Patent ID: 12188490

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, a pulse detonation combustion pump is described herein. In many embodiments, the pulse detonation pump can include a combustion chamber that receives a supply of combustible gases through an inlet valve. In various embodiments, the pulse detonation pump may have an exit valve connected to the combustion chamber such that an exhaust or a fluid may exit the combustion chamber. In various embodiments the exit valve can be connected to a fluid management system such as piping to direct the flow of the exit fluid or exhaust into any number of additional systems such as energy management systems and/or fluid storage systems. Numerous embodiments, have a fluid inlet valve connected to the combustion chamber to allow for a fluid such as water to be drawn into the combustion chamber during the combustion cycle. Other embodiments, may be configured with an ignition source that is connected to the combustion chamber, more specifically the internal cavity of the combustion chamber, such that it can ignite the gases within the chamber. In accordance with many embodiments the pulse detonation combustion pump is configured to operate in a cyclic fashion. For example, in many embodiments a primer phase will operate to inject the combustion gas into the combustion chamber through the gas inlet valve. Subsequently, the gas can be ignited causing a detonation within the chamber by which any contents within the chamber can be expelled or moved out of the chamber through the fluid exit valve. This can be either gases, liquids, or both. The detonation, in many embodiments can result in a condensation of the combusted gases which can subsequently generate a vacuum within the chamber that can act to draw additional combustible gases and additional fluids into the chamber. The fluids that are used within the chamber and ultimately used for work, can vary depending on the overall desired function and purpose of the pump. For example, some embodiments may utilize liquid water. Other embodiments may use liquid mercury or any other type of fluid that is not reactive with the combustible gas mixture or any component of the pump. Accordingly, it can be appreciated that the structure of the pump can be made of any type of material or combination of materials that is suitable for the intended use of the pulse detonation pump.

There are varieties of vacuum pumps that can be found to create vacuum for a variety of uses. Some such uses may include providing vacuum during a curing cycle in an oven or providing vacuum for the manufacture of multiple components including but not limited to electronic components such as circuit boards and integrated circuits. A traditional vacuum pump operates by altering the pressure in a sealed volume to create at least a partial vacuum. This is typically done by removing the gas molecules within the sealed volume, thus leaving behind a partial vacuum.

As previously described, these traditional systems are made of multiple mechanical components such as rotating fan blades that are connected to a motor system that operates to spin the fan. Mechanical systems are often limited in the strength of the components of which they are made. For example, many such mechanical systems are only designed to operate for a certain number of cycles before failure. Furthermore, such mechanical systems often take time to generate sufficient vacuum and are often noisy. Additionally, in order to generate industrial scales of vacuum some systems tend to be correspondingly large resulting in costly facility and maintenance costs.

Some systems, such as the Humphrey pump, incorporate the idea of reducing the number of moving parts in a pump to generate efficient pumping capabilities through the use of a combustion effect. Some of such examples are illustrated in a variety of patents including but not limited to U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,271,712, 1,272,269, and 1,084,340 to Humphrey. Each of the disclosed Humphrey pumps operated on an open system where one or more components were open to the atmosphere and exposed to the surrounding environment. Additionally, the Humphrey pump lacked the ability to generate suction which required the pump to be located below the fluid source. Furthermore, the Humphrey pump was often large and relatively inconvenient.

In contrast to many present day pumps, embodiments described herein illustrate a pulse detonation pump with relatively few moving mechanical components and capable of generating pressure as well as vacuum that can be applied in a number of different applications. The reduction in moving components can provide several desirable characteristics of an effective pump including, but not limited to, lower maintenance costs, noise reduction, and improved operating efficiency. For example, some embodiments are capable of generating high levels of pressure and vacuum in a matter of milliseconds whereas traditional pumps would take several minutes to obtain comparable levels.

Embodiments of the Pump

As described above, various embodiments of the pulse detonation pump can be configured in a number of ways to generate work. For example,FIGS.1A-2C, illustrate embodiments of a pulse detonation pump configured to create work.FIGS.1A to1Cillustrate top and side views of pump100with a combustion chamber102. The combustion chamber102can have numerous connected elements as described above such as a gas inlet valve106, a fluid inlet valve104as well as an exit or extraction valve108. The combustion chamber102can also be configured with an ignition source110. In numerous embodiments, the gas inlet valve assembly106can be configured to allow the flow of combustible gases (not shown) into the combustion chamber102such that the combustible gases would be in contact with the ignition source110. In accordance with many embodiments, the combustible gases may be introduced into the chamber in a number of ways. For example, the combustible gases can be supplied by an external tank or supply source (not shown) and distributed into the top or bottom portion of the combustion chamber102. In some embodiments, the gas inlet valve assembly106may have a supply tube114disposed within the tank such that the gases can be distributed to the bottom portion of the tank102. One can appreciate that the length of the tube can vary depending on the desired point at which gases would be distributed into the tank. In some embodiments, the combustible gases may be a mixture of two or more gases that are designed to combust when in contact with an ignition source. For example, many embodiments may combine a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases in a desired ratio in order to produce the detonation pulse required to move or expel fluids from the chamber. It can be appreciated that any number of valves can be used as the fluid and gas inlet and outlet valves. Some embodiments may use mass flow controllers with totalizers.

The combustible gases serve as a key element in generating the necessary conditions to create the vacuum and pressure that is generally desirable for use in accordance with many embodiments. The nature of hydrogen gas is generally combustible and when combined in the appropriate stoichiometric ratio to produce H2O, a hydrogen oxygen mixture is capable of producing a shockwave that can be hypersonic. Thus, such a reaction is capable of generating pressures far greater than those of current pumps.

In order to produce vacuum, the pump operates on the premise that a combustion of hydrogen and oxygen in certain stoichiometric ratios produces superheated steam as the only product. The large gas volume increase thus produced by the detonation can be allowed to expel the fluids from the combustion chamber. At the end of the expulsion only superheated steam would remain in the combustion chamber and the outlet would then be closed. The superheated steam will then be cooled by the walls of the combustion chamber and the pressure inside will drop to the vapor pressure of water at the combustion chamber temperature. For example at 29° C. the vapor pressure of H2O is 0.58 psia. Furthermore, the combustion of hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of water can improve the function of the pump. For example, when the gases are detonated by reacting with the ignition source110the reaction can produce a hypersonic shock wave of nearly Mach 4.5 with a potential temperature of 2800° C. nearly instantaneously. Liquid water can be introduced within the combustion chamber and act to absorb the generated heat resulting in a phase change of the water to superheated steam. As is well known, steam can serve as a mechanism to generate work. In various embodiments, the superheated steam can expand up to 2000 times its initial volume when it was liquid water and contribute to the pressure generated from the detonation to expel fluid from the chamber through the exit valve108and, in some embodiments, along a fluid management system116such as pipes. Various embodiments may utilize additional membranes to isolate the water in the combustion chamber. Such embodiments are still capable of producing the desired vacuum while realizing time and energy savings over traditional pumps.

As previously discussed, many embodiments incorporate an inlet flow valve assembly104and an outlet flow valve assembly108where each of the inlet and outlet flow valve assemblies may control the flow of a fluid into and out of the combustion chamber. In accordance with numerous embodiments, the fluid is designed to flow into and out of the chamber102during the process of generating vacuum and pressure within the system thereby creating a pump that can control the flow of a fluid. In some embodiments, the gas stream or gas source may come from an alternate or external source such as one or more tanks configured to combine the gases through the gas inlet valve106or the gases may be pre-combined. In some embodiments, the pump100may be configured to directly generate the supply gases through electrolysis. Accordingly, some embodiments may be configured to generate the combustible gas concentrations from the water flow itself rather than an external source.

It can be appreciated that the combustion of the gases within the combustion chamber102can be done in a number of ways. The ignition source110can be any number of suitable devices capable of causing the combustion of the gases within the chamber102. For example, some embodiments may utilize a spark generator such as a spark plug connected to some type of electric source. Other embodiments may utilize a laser ignitor or a heated wire ignitor. In numerous embodiments, the gas introduction point can be used to dry the ignitor110in order to produce a more reliable ignition with each cycle. In accordance with various embodiments, the combustion chamber102may be configured with a pre-ignition chamber (not shown) such that the actual ignition source110can be isolated from the potentially damaging moisture in the chamber.

As illustrated inFIG.1Cmany embodiments of the pump100may have an exhaust port118connected to the combustion chamber102. The exhaust port may be configured to allow the remnants of the combusted gas to escape the combustion chamber without causing excessive pressure build up within the chamber102. In some embodiments, the exhaust port118may be connected to the top portion of the chamber or may be positioned at any reasonable location such that it can allow the most efficient release of unwanted exhaust.

Illustrated inFIGS.1A to1Cmany embodiments may include a view port120. A typical combustion process is generally capable of producing some type of light or plasma illumination. Such illumination may aid in the evaluation of the combustion process. Additionally, the view port120may be used to evaluate the status of the internal components of the combustion chamber to help improve overall maintenance and longevity of the pump100. Numerous embodiments may also include any number of sensors122positioned such that they can monitor pressure, velocity, temperature, water level, and any other internal conditions of the combustion chamber102during the functioning of the pump. It can be appreciated that any number of sensors at different locations within and external to the combustion chamber102for monitoring the process may be installed. Additionally, some embodiments may utilize a variety of different types of sensors to enable the most accurate control of the fluids entering and exiting the chamber. For example, some embodiments may use mass flow controllers and/or accumulators to measure the gas charge in the combustion chamber.

Turning now toFIGS.2A-2C, other embodiments of the pump are illustrated. A feature of many of the embodiments is not only the functionality and reliability of the pump but the portability of some embodiments. For example,FIG.2Aillustrates a top view of a pump200that is stationed on a mobile cart202. The cart202in accordance with some embodiments may be outfitted with several wheels204such that the pump may be moved from one location to another. Such embodiments illustrate the scalability of the pump for a variety of applications. For example, the pump may be used as a refrigerant cooling pump. Additionally, the mobility of the pump may allow the pump to serve as a vacuum type tool or pressure tool in a variety of applications such as applying vacuum during an elevated temperature cure cycle.

As can be appreciated, many embodiments of the pump can operate in a cyclic fashion as do many traditional pumps. However, as has been discussed throughout, the method of operation of numerous embodiments is fundamentally different from pumps currently belonging to the state of the art. Accordingly,FIG.3illustrates a pulse detonation pump cycle in various phases in accordance with embodiments.FIG.3illustrates an embodiment of a pump300that is primed301in order to obtain the desired operational vacuum. The cycle is then commenced by allowing fluid into the combustion chamber302. Then oxyhydrogen gas is introduced into the chamber303. The oxyhydrogen gas is ignited304. The detonation of the oxyhydrogen gas produces a hypersonic shockwave that ejects the fluid from the combustion chamber. The ejection of the fluid results in a reduction of the pressure inside the combustion chamber to well below atmospheric pressure. For example, demonstrations of the apparatus have shown this ejection and subsequent reduction of pressure occurs in less than one second. The cycle is repeated by returning to302. Furthermore, many embodiments, as discussed above result in a portion of the fluid being heated to superheated steam further capable of producing work to help move fluid out of the chamber.

FIG.4illustrates a process flow diagram of a combustion cycle in accordance with numerous embodiments. For example, the combustion chamber can be primed401with an initial gas load that can subsequently be detonated402to purge the chamber. Once the initial priming (401and402) has been completed and proper vacuum has been determined and reached403, the pump cycle can begin. This cycle consists of the following: open water inlet and fill combustion chamber404, open gas inlet and set gas charge405, detonate406, expel fluid from combustion chamber407, verify operational results408, repeat cycle or end process.

Many embodiments are directed to a pump that operates on the premise of the combustion of a mixture of hydrogen gas with oxygen gas that upon combustion, generates a hypersonic pulse detonation shockwave which results in the near instantaneous transfer of energy to water acting as a flexible piston. In numerous embodiments, the combustion reaction is also capable of producing high temperature, high pressure superheated steam. The subsequent implosion of the gas component along with the condensation of the superheated steam can subsequently generate a vacuum within the chamber that is much lower than the external ambient pressure. The pressure differential between the shockwave, high pressure superheated steam, the condensed fluid, and the ambient external pressure allows for many embodiments to produce work. In some embodiments the work may be illustrated as a pressurizing pump, while other embodiments may translate the work in the form of a vacuum pump. The capabilities of numerous embodiments discussed herein can be illustrated by the graphs inFIGS.5A-5Cwhich show actual pressure-time plots resulting from multiple detonations in the apparatus depicted inFIG.1A-1E.FIG.5Ashows two detonations plotted on the same graph so the differences in the pressure results from the detonations can be clearly seen. The initial conditions in the apparatus only differed in the amount of oxyhydrogen utilized. The detonation illustrated inFIG.5Bhad 1.3 grams of oxyhydrogen whereas the detonation illustrated inFIG.5C, with the larger range, had 2.2 grams of oxyhydrogen. The 40 liter combustion chamber in each case contained 22 liters of water and 18 liters of air. The temperature was 22° C. and the atmospheric pressure was 14.4 psia. For 1.3 grams of oxyhydrogen,FIG.5Bshows that the pressure increases to a maximum of 17.2 psia in 0.29 seconds returning to atmospheric pressure 0.40 seconds later. The pressure decreases asymptotically to a limit of 5.00 psia reaching 50% of the limiting low pressure by 3.45 seconds. For 2.2 grams of oxyhydrogen,FIG.5Cshows the that the pressure increases to a maximum of 45.3 psia in 0.095 seconds returning to atmospheric pressure 0.14 seconds later. The pressure decreases asymptotically to a limit of 4.38 psia reaching 50% of the limiting low pressure by 2.65 seconds. The faster and more complete expulsion of the fluid in the combustion chamber by the larger charge of oxyhydrogen shows the utility of this approach.

Applications of the Pump

As previously described, the embodiments of the pump can be used in a variety of different applications. Some embodiments may include, but not be limited to, generating vacuum (as previously described), refrigeration or air conditioning, cooling water, distilling water, pumping water or other fluids, geological fracturing, providing a cooling mechanism for nuclear reactors, and/or use as a rotary detonation engine. Additionally, many embodiments may include the use of two or more pumps to operate independently, in tandem cells, synchronously and asynchronously to perform the desired functions of the overall system.

Some embodiments may include a method for using the pump in a manner that could perform geological fracturing. For example, in some embodiments, the pump may be sized to provide any working pressure the system is designed to contain. This may be done with the gases set at standard atmosphere or under compression. Accordingly, embodiments of a pump could incorporate multiple cells that can be programmed to support the hypersonic shockwave to serve this purpose. Embodiments of the pump could be fitted to the well cap rather than to standby truck beds as is currently standard operating procedure. This allows for higher pressures and improved blow out safety.

Other embodiments of the pump may be designed to transport or pump water to any number of locations for any number of uses. For example,FIG.6illustrates a pulse detonation pump system600in accordance with embodiments described herein configured to pump water. The pump602may be used in conjunction with piping604that is in fluid communication with an aquifer606. Accordingly, the detonation cycle of the pump and subsequent generation of vacuum can act to draw water from the aquifer606into the pump and subsequently into an external tank608. Accordingly, the detonation cycle of the pump provides the desired pressure and velocity to feed a venturi style pump below the water line of aquifer606and raise it into the external tank608. In accordance with various embodiments, the pump system600may also have external power sources610as well as electronic control units612electronically connected to the power source610, where the electronic control units can operate to control the amount of gases put into the combustion chamber as well as the subsequent ignition of the gases. Additionally, many embodiments may utilize the control unit612to alter or adjust the flow of both liquid and gas based on the changing environmental conditions such as air pressure and/or water levels. Furthermore, some embodiments may incorporate an electrolysis control system embedded within the control unit that, in accordance with embodiments, can act to generate additional combustible gases from the supplied water. Although various embodiments may operate to extract fluid, such as water, in some embodiments the pump602can be used to extract steam from a well to have its state changed back to liquid. It can be appreciated that many such pump applications can be modified with larger or smaller diameter pipes based on the overall desired nature and/or pressures if needed from the pump. Although electrical power requirements may be supplied by a number of methods, in numerous embodiments, the pump may be designed to utilize telluric current in order to accomplish electrolysis.

FIG.7further illustrates the use of a pulse detonation pump within a steam production cycle/system700. For example, the steam system700may be configured with a pulse detonation pump702, in accordance with embodiments described herein where the pump702is connected to a steam recompressor704. The steam recompressor704is configured to repressurize the steam and direct it back into a boiler706via a repressurized steam line707such that the boiler can be “topped off” for reuse. Additionally the pulse detonation pump702can be connected to a vacuum dump708by a high vacuum line709that can be used as a moderator to the cycle700and is cycled in and out of the circuit. Various embodiments may also include a turbine712to depressurize the steam input713from the boiler706. In some embodiments, the boiler706can be connected to and feed a hydrogen source714which can be used to generate and supply715the gases for the pulse detonation pump702. Accordingly, it can be appreciated that embodiments of the pulse detonation pump702can be configured to generate steam and be applied to various steam systems in order to generate work such as moving a turbine engine for generating electricity.

Other applications of the pumps and pump cells in accordance with many embodiments may be used to generate vacuum for a variety of applications. For example, the pumps may be configured to distill water. The vacuum levels allow for the low-pressure flash distillation of any substance such as seawater and/or sewage from which distilled water needs to be extracted. Flash distillation and fluid transport can both be achieved within the same energy footprint. Some embodiments of the pump may incorporate multiple cells or pumps that operate to produce flash distillation of water. An example may be where one pump is positioned at a water source such as the sea. The first pump may be used to generate steam during the combustion process. The steam may then be supplied to a second pump that repressurizes the steam generating water that may be pumped to some alternate location.

As previously mentioned some embodiments of the pump may be used in various types of HVAC systems. The vacuum and pressure generated can be directly utilized in vacuum refrigeration and other steam ejector based systems.

In accordance with many embodiments, the pump may be used to perform metallic atomization for the production of metal powders of finer size and a more uniform shape than is currently achievable. These metal powders can be used in applications like permanent magnets with strong magnetic field alignments. Atomization, typically occurs by a gravity fed molten metal passing through an orifice and exposing the molten metal to differing high pressure high velocity streams of air, oil, or water producing turbulence, thus atomizing the metallic particles into the desired fineness. For example,FIGS.8A and8Billustrate air and water atomization processes in accordance with known methods in the art. The desired goal is to produce particles of a uniform fineness and sphericity. One issue commonly seen with such known methods is that the finer the desired particulate the more likely the particles cool prematurely and form random shapes resulting in an undesirable product.

In contrast, many embodiments of the present invention may be utilized as shown inFIG.9to perform atomization by the use of a hypersonic blast that occurs with the ignition of the gaseous mixture within a chamber. For example, in some embodiments an atomization system900can be configured with a pulse detonation pump902that is optimized to generate a hypersonic blast that can be translated to molten metal904. Accordingly, the hypersonic blast can vaporize a molten metal904into sub-micron particles by blasting the stream of molten metal with high velocity superheated steam created by pulse detonation of the proper oxyhydrogen mix to establish a reducing atmosphere. Current research shows the key to finer size is the velocity used to blast the molten metal. Additionally, in accordance with many embodiments, the presence of magnetic fields may aid to align and degauss the particles. Accordingly, many such embodiments, would allow for a very uniform way of creating amorphous steel and other rare earth particles polarized or degaussed to make stronger materials or desired magnetic field alignments. In some embodiments, a revised metal powder furnace could utilize a pulse detonation pump in conjunction with natural gravity forces to provide a longer gravitational hang time to achieve a uniform spherical form within an atomization process.

As described previously, some embodiments of a pulse detonation pump could be applied in a rotary detonation pump design which can have numerous applications including, but not limited to aerospace. For example, various embodiments of a rotary detonation pump can operate as a rotary detonation engine and/or aerospike engine combustor which will allow for water injection at key locations to manage temperature and benefit the combustion thrust stream by the rapid expansion of the water to accelerated superheated steam at hypersonic speed. In linear aerospike engines the injection of water at the initial point in which combustion products encounter the ramp, will shield the ramp from excessive temperatures by the rapidly expanding superheated steam. This expansion, along with shielding the ramp from excessive thermal load, can be controlled in varying degree by the volume of water delivery. This added steam component will also serve to increase the density of the ejected mass. This may improve the engines acceleration. In aerospike engines with variable length nozzle designs water can also be introduced at this point. In accordance with many embodiments, a pulse detonation pump can be used in the injection of water at critical points for rotary detonation and aerospike engines to enhance cooling and improve function. This is not to exclude linear designs, but the rotary detonation model applied to development of combustor arrays will also have its application as an enclosed pump to develop pressures and vacuums for fuels and oxidizers and aerospace engine combustors.

In accordance with some embodiments the pulse detonation water pump can be adapted to a magneto-hydrodynamic generator/thruster. The magneto-hydrodynamic generator/thruster utilizes electrodes placed in a strong magnetic field. For use as a generator, motion of a conductive fluid through the device creates an electric current which can be collected from the electrodes. For use as a thruster, application of voltage between the electrodes accelerates the fluid. For example,FIG.10illustrates a magneto-hydrodynamic generator/thruster system1000that utilizes a pulse detonation pump1002. The magnetic field required can be generated by a Halbach array1004. A Halbach array is a precise arrangement of permanent magnets that directs the magnetic field in a specific desired area. The electrodes1006in the magnetic field are shown installed in a tube passing through the Halbach magnetic array. Current magneto-hydrodynamic thruster technology is less effective at lower velocities which is overcome by the high velocities generated by the pulse detonation pump. In various embodiments, a pulse detonation pump can be utilized to accelerate conductive fluids which will generate a current across electrodes1006in order to produce power.

In some embodiments of a pulse detonation pump both the cyclic and rotary detonation forms may be used to provide the desired pressures and vacuums to accomplish cost effective low pressure flash distillation of all types of water sources. In some embodiments the pump can be used for fluids including but not limited to saltwater, freshwater, brackish water, effluent, or sulfuric acid. Because of the lower energy requirements of the pump, the low pressure flash distillation process will fit well into the energy footprint of fluid transportation. In various embodiments a cyclic form of the pump can reach 2.2 psia on each cycle which correspondingly allows water to boil at 54° C. In other embodiments a rotary detonation form of the pump can lower this vacuum to 0.5 psia which correspondingly allows for water to boil at 27° C.FIG.11shows a low pressure flash distillation process utilizing a glycol loop solar array1102to raise the water temperature of a brine tank1106. Although the solar array1102is shown, any other heat source may be substituted to bring the fluid to the desired temperature. The pump1103in both cyclic and rotary detonation modes is used to provide the hydraulic pressure to operate the press filter1104to routinely remove solids, and to recompress the steam back to a liquid. Although these temperatures and pressures are related to water, other fluids such as strong acids and bases not reactive with the fuel may benefit from this form of distillation or transport alone. It should be noted that the steam column created could be used to raise the discharge level of the pump to much higher elevations for storage purposes, Discharge could foreseeably be within municipal storage towers maintaining municipality supply pressures.

In numerous embodiments, a continuous thrust vector can be accomplished by utilizing rotary detonation. For example,FIG.12illustrates an embodiment of a rotary detonation pump1200. It can be appreciated that the dynamics of a rotary detonation engine can produce vacuum and pressure in a manner that allows it to function like a pump. For example, numerous embodiments can be configured with one or more fluid inlets (1202and1204) that can be used to allow fluid to flow into the primary fluid gallery1206as well as a circumferential fluid reservoir1207. In some embodiments, the fluid to be moved can also be used to absorb any excess heat generated from the combustion. Accordingly the absorption of heat can lead to the creation of steam and/or other gases that can be expelled through a number of outlet ports. Furthermore, some embodiments can be configured for the expulsion of a fluid in such a manner that the fluid is pushed to an alternate location. It can be appreciated that the input of fluid and subsequent absorption of heat can be used to shield the annulus1208, outlet lines (not shown) and in the case of an aerospike linear engine, the spike. In numerous embodiments, the fluid inlets (1202and1204) can be configured to receive hydrogen and/or oxygen that can be heated, changed to a gas, and subsequently pushed to a larger pump or a pump that can utilize the now pressurized gas for the combustion process. This can be advantageous because smaller implementations of a rotary detonation pump can reduce the complexity and long term maintenance costs involved with pressurizing gases used for the function of the pump. In accordance with many embodiments, the rotary detonation pump1200may incorporate a combustion gas inlet1210that can provide the fully mixed gas and is protected from the backwards detonation pressure by a variable director (not pictured). As can be appreciated the gas supplied to the gas inlet1210can be supplied in a number of manners such as from a separate rotary combustion pump or by an alternative gas pressurization device.

The protection or shielding of the annulus1208from excessive heat can ensure a greater efficiency of the pump. Accordingly, some embodiments may use one or more sensors1212to monitor the temperature and pressure at various locations in the pump1200. The temperature and pressure sensors1212can be used for recording operational parameters which can then be fed back into a control module (not shown) such that the various inlets (1202,1204, and1206) can be appropriately controlled to ensure the most efficient operation of the pump1200. In numerous embodiments, the shape of the annulus1208can modified to re-enforce the period of rotation within the annulus. For example, in a cylindrical annulus the flame front furthest from the primary detonation point lags the flame front closest to the primary detonation point. In contrast, a conical annulus, if properly engineered, would result in a uniform flame front from the primary detonation point to the annulus exit. Additionally, fluid injection ports1214can be used in a simplified form around the annulus1208to aid in the absorption of heat during the process.

Although specific implementations of the rotary detonation and pulse detonation pumps are illustrated, it should be understood that a number of different configurations can be used in order to achieve the specific work cycles described herein such as combustion, expulsion of fluid and generation of vacuum, and a subsequent drawing in of fluids for a repeat process. Additionally, although each implementation is illustrated separately, it can be appreciated that a combination of such implementations can be used to perform the desired process.

DOCTRINE OF EQUIVALENTS

This description of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications. This description will enable others skilled in the art to best utilize and practice the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to a particular use. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.