERBILITY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Borys Shershnyov
  • Patent number: 11815026
    Abstract: A combustor nozzle capable of injecting fuel uniformly, and a combustor and gas turbine including the same are provided. The combustor nozzle includes a main cylinder having a fuel passage through which fuel flows, a nozzle shroud surrounding the main cylinder, and a fuel injection module disposed between the main cylinder and the nozzle shroud to inject fuel, wherein the fuel injection module includes a plurality of first struts protruding from the main cylinder and having strut injection holes to inject fuel, a first support tube coupled to outer ends of the first struts, and a plurality of second struts protruding from the first support tube and having strut injection holes to inject fuel, and each of the first and second struts includes a swirl guide inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction of the main cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: DOOSAN ENERBILITY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Borys Shershnyov, Mu Hwan Chon
  • Patent number: 11725824
    Abstract: A combustor for a rotating detonation engine includes a radially outer wall extending along an axis (A); a radially inner wall extending along the axis (A), wherein the radially inner wall is positioned within the radially outer wall to define an annular detonation chamber having an inlet for fuel and oxidant and an outlet; a first passage for feeding at least one of the fuel and the oxidant along a first passage axis (a1) to the inlet; a second passage for feeding at least one of the fuel and the oxidant along a second passage axis (a2) to the inlet, wherein the second passage axis is arranged at an angle (?) relative to the first passage axis whereby mixing of flow from the first passage and the second passage is induced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Zhongtao Dai, Peter A T Cocks
  • Patent number: 11572836
    Abstract: Systems and methods for gas turbine or jet engines may include, among other things, one or more electric heating elements located within a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine, a combustion chamber of a jet engine, or an afterburner of a jet engine. A combustion chamber and/or an afterburner may be configured to generate heated gas by using the one or more electric heating elements to heat gases within the combustion chamber and/or afterburner. A combustion chamber and/or an afterburner may be configured to generate an exhaust output based on the heated gas. The exhaust output may drive a turbine which generates electricity or mechanical energy. Thrust from the exhaust output from a jet engine may propel a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventor: Bob Burkett
  • Patent number: 11525579
    Abstract: A combustor nozzle capable of injecting fuel uniformly, a combustor including the combustor nozzle, and a gas turbine including the combustor are provided. The combustor nozzle includes a premix passage in which air and fuel are mixed, wherein the premix passage includes a plurality of pegs configured to inject fuel and guide an air flow and a plurality of mixing bars configured to mix air and fuel injected from the plurality of pegs, the mixing bar having a twisted structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: DOOSAN ENERBILITY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Borys Shershnyov, Mu Hwan Chon
  • Patent number: 10598019
    Abstract: A turbine engine system includes a fire chamber and a helical fan. The fire chamber includes a first cylindrical body having a first central axis; a first elongated hollow shaft extending co-axially along the first central axis; a plurality of wings fixedly secured to an exhaust plate and the first elongated hollow shaft; a plurality of combustion chambers disposed within a thickness of the first cylindrical body; a plurality of fuel injectors; and a plurality of spark plug injectors. The helical fan includes a cylindrical body having a second central axis; a second elongated hollow shaft extending co-axially along the central axis and in gaseous communication with the first elongated hollow shaft; and a plurality of blades extending from an inner wall of the cylindrical body to an outer surface of the elongated hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventor: Carl W. Kemp
  • Patent number: 10215092
    Abstract: A constant-volume combustion chamber for an aircraft turbine engine, including a compressed gas intake valve configured to adopt an open position and a closed position, and in the closed position blocking intake of compressed gas into the chamber, and a combusted gas exhaust valve configured to adopt a closed position, in the closed position blocking exhaust of combusted gas outside the chamber. At least one of the intake and exhaust valves includes at least one spherical plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventor: Bernard Robic
  • Patent number: 9970294
    Abstract: This is an engine that uses combustion pressures and shock waves to provide moment about an axis on a rotor producing a torque. This engine is a torque driven power plant which can be used for a variety of energy applications. At the core of this engine is a large diameter right cylinder that uses internal vectored combustion to rotate a shaft that can be attached to various mechanisms for use in diverse applications. This engine can be scaled to be various sizes with the functionality of the engine unaffected. This engine has a unique internal rotational-recoil disk (piston head type) that rotates in a circle making it extremely efficient. This engine has directional intake valves and removes the exhaust through the center of the rotation-recoil disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Isaac Erik Anderson
  • Patent number: 9909533
    Abstract: A pulsed detonation engine may include a detonation tube for receiving fuel and an oxidizer to be detonated therein, one or more fuel-oxidizer injectors for injecting the fuel and oxidizer into the detonation tube, one or more purge air injectors for injecting purge air into the detonation tube for purging the detonation tube, and an ignition for igniting the fuel and oxidizer in the detonation tube so as to initiate detonation thereof. The detonation tube has an upstream end, a downstream end, and an axially extended portion extending from the upstream end to the downstream end and having a perimeter. The fuel-oxidizer injectors and purge air injectors may be disposed at least along the axially extended portion. The ignition may include a plurality of igniters disposed at or near the perimeter of the axially extended portion, spaced about the perimeter, at or near the upstream end of the detonation tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Frank K. Lu, Donald R Wilson
  • Patent number: 9777669
    Abstract: A thermodynamic machine, comprising: a rotor, configured to rotate about a rotor axis, a working fluid circulation path and a coolant fluid path formed within the rotor, the coolant fluid path fluidically isolated from the working fluid circulation path, the working fluid circulation path spanning radially from the rotor axis to close to the periphery of the rotor; a working fluid circulation drive configured to drive the circulation of a working fluid about the working fluid circulation path; at least one working fluid cooler heat exchanger formed as part of the working fluid circulation path and the coolant fluid path, in use coolant fluid passing through the working fluid cooler heat exchanger to transfer heat from the working fluid to the coolant fluid, and; a working fluid heater in the working fluid circulation path configured to heat a working fluid circulating around the working fluid circulation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Xeicle Limited
    Inventor: Robert Gulliver Lynn
  • Patent number: 9726080
    Abstract: A helical cross flow pulse detonation engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Orbital ATK, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Guinan, Christopher D. Gettinger
  • Patent number: 9027324
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an engine. Another embodiment is a unique combustion system. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for engines and combustion systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip H. Snyder
  • Patent number: 9021783
    Abstract: The engine (10) includes at least one firing tube (12) wherein an exhaust stream (32) from the firing tube (12) drives a turbine (30). A scroll ejector attenuator (40) is secured between and in fluid communication with an outlet end (28) of the firing tube (12) and an inlet (76) of the turbine (30). The attenuator (40) defines a turning, narrowing passageway (72) that extends a distance the exhaust stream (32) travels before entering the turbine (30) to attenuate shockwaves and mix the pulsed exhaust stream (32) into an even stream with minimal temperature differences to thereby enhance efficient operation of the turbine (30) without any significant pressure decline of exhaust stream (32) pressure and without any backpressure from the attenuator (40) on the firing tube (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Hill, Michael J. Cuozzo
  • Patent number: 8978387
    Abstract: The flow through the core of a hybrid pulse detonation combustion system is passed through a compressor and then separated into a primary flow, that passes directly to the combustor, and a bypass flow, which is routed to a portion of the system to be used to cool components of the system. The bypass flow is routed to a nozzle of the pulse detonation combustor. The flow is then passed back into the primary flow through the core downstream of where it was extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Venkat Eswarlu Tangirala, Narendra Digamber Joshi, Adam Rasheed, Brian Gene Brzek, Douglas Carl Hofer, Thomas Michael Lavertu, Fuhua Ma
  • Publication number: 20150059348
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gas turbine engine system having a plurality of combustors, wherein a first combustor includes one or more fuel nozzles and one or more fuel injectors positioned downstream from the fuel nozzles. The gas turbine engine may also include a first valve disposed along a fuel delivery line between a fuel circuit and the first combustor to adjust a first flow of the fuel to the first combustor. The gas turbine engine may also include a second valve disposed along a fuel delivery line between the first valve and at least one of the one or more fuel injectors to adjust a second flow of the fuel to at least one of the one or more fuel injectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Kaylor Toronto, Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8955303
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a pulse detonation system includes a pulse detonation tube including a base tube and a thermally protective layer disposed adjacent to an inner surface of the base tube. The thermally protective layer is configured to limit temperature fluctuations at the inner surface of the base tube to less than approximately 20 degrees Celsius during operation of the pulse detonation system, and the thermally protective layer does not comprise a ceramic coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Gene Brzek, Adam Rasheed, Narendra Digamber Joshi
  • Patent number: 8925296
    Abstract: The invention relates to a jet engine (1), in particular an aircraft jet engine, including at least one combustion chamber (3). The combustion chamber (3) is connected to at least one compressed gas intake (4) and to at least one burnt gas outlet (5). Said burnt gas outlet(s) (5) include an exhaust valve. The exhaust valve includes two rotary parts (7), referred to as rotary exhaust parts, the rotary exhaust parts (7) including curved walls (8) and intermediate walls (9) connecting the curved walls (8), and rotating in a coordinated, continuous fashion such that said valve is in a closed position in order to block the gas during at least one combustion step, and in an open position in order to define a space (10) through which the gas flows out from the combustion chamber (3) during at least one expansion step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Michel Aguilar
  • Patent number: 8899010
    Abstract: A pulse detonation combustor including a plurality of nozzles engaged with one another via mating surfaces to support a gas discharge annulus in a circumferential direction. The pulse detonation combustor also including multiple pulse detonation tubes extending for the nozzles and a plurality of thermal expansion control joints coupled to the plurality of pulse detonation tubes. Each of the plurality of thermal expansion control joints is configured to facilitate independent thermal growth of each of the plurality of pulse detonation tubes. The thermal expansion control joints may be configured as a bellows expansion joint or a sliding expansion joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ross Hartley Kenyon, Adam Rasheed, Paul Whitson Dom, Jr., Mark Joseph Pombles
  • Patent number: 8893467
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for combustion of fuel includes, in some embodiments, a fuel nozzle which injects fuel into a combustion channel of a wave rotor combustor or a pulse detonation combustor. In some embodiments the combustion process includes a backward-propagating detonation wave within a substantially closed channel which compresses discrete quantities of combustible and noncombustible mixture. Yet other embodiments include a precombustion chamber integrated into the wave rotor, the outlet stator or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Razi Nalim, Pejman Akbari
  • Patent number: 8887482
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies described herein provide for the creation of a high speed actuating fluid flow utilizing one or more pulse detonation actuators. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, an actuating flow trigger is detected with respect to a high speed airflow over an aerodynamic surface. In response, a pulse detonation actuator is activated and a resulting high speed actuating flow is directed into the high speed airflow to alter at least one attribute of the high speed airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert T. Ruggeri, Ephraim Gutmark
  • Patent number: 8881500
    Abstract: A detonation chamber for a pulse detonation combustor including: a plurality of duplex tab obstacles disposed on at least a portion of an inner surface of the detonation chamber wherein the plurality of duplex tab obstacles enhance a turbulence of a fluid flow through the detonation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ephraim Jeff Gutmark, Aaron Jerome Glaser, Adam Rasheed
  • Patent number: 8813474
    Abstract: An engine including a means for supplying fuel to the combustion chamber of the fire tube, that includes a variable-volume transfer chamber for receiving fuel, a fuel transfer means from the tank of the engine towards the transfer chamber, and injection means for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber from the transfer chamber. The engine further includes an elastic return at least partially defined by the fuel contained in the transfer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: MBDA France
    Inventors: Emeric Daniau, François Falempin, Etienne Bobo, Jean-Pierre Minard
  • Patent number: 8726630
    Abstract: A pulse detonation device contains a pulse detonation combustor which detonates a mixture of oxidizer and fuel. The fuel is supplied through fuel ducts and the fuel flow is controlled by fuel flow control devices. Oxidizer flow is provided through a main inlet portion and a flow control device directs the oxidizer flow to either the combustor or to a bypass duct, or both. The combustor further contains an ignition source. Each of the flow control devices, fuel flow control devices and ignition source are controlled by a control system to optimize performance at different thrust/power settings for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pierre Francois Pinard, Kevin Michael Hinckley, Venkat Eswarlu Tangirala, Adam Rasheed, David Michael Chapin, Anthony John Dean
  • Patent number: 8707674
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a pulse detonation tube includes a continuous base tube having a substantially uniform wall thickness. The pulse detonation tube also includes a local flexural wave modifying feature configured to locally vary a flexural wave speed such that the flexural wave speed through the pulse detonation tube is different than an expected detonation wave speed, and/or to locally dissipate flexural wave energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Moscinski, Adam Rasheed, Brian Gene Brzek, Narendra Digamber Joshi
  • Patent number: 8683780
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique pulse detonation combustion system. Another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine including a unique pulse detonation combustion system. In some embodiments, the pulse detonation combustion system includes an inlet section, a vortex generator and at least one flame accelerator. The inlet section, vortex generator and the at least one flame accelerator may be operative to initiate a deflagration to detonation transition. In some embodiments, the pulse detonation combustion system may include a flame accelerator configured with a directionally-dependent drag coefficient. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for pulse detonation combustion systems, gas turbine engines, and other machines and engines. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventors: Masayoshi Shimo, Philip H. Snyder
  • Patent number: 8661782
    Abstract: A rotating valve assembly includes an inner cup having at least one inlet port; an outer cup having at least one inlet port, the outer cup rotatably mounted concentric with the inner cup by a bearing arrangement; and a cooling system located between the inner cup and the bearing arrangement for providing a thermal barrier between the inner cup and the bearing arrangement. The valve assembly also includes a labyrinth sealing arrangement located around the at least one inlet port of one of the inner and outer cups for preventing leakage of pressure waves generated by detonations or quasi-detonations within a combustion chamber of the inner cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ross Hartley Kenyon, Narendra Digamber Joshi, Adam Rasheed, Mark Joseph Pombles
  • Patent number: 8650856
    Abstract: A detonation chamber and a pulse detonation combustor including a detonation chamber, wherein the detonation chamber includes a plurality of aerodynamic jets disposed adjacent an exterior of a sidewall of the detonation chamber. The detonation chamber further includes a plurality of openings formed in the sidewall of the detonation chamber, wherein each of the plurality of openings is in fluidic communication with one of the plurality of aerodynamic jets. The plurality of aerodynamic jets are adapted to create a plurality of jet flows of a fluid within the detonation chamber during a combustion cycle defining a plurality of initiation obstacles within the detonation chamber to enhance a turbulence of a fluid flow and flame acceleration through the detonation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Justin Thomas Brumberg, Adam Rasheed
  • Patent number: 8555612
    Abstract: A constant volume combustor device includes, in one form, a detonative combustion. The apparatus includes inlet and outlet ports that interface with a plurality of fluid flow passageways on a rotor. A buffer gas is routed through some of the inlet and outlet ports and into and out of the plurality of fluid flow passageways. One of the inlet ports is a buffer gas inlet port that when placed in registry with a fluid flow passageway allows the flow of buffer gas into the respective passageway. Fuel is delivered into the buffer gas proximate the buffer gas inlet port so that only a portion of the buffer gas inlet port receives any fuel. In one form the wave rotor of the constant volume combustor is supported by magnetic bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip H. Snyder, Calvin W. Emmerson
  • Patent number: 8539752
    Abstract: A detonation chamber and a pulse detonation combustor including a detonation chamber, wherein the detonation chamber includes a plurality of initiation obstacles and at least one injector in fluid flow communication with each of the plurality of initiation obstacles. The plurality of initiation obstacles are disposed on at least a portion of an inner surface of the detonation chamber with each of the plurality of initiation obstacles defining a low pressure region at a trailing edge. The plurality of initiation obstacles are configured to enhance a turbulence of a fluid flow and flame acceleration through the detonation chamber. The at least one injector in provides a cooling fluid flow to each of the plurality of initiation obstacles, wherein the cooling fluid flow is one of a fuel, a combination of fuels, air, or a fuel/air mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Justin Thomas Brumberg, Adam Rasheed, Dustin Wayne Davis
  • Patent number: 8516788
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pulse detonation engine operating with an air-fuel mixture. According to the invention, the engine (1) includes at least two predetonation tubes (4, 5) which operate under conditions close to thermal cutoff conditions and the shock waves from which are focused in the combustion chamber (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: MBDA France
    Inventors: Emeric Daniau, François Falempin, Etienne Bobo, Jean-Pierre Minard
  • Patent number: 8443583
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for combustion of fuel. Some embodiments of the inventions include a fuel nozzle which injects fuel into a combustion channel of a wave rotor combustor or a pulse detonation combustor In some embodiments the combustion process includes a backward-propagating detonation wave within a substantially closed channel which compresses discrete quantities of combustible and noncombustible mixture. Yet other embodiments include a precombustion chamber integrated into the wave rotor, the outlet stator or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Razi Nalim, Pezhman Akbari
  • Patent number: 8438833
    Abstract: An engine contains at least one pulse detonation combustor having a combustion chamber and an exit nozzle coupled to and downstream of the combustion chamber. During operation of the at least one pulse detonation combustor a detonation occurs within the combustion chamber and at least one of a fuel fill fraction and purge fraction of the at least one pulse detonation combustor are utilized to offset a temperature peak of said detonation from a pressure peak of said detonation. The fuel fill fraction is defined as 1?purge fraction, and the purge fraction is the ratio of the purge time of the at least one pulse detonation combustor to a sum of the purge time of the at least one pulse detonation combustor and a fuel fill time of the at least one pulse detonation combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Venkat Eswarlu Tangirala, Narendra Digamber Joshi
  • Patent number: 8413418
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine (10) having a pressure-rise combustor (30) and the pressure-rise combustor (30) is positioned upstream of a stage of turbine nozzle guide vanes (32). The vanes (33) of the stage of turbine nozzle guide vanes (32) forms an ejector and each of the vanes (33) has an upstream portion (34) and a downstream portion (36). The upstream portions (34) of the vanes (33) have leading edges (38) and the upstream portions (34) are arranged substantially straight and parallel to define constant area mixing passages (40) for a flow of gases there-through. The downstream portions (36) of the vanes (33) are arranged at an angle to the upstream portions (34) of the vanes (33) to turn the flow of gases there-through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Samuel A. Mason, Mark D. Taylor, Torbjorn O. Lindquist, Robert J. Miller, Jonathan J. H. Heffer
  • Publication number: 20130047625
    Abstract: An enhanced pulse detonation engine (PDE) system for application in an aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTOVL) is described. The PDE system described herein may be installed onto a round vehicle platform whereby many PDE chamber and ejector tube assemblies are mounted with the ejector tubes facing towards a rotating bladed fan which, in certain embodiments, provides VTOVL flight and gyro stabilization. The angle and design of the fan blades are such that when the fan is rotated by exhaust force, the fan pulls fresh air through the aircraft's interior ducting, cooling the assemblies and adding more air mass for lift. Ignition rotation is adjustable (with or opposite fan rotation) to maximize the fan's thrust output. The design of the fan blade angle is optimized to provide low acoustical detection, low exhaust thrust temperature signature, and maximum air pull-through for lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Star Drive Propulsion Systems, LLC
    Inventor: William Donald Eatwell
  • Patent number: 8341932
    Abstract: An engine contains a compressor stage, a plurality of pulse detonation combustors and a rotary inlet valve structure having a plurality of inlet ports through which at least air flows to enter the pulse detonation combustors during operation of the engine. Downstream of the pulse detonation combustors is a turbine stage. Further, the ratio of the pulse detonation combustors to the inlet ports is a non-integer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Fredric Wiedenhoefer, Adam Rasheed
  • Patent number: 8312706
    Abstract: The present specification generally relates to improvements to combustors such as burners and engines. In one aspect, the specification presents an acoustically enhanced ejector system which can be used as part of an intake system for a combustor. In another aspect, the specification teaches the use of a combustor combustion chamber as an oscillator to magnify a harmonic frequency of a pulsating frequency of the combustor. In still other aspects, the specification presents a combustion chamber having an inlet with a plurality of tangentially spaced apertures, and an in-line intake system connected to the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Atlantis Research Labs
    Inventors: Luc Laforest, Dennis Vivian Collins
  • Patent number: 8302377
    Abstract: An engine contains a compressor stage, a compressor plenum, an inlet valving stage, a PDC stage, a PDC exit nozzle stage, a transition stage, a high pressure turbine stage, a turbine plenum, and a low pressure turbine stage. The PDC stage contains at least one pulse detonation combustor and each of the compressor plenum, PDC exit nozzle stage and turbine plenum contain a volume used to reduce and/or widen pressure peaks generated by the operation of the PDC stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Adam Rasheed, Narendra Digamber Joshi, Venkat Eswarlu Tangirala
  • Patent number: 8275498
    Abstract: A system and method for assessing the risk of conjunction of a rocket body with orbiting and non-orbiting platforms. Two-body orbital dynamics are used to initially determine the kinematic access for a ballistic vehicle. The access may be represented in two ways: as a volume relative to its launcher and also as a geographical footprint relative to a target position that encompasses all possible launcher locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Analytical Graphics Inc.
    Inventor: Salvatore Alfano
  • Publication number: 20120216503
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique engine. Another embodiment of the present invention is a unique combustion system. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for engines and combustion systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Philip H. Snyder
  • Patent number: 8205433
    Abstract: Pulse detonation/deflagration apparatus for providing enhanced pressure wave operating frequency and/or magnitude, and methods of increasing the frequency or the magnitude of deflagration to detonation waves, are provided. A pulse detonation/deflagration apparatus can include a main/outer pulse detonation/deflagration actuator/engine (PDA/E) with multiple smaller internal combustion chambers or tubes positioned inside the cavity of the main/outer PDA/E with each performing the function of individual PDA/Es. The output pressure waves created by the internal PDA/Es can be utilized for propulsion or for controlling large scale flows, where needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Patrick Boespflug, Dennis Steenburgh, Seyed Gholami Saddoughi, Grover Andrew Bennett
  • Patent number: 8127533
    Abstract: The system and method described herein uses a hybrid pulsed detonation engine (PDE) system to drive a turbine that powers an electric generator. The combustion chamber of the PDE is shaped in a helical form, so that the external length of the section is reduced, while maintaining the distance for acceleration to detonation. This allows the achievement of deflagration to detonation transition without the help of turbulence enhancing obstacles, while keeping the overall size of the detonation tube small. The PDE output can be scaled by: increasing the cross sectional area of the detonation chamber; increasing the number of detonation tubes; and increasing the frequency of operation of the PDE. The replacement of conventional deflagrative internal combustion engines, including gas turbines and reciprocating engines, with pulsed detonation engines for electric power generation, may provide fuel savings and have a lower environmental impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Frank K. Lu, Philip K. Panicker, Donald R. Wilson, Jiun-Ming Li
  • Patent number: 8117828
    Abstract: A pressure wave apparatus utilizing the principles of pulsed detonation and wave rotor technologies. The apparatus includes inlet and outlet ports that interface with a plurality of fluid flow passageways on a rotor. A buffer gas is routed through some of the inlet and outlet ports and into and out of the plurality of fluid flow passageways. One of the inlet ports is a buffer gas inlet port that when placed in registry with a fluid flow passageway allows the flow of buffer gas into the respective passageway. Fuel is delivered into the buffer gas proximate the buffer gas inlet port so that only a portion of the buffer gas inlet port receives any fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Allison Advanced Development Company
    Inventors: Philip H. Snyder, Calvin W. Emmerson
  • Patent number: 8082728
    Abstract: A continuous detonation system, including: a rotatable member including a forward end, an aft end, a circumferential wall and a longitudinal centerline axis extending therethrough; an outer circumferential wall, wherein the rotatable member is positioned therein so that the circumferential wall of the rotatable member is spaced radially inwardly from the outer circumferential wall; at least one helical channel formed by a plurality of helical sidewalls extending between the circumferential wall of the rotatable member and the outer circumferential wall, each helical channel being open at the forward end and the aft end of the rotatable member so as to provide flow communication therethrough; an air supply for providing air to each helical channel; and, a fuel supply for providing fuel to each helical channel. In this way, a mixture of the fuel and air is continuously detonated within each helical channel in a manner such that combustion gases exit therefrom with an increased pressure and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kurt David Murrow, Lawrence nmn Butler
  • Patent number: 8083494
    Abstract: Improvements to combustors such as burners and engines are provided. In one aspect, the specification presents an acoustically enhanced ejector system which can be used as part of an intake system for a combustor. In another aspect, the specification teaches the use of a combustor combustion chamber as an oscillator to magnify a harmonic frequency of a pulsating frequency of the combustor. In still other aspects, the specification presents a combustion chamber having an inlet with a plurality of tangentially spaced apertures, and an in-line intake system connected to the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Gestion Serge Benjamin Inc.
    Inventors: Luc Laforest, Dennis Vivian Collins
  • Publication number: 20110302904
    Abstract: The present application provides a pulsed detonation cleaning device. The pulsed detonation cleaning device may include an air inlet, a fuel inlet, an ignition device in communication with the air inlet and the fuel inlet for creating detonation waves, a number of folded flow paths in communication with the ignition device, and a number of flow turning devices positioned about the folded flow paths such that the detonation waves reverse direction a number of times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Tian Xuan Zhang, David Michael Chapin, Miles Alan Peregoy
  • Publication number: 20110289899
    Abstract: An exemplary method for the operation of a CCPP with flue gas recirculation to reduce NOx emissions and/or to increase the CO2 concentration in the flue gases to facilitate CO2 capture from the flue gases as well as a plant designed to operate is disclosed. To allow a high flue gas recirculation ration (rFRG) an imposed combustion inhomogeneity ratio (ri) is used for flame stabilization. The imposed combustion inhomogeneity ratio (ri) is controlled as function of the flue gas recirculation rate (rFRG) and/or combustion pressure. Oxygen or oxygen enriched air to the gas turbine inlet gases or to the combustor is admixed to enhance operatability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Marta DE LA CRUZ GARCIA, Thierry Lachaux, Andre Burdet, Jaan Hellat
  • Patent number: 8015792
    Abstract: An engine timing input system is described for pulse detonation engines that allows for accurate engine timing when rotary or cylindrical valves are used to distribute an air/fuel mixture for combustion. The invention uses a profile disk having a predetermined circumferential edge corresponding to valve position to provide for accurate engine timing. A frequency wheel is used in conjunction with the profile disk to provide a more accurate representation of valve position by partitioning the valve position into multiple pulses during each rotation of the rotary or cylindrical valve. The profile disk and frequency wheel when used with programmable timing circuitry signal fuel valve timing and ignition relative to the rotating valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Bernard J. Raver
  • Patent number: 7905084
    Abstract: A gas generator for providing continuous pressure rise combustion, including: a rotatable member including a forward end, an aft end, a circumferential wall and a longitudinal centerline axis extending therethrough; an outer circumferential wall, wherein the rotatable member is positioned therein so that the circumferential wall of the rotatable member is spaced radially inwardly from the outer circumferential wall; at least one helical channel formed by a plurality of helical sidewalls extending between the circumferential wall of the rotatable member and the outer circumferential wall, each helical channel being open at the forward end and the aft end of the rotatable member so as to provide flow communication therethrough; an air supply for providing air to each helical channel; and, a fuel supply for providing fuel to each helical channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: General Electronic Company
    Inventors: Kurt David Murrow, Matthew Timothy Franer, Rollin George Giffin, III
  • Patent number: 7891164
    Abstract: A pulse detonation engine contains a mechanically driven timing device coupled with a stator device, where the timing device has both an opening portion and a blocking portion. The opening and blocking portions open and close air flow access to a detonation chamber of the pulse detonation engine at appropriate times during the pulse detonation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Sebastian Janssen, Venkat Eswarlu Tangirala, Anthony John Dean, James Fredric Wiedenhoefer
  • Patent number: 7836682
    Abstract: A method for operating a pulse detonation engine, wherein the method includes channeling air flow from a pulse detonation combustor into a flow mixer having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a body portion extending therebetween. The method also includes channeling ambient air past the flow mixer and mixing the air flow discharged from the pulse detonation combustor with the ambient air flow such that a combined flow is generated from the flow mixer that has less flow variations than the air flow discharged from the pulse detonation combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Adam Rasheed, Keith Robert McManus, Anthony John Dean