Detonation Initiators for Propulsion Systems

Abstract : Detonations are an extremely efficient means of burning a fuel-air mixture and converting its chemical energy content into mechanical energy. Air-breathing and rocket engines based on pulsed detonations have the potential to provide the Navy with increased range and speed while reducing fuel consumption and system costs. Over the past few years, we have conducted computational studies of the pulsed detonation engine concept. The results of these simulations have been invaluable in assessing the performance of these engines and isolating factors that may hinder the realization of their full potential. Reliable and repeated low-energy initiation of detonations in the high-speed flow of fuel-air mixtures is one of the challenging problems hindering the practical development of these engines.