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US 7,047,724 B2Granted
Combustion ignition
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsCraig A. Nordeen, James W. Norris, Wendell V. Twelves, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Distributed initiation (e.g., multipoint or continuous) is utilized to obtain constant volume-like combustion performance in a pulse combustion device in the absence of detonation. A number of such devices may be utilized as turbine engine combustors.
Claims20
A pulse combustion device comprising:
- a vessel having a gas inlet and a gas outlet;
- a valve for opening and closing the inlet to admit a charge of gas;
- and
- means for producing a distributed ignition of said gas along a flow path within the vessel to initiate combustion of said gas, the combustion occurring substantially via deflagration.
1 more element
A turbofan engine comprising:
- a fan;
- a compressor;
- a pulse combustion combustor receiving air from the compressor and outputting combustion gasses and having:
- a plurality of elongate combustion chambers each having a gas inlet and a gas outlet;
- and
- means for producing a distributed ignition of said gas along a flow path within the combustion chambers, the ignition occurring in the absence of detonation;
- and
- a turbine receiving the combustion gasses and driving the compressor and fan.
5 more elements
A pulsed combustion device comprising:
- a vessel having an upstream gas inlet and a downstream gas outlet;
- valve for opening and closing the inlet to admit a charge of gas;
- and
- an ignition system selected from the group consisting of:
- a plurality of igniters distributed at a plurality of locations from upstream to downstream along an upstream to downstream length of the vessel;
- and
- an energy source directing at least one beam in a generally upstream or downstream direction relative to a flow of said gas from the gas inlet to the gas outlet.
4 more elements
A pulsed combustion device comprising:
- a vessel having an upstream gas inlet and a downstream gas outlet;
- a valve for opening and closing the inlet to admit a charge of gas;
- and
- an ignition system comprising:
- a plurality of igniters distributed at a plurality of locations from upstream to downstream along the vessel, including at least a first such igniter in an upstream ⅓ of a length of the vessel and a second such igniter in a downstream ⅓ of the length of the vessel.
2 more elements
A pulsed combustion device comprising:
- a vessel having an upstream gas inlet and a downstream gas outlet;
- a valve for opening and closing the inlet to admit a charge of gas;
- and
- an ignition system comprising:
- a plurality of igniters distributed at a plurality of locations from upstream to downstream along the vessel, including at least three such igniters positioned at intervals no larger than ½ of a length of the vessel.
2 more elements
An engine comprising:
- a compressor;
- a pulse combustion combustor receiving air from the compressor and outputting combustion gasses and having:
- a vessel having an upstream gas inlet and a downstream gas outlet;
- a valve for opening and closing the inlet to admit a charge of gas;
- an ignition system comprising one, but not both, of:
- a plurality of igniters distributed at a plurality of locations from upstream to downstream along an upstream to downstream length of the vessel;
- and
- an energy source directing at least one beam;
- and
- a turbine receiving the combustion gasses and driving the compressor.
7 more elements
An engine comprising:
- a compressor;
- a pulse combustion combustor receiving air from the compressor and outputting combustion gasses and having:
- a plurality of elongate combustion chambers each having a gas inlet and a gas outlet;
- and
- means for producing a distributed ignition of said gas along a flow path within the combustion chambers, the ignition occurring in the absence of detonation;
- and
- a turbine receiving the combustion gasses and driving the compressor.
4 more elements
A pulse combustion device comprising:
- a vessel having a gas inlet and a gas outlet;
- a valve for opening and closing the inlet to admit a charge of gas;
- and
- means for producing a distributed ignition of said gas along a flow path within the vessel, the ignition occurring substantially via deflagration wherein combustion occurs in the absence of detonation.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.