An arc reaction engine and method of use

The reaction engine of claim 26, wherein the mechanical thrust generator comprises a rotor assembly comprising one or more rotor stages, each rotor stage comprising:

• a ring-shaped rotor having an internal volume encompassing at least part of the first airflow path portion and defining a central axis about which the ring-shaped rotor rotates, wherein the ring-shaped rotor is controllably driven for generating acceleration of the fluid;
• and
• an arrangement of blades about an inner circumference of the ring-shaped rotor, each blade of the arrangement of blades extending inwards from the ring-shaped rotor by a distance smaller than a radius of the ring-shaped rotor,
• wherein the active region corresponds to a volume of the first airflow path portion through which the arrangement of blades moves during rotation of the ring-shaped rotor, wherein the arrangement of blades is thereby configured to cause acceleration of the fluid within the active region, and
• wherein the free region corresponds to a remaining volume of the first airflow path portion.

(canceled) 26. A reaction engine for producing thrust with respect to an intake fluid, wherein the intake fluid is configured to move from an intake end to an exhaust end of the reaction engine along an enclosed airflow path, the reaction engine comprising:

• a thrust generating assembly for generating acceleration of an intake fluid within a first airflow path portion of an enclosed airflow path, wherein the thrust generating assembly comprises:
• an input end for receiving the intake fluid;
• an output end for delivering accelerated fluid;
• and
• a mechanical thrust generator for generating for generating acceleration of the fluid within an active region of the first airflow path portion, wherein the first airflow path portion comprises a free region separate to the active region, wherein the thrust generating assembly is configured to cause inductive airflow within the free region due to airflow within the active region;
• an airflow heating arrangement comprising a plasma arcing generator configured for generating a plasma arc within at least a portion of a second airflow path of the enclosed airflow within the airflow heating arrangement and to thereby cause a substantive temperature increase of the fluid;
• before the fluid that received a substantive temperature increase exits the reaction engine at an exhaust end of the reaction engine to thereby provide thrust.