Variable geometry ramjet engine
US3974648A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 1968 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 1988 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/0645
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A variable-geometry ramjet engine, capable of operation over the Mach 3 to 12 speed range, is provided by disposing a movable cowl around a centerbody. The engine is axisymmetric and features a translatable cowl which slides relative to the centerbody on circumferentially spaced radially extending support struts. Forward translation of the cowl provides a variable inlet area resulting in higher compression at the high Mach numbers than is possible with a fixed-geometry configuration. Rearward cowl translation increases the combustor length and combustor area ratio at the low flight Mach numbers to improve low-speed combustion characteristics. Cowl translation changes the nozzle area ratio to provide a large expansion ratio at high flight speeds and a low expansion ratio at the low flight speeds.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.