GB2051247A - Solar powered jet propulsion unit - Google Patents
Solar powered jet propulsion unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2051247A GB2051247A GB8017028A GB8017028A GB2051247A GB 2051247 A GB2051247 A GB 2051247A GB 8017028 A GB8017028 A GB 8017028A GB 8017028 A GB8017028 A GB 8017028A GB 2051247 A GB2051247 A GB 2051247A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- unit
- inlet
- fan
- solar energy
- jet propulsion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03H—PRODUCING A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03H99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01B—MACHINES OR ENGINES, IN GENERAL OR OF POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT TYPE, e.g. STEAM ENGINES
- F01B1/00—Reciprocating-piston machines or engines characterised by number or relative disposition of cylinders or by being built-up from separate cylinder-crankcase elements
- F01B1/01—Reciprocating-piston machines or engines characterised by number or relative disposition of cylinders or by being built-up from separate cylinder-crankcase elements with one single cylinder
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01B—MACHINES OR ENGINES, IN GENERAL OR OF POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT TYPE, e.g. STEAM ENGINES
- F01B25/00—Regulating, controlling, or safety means
- F01B25/02—Regulating or controlling by varying working-fluid admission or exhaust, e.g. by varying pressure or quantity
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01L25/00—Drive, or adjustment during the operation, or distribution or expansion valves by non-mechanical means
- F01L25/08—Drive, or adjustment during the operation, or distribution or expansion valves by non-mechanical means by electric or magnetic means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F02G3/00—Combustion-product positive-displacement engine plants
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G6/00—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy
- F03G6/02—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy using a single state working fluid
- F03G6/04—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy using a single state working fluid gaseous
- F03G6/045—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy using a single state working fluid gaseous by producing an updraft of heated gas or a downdraft of cooled gas, e.g. air driving an engine
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/46—Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
Abstract
The unit consists of a transparent exterior shell 1 and an opaque interior wall 2 such that air in annular space 3 is heated by solar radiation. The heated air may drive a turbine 4 which drives an inlet fan 5. Alternatively the unit may be a ram jet. Wall 2 may be formed by the body of an airship. <IMAGE>
Description
1
GB 2 051 247 A 1
SPECIFICATION Solar powered jets
The invention relates to the use of solar energy to give jet propulsion.
5 According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a solar energy jet propulsion unit comprising an annular structure having an exterior shell transparent to solar radiation; an interior wall spaced from the shell and absorbent of solar 10 radiation; an air inlet at one end of the annulus and a propulsion outlet at the other end of the * annulus, the arranagement being such that cold air drawn into the annulus at the inlet is heated by solar energy re-radiated by the interior wall and » 15 expands to form a propulsion jet from the outlet.
The unit may be of a kind which operates on the ram jet principle, in which the cross sectional area of the annulus increases from inlet to outlet. Alternatively, the unit may be of a kind which 20 operates on the fan-jet principle in which the propulsion jet is arranged to drive an exhaust fan which is geared to an inlet injector fan at the inlet of the annulus, thereby providing forced air induction to the annulus, which acts as an 25 expansion chamber.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a pair of solar jet units which cooperate as a combined fan and ram jet device. In this arrangement a lozenge-shaped body has a 30 first shell spaced apart therefrom and defining an annular space with respect to substantially the full length of the body. From an inlet end to the middle, over which length the resulting annulus increases in area, there is provided a second shell 35 spaced from the first and transparent to solar radiation. Over this length the first shell is absorbent of solar radiation, so that the first and second shells constitute a ram jet. Over the remaining length the first shell is transparent to 40 solar radiation and the body is absorbent of solar radiation. An exhaust fan is situated at the outlet between the first shell and the body. An inlet fan is driven by the exhaust fan to impel air into the fan jet constituted by the body and the first shell. 45 Preferably also, the inlet fan impels air into the ram jet.
The solar jet principles outlined above can be used with advantage to drive an airship and conveniently the body of the airship constitutes 50 the inner wall of the ram jet or fan jet or the said lozenge-shaped body of the combined fan and ram jet described above.
The invention will further be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of 55 which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a solar fan-jet powered airship in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic view of a solar ram jet in accordance with the invention; and 60 Figure 3 is a schematic view of an airship powered by a combined solar fan jet and ram jet in accordance with the invention.
Referring to Figure 1, the manner of operation is
65 (i) The incident solar heat radiation passes through the outer, transparent surface 1.
(ii) The radiation hits the inner surface 2 which consists of a material which re-radiates the energy in a band of frequencies more conducive to the
70 energy's absorption by air.
(iii) Cool air, which has been driven into the annular expansion chamber 3 between the inner surface 2 and the outer shell surface 1 is heated by the radiant energy.
75 (iv) The pressure within the expansion chamber
3 rises.
(v) The mechanical advantage of an exhaust fan
4 at the outlet of the annulus is greater than that of an inlet fan 5 at the inlet to the annulus so that
80 air flows through the exhaust fan 4, and forms a jet of hot air.
(vi) The exhaust fan 4 is driven by the flow of air and the fan turns a drive shift 6.
(vii) The drive shaft 6 drives a gear box 7.
85 (viii) The gear box 7 drives a driven shaft 8.
(ix) The driven shaft 8 drives the inlet fan 5.
(x) The inlet fan 5 drives cool air into the expansion chamber 3.
The jet of hot air mentioned in step (v) provides
90 the propulsive force. It is recognized that the process may require a starter to bring it to a self-sustaining level of operation.
Figure 1 is also used to illustrate the Solar Powered Airship and, as can be seen from this
95 diagram, the solar powered fan jet's inner surface envelopes the flotation volume of the airship.
Referring now to Figure 2 there is shown the principle of a solar powered ram jet. Here, cool air enters an annular space 10 between an exterior 100 transparent shell 11 and an internal heat absorbing wall 12. A decreasing pressure gradient is maintained between the inlet 13 and the exhaust 14 so that the air flows from inlet to exhaust. However, heat rays passing through the 105 transparent surface 11 hit the inner surface 12, are re-radiated and heat the air within the expansion chamber, causing the air to expand. The ram jet is built with the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the exhaust to that of the inlet exceeding 110 the ratio of the inlet pressure to the exhaust pressure thus ensuring a net propulsive force which is conducive to a further flow of cool air into the expansion chamber via the inlet.
Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown an 115 airship powered by a combined fan and ram jet. In this arrangement the airship has a lighter-than-air envelope 15 which is lozenge-shaped and which has a first shell 16 spaced therefrom along substantially its full length. The first part of the 120 shell from inlet 1 7 to the mid-point, is opaque and absorbs solar energy. This part is surrounded by a second shell 18 which is transparent. The shells 16 and 18 co-operate to constitute a solar ram jet as described with reference to Figure 2.
125 The other part of the first shell, from the midpoint to the outlet 19 is transparent whereas the body of the envelope is opaque. Thus, there is constituted a fan jet of the kind described with reference to Figure 1, there being an exhaust fan
2
GB 2 051 247 A 2
coupled by shafts 20 and a gear-box 21 to an inlet fan 22.
A feature to note in Figure 3 is that the inlet fan 22 drives air into the ram jet inlet as well as the 5 fan jet inlet.
It will be appreciated that Figures 1 and 3 are schematic and do not show the detail, which will be understood, whereby the fan drive-shafts enter and leave the envelope in gas-sealed relationship. 10 For example, a toroidal envelope is envisaged with the shafts and gear-box mounted in the central air-space.
Some features of the Figure 3 arrangement worthy of note are:
15 (i) The loss of the front portion of the airship to the heating area for the fan jet will decrease the fan jet thrust, however thermodynamic considerations suggest that the loss in heating efficiency (and hence propulsive force) would be 20 proportionately lower than that of the loss in heating area, given a fixed rate of air flow through the fan jet expansion chamber, and hence the reallocation of this heating area to another propulsive unit might lead to a net increase in 25 thrust.
(ii) The addition of the ram jet will increase the propulsive force leading to a higher speed through the air of the machine which will increase the efficiency of the fan jet which in turn will increase
30 the efficiency of the ram jet. Central to the fan jet's effect on the ram jet's efficiency is the design feature of having the inlet fan for the fan jet drive air into the expansion chamber for the ram jet in addition to its basic function of supplying cool air 35 for the fan jet expansion chamber.
(iii) The release of hot air by the ram jet at the approximate mid-point of the airship will have a boundary layer effect with a consequent reduction in drag.
40 (iv) The radiating surface of the ram jet will preheat the fan jet air stream adding to efficiency.
Claims (7)
1. A solar energy jet propulsion unit comprising an annular structure having an exterior shell
45 transparent to solar radiation; an interior wall spaced from the shell and absorbent of solar radiation; an air inlet at one end of the annulus and a propulsion outlet at the other end of the annulus, the arrangement being such that cold air
50 drawn into the annulus at the inlet is heated by solar energy re-radiated by the interior wall and expands to form a propulsion jet from the outlet.
2. A solar energy jet propulsion unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional area of the
55 annulus increases from inlet to outlet.
3. A solar energy jet propulsion unit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein an exhaust fan is arranged in the inlet and drive means is provided between the exhaust fan and the inlet fan whereby air induction
60 is forced and the annulus acts as an expansion chamber.
4. A solar energy jet propulsion unit as claimed in claim 1 comprising in combination one such unit wherein the cross-sectional area of the
65 annulus increases from inlet to outlet thread and another such unit wherein an exhaust fan is arranged in the outlet thereof, an inlet injector fan is arranged in the inlet thereof and drive means is provided between the exhaust fan and the inlet
70 fan whereby air induction is forced and the anrlulus thereof acts as an expansion chamber, the one unit being arranged qutside the other unit with the exterior shell of the other unit forming the opaque interior wall of the one unit.
75
5. A solar energy jet propulsion unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein the one unit is arranged at the front end of the other unit and the inlet fan provides forced air induction for both units.
6. A solar energy jet propulsion unit as claimed
80 in any preceding claim wherein the interior wall or the interior wall of the other unit is the body of an airship.
7. A solar energy jet propulsion unit substantially as hereinbefore described with
85 reference to Figure 1, Figure 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by the Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 1981. Published by the Patent Office, •25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1AY, from which copies may be obtained.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7918021 | 1979-05-23 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2051247A true GB2051247A (en) | 1981-01-14 |
Family
ID=61911317
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8017028A Withdrawn GB2051247A (en) | 1979-05-23 | 1980-05-22 | Solar powered jet propulsion unit |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2051247A (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0205432A1 (en) * | 1984-02-16 | 1986-12-30 | BOLESTA, Dmytro | Propulsion apparatus |
| US7567779B2 (en) | 1993-07-30 | 2009-07-28 | International Multi-Media Corporation | Sub-orbital, high altitude communications system |
| US7844218B2 (en) | 1993-07-30 | 2010-11-30 | International Multi-Media Corporation | Sub-orbital, high altitude communications system |
| CN103452780A (en) * | 2012-06-04 | 2013-12-18 | 梁锦伟 | Environment-friendly flight power |
| CN103935506A (en) * | 2013-12-09 | 2014-07-23 | 王庆忠 | Hot gas motorplane |
| CN105756874A (en) * | 2016-04-14 | 2016-07-13 | 中国人民解放军国防科学技术大学 | Air suction type solar heat micro thruster |
-
1980
- 1980-05-22 GB GB8017028A patent/GB2051247A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0205432A1 (en) * | 1984-02-16 | 1986-12-30 | BOLESTA, Dmytro | Propulsion apparatus |
| EP0205432A4 (en) * | 1984-02-16 | 1987-03-12 | Dmytro Bolesta | Propulsion apparatus. |
| US7567779B2 (en) | 1993-07-30 | 2009-07-28 | International Multi-Media Corporation | Sub-orbital, high altitude communications system |
| US7844218B2 (en) | 1993-07-30 | 2010-11-30 | International Multi-Media Corporation | Sub-orbital, high altitude communications system |
| CN103452780A (en) * | 2012-06-04 | 2013-12-18 | 梁锦伟 | Environment-friendly flight power |
| CN103935506A (en) * | 2013-12-09 | 2014-07-23 | 王庆忠 | Hot gas motorplane |
| CN105756874A (en) * | 2016-04-14 | 2016-07-13 | 中国人民解放军国防科学技术大学 | Air suction type solar heat micro thruster |
| CN105756874B (en) * | 2016-04-14 | 2018-03-27 | 中国人民解放军国防科学技术大学 | Air suction type solar heat microthruster |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |