In this project, we had to design an engine that will be most fuel-efficient engine. Also, we used a simulator to make a changes on our engine if it was necessary.
Procedure
we set the engine at a speed of 400 mph, altitude of 6000 ft, and throttle at 100% which seems to be reasonable. And, the size of our engine was 4 square feet which was just size of a small airplane.
We chose to use turbofan engines because of their high thrust and good fuel efficiency.
In the turbofan engine, the core engine is surrounded by a fan in the front and at rear. The fan and fan turbine have many blades, and are connected to an additional shaft. The fan shaft that passes through the core shaft for mechanical reasons which is called spool. Some of an airplanes use more spools to improve the fuel efficiency.
The fuel flow rate for the core in the turbo fan is only changed a little by the fan, which allows a turbofan to generates more thrust for the same amount of fuel used by the core. Also, high bypass ratio turbofans are nearly as fuel efficient as turboprops. Because the fan is surrounded by the inlet and is composed of many blades, which it can operate efficiently at higher speeds.
In the turbofan engine, the core engine is surrounded by a fan in the front and at rear. The fan and fan turbine have many blades, and are connected to an additional shaft. The fan shaft that passes through the core shaft for mechanical reasons which is called spool. Some of an airplanes use more spools to improve the fuel efficiency.
The fuel flow rate for the core in the turbo fan is only changed a little by the fan, which allows a turbofan to generates more thrust for the same amount of fuel used by the core. Also, high bypass ratio turbofans are nearly as fuel efficient as turboprops. Because the fan is surrounded by the inlet and is composed of many blades, which it can operate efficiently at higher speeds.
solution
Our best result was .778 TSFC. It is quite efficient with just small amount of area. I think our engine is reasonable size to built one, but it's not the best design I would say.
Conclusion
1. What did you learn in this project?
In this project, I learned how to set the engine simulator to design an engine that is most efficient. And, each engines have advantages and disadvantages depend on the purpose.Another thing I learned was the basics of jet engines and how the thrust is generats through 4 stages of the engine. And, different types of engines have different thrust inputs. The turbofan engine caputures some of incoming air to the inlet and some if it just surrounds the engine. But, turbojet engine captures all of the air for the thrust.
2. Explain how the engine type impacts performance?
Each of the engines are totally different from one another. For example, ramjet has less parts than the other engine. Because, it generates the thrust only in the mid air.
3. Identify and explain the factors you would consider while designing an aircraft to fly efficiently at an altitude of 30,000 – 40,000 ft.
At a high altitude, the temperature and density decrease as a result of high pressure and less air is available to generate the thrust. So, I would use the part that could generates the thrust from the ramjet. The engine would take off with the thrust from the turbofan engine, but once it reaches to the high altitude ramjet will be activated.
In this project, I learned how to set the engine simulator to design an engine that is most efficient. And, each engines have advantages and disadvantages depend on the purpose.Another thing I learned was the basics of jet engines and how the thrust is generats through 4 stages of the engine. And, different types of engines have different thrust inputs. The turbofan engine caputures some of incoming air to the inlet and some if it just surrounds the engine. But, turbojet engine captures all of the air for the thrust.
2. Explain how the engine type impacts performance?
Each of the engines are totally different from one another. For example, ramjet has less parts than the other engine. Because, it generates the thrust only in the mid air.
3. Identify and explain the factors you would consider while designing an aircraft to fly efficiently at an altitude of 30,000 – 40,000 ft.
At a high altitude, the temperature and density decrease as a result of high pressure and less air is available to generate the thrust. So, I would use the part that could generates the thrust from the ramjet. The engine would take off with the thrust from the turbofan engine, but once it reaches to the high altitude ramjet will be activated.