Resonance Enhanced Microjet Nozzle for Supersonic Fuel Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection nozzles for sub-sonic jet engines are unsuitable for rapid and efficient mixing of fuels and oxidizers in supersonic flow streams, where the time for mixing is typically short, often only milliseconds, necessitating a solution that can facilitate efficient combustion in high-speed power generation scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The Resonance Enhanced Microjet (REM) nozzle converts a steady fluid jet into a pulsed jet without moving parts, using a REM nozzle block with an inlet that directs the fluid through chambers and cavities to create a compressible vortex, which captures and mixes fuel with the pulsed air jet, enhancing mixing efficiency in supersonic flow streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing injection nozzles for sub-sonic jet engines are used, then the device complexity is low, but the mixing efficiency is insufficient for supersonic flow streams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs acoustic resonance to generate high-frequency oscillations in the oxidizer flow through a resonant cavity. This mechanical vibration creates periodic pressure variations that enhance fuel atomization and mixing efficiency in supersonic flows, resolving the contradiction by introducing controlled vibrations that improve productivity without requiring complex mechanical moving parts
Solution Approach 2:
The resonant cavity generates periodic pressure oscillations at specific frequencies that synchronize with the flow characteristics. This periodic action creates alternating regions of high and low pressure that enhance fuel injection and mixing efficiency, achieving superior mixing performance while maintaining relatively simple device architecture
2Productivity
If the oxidizer is accelerated at supersonic speeds, then the power generation efficiency is improved, but the mixing time becomes extremely short
Solution Approach 1:
High-frequency acoustic oscillations are introduced into the supersonic oxidizer flow to create intense mixing patterns. These vibrations generate turbulent structures and enhance mass transfer rates, allowing complete fuel-oxidizer mixing to occur within the extremely short residence time available in supersonic combustion chambers
Solution Approach 2:
The resonant cavity is designed to operate at specific acoustic frequencies and pressure ratios that optimize mixing performance for supersonic flows. By tuning these parameters, the system achieves rapid mixing compatible with the short residence times at supersonic speeds while maintaining high power generation efficiency
3Productivity
If a resonant cavity is used to generate pulsed jet, then the mixing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resonant cavity utilizes acoustic resonance to generate high-frequency pulsed jets without mechanical moving parts. The vibration-based mechanism converts steady oxidizer flow into periodic pulsed jets that enhance fuel mixing, achieving improved productivity while avoiding the complexity of mechanical actuators or valves
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential mechanical moving parts (such as valves or actuators) with an acoustic resonance-based system. The resonant cavity uses pressure oscillations and acoustic waves to generate the desired pulsed jet effect, substituting a mechanical system with a field-based acoustic system that is simpler and more reliable
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 REM nozzle achieves rapid and complete mixing of fuels and oxidizers, improving combustion efficiency by generating a high-frequency compressible vortex that increases the interfacial area and drives the fuel-air mixture into the flow stream, suitable for supersonic jet engines like scramjets.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid jet resonates resulting in pressure and/or velocity changes to thereby exit the REM nozzle block as a pulsed fluid jet
Implementation Method 2
the pulse jet described above may exit the outlet of the REM nozzle block and form a compressible vortex that may be utilized to capture and entrain a fluid, such as a fuel
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure include an injection system. The injection system includes a Resonance Enhanced Microjet (REM) nozzle. The REM nozzles includes a REM nozzle block, the REM nozzle block having an inlet formed in a top and an outlet formed in a bottom, the inlet and outlet being fluid coupled together. The REM nozzle also includes one or more micronozzles positioned about the outlet, the one or more micronozzles having an outlet and being positioned at an angle relative to the bottom. Additionally, the REM nozzle includes an inlet conduit coupled to the REM nozzle block, the inlet conduit being fluidly coupled to the one or more micronozzles. The injection system also includes a source arranged proximate the top, the source directing a source jet of fluid into the inlet. The injection system includes a fuel supply fluidly coupled to the inlet conduit. Such a system can inject a fuel entrained in an oxidizer pulsing at very high-frequency. These pulsed fuel-oxidizer streams can be injected to a high-velocity fluid stream which allows better mixing of fuel and oxidizer at high speed.