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February 15, 2017

Proposal for a Thrust Augmented Pulse

Jet
Delvin Ogando
Gavriel Pincus

Table of Contents
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1. Executive Summary
2. The Industry
3. Market Analysis
4. Competitive Product Analysis
5. Design Specifications
6. Product Design
7. Product Management
8. Appendix

Executive Summary

We selected the topic of propulsion design and engineering when it comes to efficiency in a

pulse jet. We chose this project because as a group our career goals in life revolve around Aerospace

Engineering. Our goal in this specific project is to manufacture a pulse jet engine and conduct tests

as to improve fuel consumption in order to make the engine a viable option for transportation and as
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a method to test thrust output. In order to accomplish these goals we plan on creating a basic pulse

jet design that could be manufactured without much difficulty. After this jet has been completed we

plan on adding a thrust augmentation which will increase the thrust output of the pulse jet to a great

degree. With this augmentation we would sell our pulse jet to RC hobby enthusiasts and other

individuals interested in aerospace propulsion systems. Upon completion of the thrust augmented

pulse jet we will be comparing our data to different competitive models so that we can prove the

pulse jets superiority over the competition. Some of the resources required for this project include

stainless steel for the pulse jet construction and a remote way of monitoring heat and exhaust as the

jet is tested. If this were to be accomplished, the old and forgotten way of propulsion that was used

many years ago could be reinvigorated and potentially be used in the future to transport goods using

drones quickly and efficiently. To conclude the goal for this project is to build a pulse jet with a

thrust augmentation in order to conduct tests that would improve upon the initial design of the pulse

jet as it pertains to thrust output.

The Industry

Hobby and Aerospace Enthusiasts

The hobby and aerospace industry has been evolving quite quickly over the past

decades. As a result there are a plethora of different products available that all accomplish

the task of creating thrust or providing propulsion. In the end however, the pulse jet

producing subgroup has gone untouched seeing as many companies just focus on turbojets

or turbofans. The problem with this focus is that a turbofan or turbojet is not nearly as

simple as a pulse jet. In addition they are extremely expensive creating a void in the
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marketplace for an efficient pulse jet that is easy to operate and is priced for a competitive

industry standard.

Market Analysis

Hobby and RC enthusiasts

Currently the RC and Hobby industry is quite massive and full of different

companies such as Jetcat or Merlin. These companies embody most of the high thrust jets

available for sale in the civilian market. The industries leading companies mainly advertise

to hobbyists trying to create large scale models of jet aircraft and as a result they need a

compact jet that can produce a large amount of thrust. Although these companies provide an

adequate product to the market, they have yet to provide a cost efficient pulse jet that can be

mounted onto an RC platform. As a result the idea of creating an above 55 lb thrust

producing pulse jet was born. Since this concept is quite new to the marketplace, our

company can expect to receive estimated industry sales of more than triple our original

intended sale goal if adequately marketed. In addition to finding a place in the current

market, our design is also relatively cheap to produce. As a result, we have a very large

margin to which we can gain a profit. In addition hobbyists aerospace engineers need to

produce prototypes and test bed platforms which are crucial to a successful product

development. As a result we will sell to current or previous aerospace enthusiasts to use the

pulse jet in order to test out what can be accomplished using a pulse jet with a high thrust

output. Some of these test bed platforms could include things such as jet powered personal

transportation pertaining to bikes and motorcycles. Due to the structure of the design itself, a

wide variety of applications can be accomplished. Due to this industry being more towards

aerospace enthusiasts, we expect the industry sales to be quite high

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Competitive Product Analysis

Jetcat P-180RXI

Strengths
Solid

Construction which can

withstand heavy use.

Exhaust port with

a minor thrust augmentation.

Compact size for models with limited space.
Built in ignition.
Weaknesses
Extremely expensive.
With such a complex intake injury can occur.
Extremely difficult to disassemble.
Comes with branding.
Strategy
The Jetcat engine is the most expensive product in the three that we

focussed on. As a result the main selling point of our pulse jet would be the fact that

we can sell it for only a couple hundred dollars while also producing more than 20

lbs of additional thrust.

Merlin M200XBL

Strengths
No branding

on the jet itself.

Less mounting

space is needed.
Exhaust has a

minor thrust augmentation.

Multi-layered

construction.
Weaknesses
Ignition tube produces much more drag due to its shape.
Long Main body for a turbine jet.
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Very Expensive.
Extremely complex to fix if a problem arises.
Strategy
Seeing as the Merlin jet is over $2,000, our main selling point would

be the fact that our product would only retail for a couple hundred dollars.

HobbyKing Pulse Jet Red Head

Strengths
Comparatively

cheap to buy.
Very light.
Good amount of

mounting possibilities.
Weaknesses
Made with cheap

welds.
Does not start without modifications.
Very thin construction.
Overheats extremely fast.
Valves tend to wear out and break with just a single use.
Spark plug tends to short out after minor use.
Strategy
Due to the HobbyKing pulse jet not having a reputation for a high

quality product, our product shall take the place of a cost effective solution to the

same problem that is also very durable.

Design Specifications

Design Specifications
Provide approximately 55 lbs. of thrust
Consume one tank of propane in a reasonable time
Stand up to extremely high temperatures without warping
Ignite and begin combustion at the appropriate time
Be capable of being mounted on several test bed platforms as well as
vehicle platforms.
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Product Design

Overall Costs

Materials for the pulse jet

itself.
i. $162
Materials with Ignition and fuel system
i. $215.97
Labor Time
i. 8 Hours
ii. $10/Hour
Retail Price
i. $310

Design Technicalities

Noise Complaints, Fire warnings, and potential user harm. Due to these laws
being very serious, for prototyping and testing of the pulse jet, I have decided to conduct
it outside city limits on the property of a family friend in Wellborn. As for users, I have
decided to issue a statement that the company will not take responsibility for any harm
that comes from running the pulse jet in an improper way or in an improper place. We
have met the ethical responsibility for this project. I would include a very detailed form
with the shipment of each pulse jet that would talk about the dangers that the user might
encounter while using the product.
Overall the product itself does not pollute the environment to a great degree.
The only concern would be of noise pollution due to the operation of the pulse jet within
a densely populated area. Other than the noise, the pulse jet itself can be recycled fully
due to it being constructed out of pure stainless steel. In order to reduce noise pollution,
the running of the pulse jet should be conducted in an isolated area that is conducive for
testing and experimenting such as an open field or a gun range.

Design Justification

Justification

As a product in the competitive market, the pulse jet accomplishes

the goal of creating a cost efficient pulse jet with a great amount of thrust without
sacrificing quality. It corners the market seeing as most high thrust jet engines are
over the $1,000 mark. In addition anything below $1,000 is not known to be reliable
when it comes to construction.With the thrust augmentation, the output of the pulse
jet would be increased to a great degree. Numerically this would equate to the
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addition of around 5-10 lbs. of additional thrust. Furthermore, the pulse jet would
become more efficient due to the hot exhaust being put towards extra thrust rather
than the it being expelled and mixing inefficiently with the surrounding atmosphere.
When it comes to laws and regulations, the pulse jet itself would not violate any city
codes through proper use. The product itself is projected to have a lifecycle of more
than 6 months depending on usage. Even though it may be powered by a gas, the
emissions produced do not cause nearly as much as some jet engines or that of the
common gasoline engine.

Product Management
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx75__cgzZuWTndRYnRCV0w5d
WdSZ3VnOUJqTG1JZFVVLUhz/view?usp=sharing
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Appendix

Useful Links:
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https://aardvark.co.nz/pjet/starting.shtm
http://www.pulsejetengines.com/how-pulse-jets-work/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulsejet
Documentation:

Conclusion
1. The design itself has not changed drastically, however the pulse jet now has a thrust
augmentation which will add additional thrust. These changes occurred because as the
project progressed, a need a deciding factor that would set the product apart was needed.
2. Mostly if the proposed market is something that can create a profit. In other words if
the product will actually sell or if it's even needed in the proposed industry. This is because,
if an investor wants to put his money towards a new product, they will want to earn their
money back with a good profit margin.
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Works Cited

"How Pulse Jets Work." Pulse Jet Engines. N.p., 2014. Web. 19 Dec. 2016.

"Home made jet & pulsejet engine." Home made jet & pulsejet engine. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Dec.

2016.

"Pulsejet." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 19 Dec. 2016.