Parallel combustor configuration for unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion turbine

1. A propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle comprising:

at least one fuel storage tank;

a plurality of combustors connected to the at least one fuel storage tank;

each of the combustors being connected to a turbine via a corresponding nozzle; and

an output shaft connected to the turbine and configured to output rotational energy.

2. The propulsion system of claim 1 , further comprising a propulsor connected to the output shaft via a geared connection.

3. The propulsion system of claim 1 , wherein each combustor in the plurality of combustors is the same size as each other combustor in the plurality of combustors.

4. The propulsion system of claim 1 , wherein at least one combustor in the plurality of combustors is larger than each other combustor in the plurality of combustors.

5. The propulsion system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller controllably coupled to each combustor in said plurality of combustors and configured to control a flow of fuel from the at least one fuel storage tank to each combustor.

6. The propulsion system of claim 5 , wherein the controller is a dedicated propulsion system controller.

7. The propulsion system of claim 5 , wherein the controller is a general systems controller.

8. A propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle comprising:

at least one fuel storage tank;

a plurality of combustors connected to the at least one fuel storage tank;

each of the combustors being connected to a partial admission axial flow turbine via a corresponding nozzle; and

an output shaft connected to the turbine and configured to output rotational energy.

9. The propulsion system of claim 1 , wherein the nozzles are distributed evenly about a circumference of a turbine inlet.

10. The propulsion system of claim 1 , wherein each of said combustors is individually sized to a corresponding propulsion system operational mode.

11. The propulsion system of claim 1 , wherein each of said combustors is sequentially sized to at least one corresponding propulsion system operational mode.

12. The propulsion system of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion system is disposed in a torpedo.

13. An unmanned underwater vehicle comprising:

a body housing at least a first fuel storage tank, a general controller, and a propulsion system; and

the propulsion system including a gas powered turbine engine mechanically connected to a propulsor, wherein the gas powered turbine engine includes a plurality of parallel combustors.

14. The unmanned underwater vehicle of claim 13 , further comprising a second fuel storage tank.

15. The unmanned underwater vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of parallel combustors are sequentially sized.

16. The unmanned underwater vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of parallel combustors are individually sized.

17. An unmanned underwater vehicle comprising:

a body housing at least a first fuel storage tank, a general controller, and a propulsion system; and

the propulsion system including a gas powered turbine engine mechanically connected to a propulsor, wherein the gas powered turbine engine includes a plurality of parallel combustors, and each combustor in the plurality of parallel combustors is connected to a single turbine via one of a plurality of supersonic nozzles.

18. The unmanned underwater vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the supersonic nozzles are distributed evenly about a first end of the turbine.

19. The unmanned underwater vehicle of claim 13 , wherein a mechanical connection between the gas powered turbine engine and the propulsor includes an output stage and a geared connection.

20. A method of driving a propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle, comprising:

generating combustion products in a single combustor and expanding the combustion products across a turbine in a first propulsion mode; and

generating combustion products in at least two combustors and simultaneously expanding the combustion products across the turbine in a second propulsion mode.