Jet Propulsion
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This book intends to provide an introduction to jet propulsion at the undergraduate level.
Prerequisites: Calculus, Mechanics, Thermodynamics
Contents |
[edit] Sister books
- Rocket Propulsion
- Aerodynamics
- Fluid Mechanics and Computational Fluid Mechanics
- Space Transport and Engineering Methods
- Rotorcraft Fundamentals
- Becoming a Private Pilot
[edit] Introduction
A jet engine is an air-breathing internal combustion engine often used on high speed aircraft. Jet engines like rocket engines use the reaction principle, in that they accelerate a mass (air and combustion products) in one direction and, from Newton's third law of motion, the engine experiences thrust in the opposite direction.
Rocket engines use stored oxidizer to burn the fuel while jet engine use air. Air breathing gives higher performance in terms of thrust per unit of propellant used, and allows the highest endurance. Jet engines hold the current aircraft records of unrefueled distance (26,389.3 miles in 76 hours 45 minutes GlobalFlyer).
Frank Whittle received the patent in 1930 for a jet engine. Hans von Ohain received the German patent in 1935. The first jet aircraft was the Heinkel He178 flown in 1939 with a von Ohain engine producing 4.9kN of thrust.
[edit] More History
The main types are the Turbojet (core flow), Turbofan (ducted fan powered by core), Turboprop(propeller powered by core), Ramjet(aerodynamic ram compression only), and Pulsejet(unsteady dynamic compression).
