Radial impulse engine, pump, and compressor systems, and associated methods of operation

Abstract

Radial impulse engine, pump, and compressor systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the invention, an engine includes a first end wall portion spaced apart from a second end wall portion to at least partially define a combustion chamber therebetween. In this embodiment, the engine further includes a plurality of movable wall portions disposed between the first and second end wall portions. Each movable wall portion includes a cylindrical surface extending at least partially between a distal edge portion and a pivot axis. Upon ignition in the combustion chamber, the distal edge portion of each movable wall portion slides across the cylindrical surface of the adjacent movable wall portion as the movable wall portions pivot outwardly in unison about their respective pivot axes.

1 . An engine comprising:
 a first end wall portion;   a second end wall portion spaced apart from the first end wall portion to at least partially define a pressure chamber therebetween;   a first movable wall portion operably disposed between the first and second end wall portions, the first movable wall portion having a first distal edge portion spaced apart from a first pivot axis; and   a second movable wall portion operably disposed between the first and second end wall portions adjacent to the first movable wall portion, the second movable wall portion having a second distal edge portion spaced apart from a second pivot axis, the second movable wall portion further having a cylindrical surface extending at least partially between the second distal edge portion and the second pivot axis, wherein the first distal edge portion of the first movable wall portion is configured to slide across the cylindrical surface of the second movable wall portion as the first movable wall portion pivots about the first pivot axis and the second movable wall portion pivots about the second pivot axis.   
     
     
         2 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the cylindrical surface of the second movable wall portion is parallel to the second pivot axis. 
     
     
         3 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the first and second pivot axes are fixed relative to the first and second end wall portions. 
     
     
         4 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the first and second pivot axes extend through the first and second end wall portions. 
     
     
         5 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the first movable wall portion is operably coupled to the second movable wall portion so that the first movable wall portion moves in unison with the second movable wall portion. 
     
     
         6 . The engine of  claim 1 , further comprising a synchronizing gear operably coupling the first movable wall portion to the second movable wall portion. 
     
     
         7 . The engine of  claim 1 , further comprising a third movable wall portion disposed between the first and second end wall portions, wherein the first movable wall portion is operably coupled to the second and third movable wall portions so that the first movable wall portion moves in unison with the second and third movable wall portions. 
     
     
         8 . The engine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third movable wall portion disposed between the first and second end wall portions; and   a synchronizing gear operably coupling the first movable wall portion to the second and third movable wall portions.   
     
     
         9 . The engine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third movable wall portion disposed between the first and second end wall portions; and   a synchronizing ring gear operably coupling the first movable wall portion to the second and third movable wall portions.   
     
     
         10 . The engine of  claim 1 , further comprising a third movable wall portion disposed between the first and second end wall portions, the third movable wall portion having a third pivot axis, wherein the first, second, and third pivot axes define a circle having a first radius of curvature, and wherein the cylindrical surface of the second movable wall portion has a second radius of curvature that is at least approximately equivalent to the first radius of curvature. 
     
     
         11 . The engine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third movable wall portion disposed between the first and second end wall portions adjacent to the second movable wall portion, the third movable wall portion having a third pivot axis;   a fourth movable wall portion disposed between the first and second end wall portions adjacent to the third movable wall portion, the fourth movable wall portion having a fourth pivot axis;   a fifth movable wall portion disposed between the first and second end wall portions adjacent to the fourth movable wall portion, the fifth movable wall portion having a fifth pivot axis; and   a sixth movable wall portion disposed between the first and second end wall portions adjacent to the fifth movable wall portion, the sixth movable wall portion having a sixth pivot axis, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth pivot axes define a circle having a first radius of curvature, and wherein the cylindrical surface of the second movable wall portion has a second radius of curvature that is at least approximately equivalent to the first radius of curvature.   
     
     
         12 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the cylindrical surface of the second movable wall portion is a first cylindrical surface, and wherein the engine further includes:
 a third movable wall portion disposed between the first and second end wall portions adjacent to the second movable wall portion, the third movable wall portion having a third distal edge portion spaced apart from a third pivot axis, the third movable wall portion further having second cylindrical surface extending at least partially between the third distal edge portion and the third pivot axis, wherein the first distal edge portion of the first movable wall portion is configured to slide across the first cylindrical surface of the second movable wall portion, and the second distal edge portion of the second movable wall portion is configured to slide across the second cylindrical surface of the third movable wall portion, as the first movable wall portion pivots about the first pivot axis, the second movable wall portion pivots about the second pivot axis, and the third movable wall portion pivots about the third axis.   
     
     
         13 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the pressure chamber is a combustion chamber, and wherein the cylindrical surface of the second movable wall portion includes an aperture configured to admit at least one of air and an air/fuel mixture into the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the cylindrical surface of the second movable wall portion extends from the second distal edge portion of the second movable wall portion to a proximal edge portion of the second movable wall portion, and wherein the second pivot axis of the second movable wall portion is positioned between the second distal edge portion and the proximal edge portion. 
     
     
         15 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the cylindrical surface of the second movable wall portion extends from the second distal edge portion of the second movable wall portion to a proximal edge portion of the second movable wall portion, wherein the pressure chamber is a combustion chamber and the cylindrical surface includes an aperture configured to admit at least one of air and an air/fuel mixture into the combustion chamber, and wherein the aperture is positioned between the second pivot axis and the proximal edge portion of the second movable wall portion. 
     
     
         16 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the first distal edge portion of the first movable wall portion carries a seal configured to slide across the cylindrical surface of the second movable wall portion as the first movable wall portion pivots about the first pivot axis and the second movable wall portion pivots about the second pivot axis. 
     
     
         17 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the first distal edge portion of the first movable wall portion is configured to lubricate the cylindrical surface of the second movable wall portion as the first distal edge portion slides across the cylindrical surface. 
     
     
         18 . The engine of  claim 1 , further comprising a fuel injector carried by the first end wall portion, wherein the pressure chamber is a combustion chamber and the fuel injector is configured to spray fuel into the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The engine of  claim 1 , further comprising an igniter carried by the first end wall portion, wherein the pressure chamber is a combustion chamber and the igniter is configured to ignite an air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The engine of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve positioned in the first end wall portion, wherein the pressure chamber is a combustion chamber and the valve is configured to discharge exhaust gas from the combustion chamber.