Variable geometry thruster

• US 10,641,204 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2017
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jetoptera, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jetoptera, Inc.
• Inventors: Evulet, Andrei
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Long T
• Application Number:
  US15/686,052
• Publication Number:
  US 20180003128A1
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 27/06 the systems having variable, i.e. adjustable, cross-sectional areas, chambers of variable volume, or like variable means
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/00 Engines characterised by provision of pumps driven at least for part of the time by exhaust
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 39/04 Mechanical drives; Variable-gear-ratio drives non-mechanical pump drives having variable gear ratio F02B39/08
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 3/04 having a turbine driving a compressor power transmission arrangements F02C7/36; control of working fluid flow F02C9/16
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/143 before or between the compressor stages
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 1/30 for varying effective area of jet pipe or nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 1/36 having an ejector
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 1/38 Introducing air inside the jet F02K1/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/4023 through a friction clutch
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/601 using an ejector or a jet pump
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2270/173 by the Coanda effect
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2270/18 using fluidic amplifiers or actuators
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/6033 Ceramic matrix composites [CMC]
• CPC Class Codes: F23R 3/22 movable, e.g. to an inoperative position; adjustable, e.g. self-adjusting
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle. The system includes a diffusing structure and a conduit portion configured to introduce to the diffusing structure through a passage a primary fluid produced by the vehicle. The passage is defined by a wall, and the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid. A constricting element is disposed adjacent the wall. An actuating apparatus is coupled to the constricting element and is configured to urge the constricting element toward the wall, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the passage.

Claims

1. A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle, the system comprising:

a diffusing structure;

a conduit portion configured to introduce to the diffusing structure through a first passage a primary fluid produced by the vehicle, the first passage being defined by a first wall, wherein the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid;

a first constricting element disposed adjacent the first wall; and

an actuating apparatus coupled to the first constricting element and configured to urge the first constricting element toward the first wall, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the first passage, wherein the actuating apparatus comprises;

a first translating component configured to engage the first constricting element and configured to move translationally, and

a first rotational component coupled to the first translating component and configured to move rotationally.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the conduit portion is further configured to introduce the primary fluid to the diffusing structure through a second passage, the second passage being defined by a second wall,

the system further comprises a second constricting element disposed adjacent the second wall, whereby the actuating apparatus is coupled to the second constricting element and configured to urge the second constricting element toward the second wall, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the second passage, and

the actuating apparatus further comprises:

a second translating component configured to engage the second constricting element and configured to move translationally;

a second rotational component coupled to the second translating component and configured to move rotationally; and

a lever element coupled to the first and second rotational components and configured to rotate the first and second rotational components in unison.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a convex surface coupled to the diffusing structure, wherein the conduit portion is configured to introduce the primary fluid to the convex surface through the first passage.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary fluid comprises compressor bleed air produced by a turbojet.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the diffusing structure is positioned downstream of a turbine of a turbocharger of the vehicle, and the primary fluid is supplied by the compressor of the turbocharger.

6. A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle, the system comprising:

a diffusing structure;

an intake structure coupled to the diffusing structure and configured to introduce to the diffusing structure a secondary fluid accessible to the vehicle, the intake structure including a conduit portion configured to introduce to the diffusing structure through a passage a primary fluid produced by the vehicle, the passage being defined by a wall, wherein the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid and secondary fluid;

a first constricting element disposed adjacent the wall; and

an actuating apparatus coupled to the constricting element and configured to urge the constricting element toward the wall, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the passage, wherein the actuating apparatus comprises;

a first translating component configured to engage the first constricting element and configured to move translationally, and

a first rotational component coupled to the first translating component and configured to move rotationally.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the conduit portion is further configured to introduce the primary fluid to the diffusing structure through a second passage, the second passage being defined by a second wall,

the system further comprises a second constricting element disposed adjacent the second wall, whereby the actuating apparatus is coupled to the second constricting element and configured to urge the second constricting element toward the second wall, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the second passage, and

the actuating apparatus further comprises:

a second translating component configured to engage the second constricting element and configured to move translationally;

a second rotational component coupled to the second translating component and configured to move rotationally; and

a lever element coupled to the first and second rotational components and configured to rotate the first and second rotational components in unison.

8. The system of claim 6, further comprising a convex surface coupled to the diffusing structure, wherein the conduit portion is configured to introduce the primary fluid to the convex surface through the first passage.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the primary fluid comprises compressor bleed air produced by a turbojet.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the diffusing structure is positioned downstream of a turbine of a turbocharger of the vehicle, and the primary fluid is supplied by the compressor of the turbocharger.

11. A vehicle comprising:

a primary-fluid source;

a diffusing structure;

a conduit portion configured to introduce to the diffusing structure through a first passage a primary fluid produced by the source, the first passage being defined by a first wall, wherein the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid;

a first constricting element disposed adjacent the first wall; and

an actuating apparatus coupled to the first constricting element and configured to urge the first constricting element toward the first wall, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the first passage, wherein the actuating apparatus comprises;

a first translating component configured to engage the first constricting element and configured to move translationally; and

a first rotational component coupled to the first translating component and configured to move rotationally.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the conduit portion is further configured to introduce the primary fluid to the diffusing structure through a second passage, the second passage being defined by a second wall,

the system further comprises a second constricting element disposed adjacent the second wall, whereby the actuating apparatus is coupled to the second constricting element and configured to urge the second constricting element toward the second wall, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the second passage, and

the actuating apparatus further comprises:

a second translating component configured to engage the second constricting element and configured to move translationally;

a second rotational component coupled to the second translating component and configured to move rotationally; and

a lever element coupled to the first and second rotational components and configured to rotate the first and second rotational components in unison.

13. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a convex surface coupled to the diffusing structure, wherein the conduit portion is configured to introduce the primary fluid to the convex surface through the first passage.

14. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the vehicle comprises a turbojet, and the primary fluid comprises compressor bleed air produced by the turbojet.

15. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a turbocharger, and wherein the diffusing structure is positioned downstream of a turbine of the turbocharger, and the primary fluid is supplied by a compressor of the turbocharger.

16. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a cylinder, wherein the diffusing structure is located upstream of the cylinder.

17. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a cylinder, wherein the diffusing structure is located downstream of the cylinder.