Available Technologies

Traditional attempts to use depressions or pockets to control wave reflection of off-design operation in internal combustion engines undesirably reduce the sensitivity of axial wave rotors to engine speed changes. Nevertheless, there still exists a need to improve the performance and reduce the size of traditional wave rotors to enhance their commercial viability or adapt a different geometry for more convenient implementation.

Michigan State University’s invention uses an axial wave rotor as a supercharger in internal combustion engines for automotive vehicles. The wave rotor apparatus, which has an igniter and fuel injector, includes fluid passageways oriented in a direction offset from its rotational axis and employs stacked layers of generally radial channels. Turbomachinery is located internal and/or external to the wave rotor, reducing undesirable pressure losses caused by conventional collectors and/or diffusers. The correctional passageways advantageously achieve directed and self-actuated aerodynamic control of the internal flow and shock wave pattern, and scavenging processes are also improved by the use of centrifugal forces.

Benefits

·         Advantages over conventional devices: The radial wave rotor should produce higher power densities, an improved efficiency, a smaller frontal area, and a smaller size compared to know axial wave rotors. Performance is simpler to model, predict, and analyze in the design stage than traditional wave rotors.

·         Improved flow scavenging and compression: The centrifugal forces of the fluid created by the invention advantageously improve flow scavenging and compression.

·         Less expensive to manufacture: The offset or generally radial passageways in the invention are easier and less expensive to manufacture as compared to many traditional, axial wave rotors, especially if incorporated into a layered arrangement.

·         Improved cycle timing: The stacked configuration and/or shapes of channels provide advantageous variations in cycle timing.

Applications

The invention has applications as a supercharger in internal combustion engines for automotive vehicles. Wave rotors have also been proposed for use in propulsive jet engines and power turbines.

IP Protection Status

U.S. patent issued (7,55,891)