A pulse detonation engine has a pulse ignition system, a plurality of detonation chambers (15), an oxygen source (33), and a fuel source (35). The oxygen source and the fuel source supply oxygen and fuel, respectively, to both the pulse ignition system and to the detonation chambers. The pulse ignition system creates detonation waves by igniting a first series of fuel mixtures inside a plurality of igniter tubes (39) equal to the number of detonation chambers (15). One detonation wave is delivered by each igniter tube into each detonation chamber for igniting a second series of fuel mixtures inside the detonation chambers. The detonation waves increase in magnitude as they travel through the detonation chambers before exiting the rearward ends of the detonation chambers. After detonation, the detonation engine is purged of residual gases by a ventilation system (81) and the process is repeated sequentially as described.
A method for operating a pulse detonation system. The method includes providing a pulse detonation chamber including a plurality of detonation tubes extending therein, and detonating a mixture of fuel and air within each detonation tube such that at least a first tube is detonated at a different time than at least a second detonation tube.
A pulse detonation engine comprises a primary air inlet; a primary air plenum located in fluid communication with the primary air inlet; a secondary air inlet; a secondary air plenum located in fluid communication with the secondary air inlet, wherein the secondary air plenum is substantially isolated from the primary air plenum; a pulse detonation combustor comprising a pulse detonation chamber, wherein the pulse detonation chamber is located downstream of and in fluid communication with the primary air plenum; a coaxial liner surrounding the pulse detonation combustor defining a cooling plenum, wherein the cooling plenum is in fluid communication with the secondary air plenum; an axial turbine assembly located downstream of and in fluid communication with the pulse detonation combustor and the cooling plenum; and a housing encasing the primary air plenum, the secondary air plenum, the pulse detonation combustor, the coaxial liner, and the axial turbine assembly.
Provided is a combustion chamber for producing a pressurized gas having a wall structure defining an interior chamber, an explosion chamber disposed within the interior chamber, an annular chamber connected to the explosion chamber, a first reflecting surface for reflecting a pressure wave within the interior chamber, a second reflecting surface for reflecting the pressure wave within the interior chamber, at least one inlet for introducing a first gas into the interior chamber, and at least one outlet from the interior chamber for drawing off a pressurized gas from the interior chamber.
A reciprocating internal combustion engine used a crankshaft to develop rotating motion. A rotary pulse detonation engine can be adapted to rotate a shaft. A combustor portion of the rotary pulse detonation engine is spaced from an axis of the shaft a preestablished distance therebetween in a mass member. An intake portion and an exhaust portion of the combustor portion is positioned in a parameter of the mass member. A combustion portion of the combustor portion is interposed the intake portion and the exhaust portion. The combustion portion has a frustoconical first position which converges to form a deflagration wave and progresses into a detonation. The deflagration to detonation transition occurs in the transition region. A combustible fuel and air mixture is combusted in the combustor portion creating a high speed jet exiting the exhaust portion and rotating the shaft.
A scalable power generator is described. A scalable, portable pulsed detonation engine is coupled to a turbine which drives a generator and using commonly available fuels, electric energy is provided. Additional embodiments incorporate a mechanical compressor at the intake of the pulsed detonation engine which is driven by a second turbine, the second turbine drives a shaft that powers the mechanical compressor. Other enhancements to the invention and additional embodiments are described.
