Propulsion Systems

CONTENT COURSE

The lectures involve

• The conventional types of aircraft propulsion systems
• A short presentation of the historical evolution of the Gas Turbines
• The generation of the Thrust equation as well as the Breguet equation
• A short presentation of the reciprocating engines and the basic propeller design and its performance
• The ideal cycles for the Ramjet, the Turbojet, the Turbofan and the Turboprop engines and the parametric analysis for the specific thrust and the specific fuel consumption
• (The influence of the loss coefficients on the performance of the Turbofan Design approach for the turbomachines (Euler equation, cascades, radial equilibrium)

LEARNING OUTCOMES

THE LEARNING OUTCOMES FOLLOWING A SUCCESFUL COMPLETION OF THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS WILL INVOLVE ::

• Knowledge: The students are introduced to the Thrust equation, the Rocket equation and the propulsive efficiency concepts, to be followed by a short discussion of the historical evolution of the aircraft propulsion technologies. Next the course discusses the reciprocating engines (thermodynamic cycle analysis and reciprocating mechanism kinematics and dynamics) and the propeller design and performance. This is followed by a presentation of the typical Gas Turbine concepts and their typical structure (Turbojets, Turbofans, Turboprops and Ramjets). Emphasis is given to the ideal thermodynamic cycles and the parameter optimization from a thrust generation aspect. The inner structure of the Gas Turbines is discussed by presenting the elementary theory of the main subsystems (turbomachine work transfer, cascades and radial equilibrium as well as nozzle and diffuser design)  Combustion chamber aspects are discussed with respect to thermochemistry analysis and unsteady flow phenomena complete the operational aspects of the engines.
• Skills: The students will develop skills associated with various aspects of an engine design (velocity triangle design of compressor and turbine design, blade cooling and structural aspects of the rotors).
• Capabilities: The above combination of knowledge and skills will be demonstrated by completing the requirements of a design project