Positive displacement flow separator

Abstract

A positive displacement flow separator contains a rotor portion positioned inside a casing portion to act as a least area rotor which captures a volume and moves the volume along the length of the separator. The rotor portion contains a plurality of lobes which interact with grooves in the casing portion, such that the interaction of the lobes and grooves create barriers which capture the volume The creation of the volume creates a flow barrier between a downstream end of the separator and an upstream end of the separator. The flow separator is coupled to a combustion portion to provide a flow of material to the combustion portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to positive displacement flow separators, and in particular to positive displacement flow separators for use with pulse detonation engines and other devices.[0002]With the recent development of pulse detonation combustors (PDCs) and engines (PDEs), various efforts have been underway to use PDCs in practical applications, such as combustors for aircraft engines. However, there has been difficulty in incorporated PDCs and PDEs in practical applications because of the nature of the operation of pulse detonation devices. Namely, unlike the operation of normal gas turbine engines or Brayton cycle engines, in pulse detonation devices when the transition to detonation occurs a strong shock wave is created. Not only does this shock wave travel downstream, but it also travels upstream. The upstream travel of a shock wave can cause damage to upstream devices, such as compressors and fuel injection components, as well as temporarily stopp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]As used herein, a “pulse detonation combustor” PDC (also including PDEs) is understood to mean any device or system that produces both a pressure rise and velocity increase from a series of repeating detonations or quasi-detonations within the device. A “quasi-detonation” is a supersonic turbulent combustion process that produces a pressure rise and velocity increase higher than the pressure rise and velocity increase produced by a deflagration wave. Embodi

Problems solved by technology

However, there has been difficulty in incorporated PDCs and PDEs in practical applications because of the nature of the operation of pulse detonation devices.

The upstream travel of a shock wave can cause damage to upstream devices, such as compressors and fuel injection components, as well as temporarily stopping / reversing inlet air flow.

However, to date, these methods have been inadequate.

For example, mechanical valves are required to have high frequency operation, which requires highly complex and costly structure.

Further, high frequency valves create their own pressure waves, due to the rapid opening and closure of the valve.

Further, although fluidic valves divert the backflow and shockwave against itself (thus reducing the strength of the back pressure wave), they can not completely prevent backflow.

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