Propellant Injector With Segmented Feed Sheaths for Uniform Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing propellant injector systems face challenges in maintaining uniform flow due to the takeoff of one propellant, which interferes with the uniform injection process and requires complex, leak-tight segmentation.
Innovation Solution
The injector design features a takeoff chamber connected to the injection chamber via regularly distributed takeoff channels, ensuring uniform propellant takeoff and injection, with separate feeds for each propellant and coaxial feed sheaths to maintain flow uniformity, and uses additive fabrication for simplicity and complexity in design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a takeoff duct is used to remove one propellant before injection, then the propellant can be fed to other members (e.g., turbine), but the flow uniformity is disturbed and injection uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The injection system is segmented into multiple independent feed channels (feed chimneys) surrounded by feed sheaths. Each feed chimney-sheath pair forms an independent flow path, allowing the takeoff duct to remove propellant from one channel without disrupting the flow in other channels, thus maintaining overall injection uniformity while enabling propellant distribution to multiple members
Solution Approach 2:
The feed sheath acts as an intermediary structure between the feed chimney and the injection chamber. It provides a buffer zone that stabilizes the flow before injection, reducing the disturbance caused by the takeoff duct and ensuring uniform propellant delivery to both the main combustion chamber and other members
2Manufacturing precision
If complex injector structures are proposed to limit flow disturbances from propellant takeoff, then flow uniformity may be improved, but the structure becomes very complex and leaktightness becomes very constraining due to segmentation
Solution Approach 1:
The injector uses a modular segmented structure where each feed chimney is surrounded by its own feed sheath, creating independent flow channels. This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized for flow uniformity while the overall structure remains manageable through standardized modular units that can be manufactured and assembled systematically
Solution Approach 2:
The feed sheath is nested around each feed chimney, creating a concentric arrangement where the sheath provides flow stabilization while the chimney delivers the propellant. This nested configuration achieves flow uniformity through a compact design that minimizes structural complexity compared to alternative approaches using multiple separate components
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple feed channels are used to maintain flow uniformity during takeoff, then injection uniformity is preserved, but the number of components increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed sheath is nested around each feed chimney, creating a compact concentric structure that integrates multiple functions (flow delivery, flow stabilization, and takeoff accommodation) into a single manufacturable unit. This nesting reduces the number of separate components compared to using independent channels without nesting, thereby simplifying manufacturing while preserving injection uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The feed chimney and feed sheath are merged into an integrated flow delivery system where the sheath is positioned concentrically around the chimney. This merging combines the propellant delivery function and the flow stabilization function into a single structural unit, reducing manufacturing complexity compared to using separate independent components for each function
Data Source
AI summary
An injector of a propellant combustion member, the injector including a first feed and a second feed; the first feed being connected to a plurality of feed chimneys arranged around a longitudinal axis; the second feed being configured so as to feed an injection chamber; and the injection chamber being connected to a plurality of feed sheaths with injection orifices, each feed chimney being surrounded by a coaxial feed sheath; the injector including a takeoff chamber connected to a takeoff duct for taking off the second propellant, the takeoff chamber being arranged in such a manner as to take off the second liquid propellant from the injection chamber; and it is configured to achieve uniform injection of the second propellant via the injection orifices.