Pulse detonation engine having a scroll ejector attenuator

摘要

The engine (10) includes at least one firing tube (12) wherein an exhaust stream (32) from the firing tube (12) drives a turbine (30). A scroll ejector attenuator (40) is secured between and in fluid communication with an outlet end (28) of the firing tube (12) and an inlet (76) of the turbine (30). The attenuator (40) defines a turning, narrowing passageway (72) that extends a distance the exhaust stream (32) travels before entering the turbine (30) to attenuate shockwaves and mix the pulsed exhaust stream (32) into an even stream with minimal temperature differences to thereby enhance efficient operation of the turbine (30) without any significant pressure decline of exhaust stream (32) pressure and without any backpressure from the attenuator (40) on the firing tube (12).

主权项

1. A pulse detonation engine comprising:
a. a plurality of firing tubes configured to direct an exhaust stream through outlet ends of the firing tubes; b. a turbine secured in fluid communication with the outlet ends of the plurality of firing tubes so that the exhaust stream passes into and drives the turbine; and c. a scroll ejector attenuator secured in fluid communication with and between the outlet ends of the plurality of firing tubes and the turbine, the scroll ejector attenuator including an ejector portion integral with a scroll attenuator portion wherein:
i. the ejector portion includes an entry passage adjacent the outlet ends of the plurality of firing tubes for receiving and mixing the exhaust stream from the firing tubes and is configured to direct the exhaust stream to flow radially inward; andii. the scroll attenuator portion includes an exhaust stream flow tunnel that defines a circumferentially turning, narrowing passageway for directing flow of the exhaust stream from the entry passage of the ejector portion through the circumferentially turning, narrowing passageway and out of a discharge end of the scroll ejector attenuator adjacent an inlet of the turbine.