COMPOUND CYCLE ENGINE

摘要

A compound cycle engine having an output shaft, at least two rotary units each including an internal combustion engine with the rotor of each rotary unit mounted on the output shaft and in driving engagement therewith, and a turbine including a rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft. The exhaust port of each rotary unit housing is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the turbine upstream of its rotor. The turbine is disposed co-axially between two of the rotary units. The engine may further include a compressor in fluid communication with the inlet port of each housing and a second turbine having an inlet in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first turbine downstream of its rotor. A method of compounding rotary engines is also discussed.

主权项

1. A compound cycle engine comprising:
an output shaft; at least two rotary units with each rotary unit including an internal combustion engine having a rotor sealingly and rotationally received within a respective housing, each housing having an inlet port through which combustion air is admitted and an exhaust port through which exhaust pulses are expelled, the rotor of each rotary unit being mounted on the output shaft and in driving engagement therewith; and a turbine including a turbine rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft, the turbine disposed co-axially between two of the rotary units, the turbine rotor having a circumferential array of blades extending across a flowpath, the exhaust port of each housing being in fluid communication with the flowpath upstream of the turbine rotor.