Electro-dynamic swirler, combustion apparatus and methods using the same
First Claim
1. A combustion apparatus, comprising:
- an oxidant inlet;
a fuel inlet;
a mixing area in fluid communication with the fuel inlet and the oxidant inlet, and configured to mix fuel and oxidant to form a mixture;
a combustion zone in fluid communication with the mixing area and configured to combust the mixture;
a pulse detonation system located downstream from the combustion zone; and
an outlet in fluid communication with the combustion zone;
wherein the mixing area, the combustion zone, and/or the outlet comprise an electro-dynamic swirler configured to swirl ionized gas, and wherein the electro-dynamic swirler comprises a plurality of electrodes in electrical communication with a power source, and wherein the plurality of electrodes are arranged and connected in groups to produce a rotating electric field.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, a combustion apparatus comprises: an oxidant inlet, a fuel inlet, a mixing zone configured to mix fuel and oxidant to form a mixture, a combustion zone in fluid communication with the mixing zone and configured to combust the mixture, and an outlet in fluid communication with the combustion zone. The mixing zone, the combustion zone, and/or the outlet comprises an electro-dynamic swirler configured to swirl ionized gas. The electro-dynamic swirler comprises a plurality of electrodes in electrical communication with a power source. In one embodiment, a method of creating thrust comprises: mixing a fuel and an oxidant to form a mixture, igniting the mixture to form an ignited mixture, combusting the ignited mixture to form a flame, and using the flame to create thrust, wherein the flame and/or the fuel and oxidant are electro-dynamically swirled.
47 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A combustion apparatus, comprising:
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an oxidant inlet;
a fuel inlet;a mixing area in fluid communication with the fuel inlet and the oxidant inlet, and configured to mix fuel and oxidant to form a mixture; a combustion zone in fluid communication with the mixing area and configured to combust the mixture; a pulse detonation system located downstream from the combustion zone; and an outlet in fluid communication with the combustion zone; wherein the mixing area, the combustion zone, and/or the outlet comprise an electro-dynamic swirler configured to swirl ionized gas, and wherein the electro-dynamic swirler comprises a plurality of electrodes in electrical communication with a power source, and wherein the plurality of electrodes are arranged and connected in groups to produce a rotating electric field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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6. A pulse detonation apparatus, comprising:
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a fuel inlet; an oxidant inlet; a mixing area in fluid communication with the fuel inlet and the oxidant inlet; a detonation chamber located downstream of and in fluid communication with the mixing area; and a detonation outlet located downstream of and in fluid communication with the detonation chamber; wherein the mixing area, detonation chamber, and/or detonation outlet comprise an electro-dynamic swirler, and wherein the electro-dynamic swirler comprises a plurality of electrodes in electrical communication with a power source.
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Specification