Flow Test for Rotating Chamber Pulse Detonation Engine

Pulse detonation engines hold promise to increase performance of air-breathing propulsion systems by taking advantage of the increase in cycle efficiency due to the constant-volume heat addition characteristics of detonative combustion. SPIRITECH is developing a pulse detonation engine, the Rotating Chamber PDE, which utilizes multiple combustion chambers on a rotating spool to improve inlet and nozzle performance and to eliminate the need for valves. Efficient flow of the fuel-air mixture into the detonation chambers as they rotate is critical for achieving high levels of thrust. A flow test is proposed using a rotating plate to simulate the flow characteristics into the rotating detonation chamber. This Phase I study will provide the data necessary to quantify the flow efficiency through pulse detonation engines. Additional testing of other critical PDE engine components and key technologies will be performed in the Phase II program to develop the technology base required for a prototype in Phase III.