Abstract: An intake assembly for a compressor providing compressed air to an internal combustion engine core, including an air conduit having at least one heat exchanger extending thereacross, an intake plenum for the compressor, a first intake conduit connected to the air conduit upstream of the heat exchanger(s), a second intake conduit connected to the air conduit downstream of the heat exchanger(s), and a selector valve configurable between a first configuration to allow a fluid communication between the intake plenum and the air conduit through the first intake conduit and a second configuration to prevent the fluid communication through the first intake conduit. Fluid communication between the intake plenum and the air conduit through the second intake conduit is allowed at least when the selector valve is in the second configuration. An engine assembly and method of supplying air to a compressor are also discussed.

Abstract: A compound engine assembly with an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine, a turbine section including a turbine shaft in driving engagement with the engine shaft, and a compressor, and a firewall. The compressor is located on one side of the firewall, and the turbine section and the engine core are located on the other side. The assembly may include a gearbox module with the turbine section and the engine core located on a same side of the gearbox module casing and the compressor located on the opposite side of the gearbox module casing, and with the firewall extending from the gearbox module casing. One or more rotatable accessory may be located on a same side of the firewall as the compressor. A method of reducing fire hazard in a compound engine assembly is also discussed.

Abstract: A compound engine assembly with an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine, a turbine section, and a compressor having an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the engine core. A casing is connected to the turbine section, the compressor and the engine core. A mount cage is connected to mounts attached to the casing between the compressor and a hot zone including the turbine section and the engine core. The mount cage includes a plurality of struts all extending from the mounts away from the turbine section and engine core. The casing may be a gearbox module casing through which the turbine shaft in engaged with the engine shaft. The mount cage may be completely contained within an axial space with the turbine section and engine core being located outside of the axial space.

Abstract: A compound engine assembly including a compressor, an engine core including at least one rotary internal combustion engine and having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the compressor, a turbine section having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine core and configured to compound power with the engine core, and an air conduit having at least one heat exchanger extending thereacross. An outer wall of the air conduit has a plurality of openings defined therethrough downstream of the heat exchanger(s), each selectively closable by a pivotable flap movable between a retracted position where the opening is obstructed and an extended position away from the opening. Each opening defines a fluid communication between the air conduit and the ambient air when the respective flap is in the extended position. A method of directing flow through a compound engine assembly is also discussed.

Abstract: A compound engine assembly including an air conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with ambient air around the compound engine assembly, a compressor having an inlet in fluid communication with the air conduit, an engine core including at least one rotary internal combustion engine and having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the compressor, a turbine section having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine core and configured to compound power with the engine core; and at least one heat exchanger in fluid communication with the air conduit, each heat exchanger configured to circulate a fluid of the engine assembly in heat exchange relationship with an airflow from the air conduit circulating therethrough. A method of supplying air to a compound engine assembly is also discussed.

Abstract: A compound engine assembly with an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine, a turbine section, and a compressor having an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the engine core. A casing is connected to the turbine section, compressor and engine core. A mount cage is connected to mounts attached to the casing between the compressor and a hot zone including the turbine section and exhaust pipe(s). The struts are separated from the hot zone by at least one firewall. The mount cage may include a plurality of struts all extending from the mounts away from the turbine section and engine core. The casing may be a gearbox module casing through which the turbine shaft in engaged with the engine shaft. The mount cage may be completely contained within an axial space with the turbine section and exhaust pipe(s) being located outside of the axial space.

Abstract: A compound engine assembly having an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine in driving engagement with an engine shaft, a compressor having an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the engine core and including at least one rotor rotatable about an axis coaxial with the engine shaft, the engine shaft in driving engagement with the compressor rotor, and a turbine section having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine core and including at least one rotor engaged on a rotatable turbine shaft, the turbine shaft configured to compound power with the engine shaft. The turbine and engine shafts are parallel to and radially offset from one another, and the turbine shaft and the axis of the compressor rotor are parallel to and radially offset from one another. A method of driving a rotatable load of an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: A compound engine assembly with an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine, a compressor, and a turbine section where the turbine shaft is configured to compound power with the engine shaft. The turbine section may include a first stage turbine and a second stage turbine. The turbine shaft is rotationally supported by a plurality of bearings all located on a same side of the compressor rotor(s) and all located on a same side of the turbine rotor(s), for example all located between the compressor rotor(s) and the turbine rotor(s), such that the compressor rotor(s) and the turbine rotor(s) are cantilevered. A method of driving a rotatable load of an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: A recuperator inserted in the exhaust duct of a gas turbine engine includes a casing surrounding a core having spiral cross channels. Inlet and outlet openings are defined in the casing for the passage of hot exhaust gases through the exhaust channels in the core. Feeder members extend radially across the outlet opening for passing the pre-combustion stage air through the air channels of the core, and header members extend radially across the inlet opening of the casing for receiving and redirecting air from the air channels in the core towards the combustor section. The feeder and header members each have a tapered configuration from the casing to the axial center of the casing so as to maintain a relatively constant pressure over the radial extent of the respective feeders and headers.

Abstract: A rotary engine with an outer body having an insert located in the peripheral offset from the rotor cavity such that a portion of the peripheral wall extends between the insert and the cavity. The insert has a pilot subchamber defined therein and the portion of the peripheral wall has at least one opening defined therethrough in communication with the at least one outlet opening of the insert and with the cavity. A method of combusting fuel into a rotary engine is also discussed.

Abstract: A rotary engine including an insert in one of the walls of the outer body having a pilot subchamber defined therein communicating with the internal cavity of the engine. An ignition element extends in an element cavity defined through the insert adjacent the subchamber. A portion of the element is in communication with the subchamber through a communication opening defined in the insert between the element cavity and the subchamber. The communication opening has a cross-section smaller than a corresponding cross-section of the portion of the element. An outer body for a rotary engine and a method of combusting fuel in a rotary engine are also provided.

Abstract: A compound engine system comprising a Wankel engine having a recess defined in the peripheral wall of the rotor in each of the three rotating chambers, the recess having a volume of more than 5% of the displacement volume of the chambers. The expansion in the turbine section compensates for the relatively low expansion ratio of the rotary engine.

Abstract: A compound engine system comprising a rotary engine having a volumetric compression ratio lower than its volumetric expansion ratio, and a recess defined in the peripheral wall of the rotor in each of the chambers having a volume of more than 5% of the displacement volume of the chamber. The expansion in the turbine section compensates for the relatively low expansion ratio of the rotary engine.

Abstract: In one aspect, described is a rotary engine having a purge port located rearwardly of the inlet port and forwardly of the exhaust port along a direction of the revolutions of the rotor, the purge port being in communication with the exhaust port through each of the chambers along a respective portion of each revolution, and the inlet and outlet ports being relatively located such that a volumetric compression ratio of the engine is lower than a volumetric expansion ratio of the engine.

Abstract: A rotary engine an insert in one of the walls of the outer body having a pilot subchamber defined therein communicating with the internal cavity of the engine. An ignition element extends in an element cavity defined through the insert adjacent the subchamber. A portion of the element is in communication with the subchamber through a communication opening defined in the insert between the element cavity and the subchamber. The communication opening has a cross-section smaller than a corresponding cross-section of the portion of the element. An outer body for a rotary engine and a method of combusting fuel in a rotary engine are also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, described is a rotary engine having a purge port located rearwardly of the inlet port and forwardly of the exhaust port along a direction of the revolutions of the rotor, the purge port being in communication with the exhaust port through each of the chambers along a respective portion of each revolution, and the inlet and outlet ports being relatively located such that a volumetric compression ratio of the engine is lower than a volumetric expansion ratio of the engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an air input in a rotary engine, including selectively controlling a plurality of inlet ports communicating with an internal combustion cavity of the engine, the ports located serially downstream of the exhaust port relative direction of a revolution of a rotor of the engine. The inlet ports are controlled to alter air intake at various engine operational stages, such as start up, idle, etc., to allow for varying operational requirements to be met. For example: when a power demand on the engine lower than a predetermined threshold, control may be effected by opening a primary inlet port and closing a secondary inlet port; and, when the power demand exceeds the predetermined threshold, control may be effected by opening the primary inlet port and opening the secondary inlet port, the secondary inlet port being located such as to be in communication with the exhaust port throughout portions of the revolution of the engine to purge exhaust gases of the engine.

Abstract: A multi-rotor internal combustion engine has a plurality of rotary internal combustion units axially distributed along an engine axis. Each unit has a rotor mounted on an eccentric portion of the shaft inside a housing. The housings of adjacent rotary internal combustion units have different angular positions about the engine axis so as to angularly offset the housing from adjacent housings, which may provide for a more uniform temperature distribution around the housings and may also or instead allow optimising of the balancing of pressure induced side loads on the shaft of the rotors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an air input in a rotary engine, including selectively controlling inlet ports communicating with an internal combustion cavity of the engine, the ports located serially downstream of the exhaust port. The inlet ports are controlled to alter air intake at various engine operational stages, such as start up, idle, etc., to allow for varying operational requirements to be met. For example: when a power demand on the engine is lower than a predetermined threshold, control may be effected by opening a primary inlet port and closing a secondary inlet port; and, when the power demand exceeds the predetermined threshold, control may be effected by opening the primary inlet port and opening the secondary inlet port, the secondary inlet port being in communication with the exhaust port throughout portions of the engine revolution to purge exhaust gases.

Abstract: A compound engine system comprising a rotary engine having a volumetric compression ratio lower than its volumetric expansion ratio, and a recess defined in the peripheral wall of the rotor in each of the chambers having a volume of more than 5% of the displacement volume of the chamber. The expansion in the turbine section compensates for the relatively low expansion ratio of the rotary engine.