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Full-Text Articles in Aerospace Engineering
Shock Tube Investigation Of Pressure And Ion Sensors Used In Pulse Detonation Engine Research, Robert J. Mcmillan
Shock Tube Investigation Of Pressure And Ion Sensors Used In Pulse Detonation Engine Research, Robert J. Mcmillan
Theses and Dissertations
Shock tubes utilize a difference in pressures between gases separated by a diaphragm to create a shock wave when the diaphragm ruptures. By using sensors of known spacing, the speed of the wave can be determined. The AFIT 2-inch shock tube was reassembled and tested to ensure proper and safe operation. A high-speed data acquisition system was configured to take data at 2 MS/s. This research showed that the Mach number of the shock waves produced in this shock tube fall within 7% of theoretical values at speeds under Mach 3 and within 9% at higher speeds. The peak velocity …
Detonation Branching In A Pde With Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuel, Kristin L. Panzenhagen
Detonation Branching In A Pde With Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuel, Kristin L. Panzenhagen
Theses and Dissertations
A pulse detonation engine (PDE) capitalizes on the large mass flux and pressure rise associated with detonations to create thrust, which is proportional to PDE cycle frequency. This research showed that using a branched detonation as an ignition source, as opposed to standard spark ignition, deposits more energy into the thrust tube head. The increase in energy decreases ignition delay and detonation to deflagration transition (DDT) time. This allows a theoretical 85% cycle frequency increase that is accompanied by an 85% increase in thrust. The increase in energy also reduces the need for a DDT enhancement device, thereby increasing thrust …