Written by Kris Land
An engine that utilizes pulse detonation harnesses detonation waves to burn, or combust, fuel. Rather than constantly
burning, a pulse detonation engine needs the time between pulses to refill the combustion chamber with fuel. This prepares the system for the next pulse so that energy is continually produced. The pulse combustion engine has not yet found a concrete application. However, that does not mean that this technology holds no potential.
Pulse detonation test engines have been constructed and successfully used in low-speed aircraft demonstrations, which were performed on January 31st, 2008. These test flights, developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory along with Innovative Scientific Solutions, Inc., proved that the pulse detonation engine could sustain flight. The test aircraft was a Scaled Composites Long-EZ given the moniker Borealis. The modifications included an engine that utilized four tubes to produce 80 Hz pulse detonations which generated as much as 200 pounds of thrust.
The pulse detonation engine was able to keep the craft in the air for 10 seconds under its own power at an altitude of roughly 100 feet. A small rocket system was also installed to help support the pulse detonation engine. This was an important breakthrough, but was still only operational at low speeds. The main goal was to improve pulse detonation technology so that it could be used in high-speed flight.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) revealed its Blackswift design in June of 2008. This project was intended to increase the potential of pulse detonation so that it was operational at speeds up to Mach 6. Unfortunately, DARPA’s project was cancelled the following October.
The Sea Bird’s Revival of Pulse Detonation Technology
The Sea Bird may put pulse detonation to the test yet again to prove once and for all if this experimental propulsion technology actually works. The premature closure of the Blackswift project may have prevented a thorough study on the concept and application of pulse detonation engines. It is currently one of the possible methods being considered for application aboard the Sea Bird.
A pulse detonation design is reminiscent of engines found in cars. However, due to the pressure created, there are some significant modifications used. An immense amount of pressure is generated each time a pulse detonation occurs. Traditional engines are not constructed to withstand this kind of pressure. If pulse detonation was used in your car’s engine, valves and other pieces would likely break off from the sudden force created. The alternative propulsion system planned for the Sea Bird would be designed to handle pulse detonation’s higher heat and pressure, which results in less byproduct and cleaner operation.
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1944: Camano Class Light Cargo Ship was laid down for the US Army as FS-289 at Wheeler Shipbuilding in Whitestone, NY.
1945: Delivered to US Army.
1950: Acquired by the US Navy on July 1, 1950 and placed in service as USNS New Bedford (T-AKL-17).
1954: The movie, Mister Roberts, was made on the USNS New Bedford (T-AKL-17).
1955 - 1963: Used as a cargo supply ship for the Texas Towers, a network of advanced radar stations located off the Eastern Seaboard. In 1957, Capt. Sixto Mangual was commander of the AKL-17 and in 1961 it was rechristened the USNS New Bedford. The New Bedford, sailing out of State Pier, was keeping vigil when Texas Tower No. 4 callapsed off the New Jersey coast during a January 1961 nor'easter.
1963: Reclassified as Miscellaneous Unclassified (IX-308).
1971: The New Bedford (IX-308) served as a Torpedo Test Firing Vessel in the Puget Sound area.
1994: Ceremony in New Bedford.
1995: The ship was struck from the Naval Register on April 4.
2004: The Sea Bird's current disposition is a tuna long liner (fishing boat) out of San Diego, CA.
2006: Design of the Tesla Turbine began on June 11, 2006. The Sea Bird was sold by Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service for commercial service.
2007: The Sea Bird was drydocked for renovations.
2008: The Sea Bird setting sail to Sea-Tac in Seattle, WA.
2009 - 2010: The Sea Bird is currently docked at Seattle Sea-Tac.
