A self-starting, self-aspirating valveless pulse-
jet engine maximized to capture air during static operation. This invention is an improved
adaptation of my U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,446, and continues to utilize a
combustor tube, a forward-facing intake duct, a
flame holder, a
fuel supply means, and a
spark plug to ignite the fuel-air mixture. To improve static
air capture, the intake tubes of the intake duct, forward of the primary intake tube, that is joined to the
combustion chamber, feature aggressively enlarged forward inlet mouths. By adjusting the relative diameters of the intake tubes that are inserted into each other, to achieve a greater difference of diameters, this adjustment, combined with aggressively enlarged intake tube mouths dramatically increases the ability of the intake duct to capture a maximum of air during static operation. Tests have shown the enlarged mouths are equally effective either as enlarged cupped mouths or as enlarged cones. Further improvement in
air capture has been gained by adjusting the position of the aft end of the intake tube that is inserted inside the primary intake tube, so its position is in a range that is even with the plane created by the
combustion chamber forward wall or just outside of the
combustion chamber and closer to the mouth of the primary intake tube. (According to my U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,446, this intake tube was located so its aft end was inside the
combustion chamber.) Further improvement in static
air capture is made by specifying a
diameter of the exhaust tube
tail that has proved superior for air capture during static research testing. Capture of more air during static operation increases
burn rate and thrust, and lowers specific fuel consumption, due to burning of leaner air-fuel mixtures. This invention also has improved thrust during dynamic operation, because the enlarged intake tube mouths capture more air during forward movement of the engine.