Patent ID: 7520123

Claim:
A pulse detonation engine comprising: an oxidizer source; a fuel source; a distribution manifold coupled to the oxidizer source and the fuel source, wherein the distribution manifold is operable to deliver mixed fuel and oxidizer; a pulse detonation chamber operable to receive mixed fuel and oxidizer, wherein the pulse detonation chamber further comprises; an axis; containment walls operable to contain a pulse detonation; a thrust wall on which thrust is imparted by the pulse detonation, the thrust wall being axially upstream from the containment walls; an exhaust opening; an insert extending axially downstream from the thrust wall in a flow pathway of the mixed fuel and oxidizer within the pulse detonation chamber, the insert being free of contact with the containment walls, wherein the insert induces turbulence in the flow pathway of the mixed fuel and oxidizer and wherein the turbulence is operable to enhance mixing of the fuel and oxidizer; and an igniter positioned within the pulse detonation chamber operable to ignite the mixed fuel and oxidizer to produce the pulse detonation, wherein the insert further comprises: at least one flow obstruction operable to induce the turbulence within a primary flow comprising mixed fuel and oxidizer, the at least one flow obstruction comprising a ring that extends radially with respect to the axis, wherein the primary flow passes over the at least one flow obstruction and the turbulence is operable to enhance mixing of the oxidizer and fuel within the primary flow; and at least one support rod extending axially and coupled to the thrust wall, and operable to support the ring within the pulse detonation chamber.