Internal combustion engine system having a power turbine with a broad efficiency range
First Claim
1. A centripetal turbine comprising:
- a housing having an inlet for high velocity gases and an outlet;
a turbine wheel rotatable in said housing, said turbine wheel having a plurality of blades extending at least radially inward from the turbine wheel periphery;
said housing having first and second passages leading from the inlet to discrete and separate portions around the periphery of said turbine wheel;
said housing having fixed vanes in said passages adjacent the periphery of said turbine wheel wherein said fixed vanes in said first and second passages have different angles with respect to said turbine housing; and
said housing having a device to selectively permit flow through said first passage, said second passage and both passages.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
An engine system incorporating an air breathing, reciprocating internal combustion engine having an inlet for air and an exhaust for products of combustion. A centripetal turbine receives products of the combustion and has a housing in which a turbine wheel is rotatable. The housing has first and second passages leading from the inlet to discrete, approximately 180°, portions of the circumference of the turbine wheel. The passages have fixed vanes adjacent the periphery of the turbine wheel and the angle of the vanes in one of the passages is different than those in the other so as to accommodate different power levels providing optimum approach angles between the gases passing the vanes and the blades of the turbine wheel. Flow through the passages is controlled by a flapper valve to direct it to one or the other or both passages depending upon the load factor for the engine.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A centripetal turbine comprising:
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a housing having an inlet for high velocity gases and an outlet; a turbine wheel rotatable in said housing, said turbine wheel having a plurality of blades extending at least radially inward from the turbine wheel periphery; said housing having first and second passages leading from the inlet to discrete and separate portions around the periphery of said turbine wheel; said housing having fixed vanes in said passages adjacent the periphery of said turbine wheel wherein said fixed vanes in said first and second passages have different angles with respect to said turbine housing; and said housing having a device to selectively permit flow through said first passage, said second passage and both passages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An internal combustion engine system comprising:
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an air breathing reciprocating internal combustion engine having an inlet for air and an exhaust for products of combustion; at least one centripetal turbine receiving products of combustion in the form of high velocity gases from said exhaust, said turbine comprising; a housing having an inlet receiving said high velocity gases and an outlet; a turbine wheel rotatable in said housing, said turbine wheel having a plurality of blades extending at least radially inward from the turbine wheel periphery; said housing having first and second passages leading from the turbine inlet to discrete and separate portions around the periphery of said turbine wheel; said housing having fixed vanes in said passages adjacent the periphery of said turbine wheel wherein said fixed vanes in said first and second passages have different angles with respect to said turbine housing; and said housing having a device to selectively permit flow through said first passage, said second passage and both passages. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification