Claims
- 1. A method for generating turbofan engine thrust with a pulse detonation system, the pulse detonation system creates a temperature rise and a pressure rise within the turbofan engine without the use of turbomachinery, the pulse detonation system including a first pulse detonation augmentor including an inlet side, an outlet side, and a shock tube sub-system extending therebetween, the shock tube sub-system including a plurality of shock tubes, said method comprising the steps of:introducing fuel and air to the turbofan engine; mixing fuel and air in the first pulse detonation augmentor shock tubes; and detonating the fuel and air mixture within the first pulse detonation augmentor shock tubes to increase the temperature and pressure within the turbofan engine and to generate turbofan engine thrust, wherein the first pulse detonation augmentor shock tubes are selectively in flow communication with at least one turbofan turbine.
- 2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the turbofan engine further includes an auxiliary ram duct and valving system, the first pulse detonation augmentor in flow communication with the auxiliary ram duct and valving system, said step of introducing fuel and air further comprises the step of introducing fuel and air to the pulse detonation augmentor through the auxiliary ram duct and valving system.
- 3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the engine further includes a pulse detonation core replacement augmentor assembly including a plurality of shock tubes, the first pulse detonation augmentor downstream from the pulse detonation core replacement augmentor assembly, the first pulse detonation augmentor replacing a core engine of the turbofan engine, said method further comprising the steps of:introducing air and fuel into the pulse detonation core replacement augmentor assembly shock tubes, mixing fuel and air in the pulse detonation core replacement augmentor assembly; and delivering the fuel and air mixture to the first pulse detonation augmentor.
- 4. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the engine further includes a turbine sub-system, a cooling air pump, an ejector/mixer, and an oxidizer injection system, the turbine sub-system disposed between the first pulse detonation augmentor and the pulse detonation core replacement augmentor assembly, the cooling air pump disposed radially inward from the pulse detonation core replacement augmentor assembly, the ejector/mixer positioned radially outward from the pulse detonation core replacement augmentor assembly, said method further comprising the steps of:cooling the turbofan engine with the cooling air pump disposed radially inward from the pulse detonation core replacement augmentor assembly; and controlling the amount of high pressure gas exiting the pulse detonation core replacement augmentor assembly with the ejector/mixer.
- 5. A method in accordance with claim 4 further comprising the step of introducing an oxidizer into the first pulse detonation augmentor with the oxidizer injection system.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/540,566, filed Mar. 31, 2000, and assigned to assignee of the present invention.
US Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
2635420 |
Jonker |
Apr 1953 |
A |
5353588 |
Richard |
Oct 1994 |
A |