Moveable Blade Boost Compressor for Rotating Detonation Engines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rotating detonation engines face challenges in initiating and sustaining detonation at low Mach speeds and higher altitudes due to insufficient ram air pressure, limiting their flight envelope and operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A boost compressor assembly with a moveable blade mechanism that deploys radially outward to increase ram compression, comprising an outer annular structure, an inner annular structure, a link assembly, and a spring system, allowing for enhanced air pressure augmentation when needed and retraction when sufficient pressure is achieved.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a boost compressor assembly is deployed to increase ram compression, then air pressure is augmented enabling operation at higher altitudes and lower speeds, but device complexity and energy losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational capability at high altitude and low speedVSAvoidcomplexity of moveable blade mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The boost compressor assembly employs moveable blades that can dynamically transition between deployed and retracted states. The blades are coupled to the outer annular structure through link assemblies that allow radial movement. When deployed, the blades extend radially outward to increase compression; when retracted, they minimize complexity and energy losses. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt its complexity based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The boost compressor assembly is segmented into multiple independent components: an outer annular structure with apertures, multiple moveable blades, link assemblies, and spring mechanisms. Each blade can be controlled independently through its own link assembly and spring system. This segmentation allows selective deployment of only the necessary components, reducing overall system complexity when full compression is not required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stress or pressure

If the blade deploys radially outward to enhance compression, then air pressure augmentation is achieved, but energy losses increase during deployment and operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveram air pressureVSAvoidenergy losses during deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The spring mechanisms are pre-loaded to automatically deploy the blades when compression is needed and automatically retract them when compression is sufficient or not required. This self-service operation eliminates the need for external actuators and control systems, significantly reducing energy losses during deployment and retraction cycles while maintaining the ability to augment air pressure when necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The boost compressor assembly operates in periodic cycles of deployment and retraction based on operational conditions. The springs store energy during retraction and release it during deployment, creating an efficient periodic action that minimizes continuous energy input while achieving the necessary pressure augmentation intermittently when required by flight conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If the boost compressor assembly operates continuously to maintain pressure, then operational efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on real-time compression needs. The moveable blades transition between deployed and retracted positions according to flight conditions (altitude, speed, Mach number), allowing the system to maintain operational efficiency only when necessary rather than operating continuously, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while preserving productivity when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The boost compressor assembly enhances the operational efficiency of rotating detonation engines by enabling initiation at higher altitudes and lower speeds, expanding the flight envelope and ensuring efficient ram air pressure augmentation when required, while minimizing energy losses during retraction.

Implementation Method 1

a spring coupled to the inner annular structure and the link assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The blade may be configured to transition from the retracted state to the deployed state in response to rotating the boost compressor assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS11326617B2Boost compressor assembly

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 RTX CORP

AI summary

A boost compressor assembly may comprise an outer annular structure and a plurality of blades. Each blade in the plurality of blades may be moveably coupled to the outer annular structure. The plurality of blades may be configured to deploy in response to the boost compressor assembly rotating. The plurality of blades may be configured to retract when the boost compressor assembly stops rotating.