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US 7,980,056 B2Granted
Methods and apparatus for controlling air flow within a pulse detonation engine
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsAdam Rasheed, Anthony John Dean
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flow control device for use with a pulse detonation chamber including an inlet coupled in flow communication with a source of compressed air. The inlet extends at least partially into the chamber to facilitate controlling air flow into the chamber. The device also includes a body portion extending downstream from and circumferentially around the inlet, wherein the body portion is positioned in flow communication with the inlet.
Claims19
A flow control device for use with a pulse detonation chamber, said device comprising:
- an inlet coupled in flow communication with a source of compressed air, said inlet having a diameter less than a diameter of the chamber and defining a circumferential gap therebetween, said inlet extending at least partially into the chamber to facilitate controlling air flow into the chamber;
- and
- a body portion extending downstream from and circumferentially around said inlet, said body portion extending circumferentially and converging from an inner surface of said pulse detonation chamber and in flow communication with said inlet;
- wherein said inlet is coupled within the chamber such that a circumferential gap is defined between an outermost surface of said inlet and an inner surface of said body portion for controlling air flow into the chamber.
1 more element
A pulse detonation engine comprising:
- a compressor configured to compress air therein;
- a pulse detonation combustor coupled to an axial turbine including at least one pulse detonation chamber comprising an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a combustor body portion extending therebetween, said inlet portion coupled in flow communication with said compressor for receiving compressed air therethrough, said chamber comprising:
- a fuel injector for supplying fuel to said chamber;
- a detonation device coupled to said chamber for initiating a detonation wave within said chamber;
- and
- a flow control device comprising:
- an inlet for controlling air flow into said at least one pulse detonation chambers, said inlet having a diameter less than a diameter of the chamber and defining a circumferential gap therebetween, said inlet extending at least partially into the chamber to facilitate controlling air flow into the chamber;
- and
- a flow control device body portion extending downstream from and circumferentially around said inlet and coupled in flow communication with said inlet, said flow control device body portion extending circumferentially and converging from an inner surface of said pulse detonation chamber,
- wherein said inlet is coupled within the chamber such that a circumferential gap is defined between an outermost surface of said inlet and an inner surface of said body portion for controlling air flow into the chamber.
7 more elements
A method for adjusting air flow through a pulse detonation combustor, said method comprising:
- providing at least one pulse detonation chamber including an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a body portion extending therebetween;
- providing a flow control device including a flow control device inlet and a flow control device body portion coupled in flow communication with said flow control device inlet, the flow control device inlet having a diameter less than a diameter of the pulse detonation chamber, said flow control device body portion extending circumferentially and converging from an inner surface of said pulse detonation chamber;
- coupling the flow control device inlet within the chamber inlet portion and in flow communication with a source of compressed air such that a circumferential gap is defined between an outermost surface of the flow control device inlet and an inner surface of the pulse detonation chamber for controlling air flow into the at least one pulse detonation chamber;
- and
- coupling the flow control device body portion downstream from and circumferentially around the chamber inlet portion and in flow communication with the flow control device inlet such that a circumferential gap is defined between an outermost surface of the flow control device inlet and an inner surface of the flow control device body portion.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.