Supplemental compounding control valve for rotary engine

Abstract

A rotary engine includes a first transfer duct between a first rotor section and a second rotor section. A second transfer duct is between the second rotor section and the first rotor section. A supplemental compounding control valve selectively controls communication between the first transfer duct and the second transfer duct.

1 . A rotary engine comprising:
 a first rotor section;   a second rotor section;   a first transfer duct between said first rotor section and said second rotor section;   a second transfer duct between said second rotor section and said first rotor section; and   a supplemental compounding control valve which controls communication between said first transfer duct and said second transfer duct.   
     
     
         2 . The rotary engine as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first transfer duct communicates compressed air from said first rotor section to said second rotor section. 
     
     
         3 . The rotary engine as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said second transfer duct communicates exhaust gases from said second rotor section to said first rotor section. 
     
     
         4 . The rotary engine as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said supplemental compounding control valve is within said second transfer duct. 
     
     
         5 . The rotary engine as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a bypass duct between said first transfer duct and said second transfer duct, said supplemental compounding control valve within said second transfer duct. 
     
     
         6 . The rotary engine as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising at least one check valve within said bypass duct. 
     
     
         7 . The rotary engine as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first rotor section provides a first stage of compression and said second rotor section in communication with said first rotor section through said first transfer duct to provide a second stage of compression, a combustion stage and a first stage of expansion, said second rotor section in communication with said first rotor section through said second transfer duct to provide a second stage of expansion, 
     
     
         8 . The rotary engine as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a module which controls operation of said supplemental compounding control valve. 
     
     
         9 . The rotary engine as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said module communicates with a flight control computer. 
     
     
         10 . A method of controlling a rotary engine comprising:
 communicating compressed air from a first rotor section to a second rotor section through a first transfer duct;   communicating exhaust gases from the second rotor section to the first rotor section through a second transfer duct; and   selectively controlling communication between the first transfer duct and the second transfer duct.   
     
     
         11 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 selectively controlling communication between the first transfer duct and the second transfer duct to control peak combustion pressure.   
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 selectively controlling communication between the first transfer duct and the second transfer duct to control peak combustion pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure.   
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 selectively controlling communication between the first transfer duct and the second transfer duct to control engine power.   
     
     
         14 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 selectively controlling communication between the first transfer duct and the second transfer duct to control engine life.   
     
     
         15 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 selectively controlling communication between the first transfer duct and the second transfer duct to control engine start.