Abstract:
A pressure gain combustor comprises a detonation chamber, a pre-combustion chamber, an oxidant swirl generator, an expansion-deflection (E-D) nozzle, and an ignition source. The detonation chamber has an upstream intake end and a downstream discharge end, and is configured to allow a supersonic combustion event to propagate therethrough. The pre-combustion chamber has a downstream end in fluid communication with the detonation chamber intake end, an upstream end in communication with a fuel delivery pathway, and a circumferential perimeter between the upstream and downstream ends with an annular opening in communication with an annular oxidant delivery pathway. The oxidant swirl generator is located in the oxidant delivery pathway and comprises vanes configured to cause oxidant flowing past the vanes to flow tangentially into the pre-combustion chamber thereby creating a high swirl velocity zone around the annular opening and a low swirl velocity zone in a central portion of the pre-combustion chamber. The E-D nozzle is positioned in between the pre-combustion chamber and detonation chamber and provides a diffusive fluid pathway therebetween. The ignition source is in communication with the low swirl velocity zone of the pre-combustion chamber. This configuration is expected to provide a combustor with a relatively low total run-up DDT distance and time, thereby enabling high operating frequencies and corresponding high combustor performance.
Abstract:
The present disclosure describes the use of involute curves for use in energy conversion devices, as well as timing or indexing gears. Several different embodiments are shown using rotors of several examples of lobe numbers and shapes.
Abstract:
An indexing system for a rotor assembly where the indexing system can regulate the rotational location of drive rotors that are configured to rotate about a shaft in one form.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are several embodiments for shroud arrangements to be used in rotary engines using a plurality of rotors within the shroud arrangement. At least one of the rotors is not fixed to the shroud.