Parallel combustor configuration for unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion turbine
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorRichard A. Himmelmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle includes at least one fuel storage tank. A plurality of combustors is connected to the at least one fuel storage tank. Each of the combustors is connected to a turbine via a corresponding nozzle. An output shaft is connected to the turbine and configured to output rotational energy from the turbine.
Claims20
A propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle comprising:
- at least one fuel storage tank;
- a plurality of combustors connected to the at least one fuel storage tank;
- each of the combustors being connected to a turbine via a corresponding nozzle;
- and
- an output shaft connected to the turbine and configured to output rotational energy.
A propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle comprising:
- at least one fuel storage tank;
- a plurality of combustors connected to the at least one fuel storage tank;
- each of the combustors being connected to a partial admission axial flow turbine via a corresponding nozzle;
- and
- an output shaft connected to the turbine and configured to output rotational energy.
An unmanned underwater vehicle comprising:
- a body housing at least a first fuel storage tank, a general controller, and a propulsion system;
- and
- the propulsion system including a gas powered turbine engine mechanically connected to a propulsor, wherein the gas powered turbine engine includes a plurality of parallel combustors.
An unmanned underwater vehicle comprising:
- a body housing at least a first fuel storage tank, a general controller, and a propulsion system;
- and
- the propulsion system including a gas powered turbine engine mechanically connected to a propulsor, wherein the gas powered turbine engine includes a plurality of parallel combustors, and each combustor in the plurality of parallel combustors is connected to a single turbine via one of a plurality of supersonic nozzles.
A method of driving a propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle, comprising:
- generating combustion products in a single combustor and expanding the combustion products across a turbine in a first propulsion mode;
- and
- generating combustion products in at least two combustors and simultaneously expanding the combustion products across the turbine in a second propulsion mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.