A pulse detonation based multimode engine concept, AIAA paper 2001

A novel multi-mode implementation of pulsed detonation engines is investigated in this paper. The various modes in this proposed concept are (as illustrated in Fig. [1]): (1) An ejector augmented pulse detonation rocket for take off to moderate supersonic Mach numbers (2) A pulsed normal detonation wave mode at combustion chamber Mach numbers less than the Chapman-Jouguet Mach number, (3) An oblique detonation wave mode of operation for Mach numbers in the airbreathing regime that are higher than the Chapman-Jouguet Mach number, and (4) A pure Pulsed Detonation Rocket (PDR) mode of operation at high altitude. These various modes utilize a single flow path, in which an array of detonation tubes is placed. From present considerations, 10 tubes will be placed across the width of the engine, which fire sequentially in such a manner as to make the maximum use of the incoming air mass and provide the smoothest possible operation of the device. These tubes could alternately be arranged as load bearing struts that are embedded with rocket chambers. The advantage of such a mode is that a larger exhaust area is available for these tubes when operating in the rocket mode and mixing properties are enhanced in the other modes when these tubes are used for fuel injection alone