US3877219A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Constant volume combustion gas turbine with intermittent flows
Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
•
Filing: 1973-07-02
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A gas turbine engine arrangement for constant volume combustion including a combustion chamber arranged downstream of a compressor supplying combustion air and upstream of a turbine accepting exhaust gases from the combustion chamber as driving gases. A closable valve is arranged between the combustion chamber and the compressor for intermittent blocking of the flow between the compressor and the combustion chamber during constant volume combustion within the combustion chamber, while the exit end of the combustion chamber leading to the turbine is continuously open. The geometric configuration of the combustion chamber and of the exit from the combustion chamber is such as to assure constant volume combustion without the necessity of additional valving means for closing off the exit end of the combustion chamber. Preferred embodiments of the invention utilize compressor pressure responsive inlet valves at the combustion chamber as well as compressor speed responsive valves, said valves including check valves and externally operable side valves. Several preferred embodiments of the combustion chamber are divided, which each include measures for assuring optimum stratification and combustion of the fuel and air mixture in respective separate zones thereof. The combustion chamber volume and cross-section as compared to the cross-section of the exit from the combustion chamber leading to the turbine is extremely large so as to facilitate the constant volume combustion.
Inventors
- 👤 Hermann Hagen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:15
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02C; F02C5/00; F02C5/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A gas turbine engine arrangement for constant volume combustion comprising: combustion chamber means, compressor means arranged upstream of said combustion chamber means, air supplying means for supplying air from said compressor means to said combustion chamber means, ignition means for igniting a mixture of fuel and a portion of said air in said combustion chamber means, turbine means arranged downstream of said combustion chamber means, exhaust gas accepting means for accepting exhaust gases from said combustion chamber means as driving gases for said turbine means, movable valve means for selectively interrupting communication between said compressor means and said combustion chamber means by closing off said air supplying means at least part of the time when constant volume combustion is occurring in said combustion chamber means, and control means for controlling said valve means and ignition means such that said exhaust gases are made up of alternating flows of hot combustion gases and cooling air with said cooling air being forced out of said combustion chamber means by and ahead of the following hot combustion gases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A gas turbine engine arrangement for constant volume combustion comprising: combustion chamber means, compressor means arranged upstream of said combustion chamber means, air supplying means for supplying air from said compressor means to said combustion chamber means, ignition means for igniting a mixture of fuel and a portion of said air in said combustion chamber means, turbine means arranged downstream of said combustion chamber means, exhaust gas accepting means for accepting exhaust gases from said combustion chamber means as driving gases for said turbine means, movable valve means for selectively interrupting communication between said compressor means and said combustion chamber means by closing off said air supplying means at least part of the time when constant volume combustion is occurring in said combustion chamber means, and control means for controlling said valve means and ignition means such that said exhaust gases are made up of alternating flows of hot combustion gases and cooling air with said cooling air being forced out of said combustion chamber means by and ahead of the following hot combustion gases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said exhaust gas accepting means is continuously open between said combustion chamber means and said turbine means during operation of said engine including during said constant volume combustion, and wherein said combustion chamber means and exhaust gas accepting means are configured to assure said constant volume combustion with said continuously open exhaust gas accepting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein an end of said combustion chamber means which faces the flow of air from said compressor means includes fuel admitting means for admitting fuel to said combustion chamber means and the igniting means for igniting said fuel and combustion air supplied by said combustion air supplying means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
161 words
An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said fuel admitting means includes means for metering said fuel and injection means for intermittently injecting fuel into said combustion chamber means, wherein said igniting means includes means for intermittently igniting said combustion air and fuel, wherein said combustion air supplying means includes line means interconnecting said compressor means with said combustion chamber means by way of said valve means, and wherein said valve means is movable between an open position communicating said compressor means and combustion chamber means and a closed position interrupting communication between said compressor means and combustion chamber means, wherein said fuel admitting means and igniting means are operable to inject a metered amount of fuel into said combustion chamber means and thereafter ignite said fuel and combustion air, further comprising valve control means for moving said valve means to said closed position during at least one of during and shortly before said ignition with said fuel and combustion air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said fuel admitting means including means for forming an overstoichiometric fuel and combustion air mixture adjacent said end of said combustion chamber means which faces the flow of air from said compressor means during maximum fuel injection conditions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said combustion chamber means includes a plurality of separate similar combustion chambers disposed between the compressor means and the turbine means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein said separate combustion chambers are arranged circumferentially adjacent one another about an engine centerline.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An arrangement according to claim 7, further comprising combustion cycle timing means for controlling said igniting means such that ignition occurs successively in circumferentially adjacent combustion chambers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement according to claim 7, further comprising combustion cycle timing means for controlling said igniting means such that ignition occurs successively in circumferentially adjacent combustion chambers and alternately with diametrically opposite combustion chambers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
105 words
An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said combustion chamber means includes primary zone means positioned downstream of said compressor means for accepting air flow from said combustion air supplying means and secondary zone means positioned downstream of said primary zone means and upsteam of said turbine means, wherein a throat means having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-section of said primary and secondary zone means communicates said primary and secondary zone means with one another, and wherein said fuel admitting means and igniting means are arranged such that said igniting of the fuel and combustion air takes place in said primary zone means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
109 words
An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein each of said separate combustion chambers includes a primary zone positioned downstream of said compressor means for accepting air flow from said combustion air supplying means and a secondary zone positioned downstream of said primary zone and upstream of said turbine means, wherein each separate combustion chamber includes a throat section having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-section of said primary and secondary zones which communicates said primary and secondary zones with one another, and wherein said fuel admitting means and igniting means are arranged such that said igniting of the fuel and combustion air takes place in said primary zones.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An arrangement according to claim 11, further comprising combustion cycle timing means for controlling said igniting means such that ignition occurs successively in circumferentially adjacent combustion chambers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement according to claim 11, further comprising combustion cycle timing means for controlling said igniting means such that ignition occurs successively in circumferentially adjacent combustion chambers and alternately with diametrically opposite combustion chambers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
129 words
An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said combustion chamber means includes primary zone means positioned downstream of said compressor means for accepting air from said combustion air supplying means and secondary zone means positioned downsteam of said primary zone means and upstream of said turbine means, wherein said primary zone means is constructed as swirl chamber means which is laterally displaced with respect to a longitudinal centerline of the combustion chamber means and exhibits heat retaining walls, wherein helical inlet and outlet ducts connect said swirl chamber means respectively with said combustion air supplying means and said secondary zone means, and wherein said fuel admitting means and igniting means are arranged such that said igniting of the fuel and combustion air takes place in said swirl chamber means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
137 words
An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein each of said separate combustion chambers includes a primary zone positioned downstream of said compressor means for accepting air flow from said combustion air supplying means and a secondary zone positioned downstream of said primary zone and upstream of said turbine means, wherein each of said primary zones is constructed as a swirl chamber which is laterally displaced with respect to a longitudinal centerline of said respective combustion chamber and exhibits heating retaining walls, wherein helical inlet and outlet ducts connect each of said swirl chambers respectively with said combustion air supplying means and a respective secondary zone of the associated combustion chamber, and wherein said fuel admitting means and igniting means are arranged such that said igniting of the fuel and combustion air takes place in said swirl chambers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
An arrangement according to claim 15, further comprising combustion cycle timing meanS for controlling said igniting means such that ignition occurs successively in circumferentially adjacent combustion chambers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement according to claim 15, further comprising combustion cycle timing means for controlling said igniting means such that ignition occurs successively in circumferentially adjacent combustion chambers and alternately with diametrically opposite combustion chambers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
91 words
An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said combustion chamber means includes primary zone means positioned downstream of said compressor means for accepting air flow from said combustion air supplying means and secondary zone means positioned downstream of said primary zone means and upstream of said turbine means, and wherein the cross-section of the primary zone means is larger than the cross-section of the secondary zone means by an amount sufficient to cause backflow of gases in said combustion chamber means in boundary areas between said primary and secondary zone means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
91 words
An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein each of said combustion chamber means includes a primary zone positioned downstream of said compressor means for accepting air flow from said combustion air supplying means and a secondary zone positioned downstream of said primary zone and upstream of said turbine means, and wherein the cross-section of each of said primary zones is larger than the cross-section of associated secondary zones by an amount sufficient to cause backflow of gases in each of said combustion chambers in boundary areas between primary and secondary zones.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
An arrangement according to claim 19, further comprising combustion cycle timing means for controlling said igniting means such that ignition occurs successively in circumferentially adjacent combustion chambers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement according to claim 19, further comprising combustion cycle timing means for controlling said igniting means such that ignition occurs successively in circumferentially adjacent combustion chambers and alternately with diametrically opposite combustion chambers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said valve means include automatic check valve means which are movable in response to pressure forces at respective opposite sides thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said valve means include slide valve means operable by external control means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said valve means include automatic check valve means which are movable in response to pressure forces at respective opposite sides thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said valve means include slide valve means operable by external control means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said valve means include automatic check valve means which are movable in response to pressure forces at respective opposite sides thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
An arrangement according to claim 15, wherein said valve means includes automatic check valve means which are movable in response to pressure forces at respective opposite sides thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
An arrangement according to claim 19, wherein said valve means include automatic check valve means which are movable in response to pressure forces at respective opposite sides thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said valve means include slide valve means operable by external control means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
An arrangement according to claim 15, wherein said valve means include slide valve means operable by external control means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
An arrangement according to claim 19, wherein said valve means include slide valve means operable by external control means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
56 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the entire combustion chamber means taken in a direction transverse to the direction of flow through said combustion chamber means is greater than 15 times the minimum cross-sectional area of the exhaust gas accepting means leading from said cOmbustion chamber means to said turbine means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
56 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional area of the entire combustion chamber means taken in a direction transverse to the direction of flow through said combustion chamber means is greater than 15 times the minimum cross-sectional area of the exhaust gas accepting means leading from said combustion chamber means to said turbine means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
56 words
An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the cross-sectional area of the entire combustion chamber means taken in a direction transverse to the direction of flow through said combustion chamber means is greater than 15 times the minimum cross-sectional area of the exhaust gas accepting means leading from said combustion chamber means to said turbine means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
An arrangement according to claim 34, wherein said valve means include automatic check valve means which are movable in response to pressure forces at respective opposite sides thereof.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
An arrangement according to claim 34, wherein said valve means include slide means operable by external control means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
40 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the volume of the combustion chamber means is extremely large as compared with the minimum cross-sectional area of the exhaust gas accepting means leading from said combustion chamber means to said turbine means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement according to claim 37, wherein the ratio of the volume of the combustion chamber means to the minimum cross-section of the exhaust gas accepting means is at least 2000 cm3/ 1 cm2.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
40 words
An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the volume of the combustion chamber means is extremely large as compared with the minimum cross-sectional area of the exhaust gas accepting means leading from said combustion chamber means to said turbine means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement according to claim 39, wherein the ratio of the volume of the combustion chamber means to the minimum cross-section of the exhaust gas accepting means is at least 2000 cm3/ 1 cm2.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the ratio of the volume of the combustion chamber means to the minimum cross-section of the exhaust gas accepting means is at least 2000 cm3/ 1 cm2.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the ratio of the volume of the combustion chamber means to the minimum cross-section of the exhaust gas accepting means is at least 2000 cm3/ 1 cm2.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement according to claim 19, wherein the ratio of the volume of the combustion chamber means to the miniumum cross-section of the exhaust gas accepting means is at least 2000 cm3/ 1 cm2.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
39 words
An arrangment according to claim 7, wherein said control means includes valve control means for controlling said valve means as a function of compressor speed, said valve means including a separately operable valve for each of said combustion chambers.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
40 words
An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said control means includes valve control means for controlling said valve means as a function of compressor outlet pressure, said valve means including a separately operable valve for each of said combustion chambers.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
An arrangment according to claim 2, wherein said control means includes valve control means for controlling said valve means as a function of compressor speed.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said control means includes valve control means for controlling said valve means as a function of compressor outlet pressure.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said valve control means includes means responsive to compressor speed for controlling said valve means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said valve control means includes means responsive to compressor outlet pressure for controlling said valve means.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
55 words
An arrangement according to claim 44, wherein the cross-sectional area of the eNtire combustion chamber means taken in a direction transverse to the direction of flow through said combustion means is greater than 15 times the minimum cross-sectional area of the exhaust gas accepting means leading from said combustion chamber means to said turbine means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
56 words
An arrangement according to claim 45, wherein the cross-sectional area of the entire combustion chamber means taken in a direction transverse to the direction of flow through said combustion chamber means is greater than 15 times the minimum cross-sectional area of the exhaust gas accepting means leading from said combustion chamber means to said turbine means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement according to claim 44, wherein the ratio of the volume of the combustion chamber means to the minimum cross-section of the exhaust gas accepting means is at least 2000 cm3/ 1 cm2.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement according to claim 45, wherein the ratio of the volume of the combustion chamber means to the minimum cross-section of the exhaust gas accepting means is at least 2000 cm3/ 1 cm2.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
37 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said turbine means includes two mechanically independent turbine groups including a compressor turbine group for driving the compressor means and a power turbine group for producing effective engine output energy.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
37 words
An arrangement according to claim 46, wherein said turbine means includes two mechanically independent turbine groups including a compressor turbine group for driving the compressor means and a power turbine group for producing effective engine output energy.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
37 words
An arrangement according to claim 47, wherein said turbine means includes two mechanically independent turbine groups including a compressor turbine group for driving the compressor means and a power turbine group for producing effective engine output energy.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
30 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said turbine means consists only of a compressor turbine group and wherein a thrust nozzle is communicated with said exhaust gas accepting means.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
30 words
An arrangement according to claim 46, wherein said turbine means consists only of a compressor turbine group and wherein a thrust nozzle is communicated with said exhaust gas accepting means.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
30 words
An arrangement according to claim 47, wherein said turbine means consists only of a compressor turbine group and wherein a thrust nozzle is communicated with said exhaust gas accepting means.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
38 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein a flow compensating chamber in communication with said compressor means at a position upstream of said combustion chamber means is provided immediately downstream of a first turbine of said turbine means.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
38 words
An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein a flow compensating chamber in communication with said compressor means at a position upstream of said combustion chamber means is provided immediately downsteam of a first turbine of said turbine means.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
38 words
An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein a flow compensating chamber in communication with said compressor means at a position upstream of said combustion chamber means is provided immediately downstream of a first turbine of said turbine means.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
38 words
An arrangement according to claim 15, wherein a flow compensating chamber in communication with said compressor means at a position upstream of said combustion chamber means is provided immediately downstream of a first turbine of said turbine means.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
38 words
An arrangement according to claim 19, wherein a flow compensating chamber in communication with said compressor means at a position upstream of said combustion chamber means is provided immediately downstream of a first turbine of said turbine means.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
120 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes means for sequentially: opening said valve means to permit filling of said combustion chamber means with air with that portion of said air first entering said combustion chamber means serving as said cooling air and that portion of said air last entering said combustion chamber means serving as combustion air which is to be mixed with fuel, closing said valve means, and igniting said combustion air mixed with fuel to form said hot combustion gases, whereby said cooling air is supplied to said exhaust gas accepting means at a higher pressure and velocity than the following hot combustion gases with a consequent improved cooling effect on said turbine means.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
62 words
An arrangement according to claim 65, wherein said exhaust gas accepting means is continuously open between said combustion chamber means and said turbine means during operation of said engine including during said constant volume combustion, and wherein said combustion chamber means and exhaust gas accepting means are configured to assure said constant volume combustion with said continuously open exhaust gas accepting means.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement according to claim 55, wherein said combustion chamber means includes primary zone means where ignition and combustion takes place and secondary zone means where said cooling air is collected prior to ignition.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |