Patent ID: 8172034

Claim:
A system for producing a sound wave, comprising: at least one detonation tube apparatus, comprising: a detonation tube having a closed end and an open end; a detonator having at least one spark initiator; and a fuel mixture supply subsystem for supplying a fuel-oxidant mixture to said detonator, said fuel-oxidant mixture flowing through said detonator and into the closed end of said detonation tube, said fuel mixture supply subsystem maintaining a mass ratio of fuel versus oxidant and a flow rate of said fuel-oxidant mixture to achieve detonation characteristics at an ignition point within said detonator; and a timing control mechanism for controlling the timing of said spark initiator, said spark initiator initiating a spark at said ignition point within said detonator while said fuel-oxidant mixture is flowing through said detonator thereby producing at said ignition point a detonation impulse that propagates into said closed end of said detonation tube, said detonation impulse initiating a detonation wave at the closed end of said detonation tube, said detonation wave propagating the length of said detonation tube and exiting the open end of said detonation tube as a sound wave.