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 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:
A rotary internal combustion engine with a rotor body made at least in major part of a first material, including at least one land protruding axially from each of its end faces and defining a contact surface extending at a fixed position with respect to the end faces. The contact surface frictionally engages a portion of the inner surface of the internal cavity of the engine, and at least the outer surface of the land includes a second material. The second material has a greater wear resistance than that of the first material with respect to frictional engagement with the portion of the inner surface of the internal cavity contacting the land. A method of axially positioning a rotor of a rotary engine within an internal cavity of an outer body of the engine are also discussed.
Abstract:
A gearbox positioning device to position a gearbox relative to an engine case of a gas turbine engine. The positioning device has a first and second part, with the first part having a connecting cavity of predetermined shape and being secured to the engine case. The second part has a coupling post received in the connecting cavity and constraining displacement of the gearbox in a laterally transverse direction with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the engine. The device permits movement of the gearbox in the axial direction of the engine as well as angular movement to prevent stressing the engine case during thermal growth of the engine case or support linkage imbalance. A gearbox positioning system incorporating the positioning device and the method of attaching same to the engine casing is also included.
Abstract:
A rotor assembly for a rotary internal combustion engine is provided. The rotor assembly includes a rotor having a radial groove defined radially in a peripheral surface of the rotor. The groove has a depth and an intermediate shoulder at an intermediate depth. The groove has a first width therealong that is narrower than an intermediate width at the shoulder. An apex seal is received in the groove and protrudes from the peripheral face of the rotor. The apex seal is configured to move radially between a first position and a second position outward of the first position. A biasing member biases the apex seal toward the second position. A platform is disposed in the groove between the apex seal and the biasing member and has a width greater than the first width.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for detecting at least one non-functional combustion chamber of an engine comprising a plurality of combustion chambers are described herein. In response to detecting a partial output power loss of the engine, one of the plurality of combustion chambers is assessed by monitoring an engine parameter indicative of an output power of the engine, determining whether a change in the engine parameter has occurred, when the change has occurred, determining that the combustion chamber is functional, and when no change has occurred, determining that the combustion chamber is non-functional and discontinuing fuel injection to the non-functional combustion chamber.
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:
A rotary engine where the rotor cavity has a peripheral inner surface having a peritrochoid configuration defined by a first eccentricity and the rotor has a peripheral outer surface having a peritrochoid inner envelope configuration defined by a second eccentricity larger than the first eccentricity. Also, a rotary engine where the rotor cavity has a peripheral inner surface having a peritrochoid configuration defined by an eccentricity, and a rotor with a peripheral outer surface between adjacent ones of the apex portions being inwardly offset from a peritrochoid inner envelope configuration defined by the eccentricity. The engine may have an expansion ratio with a value of at most 8. The rotary engine may be part of a compound engine system.
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.