Propulsion Flashcards
What does the fuel handling system do?
Store the fuel and pass the fuel to the engine at the proper flow rate and pressure.
Solid rocket sytems may not require handling systems.
“a reaction engine discharging a fast moving jet that generates thrust by jet propulsion in accordance with Newtons Thrust.”
Jet Engine
What are the 3 categories of jet engines?
Turbojets and Turbofans
Ramjets
Rockets
What do boosters do?
Bring the missile up to speed to activate the turbo or ramjet primary engine.
May also point the missile in the direction of the flight path.
Describe how a turbofan/turbojet engine works. Broad idea
Compressor: Air is forced into increasingly narrow chambers to increase the oxygen content
Combustor: Produces hot expanding gasses
Turbine: The turbine generates energy to run the compressor.
Describe a Turbojet Engine
Air is sucked in by the fan, combusted, and most of the thrust is generated by exiting the outlet. Only a small amount is used to drive the compressor fan.
Typical in missiles. Smaller frontal area.
Describe a turbofan engine
Has a fan that sucks air into the combustor. The fan is powered by the turbine. Some of the thrust is provided by the fan, some is from the expanding gases at the outlet. The ratio is called the bypass ratio.
Slower, require a larger frontal area. Not typically used with missiles.
Describe a ramjet
Uses the engine’s forward motion to compress incoming air without an axial compressor.
Operate at supersonic speeds up to Ma 6
What is a scramjet?
Operates at hypersonic speeds Ma 5+
How are rockets defined for this course?
Contains their own oxidizer
What are the advantages and disadvantages of liquid propellant
Can be shot off
Difficult to transport safely
Advantages and disadvantages of solid propellant
Safer and more stable
Cannot turn off once ignited
