Fast-Acting Cryogenic Injection Valves for Pulse Detonation Rocket Engines

The opportunity addressed in this proposal is a fast-acting cryogenic injection valve for pulse detonation rocket engines (PDREs), which are predicted to significantly out-perform current state-of-the-art chemical deflagrative rocket propulsion systems. The developed valve would allow high mass flow rates to be achieved with fast response times, all at minimum cost, weight, power, and volume. The injection valve will become a critical subsystem for the PDREs being developed by Adroit Systems, Inc. (ASI). The PDRE has many highly desirable features including increased performance (i.e., specific impulse, thrust/weight, and thrust/area), significantly reduced fuel/oxidizer pressure system requirements, a very low unit cost, mechanical simplicity, and low heat transfer demands. Development of these valves would result in an innovative and precise control technology for cryogenic fluid delivery. The valves would result in an innovative and precise control technology for cryogenic fluid delivery. The valves would allow the design, construction, and test of PDREs for a variety of applications. ASIs PDRE concepts would result in a unique propulsion capability that would greatly enhance the USAF Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology (IHPRPT) program.