US3768257A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Momentum compression ramjet engine
Assignee: Teledyne Brown Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-17
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1991-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A momentum compression ramjet engine employing energy from a high velocity stream of gaseous fuel injected into the open inlet of the engine to accelerate and compress the air by momentum exchange. Velocity energy is converted to pressure energy in a diffuser before the air-fuel mixture enters the combustion chamber where the fuel burns to raise the temperature before the gas is expanded through a jet nozzle. Maximum thrust-to-engine weight ratio and performance characteristics are obtained by the configuration of the air-fuel mixing and compressing chamber of the engine, and novel means utilizing heat of combustion may be employed to maintain pressure in the fuel system.
Inventors
- 👤 B Neuffer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:50
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02K; F02K7/00; F02K7/10; F02K7/12; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
In a momentum compression ramjet engine having a combustion chamber including an outlet in the form of a jet nozzle and means supplying a combustible mixture of fuel and air under pressure to said combustion chamber including at least one injection nozzle positioned to direct a stream of high velocity gaseous fuel into the open inlet of an elongated mixing tube to mix with ambient air within the mixing tube and accelerate the air through the tube from the open inlet by momentum exchange, the improvement wherein said means supplying said combustible mixture of fuel and air comprises a first mixing tube of substantially uniform diameter and having a length within the range of 6 to 8 times the effective diameter of the mixing tube wherein the effective diameter of said mixing tube is equal to the actual diameter thereof divided by the square root of the number of fuel injection nozzles positioned in the open inlet of the mixing tube, and a conical diffuser section for converting velocity energy into the pressure energy and haVing an inlet connected directly to the outlet of said mixing tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
In a momentum compression ramjet engine having a combustion chamber including an outlet in the form of a jet nozzle and means supplying a combustible mixture of fuel and air under pressure to said combustion chamber including at least one injection nozzle positioned to direct a stream of high velocity gaseous fuel into the open inlet of an elongated mixing tube to mix with ambient air within the mixing tube and accelerate the air through the tube from the open inlet by momentum exchange, the improvement wherein said means supplying said combustible mixture of fuel and air comprises a first mixing tube of substantially uniform diameter and having a length within the range of 6 to 8 times the effective diameter of the mixing tube wherein the effective diameter of said mixing tube is equal to the actual diameter thereof divided by the square root of the number of fuel injection nozzles positioned in the open inlet of the mixing tube, and a conical diffuser section for converting velocity energy into the pressure energy and haVing an inlet connected directly to the outlet of said mixing tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The momentum compression ramjet engine defined in claim 1 comprising at least three injection nozzles mounted in said open inlet, and wherein the length of said mixing tube is about 7 times the effective diameter thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The momentum compression ramjet engine defined in claim 1 further comprising a dump tube section of substantially uniform diameter and having an inlet connected directly to the outlet of said diffuser and an outlet opening directly into said combustion chamber, the length of said dump tube being at least as great as its diameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The momentum compression ramjet engine defined in claim 3 wherein the length of said dump tube is about three times the diameter thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a momentum compression ramjet engine including momentum compression means for supplying a combustible mixture of gaseous fuel and air under pressure, the improvement wherein said momentum compression means comprises a mixing and accelerating chamber, a plurality of elongated mixing tubes mounted in generally parallel spaced relation within said chamber, said mixing tubes each having an open inlet for admitting ambient air, at least one fuel injection nozzle mounted in the open inlet of each said mixing tube and positioned to discharge a high velocity stream of gaseous fuel axially therethrough from said open end, said mixing tubes each having an outlet communicating with a common combustion chamber having an outlet in the form of a jet nozzle, the improvement wherein said mixing tubes each have a length of about 7 times the effective diameter thereof, said effective diameter being defined as the actual diameter of the mixing tube divided by the square root of the number of fuel nozzles positioned in the open inlet thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a momentum compression ramjet engine including momentum compression means for supplying a combustible mixture of gaseous fuel and air under pressure, the improvement wherein said momentum compression means comprises a mixing and accelerating chamber, a plurality of elongated mixing tubes mounted in generally parallel spaced relation within said chamber, said mixing tubes each having an open inlet for admitting ambient air, at least one fuel injection nozzle mounted in the open inlet of each said mixing tube and positioned to discharge a high velocity stream of gaseous fuel axially therethrough from said open end, said mixing tubes each having an outlet communicating with a common combustion chamber having an outlet in the form of a jet nozzle, the improvement wherein said mixing tubes each have a length of about 7 times the effective diameter thereof, said effective diameter being defined as the actual diameter of the mixing tube divided by the square root of the number of fuel nozzles positioned in the open inlet thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
In the momentum compression ramjet engine defined in claim 5, the further improvement comprising a separate fuel supply conduit supplying fuel under pressure to the nozzles in each said open inlet, and valve means connected in at least selected ones of said conduits, said valve means being selectively operable to control the flow of fuel to each of said selected ones of said conduits.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
In the momentum compression ramjet engine defined in claim 6, the further improvement comprising at least three fuel nozzles mounted in the open inlet of each of said mixing tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
In the momentum compression ramjet engine defined in claim 6, the further improvement comprising a like plurality of conical diffusers each having an open inlet connected one to the outlet of each said mixing tube, said conical diffusers each having an open outlet communicating with said common combustion chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
In the momentum compression ramjet engine as defined in claim 8, the further improvement comprising a like plurality of elongated cylindrical dump tubes, said diffusers each having an open outlet connected to the inlet of one of said dump tubes, said dump tubes each having an outlet connected to and communicating with said common combustion chamber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |