Parallel Combustor Configuration for UUV Propulsion Turbine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned underwater vehicles face a trade-off between effective range and sprint speed due to limitations in existing propulsion systems, which struggle to maintain efficiency across varying power levels, impacting the ability to achieve both long range and high speed capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A gas-powered turbine propulsion system with multiple combustors, including a partial admission axial flow turbine and supersonic nozzles, is designed to provide adjustable power modes through a controller that manages fuel flow across parallel or sequentially sized combustors, optimizing turbine efficiency across different operational modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single combustor is used in the turbine propulsion system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the efficiency at varying power levels deteriorates, impacting both range and sprint speed capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The combustor is divided into multiple separate combustor sections (first combustor section, second combustor section, third combustor section) that can operate independently or in combination. This segmentation allows the system to optimize fuel efficiency across different power levels by activating only the necessary number of combustor sections, thereby resolving the contradiction between device complexity and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The combustor configuration is made dynamic through the ability to selectively activate different combustor sections based on power requirements. The system transitions from a static single-combustor design to a dynamic multi-section design where combustor sections can be individually controlled, enabling optimal efficiency at both low-power (cruise) and high-power (sprint) operating conditions.
2Speed
If the turbine is designed for high power output to achieve sprint speed, then the speed capability is improved, but the efficiency at low power levels deteriorates, reducing effective range
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine system is segmented into multiple combustor sections that can be independently controlled. At low power levels, only one or two combustor sections are activated, maintaining high efficiency. At high power levels (sprint speed), all combustor sections are activated simultaneously, providing the necessary power output. This resolves the contradiction between sprint speed capability and low-power efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by activating only the necessary number of combustor sections based on power requirements. Instead of always operating at full capacity, the system uses partial combustion capacity for cruise operations, maintaining efficiency, and escalates to full capacity only when sprint speed is required.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the turbine is designed for low power consumption to extend range, then the effective range is improved, but the sprint speed capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-section combustor design allows the system to extend effective range by operating with one or two combustor sections activated, consuming less fuel. When sprint speed capability is needed, the system can activate all combustor sections to deliver high power output. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between range extension and sprint speed capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its power output by selectively activating combustor sections. For range extension, it operates in a low-power mode with fewer combustor sections active. For sprint speed, it dynamically transitions to high-power mode with all combustor sections active, thereby resolving the contradiction between effective range and sprint speed capability.
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
This configuration enhances low-power efficiency, increasing the range of the torpedo while maintaining high sprint speed capabilities by optimizing power delivery across various modes, ensuring efficient fuel use and performance.
Implementation Method 1
generating combustion products in a single combustor and expanding the combustion products across a turbine
Implementation Method 2
A gas-powered turbine propulsion system with multiple combustors, including a partial admission axial flow turbine and supersonic nozzles
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle includes a plurality of combustors (410) connected to at least one fuel storage tank. Each of the combustors is connected to a turbine (464) via a corresponding nozzle (466). An output shaft (168) is connected to the turbine and configured to output rotational energy from the turbine. A controller may control the fuel flow to each combustor in order to adjust the power output depending on the propulsion mode.