Rotary detonation engine

Claim 1

In an engine of the type wherein the combustion of the fuel mixture is carried out by a detonation wave, the improvement comprising: (a) an elongated shaft having a central longitudinal chamber, said chamber being supplied with a detonatable fuel mixture; (b) a plurality of axisymmetrical elements integral with said shaft and disposed along the length thereof, each said axisymmetrical element having a central annular initiation chamber and a plurality of ducts extending outward from said initiation chamber to exhaust openings on the periphery of the axisymmetrical element, said ducts having a cross-sectional area which permits propagation of detonation waves; (c) means for selectively introducing said detonatable mixture from said central chamber into the initiation chamber of each said axisymmetrical element and the ducts of said axisymmetrical element; and (d) means for selectively initiating detonation of said fuel mixture in the initiation chamber of each said axisymmetrical element, whereby ignition and detonation of fuel mixture in said initiation chamber will produce a detonation wave which travels outward from such initiation chamber in said ducts to initiate fast combustion of the fuel mixture in said ducts, the combustion products being exhausted from said exhaust openings in the form of high speed jets oriented to produce a rotational moment in said element and said shaft.