Shock wave propulsion

Prof. Bauer was very successful exploiting waves to initiate chemical reactions and following their progress as equilibrium is approached. To accomplish these studies the shock tube proved a useful instrument, With a slight modification, the wave patterns in the shock tube can be employed for supersonic propulsion. The shock wave in this case serves, as both compressor and "combustor" for one of the thrust-producing units of the propulsion unit. The waves are ducted along wave channels that are arranged around the periphery of a rotating cylinder. End ports of the "wave rotor" communicate with auxiliary devices that generate appropriate waves in the channels to execute a wave cycle. The flows prior to and after the wave rotor are steady. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.