Back to results
US 6,279,309 B1Granted
Modular multi-part rail mounted engine assembly
AssigneeRamgen Power Systems, Inc.
InventorsShawn P. Lawlor, Kenneth H. Hicks, II
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular power plant apparatus, and method of power plant assembly. An inlet air module is provided on feet which are mounted on self centering rugged linear roller guides which are linearly displaceable along a track. When the fuel-air mixing module is retracted along the roller track, the main engine housing is pivoted on an engine stand, to position the output shaft upward. An exhaust bearing plate is removable from the main rotor housing, to allow the rotating element to be removed. When exposed, hot section elements can be inspected, repaired, and replaced.
Claims44
A modular engine assembly, comprising:
- (a) a ramjet engine combustor housing, said combustor housing being strong, structurally weight bearing, and having a circular inner wall and further comprising opposing pivotable external connectors;
- (b) a rotor within said housing, said rotor comprising one or more ramjet combustors and a rotor shaft with a longitudinal axis, and
- (c) a horizontally oriented external drive shaft, said external drive shaft further comprising a coupling connecting said external drive shaft to said rotor shaft,
- (d) an engine stand for supporting said combustor housing, said engine stand further comprising (i) a base, and (ii) a generally U-shaped support member extending from said base, said support member oriented transversely to said longitudinal axis and having opposing pivot blocks mounted on opposing sides of said U-shaped support member;
- (e) a first pivot pin and a second pivot pin, said first and said second pivot pin (i) each shaped and sized for close interfitting engagement through one of said opposing pivot blocks;
- and (ii) each shaped and sized for secure pivotable engagement with one of said opposing pivotable external connectors on said combustor housing;
- and
- (f) said opposing pivotable external connectors supportive of said combustor housing and said rotor in a freestanding configuration in alternate positions, either (1) wherein said combustor housing is horizontally oriented and said rotor shaft is vertically oriented, or (2) wherein said combustor housing is vertically oriented and said rotor shaft is horizontally oriented;
- and
- (g) wherein when said rotor shaft is placed in said horizontal position, said coupling is detachably affixible between said rotor shaft and said horizontal drive shaft, so as to place said ramjet engine in an operational configuration.
7 more elements
A method of assembly for a modular ramjet power plant, comprising:
- (a) providing a strong, structurally weight bearing ramjet engine combustor housing with opposing pivotable external connectors and a rotor with said housing, said rotor comprising one or more ramjet combustors and a rotor shaft with a longitudinal axis;
- (b) providing an engine stand for supporting said ramjet engine combustor housing, said engine stand further comprising
- (i) a base,
- (ii) a generally U-shaped support member extending from said base, said support member oriented transversely to said longitudinal axis and having opposing pivot blocks mounted on opposing sides of said U-shaped support members;
- (c) pivotally mounting said ramjet engine combustor housing on said engine stand, using a first pivot pin and a second pivot pin, said first and said second pivot pin
- (i) each shaped and sized for close interfitting engagement through one of said opposing pivot blocks, and
- (ii) each shaped and sized for secure pivotable engagement with one of said opposing pivotable external connectors on said combustor housing;
- (d) providing a horizontally oriented external drive shaft, said external drive shaft further comprising a coupling connecting said external drive shaft to said rotor shaft;
- (e) wherein said opposing pivotable external connectors are supportive of said combustor housing and said rotor in a freestanding configuration in alternate positions, either (1) wherein said combustor housing is horizontally oriented and said rotor shaft is vertically oriented, or (2) wherein said combustor housing is vertically oriented and said rotor shaft is horizontally oriented;
- and
- (f) wherein when said rotor shaft is placed in a horizontal position, said coupling is detachably affixable between the rotor shaft and said horizontal drive shaft, so as to place said ramjet engine in an operational configuration.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.