Ultrahigh-Bandwidth Robust Performance Diagnostics for Rotating Detonation Engines

Spectral Energies proposes to design a multisensory diagnostic suite for measurements within elevated-pressure RDEs. This sensor will utilize tunable-laser absorption spectroscopy to measure temperature, pressure and H2O concentrations in the annulus of a rocket-RDE and background-oriented schlieren imaging system for flow density gradient imaging to provide time resolved information about the shock-structure within the annulus of a rocket-RDE. The team will perform objective development, experimental demonstrations diagnostics in RDEs at operating conditions that are relevant to rocket engines and the design of an improved system for Phase II. The team believes that the use of a RDE will provide at least a 10% increase in combustion efficiency and decrease the complexity of the combustor. The successful incorporation of a RDE into a rocket engine will provide the Air Force and DoD a huge cost-saving and allow for more a sustainable means of space launch.