Evaluation of a Hybrid-Piston Pulsed Detonation Engine

Abstract

Experiments are conducted on a hybrid piston-pulsed detonation engine to evaluate the power extraction and system interaction issues. The hybrid engine is constructed using a four-cylinder motorcycle engine with a spacer block between the valves and pistons. Four detonation tubes, one for each cylinder, are placed perpendicular to the direction of the piston navel. A deflagration to detonation transition (DDT) is used to achieve detonations. The piston is in the deflagration region of the DDT. This hybrid engine has a critical starting frequency. Above this frequency the engine will self-activate and produce excess power. Below this frequency, the power produced is less than that required to self-activate and the engine decelerates after the starter motor is disengaged. The hybrid piston-pulsed-detonation-engine constructed for these experiments is capable of producing 20 hp and 50 lbf of thrust simultaneously.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA454348

Entities

People

  • Brian Frankey
  • Fred Schauer
  • John Hoke
  • Royce Bradley

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aeronautics
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Astronautics
  • Combustion
  • Combustion Chambers
  • Detonations
  • Electric Motors
  • Engines
  • Fires
  • Frequency
  • Ignition
  • Ignition Systems
  • Intake Valves
  • Internal Combustion Engines
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Three Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electronics Engineering
  • Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology.
  • Rocket Propulsion.