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US 8,607,543 B2Granted
Millimetre-scale engine
AssigneeBAE SYSTEMS plc
InventorsMartyn John Hucker, Clyde Warsop, Harriet Ann Holden
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A millimeter-scale pulse jet engine comprises an engine body that defines a combustion chamber, a fuel, an air intake, and an exhaust. The fuel inlet is arranged to inject fuel directly into the combustion chamber. The air intake and the exhaust are in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, and the combustion chamber is configured such that air from the air intake and fuel from the fuel inlet cyclically combust in the combustion chamber to produce exhaust gases.
Claims23
A millimeter-scale pulse jet engine, comprising:
- an engine body having dimensions from 0.001 mm to 10 mm;
- a combustion chamber;
- a fuel inlet arranged to inject fuel directly into the combustion chamber;
- an air intake;
- and
- an exhaust, wherein a portion of the air intake proximal a mouth of the combustion chamber is arranged at substantially 90° with respect to the mouth of the combustion chamber,
- wherein the air intake and the exhaust are in fluid communication with the combustion chamber so that the air intake delivers flow into the mouth of the combustion chamber and the exhaust receives flow from the mouth of the combustion chamber;
- and the combustion chamber is configured such that air from the air intake and fuel from the fuel inlet cyclically combust in the combustion chamber to produce exhaust gases wherein the combustion chamber is shaped for directing exhaust gases through the exhaust and wherein the exhaust, air intake and combustion chamber are configured such that at least some exhaust gases are biased back toward the combustion chamber during a part of the combustion cycle;
- wherein the at least some of the exhaust gases are at an elevated temperature and heat fuel from the fuel inlet and air from the air intake so as to provide re-ignition within the combustion chamber in the next combustion cycle.
6 more elements
A millimeter-scale pulse jet engine, comprising:
- an engine body having dimensions from 0.001 mm to 10 mm;
- a combustion chamber;
- a fuel inlet arranged to inject fuel directly into the combustion chamber;
- an air intake;
- and
- an exhaust, wherein the air intake and the exhaust are in fluid communication with the combustion chamber;
- and the combustion chamber is configured such that air from the air intake and fuel from the fuel inlet cyclically combust in the combustion chamber to produce exhaust gases wherein the combustion chamber is shaped for directing exhaust gases through the exhaust and wherein the exhaust, air intake and combustion chamber are configured such that at least some exhaust gases are biased back toward the combustion chamber during a part of the combustion cycle;
- a duct to link the exhaust and the intake wherein the combustion chamber comprises a first opening for intake, and a second opening for exhaust, the first opening being provided with a surface shaped to entrain exhaust gases expelled through the first opening along the duct towards the engine exhaust;
- and
- wherein the exhaust comprises primary and secondary exhausts, the primary exhaust extending from the duct, and the secondary exhaust extending directly from the second opening;
- wherein the at least some of the exhaust gases are at an elevated temperature and heat fuel from the fuel inlet and air from the air intake so as to provide re-ignition within the combustion chamber in the next combustion cycle.
8 more elements
A millimeter-scale pulse jet engine, comprising:
- an engine body having dimensions from 0.001 mm to 10 mm;
- a combustion chamber;
- a fuel inlet arranged to inject fuel directly into the combustion chamber;
- an air intake;
- and
- an exhaust,
- wherein the air intake and the exhaust are in fluid communication with the combustion chamber;
- and the combustion chamber is configured such that air from the air intake and fuel from the fuel inlet cyclically combust in the combustion chamber to produce exhaust gases wherein the combustion chamber is shaped for directing exhaust gases through the exhaust and wherein the exhaust, air intake and combustion chamber are configured such that at least some exhaust gases are biased back toward the combustion chamber during a part of the combustion cycle;
- and
- wherein the combustion chamber comprises first and second openings, and the exhaust comprises first and second ducts;
- the first opening being in fluid communication with the first duct, and the second opening being in fluid communication with the second duct;
- wherein the at least some of the exhaust gases are at an elevated temperature and heat fuel from the fuel inlet and air from the air intake so as to provide re-ignition within the combustion chamber in the next combustion cycle.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.