Research Activities on Subsystem Technologies of PDE Propulsions

Abstract

Pulse Detonation Engine (PDE) has been considered as a future propulsion system for broad range of operation and higher thermal efficiency. Various subsystem technologies have been studied for more than decade to improve the performance of the potential system. New valve systems has been developed for the stable operation at high frequency including inflow-driven valve, rotary valve and valveless system. To foster the detonation initiation with a little ignition energy, plasma ignition method and DDT (deflagration to detonation transition) acceleration method such as swept ramp mechanism have been studied. Fluidic nozzle system and other nozzle system are the ongoing research topics to maximize the propulsion performance of the PDE. Present paper introduces the state of the art of PDE subsystem technologies developed in recent years.