Abstract:
A compound engine assembly including a common air conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with ambient air, a compressor, at least one internal combustion engine 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 at least one internal combustion engine, the turbine section configured to compound power with the at least one internal combustion engine, and at least one heat exchanger in fluid communication with the common air conduit, each of the at least one heat exchanger configured to circulate a fluid of the engine assembly in heat exchange relationship with an airflow from the common air conduit circulating therethrough. The compressor has an inlet in fluid communication with the common air conduit upstream of the at least one heat exchanger. The internal combustion engine may be a reciprocating engine.
Abstract:
An engine assembly including an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine each including a rotor sealingly and rotationally received within a respective internal cavity to provide rotating chambers of variable volume in the respective internal cavity, a compressor having an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the engine core, a first intake conduit in fluid communication with an inlet of the compressor and with a first source of air, a second intake conduit in fluid communication with the inlet of the compressor and with a second source of air warmer than the first source of air, and a selector valve configurable to selectively open and close at least the fluid communication between the inlet of the compressor and the first intake conduit. A method of supplying air to a compressor is also discussed.
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 housing assembly for a rotary engine, has: a rotor housing having an inner face facing a rotor cavity, a first side and a second side opposite to the first side; a first side housing secured to the first side, and a second side housing secured to the second side, the rotor cavity bounded axially between the first side housing and the second side housing; and a seal received within a groove at an interface between the rotor housing and the first side housing, the groove located outwardly of the inner face and overlapping a peripheral section of the first side housing, the seal having: an elastomeric member compressed between the peripheral section and the rotor housing; and a metallic member disposed inwardly of the elastomeric member, the metallic member in contact with both of the peripheral section of the first side housing and the rotor housing.
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:
There is disclosed an aircraft engine assembly including an engine having an engine shaft; an output shaft; a clutch in driving engagement between the engine shaft and the output shaft. The clutch has a first component in driving engagement with the engine shaft and a second component. The clutch is operable between first and second configurations. In the first configuration, the first component is rotatable relative to the second component and the engine shaft is rotatable relative to the output shaft. In the second configuration, the first and second components are engaged with one another and the engine shaft rotates with the output shaft. A mechanical lock is operable between first and second positions. In the first position, the mechanical lock is disengaged from the first component. In the second position, the first and second components are secured for joint rotation one relative to the other.
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:
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.