Wave Rotor Combustor Residual Gas Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combustion systems in engines, such as wave rotor combustors, face challenges in maintaining a consistent fuel/oxidant ratio due to mixing with residual gases, which can affect ignition and combustion efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a combustion system with a wave rotor design that includes a cavity and conduit structures to enhance the fuel/oxidant ratio by promoting fluid exchange and turbulence, and a fuel injection port to adjust the mixture before ignition, ensuring optimal combustion conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If wave rotor combustor operates with residual gases in combustion channels, then continuous operation is maintained, but fuel/oxidant ratio consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidfuel/oxidant ratio consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts residual gases from the combustion channel through a dedicated extraction port positioned between the inlet and outlet. This port allows selective removal of residual gases that would otherwise contaminate the fresh fuel/oxidant mixture, thereby maintaining consistent fuel/oxidant ratio while enabling continuous operation. The extraction mechanism separates the harmful residual gases from the combustion process without interrupting the continuous flow of fresh mixture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary extraction port that acts as a mediator between the inlet and outlet of the combustion channel. This intermediate structure allows controlled interaction with residual gases, enabling their removal while preserving the integrity of the fresh fuel/oxidant mixture. The intermediary port serves as a buffer zone that prevents direct mixing of residual gases with the combustion mixture, maintaining composition stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If fuel injection is increased to compensate for residual gas mixing, then fuel/oxidant ratio is improved, but combustion efficiency deteriorates due to improper mixture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel/oxidant ratioVSAvoidcombustion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than adding more fuel to compensate for residual gas mixing (which would create improper mixture), the patent extracts residual gases before they contaminate the fresh fuel/oxidant mixture. This extraction approach maintains the correct stoichiometric ratio without requiring additional fuel injection, thereby preserving combustion efficiency while achieving consistent fuel/oxidant ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary extraction of residual gases from the combustion channel before the fresh fuel/oxidant mixture enters. This preliminary action prevents contamination of the mixture, ensuring that the correct fuel/oxidant ratio is maintained from the outset. By addressing the residual gas issue in advance, the system avoids the need for corrective fuel injection that would compromise combustion efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Temperature

If combustion channels are cooled to manage thermal loads, then temperature is reduced, but combustion efficiency deteriorates due to reduced reaction rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion temperatureVSAvoidcombustion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts residual gases that contain unburned fuel and heat energy from the combustion channel. By removing these residual gases, the system recovers thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted, thereby maintaining combustion efficiency even when combustion temperature is managed or reduced. The extraction process prevents heat loss through incomplete combustion of residual gases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design improves the fuel/oxidant ratio in combustion channels, leading to enhanced ignition and combustion efficiency, reducing the adverse effects of residual gases and maintaining consistent performance across varying operating conditions.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing the fuel/oxidant ratio by promoting fluid exchange and turbulence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

wave rotor combustors utilizing either detonative or deflagrative combustion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Implementation Method 3

wave rotor combustors utilizing either detonative or deflagrative combustion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeflagration: Deflagration

Implementation Method 4

combustion of fuel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP2659107B1Engine and combustion system
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 ROLLS ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP2659107B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP2659107B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

One embodiment of the present invention is a unique engine Another embodiment of the present invention is a unique combustion system, Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for engines and combustion systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.