Patent ID: 7905084

Claim:
A gas generator for providing continuous pressure rise combustion, comprising: (a) a rotatable member including a forward end, an aft end, a circumferential wall and a longitudinal centerline axis extending therethrough, (b) an outer circumferential wall, wherein said rotatable member is positioned therein so that said circumferential wall of said rotatable member is spaced radially inwardly from said outer circumferential wall; (c) at least one helical channel formed by a plurality of helical sidewalls extending between said circumferential wall of said rotatable member and said outer circumferential wall, each said helical channel being open at said forward end and said aft end of said rotatable member so as to provide flow communication therethrough, said helical channel further comprising: (1) an inlet portion for receiving a flow having a designated shape and orientation, said inlet portion having a first cross-sectional area; (2) a throat portion downstream of said inlet portion, wherein said throat portion has a second cross-section less than said first cross-section of said inlet portion; and, (3) a diffusion portion downstream of said throat portion, said diffusion portion having a third cross-section greater than said second cross-section of said throat portion; (d) a device positioned downstream from said diffusion portion of each helical channel for holding flame therein; (e) an air supply for providing air to each said helical channel; and, (f) a fuel supply for providing fuel to each said helical channel; wherein a mixture of said fuel and air is combusted downstream of said diffusion portion of each said helical channel in a manner such that combustion gases exit therefrom with an increased pressure and temperature.