pulsejetmoottori

A pulsejet engine, or pulsejetmoottori in Swedish, is a type of jet engine that produces thrust intermittently. It works by burning a fuel-air mixture in a combustion chamber. The combustion creates a rapid expansion of gases, which are expelled through a nozzle, generating thrust. Unlike continuous flow jet engines like turbojets or turbofans, pulsejets have no moving parts like turbines or compressors. Their operation relies on the valving action created by the combustion process itself, often using a simple flap valve at the intake.

The basic principle involves drawing fuel and air into the combustion chamber, igniting the mixture, which causes a rapid expulsion of exhaust gases and a subsequent pressure drop. This pressure drop draws in fresh fuel and air, and the cycle repeats. The characteristic "throbbing" sound of a pulsejet is due to this intermittent combustion.

Pulsejets are relatively simple and inexpensive to build, making them suitable for applications where extreme performance is not required. Historically, they gained prominence during World War II, notably in the V-1 flying bomb. Modern applications are less common but can be found in some experimental aircraft, drones, and even certain types of hobbyist rockets. Their low efficiency at higher speeds and noise levels are significant drawbacks. Despite their limitations, the fundamental simplicity of the pulsejet engine continues to be a subject of interest for engineers and hobbyists.