Impulse Plus Propulsion System

Abstract

An unconventional approach to propulsion provided by this invention incorporates 3 specific features making it possible to develop and maintain pressure at the intake nozzle upstream of the impeller to provide a second component to the overall propulsive effort thus converting the conventional jet drive into ramjet drive. At high speeds the second component becomes the prominent thrust, thus reducing the overall power demand to at high speeds to a third.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A ramjet based marine propulsion system with a common housing, fitted with a variable area intake acting as a diffuser to pressurize the internal surfaces for the purposes of adding a second thrust component, while providing a conduit for the fluid from the intake to the expanding impeller housing, followed by a discharge nozzle with integral stators to redirect the high speed efflux from the impeller axially, and a shaft to provide the mechanical power and support to an impeller which accelerates the fluid only in angular direction thus making it possible to maintain pressure upstream. 
     
     
         2 . A ramjet based marine propulsion system as  claim 1 , further comprising means of spinning the incoming fluid inside an expanding circular housing to provide the pumping effort for the fluid while overcoming and deflecting the decelerating pressure forces from the impeller hub to the outer housing. 
     
     
         3 . A ramjet based marine propulsion system as  claim 1 , further comprising the means to develop an effective discharge nozzle by means of centrifugally pressing the fluid onto the circular housing. 
     
     
         4 . A ramjet based marine propulsion system as  claim 1 , further comprising a fixed area intake leading to a diffuser conduit optimized for high speed operations.