초록 ▼

A pulse combustion device has a number of combustors with upstream bodies and downstream nozzles. Coupling conduits provide communication between the combustors. For each given combustor this includes a first communication between a first location upstream of the nozzle thereof and a first location

A pulse combustion device has a number of combustors with upstream bodies and downstream nozzles. Coupling conduits provide communication between the combustors. For each given combustor this includes a first communication between a first location upstream of the nozzle thereof and a first location along the nozzle of another. There is second communication between a second location upstream of the nozzle and a second communication between a second location upstream of the nozzle of a second other combustor and a second nozzle location along the nozzle of the given combustor.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A pulse combustion device comprising: a circular array of combustion conduits, each comprising a wall surface extending from an upstream inlet to a downstream outlet; at least one inlet valve positioned to admit at least a first gas to the combustion conduit inlets; an outlet

What is claimed is: 1. A pulse combustion device comprising: a circular array of combustion conduits, each comprising a wall surface extending from an upstream inlet to a downstream outlet; at least one inlet valve positioned to admit at least a first gas to the combustion conduit inlets; an outlet end member, the array and outlet end member rotatable in at least a first direction relative to each other, wherein: the outlet end member includes a passageway positioned to direct combustion gasses from one or more of said conduits in a first range of positions to one or more of said conduits in a second range of positions. 2. The device of claim 1 wherein: wherein the outlet end member is essentially fixed and the array rotates about a single central longitudinal axis. 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the inlet valve comprises: a segment of an annular wall surface positioned to block the inlet ports of the conduits during a single portion of a revolution, said single portion being between 40�� and 160��. 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the outlet member further includes: an igniter having an operative end in the passageway. 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the outlet member further includes: at least one port for introducing at least one of a start-up propellant and a supplemental propellant. 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the circular array of combustion conduits comprises between ten and fifty conduits, inclusive. 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the circular array of combustion conduits comprises between twelve and twenty-five conduits, inclusive. 8. A pulse combustion device comprising: a circular array of combustion conduits, each comprising a wall surface extending from an upstream inlet to a downstream outlet; at least one inlet valve positioned to admit at least a first gas component of a propellant to the combustion conduit inlets; an outlet end member, the array and outlet end member rotatable in at least a first direction relative to each other; and means at least partially in the outlet end member for directing combustion products from at least a first of the conduits to at least a second of the conduits to initiate combustion of said propellant in the second conduit as said array rotates relative to the outlet end member. 9. The device of claim 8 wherein the outlet end member is essentially fixed and the array rotates. 10. The device of claim 8 wherein the array is essentially fixed and the outlet end member rotates. 11. The device of claim 8 wherein the means comprises a passageway within the outlet end member. 12. The device of claim 8 wherein the outlet member further includes: an igniter. 13. The device of claim 8 wherein the outlet member further includes: means for introducing at least one of a start-up propellant and a supplemental propellant. 14. The device of claim 8 used as a turbine engine combustor. 15. A method for operating a pulse combustion device, the device comprising: a plurality of combustor conduits, each comprising: a wall surface; an upstream inlet; and a downstream outlet, the method comprising sequentially and cyclically for each conduit: introducing a propellant into said conduit; and discharging into said conduit combustion gasses from another of the conduits so as to initiate combustion of said propellant in said conduit. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein: the discharging gas comprises directing said combustion gasses from the outlet of said another conduit into said conduit through the outlet of said conduit; and the introducing is through the inlet of said conduit. 17. The method of claim 16 wherein: the directing said combustion gasses comprises blocking the inlet of said another conduit. 18. The method of claim 16 wherein: the directing said combustion gasses comprises unblocking the outlet of said conduit. 19. The method of claim 15 further comprising: rotating the plurality of combustor conduits about a longitudinal axis relative to an outlet end member; and during the rotating, the outlet end member blocks the outlets of the combustor conduits as said outlets pass through a portion of a cycle. 20. The method of claim 19 wherein: the discharging comprises passing through passageways in the outlet end member.