Hybrid propulsive engine including at least one independently rotatable turbine stator

US8291716B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE INVENTION SCIENCE FUND I, LLC · US

Inventors

• Glenn B. Foster · Newcastle, US
• Roderick A. Hyde · Redmond, US
• Muriel Y. Ishikawa · Livermore, US
• Edward K.Y. Jung · Bellevue, US
• Jordin T. Kare · Seattle, US
• Nathan P. Myhrvold · Bellevue, US
• Clarence T. Tegreene · Bellevue, US
• Thomas A. Weaver · San Mateo, US
• Lowell L. Wood, JR. · Bellevue, US
• Victoria Y.H. Wood · Livermore, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 8, 2008
• Grant date: Oct 23, 2012
• Expiry date: Aug 25, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/60
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A hybrid propulsive technique includes providing a flow of a working fluid through at least a portion of an at least one jet engine. The at least one jet engine includes an at least one turbine section, wherein the at least one turbine section includes at least one turbine stage. The at least one turbine stage includes an at least one turbine rotor and an at least one independently rotatable turbine stator. The hybrid propulsive technique further involves extracting energy at least partially in the form of electrical power from the working fluid, and converting at least a portion of the electrical power to torque. The hybrid propulsive technique further comprises rotating an at least one at least one independently rotatable turbine stator at least partially responsive to the converting the at least a portion of the electrical power to torque.