Hybrid ram air turbine with inlet guide vanes

Abstract

A hybrid ram air turbine includes a generally conical-shaped shaft which mounts a number of vanes wrapped in a substantially helical orientation along the shaft with a portion of each vane being formed in the general shape of a reaction turbine blade and another portion in the general shape of an impulse turbine blade. A number of fixed inlet guide vanes having a convergent wedge shape direct a flow of air onto the blades of the turbine which is mounted within the interior of a pod.

1 . A turbine, comprising:
 a shaft having an inlet end, an outlet end and an outer surface, said outer surface of said shaft increasing in diameter from said inlet end toward said outlet end;   a number of blades mounted to said shaft, each of said blades extending in a generally helical configuration from said inlet end toward said outlet end, each of said blades being formed with a first portion substantially in the shape of a reaction turbine blade and a second portion substantially in the shape of an impulse turbine blade.   
     
     
         2 . The turbine of  claim 1  in which said first portion of each of said blades is located between said inlet end of said shaft and said second portion. 
     
     
         3 . The turbine of  claim 1  in which said second portion of each of said blades is located between said inlet end of said shaft and said first portion. 
     
     
         4 . The turbine of  claim 1  further including a number of inlet guide vanes located in a position to direct a flow of air onto said blades, each of said inlet guide vanes having a wedge shape that converges toward said inlet end of said shaft. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a housing having a hollow interior formed with an inlet end and an outlet end;   a turbine including:
 (i) shaft located with said hollow interior of said housing, said shaft having an outer surface increasing in diameter from said inlet end toward said outlet end of said housing; and 
 (ii) a number of blades mounted to said shaft, each of said blades extending in a generally helical configuration from said inlet end toward said outlet end, each of said blades being formed with a first portion substantially in the shape of a reaction turbine blade and a second portion substantially in the shape of an impulse turbine blade; 
   a number of inlet guide vanes located at said inlet end of said housing in position to direct a flow of air onto said blades, each of said inlet guide vanes having a wedge shape that converges toward said inlet end of said housing.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  in which said first portion of each of said blades of said turbine is located between said inlet end of said housing and said second portion. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  in which said second portion of each of said blades of said turbine is located between said inlet end of said housing and said first portion.