GB2039626A - Rotary machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A rotary machine includes a rotor 10 having a number of pairs of vanes 16 extending radially outwardly, the outer end of each vane being inclined at an angle phi to a radius which angle is greater than the angle theta at which the inner end is inclined to that radius, and means for introducing a combustible material into passages bounded by adjacent blades and two end plates. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in rotary machines The present invention relates to rotary machines.

According to the present invention a rotary machine includes a rotor having at least two pairs of vanes symmetrically disposed about an axis, each vane having an inner end and an outer end, the outer end being angled, relative to a single radial from the axis, to a greater degree than the inner end, and means for introducing a combustible material into passages bounded by adjacent blades and two end plates.

The end plates can be part of a stator, or one or both may be part of the rotor. A preferred embodiment of the invention has a circular rotor and a plurality of vanes. Preferably, the combustible material is introduced along the axis of the rotor. Suitable combustible materials include gaseous or liquid fuels mixed with air. The rotary machine might advantageously be constructed at least in part of a ceramic material.

In one form of the invention the rotor is used to drive an axle to provide a power source. In this configuration combustion gases leaving the rotor will carry a great deal of energy in the form of heat, and this energy, for efficiency, must be utilised by, for example, using the exhaust gas to drive a turbine ortosupply heat via a heat exchanger.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, of which, Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section of a rotary machine according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a plan in section along line ll-ll of Figure 1.

A rotor 10 mounted on an axle 11 in a casing 12 has a circular front plate 13 (omitted in the sectional part of Figure 1) and a circular backplate 14. The front plate 13 has at its centre a circular opening 15 which is aligned with a circular opening 19 in the casing 12. A plurality of vanes 16 extend between the plates 13, 14, each vane 16 making a smaller angle e to a radius of plate 14 at its radial inner end than the angle 4 at its radially outer end. Afuel supply pipe 17 is directed into the opening 15.

In operation fuel from the supply pipe 17 is ignited by, for example, a spark plug (which is not shown) and a stable flame zone 18 is established within the rotor 10, air to maintain the flame being drawn through the holes 19, 15. Hot combustion gases pass through the passages between the plates 13, 14 and vanes 16 and act on the angled vanes 16 to rotate the rotor 10, providing a work output through the axle 11. The gases then exhaust through an outlet 20 in the casing 12.

The operating procedure may be assisted by 'pre-rotating' rotor 10, for example by hand, prior to igniting the fuel. It will be appreciated that the rotor 10, which is very similar to the rotor of a centrifugal compressor, is simple to construct. Consequently a very cheap source of power, capable of utilising | ;,,,,,,+;,,,, The inherent cheapness (and ease of construction) make the use of ceramics for constructing the rotor 10 a viable proposition.

Certain embodiments of the invention may be used in conjunction with other machinery. For example, air may be supplied to the opening 19 from a compressor which might, for example, be driven by energy from the hot gases exhausting from the outlet 20, by means, for example, of a heat exchanger.

It will be appreciated that alternative constructions are possible. For example, the rotor 10 may include vanes 16 mounted on a backplate 14, the rotor being arranged to rotate within a stator having only a single radially extending plate with an opening 19 adjacent the edges of vanes 16 remote from the backplate 14.

1. A rotary machine including a rotor having at least two pairs of vanes symmetrically disposed about an axis, each vane having an inner end and an outer end, the outer end being angled, relative to a single radial from the axis, to a greater degree than the inner end, and means for introducing a combustible material into passages bounded by adjacent blades and two end plates.

2. A rotary machine as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the end plates are part of a stator.

3. A rotary machine as claimed in Claim 1 wherein one end plate is part of a stator and the other is part of the rotor.

4. A rotary machine as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the end plates are part of the rotor.

5. A rotary machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the rotor is circular and has a plurality of vanes.

6. A rotary machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the combustible material is introduced along the axis of the rotor.

7. A rotary machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 including means for igniting the combustible material.

8. A rotary machine as claimed in Claim 7 connected to drive an axle.

9. A rotary machine as claimed in Claim 7 or in Claim 8 wherein combustion gases exiting from the passages are collected and used to drive a turbine.

10. A rotary machine as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein combustion gases exiting from the passages are collected and passed through a heat exchanger.

11. A rotary machine as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the turbine drives a compressor which compresses combustible material before introduction to the rotor.

12. A rotary machine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A rotary machine substantially as herein described.

14. A rotary machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13 constructed at least in part of ceramic moforinl

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (14)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in rotary machines The present invention relates to rotary machines. According to the present invention a rotary machine includes a rotor having at least two pairs of vanes symmetrically disposed about an axis, each vane having an inner end and an outer end, the outer end being angled, relative to a single radial from the axis, to a greater degree than the inner end, and means for introducing a combustible material into passages bounded by adjacent blades and two end plates. The end plates can be part of a stator, or one or both may be part of the rotor. A preferred embodiment of the invention has a circular rotor and a plurality of vanes. Preferably, the combustible material is introduced along the axis of the rotor. Suitable combustible materials include gaseous or liquid fuels mixed with air. The rotary machine might advantageously be constructed at least in part of a ceramic material. In one form of the invention the rotor is used to drive an axle to provide a power source. In this configuration combustion gases leaving the rotor will carry a great deal of energy in the form of heat, and this energy, for efficiency, must be utilised by, for example, using the exhaust gas to drive a turbine ortosupply heat via a heat exchanger. One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, of which, Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section of a rotary machine according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a plan in section along line ll-ll of Figure 1. A rotor 10 mounted on an axle 11 in a casing 12 has a circular front plate 13 (omitted in the sectional part of Figure 1) and a circular backplate 14. The front plate 13 has at its centre a circular opening 15 which is aligned with a circular opening 19 in the casing 12. A plurality of vanes 16 extend between the plates 13, 14, each vane 16 making a smaller angle e to a radius of plate 14 at its radial inner end than the angle 4 at its radially outer end. Afuel supply pipe 17 is directed into the opening 15. In operation fuel from the supply pipe 17 is ignited by, for example, a spark plug (which is not shown) and a stable flame zone 18 is established within the rotor 10, air to maintain the flame being drawn through the holes 19, 15. Hot combustion gases pass through the passages between the plates 13, 14 and vanes 16 and act on the angled vanes 16 to rotate the rotor 10, providing a work output through the axle 11. The gases then exhaust through an outlet 20 in the casing 12. The operating procedure may be assisted by 'pre-rotating' rotor 10, for example by hand, prior to igniting the fuel. It will be appreciated that the rotor 10, which is very similar to the rotor of a centrifugal compressor, is simple to construct. Consequently a very cheap source of power, capable of utilising | ;,,,,,,+;,,,, The inherent cheapness (and ease of construction) make the use of ceramics for constructing the rotor 10 a viable proposition. Certain embodiments of the invention may be used in conjunction with other machinery. For example, air may be supplied to the opening 19 from a compressor which might, for example, be driven by energy from the hot gases exhausting from the outlet 20, by means, for example, of a heat exchanger. It will be appreciated that alternative constructions are possible. For example, the rotor 10 may include vanes 16 mounted on a backplate 14, the rotor being arranged to rotate within a stator having only a single radially extending plate with an opening 19 adjacent the edges of vanes 16 remote from the backplate 14. CLAIMS

1. A rotary machine including a rotor having at least two pairs of vanes symmetrically disposed about an axis, each vane having an inner end and an outer end, the outer end being angled, relative to a single radial from the axis, to a greater degree than the inner end, and means for introducing a combustible material into passages bounded by adjacent blades and two end plates.

2. A rotary machine as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the end plates are part of a stator.

3. A rotary machine as claimed in Claim 1 wherein one end plate is part of a stator and the other is part of the rotor.

4. A rotary machine as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the end plates are part of the rotor.

5. A rotary machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the rotor is circular and has a plurality of vanes.

6. A rotary machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the combustible material is introduced along the axis of the rotor.

7. A rotary machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 including means for igniting the combustible material.

8. A rotary machine as claimed in Claim 7 connected to drive an axle.

9. A rotary machine as claimed in Claim 7 or in Claim 8 wherein combustion gases exiting from the passages are collected and used to drive a turbine.

10. A rotary machine as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein combustion gases exiting from the passages are collected and passed through a heat exchanger.

11. A rotary machine as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the turbine drives a compressor which compresses combustible material before introduction to the rotor.

12. A rotary machine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A rotary machine substantially as herein described.

14. A rotary machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13 constructed at least in part of ceramic moforinl