A pulse detonation engine (PDE) is a type of propulsion system that uses detonation waves to combust the fuel and oxidizer mixture. The engine is pulsed because the mixture must be renewed in the combustion chamber between each detonation wave and the next. Theoretically, a PDE can operate from subsonic up to a hypersonic flight speed of roughly Mach 5. An ideal PDE design can have a thermodynamic efficiency higher than other designs like turbojets and turbofans because a detonation wave rapidly compresses the mixture and adds heat at constant volume. Consequently, moving parts like compressor spools are not necessarily required in the engine, which could significantly reduce overall weight and cost. PDEs have been considered for propulsion since 1940. Key issues for further development include fast and efficient mixing of the fuel and oxidizer, the prevention of autoignition, and integration with an inlet and nozzle.

To date, no practical PDE has been put into production, but several testbed engines have been built and one was successfully integrated into a low-speed demonstration aircraft that flew in sustained PDE powered flight in 2008. In June 2008, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) unveiled Blackswift, which was intended to use this technology to reach speeds of up to Mach 6

How You Will Benefit

(I) Insights, and validations about the following topics:

Chapter 1: Pulse Detonation Engine
Chapter 2: Nuclear Pulse Propulsion
Chapter 3: Rotating Detonation Engine
Chapter 4: AIMStar
Chapter 5: Antimatter-catalyzed nuclear pulse propulsion
Chapter 6: Antimatter rocket
Chapter 7: Nuclear electric rocket
Chapter 8: Nuclear power in space
Chapter 9: Nuclear propulsion
Chapter 10: Nuclear thermal rocket
Chapter 11: Project Pluto
Chapter 12: Fission-fragment rocket

(II) Answering the public top questions about pulse detonation engine.
(III) Real world examples for the usage of pulse detonation engine in many fields.
(IV) 17 appendices to explain, briefly, 266 emerging technology in each industry to have 360-degree full understanding of pulse detonation engine' technologies.

Who This Book Is For

Professionals, undergraduate and graduate students, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and those who want to go beyond basic knowledge or information for any kind of pulse detonation engine.