General Electric Company
VARIABLE GEOMETRY ROTATING DETONATION COMBUSTOR

Abstract:

A propulsion system defining a longitudinal centerline extended along a longitudinal direction is provided. The propulsion system includes an inlet section configured to provide an oxidizer to a rotating detonation combustion system positioned downstream of the inlet section. The rotating detonation combustion system includes a nozzle assembly positioned to provide a flow mixture of oxidizer and fuel to a combustion chamber, a centerbody forming an inner wall of the combustion chamber, an outer wall at least partially surrounding the centerbody, wherein the inner wall and the outer wall define a volume of the combustion chamber; and an actuation structure coupled to the nozzle assembly. The actuation structure is configured to expand and contract to displace the nozzle assembly along the longitudinal direction to alter the volume of the combustion chamber.