Trouble getting gravity feed pulsejet to start

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StorkTorque
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Trouble getting gravity feed pulsejet to start

Post by StorkTorque » Sat Oct 05, 2024 6:49 pm

I used the excel calculator to make a pulsejet that estimated to make 7.7 lbf of thrust. I got a pretty good set of valves made. The fuel system is gravity fed from a small fuel tank and I’ve pinched the end just enough so if I lift the fuel tank a little bit fuel will flow out.

I’ve done a few tests so far and I havnt even had it pop yet, just a fwoomp sound when the fire from the carb cleaner I sprayed in there goes out. So my method I’ve been using to start it is to spray a generous amount of carb cleaner in there, light it, and use a compressor with a tank to quickly blow it into the front of the valves where the fuel line is also located.

Could the fuel line be too wide? Do I need to have a ignition farther in the combustion chamber?
Any help would be hugely appreciated.

metiz
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Re: Trouble getting gravity feed pulsejet to start

Post by metiz » Fri Oct 11, 2024 10:45 am

I'm not an expert when it comes to valved engines but I would try throwing a lit sparkler into the combustion chamber and then trying to start like that.
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