Pulse jets, valveless engines in which fuel is injected into a pipe before being ignited by a series of pulses, have been around for more than a century, but they tend to emit low specific pulses. As a result, these lightweight propulsion systems can be applied to components that rarely move or are static, making them easy to maintain, but their low efficiency continues to limit their potential for vehicle thrust applications.
On August 31, 2022, in order to solve this problem, foreign YouTube blogger Integza used 3D printing to develop a valveless engine capable of continuous ignition. Using this technology, the blogger built his own pulse jet, featuring a combustion chamber with printed fuel and oxygen intake valves. Based on this prototype, he developed an improved version of the metal machine, which can achieve ten pulses per second. Integza says this engine isn’t the fastest he’s ever built, but with better valves it should do better. Talking about his future plans, the YouTuber added that if he could find a way, he would build a continuous flow engine using detonation, so the thrust produced would be insane. With this in mind, Integza revealed that he is currently working on a rotary detonation engine capable of producing greater efficiency and thrust.
How does a detonation engine work?
Essentially, pulse detonation engines work by injecting oxygen and propellant into a long barrel that is open on one end and closed on the other. Once these pipes are filled, their fills ignite, causing the fuel to burn and quickly transition to an explosion. The pressure of this shock wave can reachThe propagation speed of Mach 10 pushes the exhaust gases out of the pipe outlet, generating thrust.
A major advantage of jet engines is that they can lift fuel and oxidizer at high enough pressures that they do not require a turbopump to operate. In contrast, typical rocket engines rely on complex and expensive turbopumps to push fuel and oxidizer into a chamber at a high enough pressure to avoid being released outside. However, asAs Integza discovered, pulse jets can also be very noisy, making them unsuitable for powering crewed flights and less energy efficient than internal combustion engines. Therefore, this type of propulsion system is more commonly used for thermal energy conversion or to power light radio-controlled aircraft rather than to provide jet thrust.
△Initial prototype of motor with 3D printed cavity developed by Integza. Photo by Integza
Integza’s 3D printed prototype
asAs Integza explains in his video, jet engines feature clever geometry that creates a self-priming cycle of air, mixes with fuel and ignites again, but this doesn’t provide sustained thrust . In order to generate more power, this blogger thought it would be better to use detonation assist on this type of engine, and he tested this theory using a Prusa SL1S 3D printer.
Use this printing system andIn Siraya Tech resin, Integza initially 3D printed a combustion chamber connected to a long acrylic tube and air and fuel valves. He said the high-voltage generator could be operated via the Arduino controller to be turned on, but he wasn’t sure if that setup would produce a detonation. So, to give more power to its engine, Integza used pure oxygen injection.
This allows it to reach per secondA range of 80 meters is enough to punch a hole in a piece of paper and explode a balloon. Not content with this level of thrust, however, the YouTuber went further and machined another prototype out of metal, which he claims is capable of producing pure, consistent explosive impact while reaching speeds of 10 pulses per second. The engine has also proven capable of propelling a platform forward when placed in orbit, leading Integza to describe its prototype as “a great way to explore detonation propulsion.” However, Integza also believes that its design is flawed due to its use of pulsating flow. He is therefore currently developing a rotating detonation motor that would allow one or more detonation points to move continuously in a circular channel. The greater power output of these motors makes them more suitable for vehicle propulsion than traditional pulse-based alternatives, and the YouTuber has now promised to create his own in his next video. Meanwhile, Integza has made 3D model design files of its jet engine prototype available for free download, allowing the bravest to try their hand at 3D printing one at home.
△During testing, Integza’s metal prototype was installed on a platform on the track. Photo courtesy of Integza.
pictureContent creators like Integza provide an accessible way for creators around the world to learn more about 3D printing and how the technology can be deployed in innovative and exciting ways. In August 2021, Integza developed its own 3D printed engine, inspired by Nazi designs and powered by volatile chemical reactions rather than regular fuel.
recently,YouTuber Akaki Kuumeri also developed a 3D printed PS5 controller adapter that allows users to play games with one hand. The content creator is currently developing a library of 3D printed parts for game controllers that accommodate non-standard hand postures to make video gaming more convenient.
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