Recip Thrust Test 12/1

Thrust Basic formula:

Force= Mass x Acceleration (F= mA)

Mass increases = thrust increases

Acceleration increases= thrust increases

(Opposite is also true)

*Calculate mph to ft/sec would be /60 x /60 (or /360) then x 5280

Gross Thrust

Static thrust, amount of thrust developed by engine when aircraft is standing still on ground

0 forward airspeed, acceleration rate is the highest

Fg= weight/ 32.2 (Ve)

Ve is exhaust velocity or final velocity

No Vi or initial velocity because not moving, it would be 0 since not moving

Net Thrust

Amount of thrust developed by engine when aircraft is in flight

When mass flow is the same for both aircraft, the gross thrust is higher, bc the change in velocity across the engine is greater

Fn= weight/ 32.2 (Ve- Vi)

TSFC

Pounds of flow consumed to produce one lb of thrust for one hour of operation

TSFC= Wf/lbs of thrust

(net or gross)

Wf= total weight of fuel consumed

Ram Air Force

Turbine engines are effective when fly fast bc of ram Air Force

Inlet divergent on subsonic

Increases pressure at inlet compressor

P2 max pressure

Less than mach .1, P2 becomes less ambient

P2 and PA same if Mach .1- .2

Choked nozzle

Reached speed of sound

Limits amount of air that can leave the engine

Air cannot be compressed or get out anymore out

Pressure will increase inside

F= w/g (Ve- Vi) + Ram Air Force + Choked Exhaust Force

Thrust Horsepower (THP)

THP = Fn x MPH/ 375

Thrust into hp

Fn= net thrust

Faster I travel, THP goes up

Thrust producing engine compared to hp producing engine

Propeller Thrust (Turboprop)

Fp= Hp x 375/ mph

Measured in lbs of thrust

Vast majority of thrust is producede by prop

Large volume of air, tiny amount of speed

ESHP

Equivalent shaft horsepower

ESHP= SHP + thrust

SHP= hp delivered to shaft, spins the prop

More common on turboprop

Efficiencies

Propulsive efficiency

External power plant efficiency

How fast the exhaust is leaving

Difference between Ve and Vi, (Ricky’s formula would be P= Vi/ Ve)

There is some kinetic energy that is not experienced in engine (Ve), there is a loss of energy

Faster you travel, Peff would go up

Max prop eff when forward velocity = exit gases

Formula:

Peff= 2/ (1 + Ve/Vi)

Gross Vi is 0 so there would be 0 Peff

100% Peff would be when airspeed matches exhaust speed (not achievable)

Thermal Efficiency

Hp output of engine, how much provides forward thrust

Efficiency numbers not great, but better than recip engines

Recip range= 20-30%

Turbine range= 30-45%, bc exhaust is pretty hot, not cold

Formula:

TE= HP/ HP fuel

(HP: output of engine)

(HP fuel: hp in the fuel)

Thrust produced divided by gal consumed

Expected to have a little higher than radial

Overall Efficiency

Overall eff= P x T

P: propulsive efficiency

T: thermal efficiency

Jets has overall efficiency

Propeller efficiency climbs faster than thermal efficiency descends

Review

Intake area

Pressure: gradually goes up

Velocity: vibrating up and down bc it is slowing down the inlet velocity so it can be at 80 ft/sec

Temperature: goes up slightly

Diffuser

Pressure: peaks in pressure

Velocity: slows down

Temperature: steady

Combustor

Pressure: slight decrease so flame goes out the back, pressure turns into velocity

Velocity: steady, so it stays at 80 ft/sec

Temperature: steep rise in pressure

Turbine Section

Pressure: goes down, zig zag down

Velocity: goes up

Temperature: starting to come back down bc extracting energy

Affect Thrust

  • Altitude- air pressure, secondary air, less air providing cooling, could over temp the engine

  • Water injection- increase mass

  • After burner- add fire, increases velocity, move air going out faster

  • Methanol injection-

  • Rain, humidity