Abstract: The burning of fuel (e.g., coal) in industrial equipment generates an exhaust flow containing airborne particulate. The flow is passed through a rotary heat exchanger to preheat inlet air. The heat exchanger element is subject to fouling and is cleaned by a pulsed combustion device. The device is operated by introducing a fuel and oxidizer charge to at least one conduit and initiating combustion of the charge. The combustion generates a shock wave to which the element is exposed, dislodging and/or otherwise removing the deposits.

Abstract: A shockwave cleaning apparatus cleans one or more surfaces within a vessel. A sensor senses one or more thermodynamic properties associated with the vessel. A control system is coupled to an initiator and a fuel/oxidizer source to control the firing of the apparatus responsive to input from the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for cleaning a surface within a vessel. A vessel wall separates a vessel exterior from a vessel interior and has a wall aperture. An elongate conduit has an upstream first and a downstream second end and is positioned to direct a shock wave from the second end into the vessel interior. A source of fuel and oxidizer is coupled to the conduit to deliver the fuel an oxidizer to the conduit. An initiator is positioned to initiate a reaction of the fuel and oxidizer to produce the shock wave within the conduit for generating the shock wave. A source of purge gas is positioned to introduce the purge gas to the conduit to drive reaction products of the fuel and oxidizer downstream.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for cleaning a surface within a vessel. A fuel/oxidizer charge is provided within a combustion conduit. An initial deflagration commenced in a first portion of the charge produces a final detonation at least in another portion of the charge to expel a shockwave from the conduit which impinges upon the surface. The deflagration-to-detonation transition may be encouraged by mechanical enhancements and/or by making the first charge portion more detonable than the second.

Abstract: A pulse detonation power generation apparatus is provided. This apparatus is provided with a detonation chamber connected to fuel and air sources which detonate to produce energy which may be converted to electrical energy.

Abstract: A nozzle for a detonative combustion engine, the engine having multiple combustor tubes, comprises a common plenum communicating with the combustor tubes. The common plenum combines separate exhaust streams from the combustor tubes into a compound subsonic exhaust stream. A compound flow throat communicates with the common plenum. The compound flow throat converts the compound subsonic exhaust stream into a compound sonic exhaust stream. The common plenum and compound flow throat cooperate to maintain a predetermined upstream combustor pressure regardless of down stream pressure exiting the expansion section. Optionally, an interface section is inserted between the plenum and the engine such that it communicates with the common plenum section and with outlets of the combustor tubes. The interface section is compartmentalized into flow passages with each flow passage having a cross-sectional area that increases from that of a particular nozzle intake port connected to a conductor tube exit.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid fueled pulsed detonation air breathing engine. The engine has at least one, and preferably a multiplicity of, detonation chambers, each of which has an inlet end for opening and receiving a charge of fuel and air, and an outlet end for discharging combustion product gases. A fast-acting valve is located above the inlet ends of the detonation chambers and cyclically opens the fuel and air receiving openings in the inlet ends of the detonation chambers to allow a fuel/air charge to enter the chambers. In a preferred embodiment, the valve is of a rotary type with a body that has at least one opening through which fuel and air can flow into the inlet end of the detonation chamber. Once the valve has closed, detonation is initiated by an ignitor and impulse force is provided by the resultant shock wave. Thereafter, the valve opens again so that the detonation chamber can be charged with fuel and air to recommence the cycle.

Abstract: A pulse detonation rocket engine, having at least two detonation chambers. The rocket propelled vehicle includes at least one fuel delivery system in fluid communication with each of the at least two detonation chambers, and at least one oxidant delivery system in fluid communication with the detonation chambers, along with fast-acting valves to inject fuel and oxidant controlledly into the chambers. An ignitor in each of the detonation chambers intermittently initiates detonation of a fuel and oxidant mixture in the chamber, in a controlled cycle, to provide motive force. Also provided is a combined cycle engine, able to operate in air breathing mode, oxidant augmented mode, and as a rocket engine. The combined cycle engine includes at least one detonation chamber, and may include a plurality of such chambers. The invention further provides methods of intermittently detonating sequentially created fuel and oxygen mixtures in these engines, and methods of using these engines.

Abstract: A pulsed combustion acoustic wave generator includes a tubular barrel having an inlet end and an open outlet end, a fuel controller for metering a controlled quantity of fuel into the inlet end of the barrel, an oxidant controller for metering a controlled quantity of oxidant into the inlet end of the barrel and an igniter extending into the inlet end of the barrel that is controllable by an operator to ignite a mixture of fuel and oxidant in the inlet end.

Abstract: A Pulse Detonation Synthesis (PDS) process for the manufacture and deposition of ceramic powders and coatings is disclosed. PDS may use multiple detonation pulses that are initiated in a reaction chamber to synthesize ceramic materials from reactants introduced into the chamber. The reactants may be provided in the form of divided solids, gases, liquids, gels, and/or mixtures of the foregoing. The synthesized ceramic materials may take the form of micron and/or nano-scale powders or coatings. Non-coating powders may be collected for later use. The coatings produced by the present invention include, but are not limited to, gradient coatings, uniform coatings, thermal barrier coatings, and other commercially useful coatings.

Abstract: A pulse detonation engine is provided with at least one detonation combustor selectively coupled to an air inlet and fuel source. The detonation combustors are equipped with either active or passive means to dissipate the heat of detonation. Fuel, air, and an oxidizer can be fed to said detonation combustors either through a rotary valve or through a conically shaped injector head.

Abstract: A pulse detonation engine is provided with several detonation combustors selectively coupled to an air inlet and fuel source by a rotary valve. The rotary valve isolates the steady operation of the air inlet and fuel system from the unsteady nature of the detonation process, and allows the fueling of some of the detonation chambers while detonation occurs in other detonation chambers. The fuel system may use a solid fueled gas generator.