Development of low frequency pulse detonation engine with high- G mitigating system for aero-spacecraft propulsion

Abstract

This research proposes a low-frequency pulse detonation engine (LPDE) with the corresponding method of anti-high-G effect. It tries to adopt the advantages of both the traditional pulse detonation engine (PDE) and the solid fuel rocket to form a new kind of engine that can use high-energy solid fuel with enclosed high-pressure explosion to generate efficient pulse propulsion. With the development, not only will the benefits of the PDE and the solid fuel rocket be greatly promoted, but the possible damage of high-G effect associated with large pulse thrust can also be prevented. As a result, it conducts the development of a cutting-edge propulsion technology that can be employed in both aeronautical and astronautical engineering. With comparison of existing propulsion technologies, the proposed LPDE technology is expected to have the characteristics of small volume, light weight, high fuel efficiency, large propulsion thrust, effective mitigation of high-G effect, and being suitable for a new generation of aero-spacecrafts to run in both low atmospheric layer and outer space. Based on theoretical analysis, the research has essentially paved the way for the realization of LPDE technology. Two examples, one in zero-gravity environment and the other in one-gravity environment, are discussed to demonstrate the significance of the research.