Wave combustors for trans-atmospheric vehiclesA performance analysis is given of a conceptual transatmospheric vehicle (TAV). The TAV is powered by a an oblique detonation wave engine (ODWE). The ODWE is an airbreathing hypersonic propulsion system which utilizes shock and detonation waves to enhance fuel-air mixing and combustion in supersonic flow. In this wave combustor concept, an oblique shock wave in the combustor can act as a flameholder by increasing the pressure and temperature of the air-fuel mixture, thereby decreasing the ignition delay. If the oblique shock is sufficiently strong, then the combustion front and the shock wave can couple into a detonation wave. In this case, combustion occurs almost instantaneously in a thin zone behind the wave front. The result is a shorter lighter engine compared to the scramjet. The ODWE-powered hypersonic vehicle performance is compared to that of a scramjet-powered vehicle. Among the results outlined, it is found that the ODWE trades a better engine performance above Mach 15 for a lower performance below Mach 15. The overall higher performance of the ODWE results in a 51,000-lb weight savings and a higher payload weight fraction of approximately 12 percent.
Document ID
19900030386
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Menees, Gene P. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Bowles, Jeffrey V. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Adelman, Henry G. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Cambier, Jean-Luc (Eloret Institute Palo Alto, CA, United States)