Serial rotating detonation combustor systems

A method comprising:

• supplying a core oxidizer-fuel mixture to a combustor system including a first rotating detonation combustor and at least one additional rotating detonation combustor arranged in series, the first rotating detonation combustor and the second rotating detonation combustor bordered directly by common outer wall;
• supplying a first pilot oxidizer-fuel mixture to the first rotating detonation combustor;
• supplying a second pilot oxidizer-fuel mixture to the at least one additional rotating detonation combustor;
• and
• igniting at least one of the first pilot oxidizer-fuel mixture in the first rotating detonation combustor or the second pilot oxidizer-fuel mixture in the at least one additional rotating detonation combustor to generate rotating detonation waves that consume at least a portion of the core oxidizer-fuel mixture.

A combustor system comprising:

• a first wall defining at least in part a core that receives a core oxidizer-fuel mixture, the core including a first detonation chamber and at least one additional detonation chamber, wherein the first wall is common outer wall that directly borders the first detonation chamber and the at least one additional detonation chamber;
• a centerbody disposed in the core, the centerbody having an external surface including a first inner channel that extends circumferentially about the first detonation chamber and at least one additional inner channel that extends circumferentially about the at least one additional detonation chamber;
• and
• at least one inner pilot oxidizer-fuel supply system that supplies a pilot oxidizer-fuel mixture to the first inner channel and the at least one additional inner channel;
• wherein the pilot oxidizer-fuel mixture ignites to generate rotating detonation waves that are guided by the first inner channel and the at least one additional inner channel to support a reaction that consumes the core oxidizer-fuel mixture.