Patent ID: 7685824
Filing Date: 2010-03-30
Classification: F02K,F05D,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A Brayton-cycle rotary ramjet engine, said engine comprising: a stator having a generally annular radially outward surface centered about a central axis; and a rotor rotatably supported about and concentric with said central axis and axially aligned with said annular radially outward surface of said stator along said central axis, said rotor including a radially innermost surface opposing said annular radially outward surface of said stator and defining at least one helically extending ramjet flow channel radially recessed into said rotor from said innermost surface of said rotor, said at least one helically extending ramjet flow channel including an axially forward inlet and an axially rearward outlet, a radially outermost inner surface opposing said annular radially outward surface of said stator with contoured features on said radially outermost inner surface of said at least one helically extending ramjet flow channel between said axially forward inlet and said axially rearward outlet forming a diffuser section for slowing a flow of gases through said helically extending ramjet flow channel, a combustor section for igniting the flow of gases and a nozzle section for accelerating the flow of gases; said rotor and said helically extending ramjet flow channel in said rotor being disposed radially outwardly of said annular radially outward surface of said stator such that said rotor orbits about said stator and said central axis during operation of said engine.