System and method of pulsed detonation injection for fluid flow control of inlets, nozzles, and lift fans
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsLouis G. Hunter, Daniel N. Miller, Paul E. Hagseth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for altering a fluid flow includes a nozzle having a fluid flow and including a converging portion, a diverging portion downstream of the converging portion, and a throat coupling the converging portion to the diverging portion, at least one port located in a wall of the nozzle and angled with respect to the fluid flow, and at least one pulse detonation device operable to inject a plurality of detonation waves in a pulsed manner through the port and into the fluid flow. The pulsed detonation waves operate to alter the fluid flow.
Claims35
A system for altering a fluid flow, comprising:
- a nozzle having a fluid flow and comprising a converging portion, a diverging portion downstream of the converging portion, and a throat coupling the converging portion to the diverging portion;
- at least one port located in a wall of the nozzle and angled with respect to the fluid flow;
- and
- at least one pulse detonation device operable to inject a plurality of detonation waves in a pulsed manner through the port and into the fluid flow, the pulsed detonation waves operable to alter the fluid flow.
A system for altering a fluid flow, comprising:
- a nozzle integral to a jet engine onboard an aircraft, the nozzle having a fluid flow and comprising a converging portion, a diverging portion downstream of the converging portion, and a throat coupling the converging portion to the diverging portion;
- a plurality of ports located in a wall of the nozzle;
- and
- a plurality of pulse detonation devices operatively coupled to a respective port, each pulse detonation device operable to inject a plurality of detonation waves in a pulsed manner through its respective port and into the fluid flow in a direction that is non-parallel to the fluid flow.
A method of altering a fluid flow through a nozzle, comprising:
- directing the fluid flow through the nozzle;
- and
- injecting a plurality of detonation waves into the fluid flow through the nozzle in a pulsed manner, the pulsed detonation waves injected into the fluid flow at an angle with respect to the fluid flow to alter the fluid flow.
A system for altering a fluid flow, comprising:
- a curved duct having a longitudinal cross-section that produces at least one eddy current when a fluid flow flows through the duct;
- at least one port located in a wall of the duct;
- and
- at least one pulse detonation device operable to inject a plurality of detonation waves in a pulsed manner through the port and into the fluid flow in a direction that opposes the eddy current.
A system for altering a fluid flow, comprising:
- a lift fan shroud having a fluid flow generated by a lift fan;
- a detonation wave conduit adjacent the lift fan shroud;
- and
- a pulse detonation injection device coupled to the detonation wave conduit, the pulse detonation injection device operable to inject a plurality of detonation waves in a pulsed manner through the detonation wave conduit to combine with the fluid flow to add thrust to the fluid flow.
A method of altering a fluid flow through a lift fan shroud, comprising:
- directing the fluid flow through the shroud with a lift fan;
- capturing a portion of the fluid flow via a throttle valve;
- transporting the portion to a throttle body;
- injecting fuel into the throttle body to create a fuel-air mixture;
- transporting the fuel-air mixture to a valve assembly via a manifold;
- actuating a plurality of valves to periodically allow a portion of the fuel-air mixture into a detonation chamber;
- igniting the fuel-air mixture to create a plurality of detonation waves;
- transporting the detonation waves through a detonation wave conduit;
- and
- combining the detonation waves with the fluid flow to add thrust to the fluid flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.