U.S. Patent Specifications

Propulsive thrust generating apparatus having forward propulsive thrust reacting surfaces comprising: a duct; means for introducing into said duct a plurality of fluids which, when mixed, form a combustible mixture; means including a deflector forming a mixing zone in which said fluids are formed into said combustible mixture, said deflector extending along at least a substantial portion of a periphery of said mixing zone and forming a wall of a sheltered combustion zone, and creating turbulence downstream of said sheltered combustion zone; means forming a main combustion zone downstream of said mixing zone; and means effective to establish and maintain an ignition flame in said sheltered combustion zone which ignites said combustible mixture in said main combustion zone and causes continuous flame propagation across said combustible mixture in said main combustion zone with zone with said mixture travelling at a velocity higher than the rate of normal flame propagation in the mixture to cause thrust producing acceleration of said gases reacting against said surfaces.