Abstract:
A detonation chamber for a pulse detonation combustor including: a plurality of dimples disposed on at least a portion of an inner surface of the detonation chamber wherein the plurality of dimples enhance a turbulence of a fluid flow through the detonation chamber.
Abstract:
A pulse detonation combustor assembly contains at least one PDC tube, a mechanical air flow valve which directs an air flow into the PDC tube, where the mechanical air flow assembly changes a rate of the air flow into the PDC tube during a fill stage of the PDC tube. The assembly also contains a fuel flow control valve which directs fuel to the PDC tube and changes the rate of the fuel flow into PDC tube. By controlling the flow of the fuel and air into the PDC tube the equivalence ratio profile of the PDC tube can be tailored and controlled.
Abstract:
A pulse detonation combustor valve assembly contains at least one pulse detonation combustor having an inlet portion through which air and/or fuel enters the chamber of the combustor. An annular rotating valve portion is positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the pulse detonation combustor and concentrically with the pulse detonation combustor so that the annular rotating valve portion can be rotated with respect to the combustor. The annular rotating valve portion contains at least one inlet portion through which air and/or fuel passes to enter the inlet portion of the pulse detonation combustor.
Abstract:
An engine contains a compressor stage, a pulse detonation combustion stage and a turbine stage. The pulse detonation combustion stage contains at least one pulse detonation combustor which has an inlet portion. The pulse detonation combustor is positioned such that the inlet portion of the pulse detonation combustor is located forward of an outlet of the compressor stage with respect to the engine. The pulse detonation combustor is angled with respect to a centerline of the engine.
Abstract:
A dual mode combustor of a gas turbine engine contains at least one dual mode combustor device having a combustion chamber, a fuel air mixing element, a high frequency solenoid valve and a fuel injector. During a first mode of operation the dual mode combustor device operates in a steady, constant pressure deflagration mode, receiving its fuel from the fuel injector. In a second mode of operation the dual mode combustor device operates in a pulse detonation mode, receiving its fuel from the high frequency solenoid valve.
Abstract:
A turbine disk assembly including a rotatable cylindrical member rotatably coupled to a shaft and a plurality of turbine blades extend circumferentially outward from said cylindrical member. The turbine blades include at least two different geometrical shapes, a first of the geometrical shapes is configured to facilitate extracting power from a first pulsed detonation combustor product stream. A second of said geometrical shapes is configured to facilitate extracting power from a second pulsed detonation combustor product stream that is different from the first pulsed detonation combustor product stream.
Abstract:
A pulse detonation device for dividing a pulse detonation shock wave into an primary and control portion to reduce the strength of a propagating shock wave and/or change its direction. The device contains a flow separator which directs a portion of the shock wave into itself, thus reducing the shock wave's strength. In one configuration, the control region converges in cross-sectional area so as to accelerate the flow in the control region, while the primary region diverges to slow the flow in the primary region. The flow in the control region is directed, at an angle, into the flow of the primary region to impede and/or redirect the flow of the primary region.
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.
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.
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.