Introduction of Post combustion Valve in Pulse Jet Engine.

Arvind. M, Franklin Marks. R

III Year Aeronautical Engg, Sathyabama University.
Abstract
A pulse jet engine (or pulsejet) is a very simple form of internal combustion based jet
engine where combustion occurs in pulses. Air is admitted through the valves, and combustion is
initiated, which increases the pressure, closing the valves to prevent back-flow through the inlet.
The hot gases are expelled through the rear nozzle, producing thrust and lowering the pressure to
the point that the valves may open and admit fresh air. A part of the exhaust flames is sucked
back which ignites the second cycle. Then the cycle is repeated. This project is a new design
modification proposal in pulse jets.
This paper is a theoretical design modification proposal in pulse jet technology which
enhances the thrust output, fuel efficiency, thrust continuity, enhanced and proper mixing of fuel
and air & causes better vacuum creation by the addition of a ONE-WAY VALVE AFTER THE
COMBUSTION CHAMBER. In most aero engines the idea of a valve beyond the combustion
chamber would sound deleterious. However in case of pulse jets, the addition of a one-way valve
would prove to be much efficient than the existing engines. This paper both theoretically and
pictorially explains the merits and demerits of introduction of such a system. This concept is
completely innovative and does not exist.
While in the existing pulse jet, the entire working depends on the tail pipe, the latest
design stage has led to a model with no tail pipe, and the flaps forming a nozzle section filleted at
the edges to prevent vortex formation. Most of the design innovations are first of its kind
including the very idea of having a valve control the exhaust through a tail pipe in an aero
engine.
There would be a change in the entire pulse jet cycle due to introduction of the
valve. The new cycle would be as discussed below.
In the original engine, the fuel is injected and air is forced in for the first cycle and the
spark plug is used for ignition. Then a part of the exhaust initiates the second cycle. However
due to the presence of the one way valve, the pulse jet would no more be pulsed! Instead of
pressure wave being bi directional, it becomes unidirectional and the pulse jet becomes more or
less continuous. The second cycle will be initiated again by the spark plug which will operate
according at the optimized frequency. Thus ignition will occur after at the beginning of every
cycle like in IC engines. Therefore the cycle would be induction, ignition, combustion and
exhaust on a repetitive process. The advantages include very high thrust output, high thrust
to weight ratio, higher fuel efficiency, lower cost of manufacture, safer etc. An analysis using
design trough Gambit and analysis by Fluent were conducted in two dimensions. The three

dimensional analysis is currently under progress. Prototype has been made and testing is
pending.