Abstract:
A directional control system for a rotorcraft having a tail boom including a no-tail-rotor apparatus configured to control rotorcraft yaw using forced air ejected from the tail boom and a duct configured to deliver the forced air to the no-tail-rotor apparatus. The directional control system comprises a heat exchanger having air passages and fluid passages, the air passages in fluid communication with the duct, the fluid passages in heat exchange relationship with the air passages and configured for receiving a cooling fluid, and a forced air driver in fluid communication with the duct for driving the forced air through the duct to the no-tail-rotor apparatus. Methods of providing directional control in a rotorcraft are also discussed.
Abstract:
An auxiliary power unit for an aircraft includes a rotary intermittent internal combustion engine drivingly engaged to an engine shaft, a turbine section having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine(s), the turbine section including at least one turbine compounded with the engine shaft, and a compressor having an inlet in fluid communication with an environment of the aircraft and an outlet in fluid communication with a bleed duct for providing bleed air to the aircraft, the compressor having a compressor rotor connected to a compressor shaft, the compressor shaft drivingly engaged to the engine shaft. The driving engagement between the compressor shaft and the engine shaft is configurable to provide at least two alternate speed ratios between the compressor shaft and the engine shaft.
Abstract:
An aircraft heating assembly including an internal combustion engine having a liquid coolant system distinct from any fuel and lubricating system of the engine and including cooling passages in the internal combustion engine for circulating a liquid coolant from a coolant inlet to a coolant outlet, a coolant circulation path outside of the internal combustion engine and in fluid communication with the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet, and a heating element in heat exchange relationship with a portion of the aircraft to be heated. The coolant circulation path extends through a heat exchanger configured to remove a portion of a waste heat from the liquid coolant. The heating element is in heat exchange relationship with the coolant circulation path to receive another portion of the waste heat therefrom. A method of heating a portion of an aircraft is also discussed.
Abstract:
There is described herein methods and systems for selective use of an auxiliary power source inflight in order to reduce fuel consumption of an aircraft.
Abstract:
A compound engine assembly for use as an aircraft auxiliary power unit, having an engine core including internal combustion engine(s) in driving engagement with an engine shaft, a generator having a generator shaft directly engaged to the engine shaft such as to be rotatable at a same speed, a compressor having an outlet in communication with the engine core inlet, and a turbine section having an inlet in communication with the engine core outlet and configured to compound power with the engine core. The turbine section may include a first stage turbine having an inlet in communication with the engine core outlet, and a second stage turbine having an inlet in communication with the first stage turbine outlet. A method of providing electrical power to an aircraft is also discussed.
Abstract:
A compound cycle engine having an output shaft, at least two rotary units each including an internal combustion engine with the rotor of each rotary unit mounted on the output shaft and in driving engagement therewith, and a turbine including a rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft. The exhaust port of each rotary unit housing is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the turbine upstream of its rotor. The turbine is disposed co-axially between two of the rotary units. The engine may further include a compressor in fluid communication with the inlet port of each housing and a second turbine having an inlet in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first turbine downstream of its rotor. A method of compounding rotary engines is also discussed.
Abstract:
A method of feeding air to an internal combustion engine having at least first and second internal cavities, including: completing the intake phase of the first combustion chamber of the first internal cavity by feeding compressed air into the first combustion chamber until a maximum volume thereof is reached; during a beginning of the compression phase of the first combustion chamber and a simultaneous beginning of the intake phase of the second combustion chamber of the second internal cavity, feeding compressed air from the first combustion chamber into the second combustion chamber; closing a communication between the first and second combustion chambers and completing the intake phase of the second combustion chamber by feeding compressed air into the second combustion chamber until a maximum volume thereof is reached.
Abstract:
A compound cycle engine having an output shaft; at least two rotary units each defining an internal combustion engine, a first stage turbine, and a turbocharger is discussed. The first stage turbine includes a rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft between two of the rotary units. The exhaust port of each rotary unit is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine upstream of its rotor. The outlet of the compressor of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the inlet port of each rotary unit. The inlet of the second stage turbine of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine downstream of its rotor. The first stage turbine has a lower reaction ratio than that of the second stage turbine. A method of compounding at least two rotary engines is also discussed.
Abstract:
A stator for a rotary internal combustion engine, with a body having an internal cavity. Each end wall has a scavenging cavity defined therein in fluid communication with the internal cavity through a respective scavenging opening extending through the inner surface thereof, and at least one annular oil seal groove defined in the inner surface thereof concentric with the central bore and located radially outwardly of the scavenging opening. At least one annular oil seal is received in each groove and protrudes from the end wall into the internal cavity for sealing engagement with a surface of a rotor of the engine, each seal being biased axially away from the end wall. A rotary internal combustion engine and a method of limiting radially outwardly directed oil leaks in a rotary engine are also disclosed.
Abstract:
An internal combustion engine including a pilot subchamber, a pilot fuel injector having a tip in communication with the pilot subchamber, an ignition element positioned to ignite fuel within the pilot subchamber, and a main fuel injector spaced apart from the pilot fuel injector. The engine includes a common rail in fluid communication with the main fuel injector and with the pilot fuel injector and a pressure regulating mechanism in fluid communication with the common rail for regulating a fuel pressure therein. A method of combusting fuel in an internal combustion engine is also provided.