Abstract:
A pulse detonation engine is provided with several detonation combustors (10) selectively coupled to an air inlet (20) and fuel source (31) by a rotary valve (50). The rotary valve (50) isolates the steady operation of the air inlet (20) and fuel system (30) from the unsteady nature of the detonation process, and allows the fueling of some of the detonation chambers (10) while detonation occurs in the other detonation chambers (10). The fuel system (30) can use a solid fueled gas generator.