COMPOUND CYCLE ENGINE

摘要

A compound cycle engine having an output shaft; at least two rotary units each defining an internal combustion engine, a first stage turbine, and a turbocharger is discussed. The first stage turbine includes a rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft between two of the rotary units. The exhaust port of each rotary unit is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine upstream of its rotor. The outlet of the compressor of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the inlet port of each rotary unit. The inlet of the second stage turbine of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine downstream of its rotor. The first stage turbine has a lower reaction ratio than that of the second stage turbine. A method of compounding at least two rotary engines is also discussed.

主权项

1. A compound cycle engine comprising:
an output shaft; at least two rotary units each defining an internal combustion engine including an engine rotor sealingly and rotationally received within a respective housing, each housing defining an inlet port and an exhaust port, the engine rotor of each of the at least two rotary units being in driving engagement with the output shaft; a first stage turbine including a flowpath and a turbine rotor having a circumferential array of blades extending across the flowpath, the turbine rotor being in driving engagement with the output shaft; and a turbocharger including a compressor and a second stage turbine in driving engagement with one another; wherein: an outlet of the compressor is in fluid communication with the inlet port of each housing; the exhaust port of each housing is in fluid communication with a first portion of the flowpath of the first stage turbine, the first portion of the flowpath being located upstream of the circumferential array of blades of the first stage turbine; an inlet of the second stage turbine is in fluid communication with a second portion of the flowpath of the first stage turbine, the second portion of the flowpath being located downstream of the circumferential array of blades of the first stage turbine; the first stage turbine has the output shaft extending therethrough, the least two rotary units including a first rotary unit located in front of the first stage turbine along the output shaft and a second rotary unit located behind the first stage turbine along the output shaft; and the first stage turbine has a lower reaction ratio than that of the second stage turbine.