Combustor and Seal System for a Water Piston Propulsor

The Water Piston Propulsor (WPP) is an advanced in-water propulsion system for Marine Corps amphibious vehicles. Significant weight and volume reductions are the primary advantages of the WPP system versus the more conventional propulsion technologies used today. WPP thrust is produced by porting high-pressure combustion gases into the water-filled channels of a rotor. Gas expansion results in the expulsion of water from the downstream end of the rotor channel. Solar Turbines Incorporated, a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., is currently under contract to the David Taylor Research Center for the development of the high-temperature, high-pressure combustor and rotor seal systems. Details of combustor and rotor seal design, performance, and development test are discussed.