US3099133A

US3099133A - Water jet engine

Info

Publication number: US3099133A
Application number: US52378A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dietrich E Singelmann
Original assignee: Bell Aerospace Corp
Current assignee: Bell Aerospace Corp
Priority date: 1960-08-29
Filing date: 1960-08-29
Publication date: 1963-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 1980-07-30

Description

July 30, 1963 D. E. SINGELMANN WATER JET ENGINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 29, 1960 SEA WATER INLET VI E mm w WU AT STARTING I5 CARTRIDGE AUXILIARY GAS GENERATOR MAIN CONTROL VALVE MAIN GAS GENERATOR AUXILIARY TURBINE EXHAUST MAIN TURBINE EXHAUST PROPELLED SEA WATER FOR DRIVING ATTORNEYS.

July 30, 1963 D. E. SINGELMANN 3,099,133

WATER JET ENGINE Filed Aug. 29, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 44 4o 45 4s 47 so 51 52 IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEW S'.

3,99,133 Patented July 30, W63

3,699,133 WATER LFET ENGENE Dietrich E. Singehnann, Buifalo, Nfifi, assignor to Bali Aerospace Corporation File-d Aug. 29, 1%0, Ser- No. 52,378 8 Claims. (til. 66-355) The present invention relates to aquatic propulsion systems in general, and pertains more particularly to an aquatic propulsion system utilizing a high capacity pump to effect the discharge of a stream of water which provides the propelling thrust force, the system, although having general use, being pmticular-ly well adapted for use in conjunction with driving torpedoes at extremely high speeds.

By utilizing turbo-pumps constructed in accordance with copending application, Serial No. 25,254, filed April 28, 1960, it is possible to provide a propulsion unit within a torpedo body, for example, which is capable of exerting tremendous power for driving the body with which it is associated at extremely high speeds. Accordingly, it is of primary concern in connection with the present invention to provide an improved propulsion system of the type generally described above, wherein the system consists essentially of gas generating means for driving a turbo-pump which, in turn, primarily through the discharge cf sea water through the outlet of the pump, will effect a driving force or thrust to the body with which it is associated, as, for example, a torpedo.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the system in accordance with the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken through the main turbo-pump drive assembly.

The system shown in FIGURE 1 consists essentially of a storage space indicated generally by the reference character ill having a quantity of propellant 11 therein. In the particular instance involved herein, the propellant is shown as hydrogen peroxide. Disposed within the storage space is a plastic bladder or bag 12 normally disposed in collapsed condition within the storage space and having a water inlet nozzle or pipe 13 leading from the mouth of the bladder into the interior thereof, substantial-ly as is shown, and the purpose of which will be presently apparent. A starting cartridge assembly, indicated generally by the reference character 14 is connected through the medium of a conduit or line 15 to the storage space 10, the purpose of the stming cartridge being to initiate actuation of the propulsion system as hereinafter more fully described.

Reference character 16 indicates generally an auxiliary turbo-pump having a pump inlet line 17 and a pair of pump discharge lines 18 and 19. Further, the unit 16 is provided with a turbine inlet line 2i and is provided with a turbine exhaust line 21. One of the pump discharge lines 13 leads to an auxiliary gas generator, indicated generally by the reference character 22, which has a gas discharge line 23 extending therefrom which is branched as shown, one such branch 24 leading back to the storage chamber or space lit, and the other branch 25 of which leads to the inlet side 29 of the turbine portion of the unit 16. interposed in the line 18 between the pump of theauxiliar unit 16 and the auxiliary gas generator 22 is a frangible disk 26 which normally closes this line but will be broken to open the line under certain conditions, as more fully explained hereinafter.

The other line 19 extending from the pump side of the unit 16 extends, through a main control valve 27, to the main gas generator assembly, indicated generally by the reference character 28, the line 19 having a frangible disk 30 therein similar to the frangible disk 26 previously described but of stronger construction so that the frangible disk 36 will require a greater pressure to rupture the same.

The gas generator 28 is provided with an outlet line 32 leading to the turbine inlet of a dual turbo-pump unit, indicated generally by the reference character 33. The unit 33 is characterized by having two pump units and a single or common turbine driving them, the two

pumps having inlets

34 and 35 and each having an outlet, such as the

outlets

36 and 37. The

outlets

36 and 37 are so arranged as to provide the requisite thrust or propelling force for the body carrying the system, and it will be noted that the main turbine exhaust 38 is also directed so as to aid in the propulsion of the associated device.

The unit 16 as well as the unit 33 are constructed in accordance with the principles disclosed in the aforementioned copending application. That is to say, the pumps are directly driven by their associated turbine and are of the centrifugal type utilizing inducer vanes or blades in conjunction with the impeller blades to permit extremely high angular velocities Without cavitation or boundary separation. When the present unit is used, for example, for propelling a 21 inch diameter torpedo having a length of approximately 21 feet, the unit 33, mounted laterally of the torpedo body, is capable of delivering power up to about 39,000 H.P., with a turbine and pump speed of about 30,000 rpm. and with the pumps delivering approximately 200 gallons per second. Tests indicate that the efiiciency of the pumps under such conditions is approximately 84%, with the consumption of approximately 50 pounds per second of hydrogen peroxide of 95% concentration, with the main gas generator delivering approximately 5,3 80 psi.

The construction of the unit 16 is preferably substantially identical to one of the forms of the invention disclosed in the previously mentioned copending application, whereas the unit 33 is preferably constructed in accordance with the assembly indicated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. in this figure, it will be seen that the turbine section, which is indicated generally by the reference character 4%, is centrally disposed and on either side thereof there are pump assemblies, indicated generally by

reference characters

41 and 42. The turbine section includes a generally centrally disposed stator plate 43 having its peripheral portion 44 sandwiched between the two

housing halves

45 and 46 which, in turn, are sandwiched between the

pump body portions

47 and 48. The pump assemblies include the outer end plate portions 49 and 5t and end covers 51 and 52, substantially as is shown. Rotatably journaled centrally of the assembly are a pair of shafts 53 and 54, each having a

turbine wheel

55 and 56 formed on its inner end and with the two such wheels being rigidly secured together, as by the fasteners 57. The two

wheels

55 and 56 are disposed on opposite sides of the stator portion 59 which is integral with the previously mentioned plate 43. The turbine is provided with an inlet manifold 69 having discharge through the nozzles 61 to the first bucket wheel or turbine wheel 56, after which the operating fluid passes through the stator blades 62 and into the blades 63 of the second turbine wheel 55.

The

pump impeller assemblies

65 and 66 are constructed in accordance with the previously mentioned copending application, and are characterized by their extremely high capacity and capability for operating without cavitation at extremely high angular velocities. These pumps, in each case, have dual inlets, as indicated by

reference characters

67 and 68, and discharge into the shroud portions 69 and 70 thereof which lead to the discharge nozzles of the device. Utilization of these high capacity centrifugal pumps permits extremely compact and light weight units to be made capable of delivering the requisite power for driving the vehicle to which they are attached.

In operation, the starting cartridge assembly 14 is detonated to initially build up pressure within the chamber to force the fluid 1 1 through the line 17 into the pump portion of the unit 16 and this action will rupture the frangible disk 26 in line 18 permitting the fluid to reach the auxiliary gas generator 22, which initiates the production of the propellant gas which then passes up the line 23 and branches down the

lines

24 and 25. The gas passing into the chamber 10 from the line 24 pressurizes the chamber, continuing the circulation of the propellant liquid to the tunbopump unit 16, and the gas passing down the line 25 enters the turbine of the unit 16 and drives the same. This condition prevails until the pump of unit 16 has achieved sufiicient speed to raise the pressure in the line 19 sufiiciently high to rupture the disk 30, whereafter the propellant liquid 11 is delivered to the main gas generator assembly 28 through the control valve 27. The control valve 27 is set at a predetermined position to control the rate of flow to the main gas generator 28 and consequent-1y control the speed at which the associated vehicle is driven. In order to enhance delivery of the propellant liquid '11, the ram eflfect through the nozzle 13 will force sea water into the bladder 12. This also permits the turbo-pump unit '16 to operate at lower power requirements than would be otherwise, particularly if the unit is used in a torpedo which is operating at relatively great depths.

What is claimed is:

1. A propulsion system comprising a source of propellant liquid, an auxiliary pump having an intake connected to said source, an auxiliary gas generator connected to the discharge side of said pumpand having a gas outlet connected to said source for pressurizing the same to aid in the expulsion of said propellant to said auxiliary pump, a main gas generator, said auxiliary pump having its discharge side also connected to said main gas generator, and a turbo-pump for inducting sea water and educting the same in directional fashion to provide a propelling thrust, said main gas generator having a gas outlet leading to said turbo-pump to drive the same.

2. A propulsion system comprising a source of propellant liquid, an auxiliary pump having an intake connected "to said source, an auxiliary gas generator connected to the discharge side of said pump and having a gas outlet connected to said source for pressurizing the same to aid in the expulsion of said propellant to said auxiliary pump, an auxiliary turbine connected to said auxiliary pump for driving the same, said auxiliary gas generator having an outlet connected to said turbine, a main gas generator, said auxiliary pump having its discharge side also connected to said main gas generator, and a turbo-pump for inductin-g sea water and educting the same in directional fashion to provide a propelling thrust, said main gas generator having a gas outlet lead ing to said turbo-pump to drive the same.

3. A propulsion system: comprising a source of propellant liquid, an auxiliary pump having an intake connected to said source, an auxiliary gas generator connected to the discharge side of said pump and having a gas outlet connected to said source for pressurizing the same to aid in the expulsion of said propellant to said auxiliary pump, a main gas generator, said auxiliary pump having its discharge side also connected to said main gas generator, and a tunbo-pump for ind-noting sea water and rupture said frangible member to energize and start the system.

4. A propulsion system comprising a source of propellant liquid, an auxiliary pump having an intake connected to said source, an auxiliary gas generator connected to the discharge side of said pump and having a gas outlet connected to said source for pressurizing the same to aid in the expulsion of said propellant to said auxiliary pump, an auxiliary turbine connected to said auxiliary pump for driving the same, said auxiliary gas generator having an outlet connected to said turbine, a main gas generator, said auxiliary pump having its discharge side also connected to said main gas generator, and a turbo-pump for inducting sea water and educting the same in directional fashion to provide a propelling thrust, said main gas generator having a gas outlet leading to said turbo-pump to drive the same, the connection between said auxiliary pump and said auxiliary gas generator having a frangible closure member therein, and means for initiating pressure Within said source to rupture said frangible member to energize and start the system, and a frangible closure member in the connection between said auxiliary pump and said main gas generator, the second closure member being rupturable only at a pressure higher than the rupture pressure of the first closure member.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein said source comprises a container for liquid propellant having an initially collapsed bladder therein, inlet means for said bladder communicating exteriorly of said container permitting said bladder to inflate and fill with ambient liquid as liquid propellant is removed from said container.

6. The system according to claim 2 wherein said source comprises a container for liquid propellant having an initially collapsed bladder therein, inlet means for said bladder communicating exteriorly of said container permitting said bladder to inflate and fill with ambient liquid as liquid propellant is removed from said container.

7. The system according to claim 3 wherein said source comprises a container for liquid propellant having an initially collapsed bladder therein, inlet means for said bladder communicating exteriorly of said container permitting said bladder to inflate and till with ambient liquid as liquid propellant is removed from said container.

educting the same in a directional fashion to provide a i propelling thrust, said main gas generator-having a gas outlet leading to said turbo-pump to drive the same, the connection between said auxiliary pump and said auxiliary gas generator having a frangible closure member therein, and means for initiating pressure within said source to 8. The system according to claim 4 wherein said source comprises a container for liquid propellant having an initially collapsed bladder therein, inlet means for said bladder communicating exteriorly of said container permitting said bladder to inflate and fill with ambient liquid as liquid propellant is removed from said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 141,039 Dow July 22, 1873 220,107 Babbitt Sept. 30, 1879 1,759,511 Kort May 20, 1930 2,024,274 'Campini Dec. 17, 1935 2,064,126 Schellens et al. Dec. 15, 1936 2,083,167 Lamere June 8, 1937 2,168,726 Whittle Aug. 8, 1939 2,358,744 Stepanofi Sept. 19, 1944 2,408,111 flruax Sept. 24, 1946 2,576,814 Stalker Nov. 27, 1951 2,610,464 vKnoll Sept. 16, 1952 2,648,196 Mullen Aug. 11, 1953 2,671,312 Roy Mar. 9, 1954 2,697,482 Blizard Dec. 21, 1954 2,721,788 Schad Oct. 25, 1955 2,763,126 Halford Sept. 18, 1956 2,949,007 Aldrich et al. Aug. 16, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 657,136 Germany Feb. 25, 1938

Claims

1. A PROPULSION SYSTEM COMPRISING A SOURCE OF PROPELLANT LIQUID, AN AUXILIARY PUMP HAVING AND INTAKE CONNECTED TO SAID SOURCE, AND AUXILIARY GAS GENERATOR CONNECTED TO THE DISCHARGE SIDE OF SAID PUMP AND HAVING A GAS OUTLET CONNECTED TO SAID SOURCE FOR PRESSURIZING THE SAME TO AID IN THE EXPULSION OF SAID PROPELLANT TO SAID AUXIALIARY PUMP, A MAIN GAS GENERATOR, SAID AUXILIARY PUMP HAVING ITS DISCHARGE SIDE ALSO CONNECTED TO SAID MAIN GAS GENERATOR, AND A TURBO-PUMP FOR INDUCTING SEA WATER AND EDUCTING THE SAME IN DIRECTIONS FASHION TO PROVIDE A PRO-