Enhanced Combustion Pulsejet Engines For Mach 0 To 3 Applications
Abstract
In this paper, we discuss the cyclic operation of an enhanced combustion pulsejet engine (ECPE) applicable in the Mach number range of 0 to 3. The geometry of this engine naturally provides for integration into a new combined cycle engine with ramjets. As in the operation of conventional pulsejets, an ECPE provides engine aspiration, charge compression, combustion and expansion without the use of turbomachinery. The use of modern electronics, fuel injection, and feedback control offers the potential for performance improvements that could make the ECPE a cost effective competitor for the turbojet engine. This article describes the operating cycle of a type of a detonating ECPE, referred to as a pulse detonation wave engine and describes the results of single shot and cyclic pulse detonation tube experiments.
