Propulsion

About: Propulsion is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 24977 publications have been published within this topic receiving 200311 citations.

Nuclear pulse propulsion - A historical review of an advanced propulsion concept

Abstract: Future space exploration, and in particular rapid manned exploration, requires propulsion systems that are much more advanced than present-day systems. The paper discusses the concept of the nuclear pulse rocket and reviews some of the history of the work carried out on this concept over the last 25 years. The external system (explosion outside the vehicle) and the internal system (explosion inside the vehicle) are compared. The capabilities of nuclear pulse systems are examined, demonstrating the striking advantage of this system over other concepts. Efforts should be concentrated on a program designed to develop nuclear pulse propulsion as a tool for exploiting the solar system. Ample bibliography is included.

Hyper-X Research Vehicle Experimental Aerodynamics Test Program Overview

Abstract: An overview is provided of the experimental aerodynamics test program to ensure mission success for the autonomous flight of the Hyper-X research vehicle, a 12-ft-long, 2700-lb lifting body technology demonstrator designed to flight demonstrate for the first time a fully airframe-integrated scramjet propulsion system. Three flights are planned, two at Mach 7 and one at Mach 10. The research vehicles will be boosted to the prescribed scramjet engine test point, where they will separate from the booster, stabilize, and initiate engine test. Following more than 5 s of powered flight and 15 s of cowl-open tares, the cowl will close, and the vehicle will fly a controlled deceleration trajectory, which includes numerous control doublets for in-flight aerodynamic parameter identification. The preflight testing activities, wind-tunnel models, test rationale, risk reduction activities, and sample results from wind-tunnel tests supporting the flight trajectory from hypersonic engine test point through subsonic flight termination are reviewed.

Gas-electric propulsion system for an aircraft

Abstract: In one aspect the present subject matter is directed to a gas-electric propulsion system for an aircraft. The system may include a turbofan jet engine, an electric powered boundary layer ingestion fan that is coupled to a fuselage portion of the aircraft aft of the turbofan jet engine, and an electric generator that is electronically coupled to the turbofan jet engine and to the boundary layer ingestion fan. The electric generator converts rotational energy from the turbofan jet engine to electrical energy and provides at least a portion of the electrical energy to the boundary layer ingestion fan. In another aspect of the present subject matter, a method for propelling an aircraft via the gas-electric propulsion system is disclosed.

Single passenger aircraft

Abstract: Disclosed is a single passanger aircraft configured to vertically take-off and land. An airframe is configured to support the passanger in an upright position during take-off and landing and during flight. The aircraft includes a pair of propulsion devices (36a, 36b) that are mounted on an airframe (32) above the level of the pilot. A set of hand operated control devices (196, 198) are mechanically linked to the propulsion devices (36a, 36b) for varying the orientation of the propulsion devices during flight.

Propulsion control using longitudinal acceleration, steering angle, and speed to select slip threshold

Abstract: A propulsion control system for motor vehicles for preventing an undesirable spinning of the driven vehicle wheels when their slip exceeds a certain threshold value, having several slip thresholds that are connected or disconnected by a logic circuit as a function of the vehicle speed, the longitudinal acceleration, the steering angle and control signals of the propulsion control. The logic circuit may also be used for changing the rising and adjusting speeds of the control elements of the propulsion control.