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This invention pertains to apparatus and method for initiating detonation in a chamber of tubular or other shapes, which can be a combustor for a propulsion engine, such as a pulse detonation engine. This invention is characterized by detonation initiation at high pressure and temperature that is ge

This invention pertains to apparatus and method for initiating detonation in a chamber of tubular or other shapes, which can be a combustor for a propulsion engine, such as a pulse detonation engine. This invention is characterized by detonation initiation at high pressure and temperature that is generated by imploding shocks induced by jets in different directions around the chamber. Further, the detonation initiation is achieved without energy depositing devices, such as electric spark plugs and lasers and without any fuel or other chemical additives.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for initiating detonation in a combustible material comprising the step of injecting a jet material into a chamber filled with the combustible material from different directions to create a jet impinging region; generating imploding shocks that increase temperature and pressure in the je

1. A method for initiating detonation in a combustible material comprising the step of injecting a jet material into a chamber filled with the combustible material from different directions to create a jet impinging region; generating imploding shocks that increase temperature and pressure in the jet impinging region to the point of initiating detonation in the combustible material without using a separate ignition source of another type.2. The method of claim 1 including the step of starting injection of the jet material when the detonation initiation process begins and stopping the injection of the jet material after the detonation is initiated.3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of injecting the jet material into the chamber from different directions is discontinuous in the sense of injecting through holes in the chamber.4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of injecting the jet material into the chamber from different directions is continuous in the sense of injecting through at least one annular slot around the chamber.5. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of injecting the jet material includes the step of injecting a fuel through an opening in the chamber and injecting an oxidant through jet openings disposed on the sides of the fuel opening.6. The method of claim 5 wherein the fuel is ethylene and the oxidant is oxygen.7. The method of claim 1 wherein the jet material is gaseous.8. The jet material of claim 7 wherein the gaseous jet material is air.9. The method of claim 8 wherein pressure and temperature in the jet impinging region necessary for detonation initiation is from 20 bars to 1000 bars and from 1,500 K to 5,000 K, respectively.10. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of injecting air includes the step of injecting air through an opening.11. The method of claim 7 wherein typical pressure and temperature in the jet impinging region necessary for detonation initiation is from 20 bars to 1000 bars and from 1,500 K to 5,000 K, respectively.12. An apparatus comprising a chamber that can be filled with a combustible material; a filling port for admitting the combustible material into the chamber; means for admitting jet material into the chamber from different directions to create a jet impingement region where imploding shocks are generated for detonation initiation without using a separate ignition source of another type; and an exit opening in the chamber for allowing combustion products from detonation initiation to exit the chamber.13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said chamber is tubular.14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said chamber is metallic.15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said at least one opening is a single circumferential slot around the chamber disposed at any location along the chamber.16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the said at least one opening is a series of three closely spaced circumferential slots disposed at any location along the chamber.17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein chamber ID is 2-100 cm.18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said at least one jet opening is disposed a distance from an end of said chamber that renders reflected shock waves ineffective in the initiation of detonation of the combustible material.19. The apparatus of claim 13 including a holding tank for the combustible material, a conduit extending from said combustible-material holding tank to said chamber, a control valve for controlling flow rate through said conduit, and an electric control unit for controlling said control valve.20. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said chamber has a closed end at one end and is open at the other end through which combustion products exit.21. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said chamber is metallic up to about 2 cm. in thickness.