Method and apparatus for power generation using rotating ramjet which compresses inlet air and expands exhaust gas against stationary peripheral wall

摘要

Novel power generation method and apparatus. At least partially unshrouded type supersonic ramjet thrust module(s) are provided at the periphery of a low aerodynamic drag tapered disc rotor. The rotor is affixed at a central hub to a shaft, and rotates about an axis defined by the shaft. The rotor acts as a structural member which transmits to the shaft the thrust generated by the ramjets. In the preferred embodiment, an unshrouded ramjet inlet captures and compresses an impinging inlet air stream by utilizing the thrust module inlet structures and an adjacent housing sidewall. The compressed air inlet stream provides oxygen for mixing with a fuel such as natural gas which is injected into the through flow air stream upwind of the ramjet thrust modules. Fuel is oxidized in the ramjet thrust module(s) to produce expanding combustion gases. Such gases escape out through the unshrouded ramjet nozzle, acting against outlet structures and an adjacent housing sidewall, rotating the ramjet at supersonic velocities, and producing shaft energy. Enthalpy in escaping combustion gases is substantially segregated in an outlet duct and may be utilized thermally or mechanically via suitable heat exchange device. Efficient mixing in the inlet shock and short residence times in the combustion chamber, enable low nitrogen oxides formation to be achieved.