Performance Measurements of a Pulse Detonation Engine Array with a Turbine

Measurements taken on a hybrid pulse detonation combustor/gas turbine engine show the effect of operating parameters and configuration settings on the specific power output of the system. Utilizing three detonation combustor tubes firing into a power turbine, the effect of various firing patterns and effective firing frequencies is quantified, as well as the effect of adding bypass air into the engine. A further investigation quantifies the benefit of using a stator blade row in this hybrid engine with an unsteady flow field entering into the turbine section.