MAPP gas fuel for flight vehicles having pulse detonation engines and method of use
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorLouis G. Hunter, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fuel containing methylacetylene-propadiene, commonly referred to as MAPP gas, produces thrust in a flight vehicle having a pulse detonation engine. The MAPP gas fuel of this invention may be used alone or combined with other conventional fuels such as hydrogen, JP-4, JP-5, JP-10, kerosene or any other suitable hydrocarbon fuel. Such hydrocarbon containing fuel includes, but is not limited to, acetylene, methane, ethylene, propane, butane or liquified petroleum gas. MAPP gas fuel is mixed with an oxidant containing oxygen or air and ignited. The detonation wave created produces thrust for the flight vehicle. A method of powering a flight vehicle having a pulse detonation engine with MAPP gas fuel is also disclosed.
Claims9
A method of powering a flight vehicle having a pulse detonation engine, comprising:
- (a) supplying a MAPP gas fuel and an oxidant to a detonation chamber of a pulse detonation engine to form a detonable mixture;
- and
- (b) igniting the detonable mixture in the detonation chamber to create a propagating detonation wave of detonation gases in the chamber.
A method of powering a flight vehicle having a pulse detonation engine, comprising:
- (a) flowing a detonable mixture of a MAPP gas fuel, a second fuel, and an oxidant to a detonation chamber of a pulse detonation engine, the second fuel being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, JP-4, JP-5, JP-10, kerosene, acetylene, methane, ethylene, propane, butane and liquid petroleum gas, the oxidant containing at least oxygen or air;
- and
- (b) detonating the detonable mixture in the chamber to create thrust for powering the engine;
- and
- (c) removing the detonation products from the chamber, then repeating steps (a) and (b).
A flight vehicle having a pulse detonation engine, comprising:
- a tank of MAPP gas fuel;
- a source of oxidant;
- a detonation chamber in fluid communication with the tank of MAPP gas fuel and the oxidant source, the chamber structured to propagate a detonable wave of gases when a mixture of MAPP gas fuel and oxidant is ignited;
- an igniter in communication with the detonation chamber for igniting the detonable mixture;
- the MAPP gas fuel containing methyacetylene-propadiene;
- and
- a second fuel mixed with the MAPP gas fuel, the second fuel being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, JP-4, JP-5, JP-10, kerosene, acetylene, methane, ethylene, propane, butane and liquid petroleum gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.