Rotating Detonation Mixing Elements for Stable Wave Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotating detonation engines face challenges in maintaining a detonation wave during low power conditions and controlling operating conditions, particularly due to pressure losses and sub-sonic deflagration waves that disrupt the continuous thrust generation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of mixing elements, or turbulators, with protrusions and recesses on the inner and outer walls of the detonation channel to create turbulence and optimize reactant mixing, minimizing pressure losses and sustaining the detonation wave.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mixing elements with protrusions are added to enhance reactant mixing, then the detonation wave stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing elements utilize a porous structure with multiple protrusions that create turbulence and enhance mixing of reactants. The porous configuration allows the detonation wave to propagate through the structure while maintaining stability, resolving the contradiction between improving reliability and avoiding excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing element is divided into multiple protrusions arranged in a circumferential pattern around the combustor. This segmentation creates multiple flow paths and turbulence zones that enhance mixing without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire combustor system.
2Power
If the detonation frequency is increased to improve thrust output, then the power is improved, but the pressure losses increase causing detonation wave dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing elements modify flow parameters by creating controlled turbulence and altering the velocity distribution of reactants. This changes the pressure and temperature profiles in a way that reduces energy losses while maintaining high detonation frequencies, thus improving power output without excessive pressure losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing elements act as an intermediary structure between the fuel injection system and the detonation wave. They precondition the reactant flow to optimize mixing and reduce pressure losses before the detonation occurs, enabling sustained high-frequency operation with improved thrust output.
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 mixing elements enhance reactant mixing, ensuring the detonation wave continues around the annulus, maintaining sufficient thrust and operability across varying power conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more mixing elements provide turbulence to the reactants as they flow into the detonation channel
Implementation Method 2
the protrusions are configured to affect a vector of at least a portion of the fuel and at least a portion of the fluid passing through recesses between the plurality of protrusions
Implementation Method 3
A detonation wave travels in a circumferential direction of the annulus and consumes the incoming fuel and air mixture
Implementation Method 4
minimizing pressure losses and sustaining the detonation wave
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating detonation combustion system includes a detonation channel including an inner wall and an outer wall and extend in a longitudinal direction from an inlet of the detonation channel to an outlet of the detonation channel. A first mixing element and a second mixing element are disposed in the rotating detonation combustion system. The first mixing element forming a ring on the inner wall and the second mixing element forming a ring on the outer wall of the detonation channel adjacent the inlet. Each of the first mixing element and the second mixing element comprise a plurality of protrusions disposed circumferentially along the inner wall and the outer wall and extend into the detonation channel such that the plurality of protrusions affects vectors of at least a portion of the fuel and at least a portion of the fluid passing through recesses between the plurality of protrusions.