U.S. patent number 3,775,974 [Application Number 05/259,550] was granted by the patent office on 1973-12-04 for gas turbine engine.
Invention is credited to Jack Silver.
United States Patent |
3,775,974 |
Silver |
December 4, 1973 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
GAS TURBINE ENGINE
Abstract
A high speed rotating unit which combines the Brayton cycle
functions of mixing fuel and air, centrifugal compression of the
combustible mixture, ignition of the said combustible mixture,
containment of the products of combustion and utilization of the
kinetic energy developed through a unique turbine blading and power
take-off.
Inventors: |
Silver; Jack (Fountain Valley,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
22985404 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/259,550 |
Filed: |
June 5, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
60/39.34;
60/804 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02C
3/14 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F02C
3/00 (20060101); F02C 3/14 (20060101); F02c
003/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;60/39.34,39.35,39.36,39.31 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Smith; Al Lawrence
Assistant Examiner: Olsen; Warren
Claims
Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to
secure by Letters Patent is:
1. A constant volume, continuous combustion gas turbine engine,
comprising:
a. an elongated housing open at each end having front and rear
anti-friction bearings axially located therein;
b. a rotor, comprising:
i. an elongated, cylindrical casing rotatably mounted within said
housing, having openings at each end, one opening of suitable
diameter being the compressor inlet, the opposite end containing a
turbine wheel;
ii. a plurality of parallel closed-type centrifugal compressor
sections, rotatably mounted within said casing and affixed thereto,
with said compressor inlet extending through the axis of each
compressor section ending at the forward wall of the turbine wheel,
and communicating with the outlets of the compressor sections;
iii. an elongated, cylindrical combustion chamber, comprising an
annular space concentric with the axis of rotation, defined by and
communicating with the compressor outlets at its inner radius, the
cylindrical casing at its outer radius, a continuation of said
casing forming a forward wall perpendicular to the axis of
rotation, and extending back to the turbine blades;
iv. an annular diffuser rotatably mounted within said casing and
affixed thereto, having suitable perforations therethrough and
peripherally disposed around and spaced from the compressor
outlets, the perforations providing communicating flow paths
between the several compressor outlets and the combustion
chamber;
v. a means of initiating self-sustaining ignition of the fuel/air
mixture, comprising a plurality of spark gaps located within said
combustion chamber at its forward end near the outlet of the first
compressor section, rotatably mounted and affixed thereto, said
gaps receiving current jumping from a fixed spark plug attached to
the housing and aligned with said spark gaps;
vi. an annular flame-holder rotatably mounted within said
combustion chamber and affixed thereto, comprising a suitable
screen material downstream from said spark gaps, the open mesh of
said screen material forming flow paths for combusting gases
communicating and intermixing with the air flow from successive
compressor section outlets through the diffuser, said flame-holder
preventing extinction of the ignited fuel/air mixture;
vii. a turbine wheel rotatably mounted at the rear end of the
cylindrical casing, having a plurality of combusted gas-receiving
blades attached to said casing at their tips and the turbine wheel
at their roots, said blades being interposed directly in the path
of the combusted gas flow from the combustion chamber, at an
optimum angle to the flow path;
viii. a means of cooling the outer surface of the cylindrical
casing, comprising a plurality of air-impelling blades, circularly
disposed and rotatably mounted at the front end of said casing and
affixed thereto, interposed between the ambient air flow and the
annular air space separating the casing from the housing;
c. a means of introducing fuel into the combustion chamber
comprising a fuel line attached to the housing and extending toward
the air inlet at the front of the cylindrical casing, located
excentrically near the first compressor inlet and communicating
with the combustion chamber through said first compressor
section;
d. a combination accessory drive, power take-off and
starter-generator means, comprising a drive shaft affixed to the
turbine wheel and supporting the rear end of the rotor in said
axially located rear bearing, and communicating through suitable
gearing with a gear box having power take-off shaft, accessory
drive shafts and starter-generator shaft projecting therefrom.
2. The gas turbine engine defined by claim 1, wherein the fuel
induction means comprises:
a. a suitable length of fuel line;
b. a nozzle at the air-inlet end of said line having a needle valve
for modulating the fuel flow;
c. a mechanical linkage for operating said needle valve;
d. a venturi tube encircling said nozzle, the ambient air flow
drawing fuel from said nozzle under the influence of said venturi
tube, and the fuel/air mixture passing into the forward end of the
combustion chamber through the forward compressor section.
3. The gas turbine engine defined by claim 1, wherein each
compressor section comprises:
a. a first and second disk, each having a hole of suitable diameter
at its axis, forming:
i. a first axisymmetrically tapered wall;
ii. a second axisymmetrically tapered wall spaced from the first
wall, each wall sloping toward the other forming a narrow outlet at
the periphery and a wide inlet at the axis;
b. a plurality of air impelling blades, the blades being radially
disposed between the walls, each having:
i. a first edge conforming in shape to the first wall and affixed
at its inner side;
ii. a second edge conforming in shape to the second wall and
affixed to its inner side;
iii. and the root of each blade forming a scoop bent in the
direction of rotation and extending into the air inlet space at the
axis;
c. each first wall, each second wall and the blades therebetween
defining a flow path between the axial air inlet and the combustion
chamber;
d. each section is attached to the adjacent section at the rims of
their center holes, said rims defining a central air inlet space
extending the length of the several compressor sections, the first
wall of the first section being attached to the front opening of
the cylindrical casing, the second wall of each section being
attached to the first wall of each successive section, and the
second wall of the last section being attached to the turbine
wheel.
4. The gas turbine engine defined by claim 1, wherein the turbine
wheel comprises;
a. a driving wheel with attached drive shaft affixed to the axis
and providing a rear rotor support point, said wheel having a first
flanged disk and a second flanged disk, the edges of said flanges
contacting each other, having notches cut into each flange at equal
intervals and said disks being fastened together;
b. a plurality of combusted gas-receiving blades, forming
converging-diverging reaction nozzles in the space between any two
blades, inserted into said wheel at the periphery, said spacing
providing optimum restriction at the coverging space between said
blades to permit optimum compression and combustion of the ignited
fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber before passage into the
diverging space between said blades.
5. The gas turbine engine defined by claim 1, wherein ambient air
enters the axial air inlet parallel to the axis of rotation, is
turned 90.degree. by the compressor sections and subjected to
further compression within the combustion chamber, by:
a. centrifugal force;
b. a large volume of fresh incoming air;
c. a second 90.degree. turn to parallel the axis of rotation;
d. expension of ignited fuel/air mixture;
e. centrifugal force acting on the burning fluid, and;
f. the restriction of the converging space between the combusted
gas-receiving blades.
6. A constant volume, continuous combustion gas turbine engine,
comprising:
a. an elongated housing open at each end having front and rear
anti-friction bearings axially located therein;
b. a rotor, comprising:
i. an elongated, cylindrical casing rotatably mounted within said
housing, having openings at each end, one end being the air inlet
at the front of the engine, the opposite, containing a turbine
wheel being the exhaust end;
ii. a plurality of parallel, closed-type centrifugal compressors,
rotatably mounted within said casing and affixed thereto, with said
air inlet extending through the axis of each compressor and
communicating with the peripheral outlets of each compressor;
iii. an elongated, cylindrical combustion chamber, comprising an
annular space concentric with the axis of rotation, defined by the
compressor outlets at its inner radius, the cylindrical casing at
its outer radius, a continuation of said casing forming a forward
wall, and extending rearward ending at the turbine blades;
iv. an annular diffuser rotatably mounted within said casing and
affixed thereto, having suitable perforations therethrough and
peripherally disposed around and spaced from the compressor
outlets, said diffuser slowing the high speed, low pressure air
from said compressors and changing it to low speed, high pressure
air, while directing it for optimum intermixing with the burning
fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber;
v. a means of igniting the fuel/air mixture, comprising a plurality
of spark gaps located within said combustion chamber at its forward
end, rotatably mounted and affixed thereto, said gaps receiving
current jumping from fixed spark plugs attached to the housing;
vi. an annular flame-holder, rotatably mounted within said
combustion chamber and affixed thereto comprising a suitable screen
material located near said spark gaps and preventing the flame of
the burning fuel/air mixture from being extinguished;
vii. a turbine wheel rotatably mounted at the rear end of the
cylindrical casing, having a plurality of combusted gas-receiving
blades attached to said casing at their tips and the turbine wheel
at their roots, said blades being rectangular in plan having
substantially thick rounded leading edges, tapering chordwise to
thin trailing edges, one side of each blade being substantially
flat and the opposite side undulating, forming a substantially
rectangular converging-diverging reaction nozzle between any two
adjacent blades coacting in their turbine wheel positions in
accordance with Newton's Third Law of Motion;
viii. a means of cooling the outer surface of the cylindrical
casing, comprising a plurality of air-impelling blades, circularly
disposed and rotatably mounted at the forward end of said casing
and affixed thereto, and propelling ambient air through the annular
space separating said casing from the housing;
c. a means of introducing fuel into the combustion chamber,
comprising a fuel line attached to the housing and extending toward
the air inlet at the front of the cylindrical casing, located
excentrically near the first compressor inlet and communicating
with the combustion chamber through said first compressor section,
said fuel line having a nozzle encircled by a venturi tube with a
needle valve controlling the fuel flow at said air inlet;
d. a combination accessory drive, power take-off and
starter-generator means, comprising a drive shaft affixed to the
turbine wheel at its axis and supporting the rear end of the rotor
in said axially located rear bearing, and communicating through
suitable gearing with a gear box having power take-off shaft,
accessory drive shafts and starter-generator shafts projecting
therefrom.
7. The gas turbine engine defined by claim 6, wherein the combusted
gas-receiving blades are fabricated of a suitable ceramic material
capable of withstanding substantially high temperatures without
melting, and having a plurality of stubs projecting from the tips
and the roots, said root stubs being inserted into notches in the
turbine wheel and said tip stubs being inserted in holes cut
through the cylindrical casing and through a reinforcing annulus
encircling said casing, said blades being subjected primarily to
compressive rather than tensile centrifugal forces.
Description
My invention relates to gas turbine engines for both fixed and
mobile installations on land, on water and in the air.
General objects of my invention are to provide such powerplant
which is of simple construction and readily and economically
fabricated and assembled on a mass production basis; is lighter in
weight and more efficient than comparable engines; is sturdy and
durable and low in cost; may be employed as a turbo-jet engine or
turbo-shaft engine, or any combination thereof for powering
automobiles, aircraft, boats, trains, motorcycles, or in any other
obvious and suitable applications wherein pure jet thrust, or drive
shaft power, or any combination thereof, is required for mobile
vehicular, or fixed power installations.
A more specific object of my invention is to provide a suitable
engine which is economically capable of replacing the piston-type
of internal combustion engine for the purpose of substantially
reducing atmospheric pollution, particularly by eliminating all
poisonous lead or other additives from fossil fuels and
substantially reducing or eliminating the emission of carbon
monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and unburned
hydrocarbons.
Another object of my invention is to provide an engine which can
utilize any combustible liquid or gaseous fluid, thereby making
available to the public an infinite number of low cost fuels and
better utilizing the many fractions obtainable from petroleum and
coal and by chemical synthesis, which heretofore could not be
utilized in the piston-type internal combustion engine without
extensive modification.
A preferred embodiment of my invention is comprised of a high speed
rotating unit, hereinafter designated the rotor, which combines the
Brayton cycle functions of mixing fuel and air, centrifugal
compression of the combustible mixture, ignition of said
combustible mixture, containment of the products of combustion,
utilization of the kinetic energy developed through a unique
turbine blading and power takeoff; a tubular casing within which
are a front antifriction bearing and a rear anti-friction bearing,
both axially located and providing support for said rotor; a
single, gravity fed fuel line leading to a single fuel nozzle
located within a venturi tube and a needle valve controlled by
mechanical linkage which meters the fuel flow; a plurality of spark
gaps located within the rotating combustion chamber, where the
mixture is ignited in front or upstream of a flame-holder screen,
said spark gaps being energized by a spark jumping from a single
spark plug electrode deriving its energy from a battery operated
vibrator-type spark coil; an externally mounted fan rotating with
said rotor and cooling the outer skin of said rotating combustion
chamber; and a gearbox drive, which combines the functions of
engine start, accessory drive and power takeoff either directly, or
as in the preferred wheeled vehicular embodiment, indirectly
through transmission of hydraulic fluid pressure developed by a
suitable pump, to hydraulic motors located in juxtaposition to said
wheels or other similar motive means.
In the preferred embodiment of my invention the simple fuel
delivery system has obvious advantages over the prior art in which
bulky, complex, costly controlling devices and multiple pressurized
fuel lines and fuel nozzles are employed.
From the single fuel nozzle, fuel drawn into the central, axially
located entrance chamber at the hub of the rotor enters a
centrifugal compressor section of the closed-type, from whence it
is driven at a right angle radially outward toward the combustion
chamber. This type of centrifugal compressor section has several
distinct advantages over prior art centrifugal compressors.
First. Prior art centrifugal compressors require a close machined
fit between rotating and non-rotating parts, with attendant high
costs of precision casting and machining. In my invention the
compressor may be assembled from sheet metal stampings secured by
welding on an assembly line, resulting in low costs.
Second. Even with a close fit between rotating and non-rotating
parts, an appreciable amount of pressure is lost through fluid
bypass in prior art centrifugal compressors. The same is true of
prior art axial flow compressors in which fluid bypass occurs at
the tips of the compressor blades resulting in reduced efficiency.
In my invention no such loss can occur, due to the fact that the
impellers are totally enclosed and the fluid enters at the very
axis of rotation.
Third. Prior art centrifugal compressors force the fluid mass under
compression to one hundred and eighty degree reversals of flow,
resulting in reduced efficiency. Prior art axial flow compressors
require energy-robbing stator blades after each compressor blade
stage with repeated 90.degree. reversals of flow resulting in
reduced efficiency. In my invention the fluid mass makes one
90.degree. turn perpendicular to the ambient air flow, then makes a
second 90.degree. turn back to a parallel flow until it enters the
turbine blading. No energy-robbing stators impede the flow or cause
repeated changes of direction, resulting in a more efficient
engine.
The preferred embodiment of my invention draws the fuel/air mixture
into the first of three parallel compressor sections, from whence
it is impelled radially outward into the combustion chamber where
it is ignited by a series of sparks from said plurality of spark
gaps. The second and third compressor sections deliver an excess of
oxygen and cooling air, as well as, increasing the air mass density
within said rotating combustion chamber. The embodiment is not
limited to three compressor sections, but may incorporate a
plurality of such sections.
A unique characteristic of my invention is the fact that the
combustion fluid is continuously under the pressure of centrifugal
force from the moment it enters the combustion fluid entrance
chamber, until it completes the cycle of compression and expansion
through the turbine wheel. This tends to contain the kinetic energy
of the burning gases, until it can be properly utilized in the
turbine wheel resulting in greater efficiency.
A diffuser annulus within the rotating combustion chamber converts
the high speed, low pressure fluid from said compressor sections,
to low speed, high pressure fluid thereby increasing the efficiency
of combustion and delivering more energy.
Since the first gas turbine engine was invented, near the close of
World War II, there has been little change in the basic design of
turbine blading. Prior art gas turbine blading invariably took the
form of thin cross-sectioned blades forming a relatively wide
entrance between the blades, which rapidly decreased to a narrow
exit. Under such arrangement turbulence must result as the gases
leave the blading with attendant reduced efficiency.
In the blading of my invention, each distinctively shaped blade
forms a converging-diverging reaction nozzle with each adjacent
blade, resulting in a high speed flow of the combustion fluid and
controlled expansion, resulting in greater power and
efficiency.
A typical example of a converging-diverging nozzle is the powerful
and highly efficient rocket engine nozzle.
In the preferred embodiment of my invention the blades are
fabricated from an easily molded, high temperature resistant
ceramic, preferably high purity aluminum oxide fired at a
temperature of approximately 3,000.degree. F., or other suitable
ceramic material, thus effecting a considerable reduction in weight
and costs with simplicity of fabrication lending itself to
efficient mass production.
As in prior art gas turbines, my invention may drive a power shaft
directly or through suitable gearing. It may also be employed as a
jet engine utilizing reaction thrust, or a combination of jet
reaction thrust with a turbo-fan propulsion system.
My invention departs from prior art in a third form of power
takeoff, particularly suitable for automobiles, or other similar
wheeled vehicles by driving a high speed rotary hydraulic pump and
transmission of the high pressure hydraulic fluid, by means of
tubing, to hydraulic motors located within said wheels or adjacent
thereto.
My engine does not require leaded fuels. An excess of oxygen,
common in gas turbine engines, prevents the formation of carbon
monoxide and the emission of unburned hydrocarbons. The use of low
sulfur fuels reduce or eliminate the formation and emission of
sulfur oxides. Comparatively lower temperatures and pressures in
the engine of my invention results in a substantial reduction of
nitrogen oxide emissions. Thus, it will be seen that the general
utilization of the engine of my invention would substantially
reduce atmospheric pollution and provide an economical powerplant
for an infinite number of applications.
Other objects of my invention will in part be obvious and will in
part appear hereinafter.
My invention, accordingly, comprises the features of construction,
combination of elements and arrangement of parts, which will be
exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the
scope of my invention will be indicated in the claims.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of my
invention, reference should be had to the following detailed
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view with parts broken away, of an
embodiment of my invention;
FIG. 2a is an axial section, with parts in elevation taken
substantially on line 2ab--22b of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2b is a continuation of FIG. 2a;
FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 3--3 of
FIG. 22;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a turbine blade, illustrating
the positioning stubs;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of turbine blades in position along the
periphery of the turbine wheel, illustrating the
converging-diverging nozzle formed by adjacent blades;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a gear box driven by the engine drive
shaft, illustrating the manner in which the starter motor is
connected to the engine through said drive shaft, as well as, the
oil pressure and oil scavenging pumps and final power takeoff;
FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of an embodiment of my invention
with parts broken away.
Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals identify similar
parts throughout, it will be seen from FIGS. 1 to 7 inclusive, that
an embodiment of the improved gas turbine engine of my invention,
looking first at FIG. 1, may comprise a tubular casing 1, within
which are four supporting arms 34, 35, 36, 37 held in place by
bolts 2, 3, 4, 5, which are secured to said casing by nuts 10, 11,
12, 13. Said arms in turn, support a bearing holder 101, within
which is the front anti-friction bearing sealed against leakage by
oil seals 21, 22.
A front engine support hub 59, which is an integral part of the
rotor, rotates within said front bearing. Pressurized oil from an
accessory drive oil pressure pump, flows into manifold 29 through
oil line 32 and "T" fitting 31, from whence it is distributed to
front and rear antifriction bearings for the purpose of cooling and
lubricating said bearings. Said pressurized oil flows down through
a passage drilled through the center of bolt 5 within arm 34,
thence to said front anti-friction bearings and down through
drilled passage 88 at the center of bolt 3, and returned through
line 23 to the scavenging pump and back to the oil tank.
It may be preferred to substitute a casting or forging in place of
said arms, support bolts and bearing holder. Similar oil passages
may be drilled through such casting or forging.
Fuel line 54 passing through casing 1, down the front of the engine
to the combustion fluid entrance chamber 135, is supported by
bracket 55.
Fuel nozzle 57 is attached to the lower end of fuel line 54. Said
fuel nozzle is controlled by needle valve 56 operated by control
rod 51 through right angle link 52 supported by bracket 53. Said
fuel nozzle is aligned parallel to the air flow entering said
chamber 135. Fuel is drawn from said fuel nozzle by the passage of
air through venturi 58, which crates a low pressure area at the tip
of said nozzle.
Lips 65 of the centrifugal compressor impeller vanes, impel the
fuel/air mixture radially outward into the combustion chamber, at
the front of which is an externally attached cooling fan 86, which
cools the external skin of said combustion chamber. Only a small
portion of the skin 60 of said combustion chamber is visible in
FIG. 1.
Single electrode spark plug 82, energized by a battery operated
vibrator spark coil or simlilar device, delivers a continuous
stream of sparks, during the starting phase, to a plurality of
spark gaps located within said combustion chamber where ignition
occurs upstream of a flame-holder screen. Power shaft 48 extends
downward and enters a gear box.
The components mentioned above, which have not been designated by a
numeral, will be fully described and numbered later herein.
FIG. 2a further illustrates a portion of said tubular casing 1,
support arm 34, support bolt 5, bearing holder 101 and front
anti-friction bearing 20, within which front engine support hub 59
rotates. Oil pressure line 32 delivers high pressure oil through
said "T" fitting 31, through manifold line 29, down through passage
18, into passage 19 to front bearing 20, from which it is drained
88 in bottom bolt 3 (FIG. 1).
Fuel line 54 passes down through casing 1, through support bracket
55 and is directly attached to fuel nozzle 57 controlled by needle
valve 56, operated by control rod 51, through link 52, supported by
bracket 53. Arrows indicate the flow of air through venturi 58,
which draws fuel from nozzle 57. The fuel/air mixture, due to the
off center location of said fuel nozzle, enters the first section
of a plurality of parallel, closed-type centrifugal compressor
sections, the impellers of which are indicated by numerals 64, 69,
72.
Front engine support 59 is attached to integral combustion chamber
outer skin 60 by means of rivets 61, or other suitable means. A
reinforcing, pan shaped flanged disc 62 is attached to front
extension of said combustion chamber skin 60, where said plate, in
turn, supports and is secured to the front wall of the first
compressor section 63. Impeller blades 64 are secured to said front
wall and to the rear wall 67, which completes a single, closed-type
centrifugal compressor section. Wall 67 is secured to support
annulus 105, to which is secured front wall 68 of a second
centrifugal compressor section.
Impellers 69 are secured to said front wall 68 and to rear wall 70
of said second section. Said rear wall is secured to annular
support ring 104, to which is secured front wall 71 of a third
centrifugal compressor section. Impeller blades 72 and rear wall 73
completes said third section.
Each of the said walls is, in fact, an annular disc, which is
press-formed from suitable sheet metal, preferably stainless steel
Type 321, to the shape of a dish with a flange bent down at the
periphery. When secured, preferably by welding, each section tapers
outward toward the periphery, for the purpose of further
compressing the entering fuel/air mixture through the first
section, and for the purpose of compressing the air entering the
succeeding sections.
The fuel/air mixture flows through said first section, is
compressed and defelected by support annulus 76 and diffuser
annulus 75 toward spark gaps 80, where the fuel/air mixture is
ignited upstream from flame-holder screen 78. The products of
combustion pass through said screen, where said products of
combustion mix with incoming compressed air through holes 77 in
said diffuser annulus.
The air entering from the succeeding compressor sections cools the
metal components of the combustion chamber, internally, and adds to
the air mass density therein. The centrifugal force acting upon the
combustion fluid during combustion, tends to contain the kinetic
energy developed, until said combustion fluid enters the turbine
blading.
Externally attached fan 86 blows air through the annular space
between casing 1 and combustion chamber skin 60, cooling said
skin.
Posts 79 secure the compressor sections, the annular diffuser and
the combustion chamber skin 60 into a strong, rigid unit.
As with components of the compressor sections, including walls and
impeller blades, the combustion chamber outer wall or skin and
diffuser annulus are press-formed from sheet metal, preferably Type
321 Stainless steel. This is not to preclude the use of any other
method of fabrication, whether sheet metal, casting, forging or
other suitable means or material that accomplishes the same
result.
Pan-shaped flanged disc 74 is secured to rear wall 73 of the last
compressor section by welding and to the front segment of the
turbine wheel, pan-shaped disc 89, by means of bolts 93 and
fastened by nuts 94 as illustrated in FIG. 2b. The central axial
portion of said discs is secured, together with similar discs 90,
91 by means of bolts 95 and secured to drive shaft 49 by means of
nuts 96.
The flanges of the pan-shaped turbine discs are notched to permit
insertion, at an appropriate angle, of the turbine blade stubs into
the periphery of said turbine wheel. Spacer 92 separates said
pan-shaped discs at an appropriate distance for secure
fastening.
The outer ends of said turbine blades are positioned by similar
stubs projecting into holes in the periphery of combustion chamber
skin 60 and aligned with similar holes in reinforcing annulus
89.
Turbine blades 87 are shaped to form a converging-diverging
reaction nozzle between each blade and each adjacent blade.
Preferably the material from which the blades are fabricated is a
high temperature ceramic such as high purity aluminum oxide, or
other suitable material which is resistant to thermal shock,
erosion and melting. Molded ceramic blades, which may be easily
fabricated in precision molds with their inherently accurate
repeatability, have obvious cost and mass production advantages
over prior art metal blades. The foregoing is not to preclude the
use of metal in blade fabrication.
It should be born in mind that the components from the front engine
support hub 59, back to the drive shaft 49 and all those secured
together between them, are integrated into a single, high speed
rotating unit designated the rotor as aforesaid.
The rotor is supported on anti-friction bearings at the rear by
means of four support arms similar to those at the front. Bolt 6 is
threaded into the rear bearing holder annulus 103 through tail cone
43. The portion of the arm within said cone supports said cone
internally and is numbered 42. The portion of the arm 38 without
said cone, is fabricated from a suitable flame-resistant ceramic or
other material capable of protecting said support arm from the heat
of the exhaust gases. Said protective cover also serves as a spacer
between said tail cone and a tubular section 102, which serves to
direct and contain said exhaust gases.
In a wheeled vehicular application, said tail cone and tubular
section may be attached to an exhaust chamber and appropriate
piping. In a jet engine application, said tail cone and tubular
section may be further shaped to form an efficient jet nozzle
exiting directly to the ambient air stream.
Pan-shaped disc 44 forms an end support for said tail cone.
High pressure lubricating and cooling oil is carried by manifold
line 30 down through drilled passage 28 in support bolt 6, to said
rear anti-friction bearings 24, 25 sealed against leakage on one
side by seals 26,27. Thence through drive shaft passage 108 into
gear box 45, back through passage 109, in said shaft 49, and down
through passage 29 drilled through lower bolt.
Snap-ring 50 and retainer ring 98, secured by bolts 97, resist
axial thrust on said rear bearings. A spacer 114 completes the
support column and permits tightening of nut 15 on bolt 6 without
deformation of the bearing supports. The lower arm support within
said tail cone is numbered 40 and similar components are arranged
at the other two lateral positions.
Anti-friction bearings 110, 112 with one-side seals 111, 113,
support the shafts as illustrated and miter gear 46 meshes with
miter gear 47 to drive shaft 48, which extends downward into a
second gear box.
FIG. 3 better illustrates the arrangement of said impeller blades
64 and intermediate impeller blades 66, deflection and support
annulus 76, diffuser annulus 75, annular flame-holder screen 78,
combustion chamber outer wall or skin 60, reinforcing annulus 89
and tubular casing 1.
FIG. 4 ilustrates the arrangement of the positioning and retention
stubs 99, 100, 106, 107 of the turbine wheel blades 87.
FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the method of notching the two
pan-shaped turbine wheel discs 89, 90. Equally spaced notches 118,
119 are cut into each disc; the discs are rotated to the position
shown and secured by bolts 93, 95, which are aligned so as to hold
the blades at an appropriate angle so as to form the
converging-diverging reaction nozzle space between adjacent blades.
The unique shape of said turbine blades is also apparent. The
arrows indicate the flow of the combustion fluid through the
blading.
FIG. 6 illustrates the final drive gear box 121, in which
anti-friction bearings typified by 120, one side sealed typified by
seal 134, support the various shafts. Shaft 48 drives miter gear
122, which is in mesh with miter gears 123 and 126. Miter gear 122
drives shaft 124 by means of gear 123. Miter gear 123 drives miter
gear 126, which drives spur gear oil pressure pump 127. Spur gear
oil scavenging pump 130 is driven by miter gear 128, which is in
mesh with miter gear 129.
The engine is started by starter motor 131 driving shaft 124 by
means of spur gear 132 in mesh with spur gear 133. Said starter
motor may remain in mesh and generate an electric current, during
engine operation, or it may be automatically disconnected by means
of a Bendix spring drive. Splined section 125 of shaft 124 may be
utilized to drive a large capacity hydraulic pump, which, in turn,
may be employed to transmit high pressure hydraulic fluid to
hydraulic motors operating vehicular driving wheels.
To start the engine, the starter switch is turned on causing a
battery to energize starter motor 131. When the rotor reaches a
predetermined speed, the ignition switch is turned on and the
throttle is opened slightly. A fuel/air mixture is drawn into the
compressor section where it is impelled into the combustion chamber
and ignited by a series of sparks jumping from the spark plug to
the external electrodes of the combustion chamber spark gaps,
across said spark gaps and grounded. When the combustion process
has commenced, the ignition switch is turned off and combustion is
continuous as fresh fuel/air mix enters the chamber filled with
burning combustion fluid. Speed is controlled by operating the fuel
metering needle valve within the fuel nozzle.
FIG. 7 is a rear view of the engine, illustrating the tubular
casing 1, the spark plug 82, the spark gap electr electrodes 80,
83, 84, 85, which within the combustion chamber. Oil pressure line
32 carries lubricating and cooling oil through "T" fitting 31 and
to the rear anti-friction bearings as described heretofore.
Spacers 114, 115, 116, 117 separate the tubular casing from the
exhaust section and provide a continuation of the flame resistant
ceramic support arms 38, 39, 40, 41. The tapering tail cone 43
allows proper expansion of exhaust gases for jet operation. A
pan-shaped disc 44 supports the end of the tail cone and encloses
the gear box for protection from hot gases. Support bolts 8, 9 are
secured by nuts 14, 16 to the outer casing. Nuts 15, 17 secure the
other arms. Turbine blades 87 are visible from the rear.
Scavenge oil line is connected to 33, and drive shaft 48 is
connected to the final drive gear box.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those
made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently
attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above
construction and different embodiments of my invention could be
made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that
all matter contained in the above description, or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended
to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention
herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention
which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall
therebetween.
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