Radial impulse engine, pump, and compressor systems, and associated methods of operation
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, wherein the first distal edge portion of the first movable wall portion is configured to slide across a surface of the second movable wall portion as the first movable wall portion pivots back and forth about the first pivot axis and the second movable wall portion pivots back and forth about the second pivot axis.
2. The engine of claim 1 wherein the 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 extend through the first and second end wall portions.
4. 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.
5. The engine of claim 1 , further comprising a synchronizing gear operably coupling the first movable wall portion to the second movable wall portion.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. The engine of claim 1 wherein the 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.
9. 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 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. The engine of claim 1 , further comprising a valve positioned in the first end wall portion, wherein the pressure chamber is an expansion chamber and the valve is configured to admit pressurized steam into the expansion chamber.
14. An internal combustion engine comprising:
a combustion chamber;
a first movable wall portion positioned proximate to the combustion chamber, the first movable wall portion having a first distal edge portion spaced apart from a first pivot axis;
a second movable wall portion positioned proximate to the combustion chamber, the second movable wall portion having a second distal edge portion spaced apart from a second pivot axis;
means for introducing fuel into the combustion chamber; and
means for igniting the fuel in the combustion chamber, thereby causing the first distal edge portion of the first movable wall portion to slide across a surface of the second movable wall portion as the first movable wall portion pivots back and forth about the first pivot axis and the second movable wall portion pivots back and forth about the second pivot axis.
15. The internal combustion engine of claim 14 , further comprising means for discharging exhaust gas from the combustion chamber.
16. The internal combustion engine of claim 14 , further comprising means for synchronizing movement of the first and second movable wall portions.
17. The internal combustion engine of claim 14 , further comprising means for converting pivotal motion of the first and second movable wall portions into rotational motion of an associated crankshaft.
18. An internal combustion 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 combustion chamber therebetween;
a first movable wall portion operably disposed between the first and second end wall portions, the first movable wall portion having a distal edge portion; 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 cylindrical surface, wherein the 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 back and forth about a first pivot axis and the second movable wall portion pivots back and forth about a second pivot axis.
19. The internal combustion engine of claim 18 , further comprising:
means, operably coupled to the first end wall portion, for introducing a combustible mixture into the combustion chamber.
20. The internal combustion engine of claim 18 , further comprising:
means, operably coupled to the first end wall portion, for introducing a combustible mixture into the combustion chamber; and
means, operably coupled to at least one of the first end wall portion and the second end wall portion, for igniting the combustible mixture.