Plasma actuated ignition and distribution pump

A plasma actuated ignition and distribution pump wherein high voltage is introduced by means of a pulse forming network (PFN) and a fuse wire extending between an anode and a cathode terminal to create a plasma discharge in order to permeate and ignite a fuel mass with the plasma and pump plasma-ignited fuel into a propellant mass to thereby enhance combustion in an electrothermal-chemical impulse propulsion system comprising:

• a capillary having a bore therethrough with a first and a second end forming a containment means defining a closed volume within a wall;
• said capillary having a plurality of variable size perforations through said wall;
• and
• means for covering said perforations and for separating said fuel and said propellant mass.

An electrothermal-chemical gun for accelerating a projectile in a bore of a barrel comprising:

• a Pulse Forming Network (PFN) for creating a plasma discharge;
• a capillary having a wall and a bore therethrough containing the plasma discharge;
• said capillary further having a first end and a second end;
• an anode and a cathode electrodes disposed at said first and said second end;
• means for establishing plasma flow across said electrodes;
• said capillary being in communication with a hollow tube having variable size perforations along a surface, and extending into a combustible mass;
• and
• means for discharging plasma from said capillary into said hollow tube.

An electrothermal-chemical gun for accelerating a projectile in a bore of a barrel comprising:

• a Pulse Forming Network (PFN) for creating a plasma discharge;
• a capillary having a wall and a bore therethrough containing the plasma discharge;
• said capillary further having a first end and a second end;
• an anode and a cathode electrodes disposed at said first and said second end;
• a fuse wire connecting said electrodes;
• said capillary having a plurality of variable size perforations through said wall;
• means for covering said perforations and for separating said capillary from a fuel chamber and a propellant chamber;
• and
• means for dividing said fuel chamber and said propellant chamber.

An electrothermal-chemical gun for accelerating a projectile in a bore of a barrel comprising:

• a Pulse Forming Network (PFN) for creating a plasma discharge;
• a capillary having a wall and a bore therethrough containing the plasma discharge;
• said capillary further having a first end and a second end whereat an anode and a cathode electrode are located;
• means for establishing plasma flow across said electrodes;
• means for deflecting plasma flow disposed at said end whereat the cathode electrode is disposed;
• said capillary having variable size perforations and extending into a combustible mass;
• and
• means for covering said perforations and for separating said capillary and said combustible mass.

An electrothermal-chemical gun for accelerating a projectile in a bore of a barrel comprising:

• a Pulse Forming Network (PFN) for creating a plasma discharge;
• contiguous chambers containing air, fuel and propellant;
• said air chamber defined by a closed wall, including a first and a second end whereat an anode and a cathode electrodes are disposed and further includes means for establishing plasma flow between said electrodes;
• said air chamber further having variable size perforations along a surface of said wall;
• said fuel chamber defined by a closed wall and having a first end and a second end, and proximately disposed to said air chamber;
• said fuel chamber further having variable size perforations along a surface of the wall in staggered relations to said perforations in said air chamber;
• means for enclosing said air chamber and said fuel chamber at said ends to thereby contain plasma pressure;
• said propellant chamber proximately disposed to said fuel chamber;
• and
• means for separating and isolating said air, said fuel and said propellant chambers.