초록 ▼

The disclosed device is directed toward a periodic combustion propulsion system. The periodic combustion propulsion system comprises at least one periodic combustion chamber configured to contain periodic combustion and at least one supersonic exhaust nozzle coupled to the at least one periodic comb

The disclosed device is directed toward a periodic combustion propulsion system. The periodic combustion propulsion system comprises at least one periodic combustion chamber configured to contain periodic combustion and at least one supersonic exhaust nozzle coupled to the at least one periodic combustion chamber. The supersonic exhaust nozzle is configured with a variable exhaust expansion ratio.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A periodic combustion propulsion system comprising: at least one periodic combustion chamber configured to contain periodic combustion; at least one supersonic exhaust nozzle coupled to said at least one periodic combustion chamber, said at least one supersonic exhaust nozzle

What is claimed is: 1. A periodic combustion propulsion system comprising: at least one periodic combustion chamber configured to contain periodic combustion; at least one supersonic exhaust nozzle coupled to said at least one periodic combustion chamber, said at least one supersonic exhaust nozzle configured with a physical exit area that varies in a circumferential direction to provide a variable exhaust expansion ratio; and a second periodic combustion chamber adjacent said at least one periodic combustion chamber, said second periodic combustion chamber having exhaust, said at least one periodic combustion chamber having a supersonic exhaust flow, said exhaust of said second periodic combustion chamber limits expansion of said supersonic exhaust flow of said at least one periodic combustion chamber, wherein said at least one supersonic exhaust nozzle is fluidly coupled in sequence to said at least one periodic exhaust chamber and said second periodic exhaust chamber. 2. The periodic combustion propulsion system of claim 1 wherein said at least one supersonic exhaust nozzle is configured with a varying nozzle geometry, wherein said varying nozzle geometry is directly correlated to periodic combustion pressure of said at least one combustion chamber. 3. The periodic combustion propulsion system of claim 1 wherein said at least one supersonic exhaust nozzle includes an inlet coupled to at least one side wall and an outlet coupled to said at least one side wall distal from said inlet. 4. The periodic combustion propulsion system of claim 1 wherein said at least one supersonic exhaust nozzle is configured to seal said at least one periodic combustion chamber during a fueling phase. 5. The periodic combustion propulsion system of claim 1 wherein said supersonic exhaust nozzle is configured to seal said at least one periodic combustion chamber during a fueling phase in the abscence of nozzle back-pressure. 6. The periodic combustion propulsion system of claim 1 wherein said at least one supersonic exhaust nozzle is configured to revolve relative to said at least one periodic combustion chamber. 7. The periodic combustion propulsion system of claim 1 further comprising: a synchronization element operatively coupled to said at least one supersonic exhaust nozzle, said synchronization element is configured to actively maintain said supersonic exhaust nozzle in synchronization with said periodic combustion. 8. A periodic combustion propulsion system comprising: a periodic combustor including a combustion chamber having an exhaust port and an inlet valve, said exhaust port coupled to a combustor mounting plate; and a supersonic exhaust nozzle configured with a variable exhaust expansion ratio, said supersonic exhaust nozzle including a body having at least one rigid side wall defining an inlet and a discharge opposite said inlet, said supersonic exhaust nozzle including a nozzle mounting plate proximate to said inlet, said nozzle mounting plate being rotatably coupled to said combustor mounting plate wherein said supersonic exhaust nozzle is configured for rotary coupling with said periodic combustor. 9. The periodic combustion propulsion system of claim 8 wherein said discharge of said rigid side wall is configured to utilize energy from exhausting propellant to rotate at least one of said periodic combustor and said supersonic exhaust nozzle. 10. The periodic combustion propulsion system of claim 8 wherein said rigid side wall configured with variable contours and variable cross-sectional area allowing supersonic exhaust to expand to ambient pressure as the supersonic exhaust discharge of said rigid wall, wherein said supersonic exhaust is supplied to said discharge of said rigid wall from at least one of a periodic combustor recently fired and another periodic combustor that is presently firing.