Catalog Data

ME 422:Propulsion Systems.  Credits 3.  Aerothermodynamics of aerospace vehicle engines, combustion, thrust and efficiency.  Gas turbine engines: turbojet, turbofan, turboprop; ramjet and scramjet, typical engine performance.  Aerothermodynamics of inlets, combustors and nozzles.  Introduction to propellers, turbocompressors and turbines.  Introduction to rockets and performances of rocket vehicle engines.  Chemical and electrical driven rocket engines.

Prerequisite: ME 204, ME 311

Textbook

P. Hill and C. Peterson, Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Propulsion Systems, Addison-Wesley Publishing Ltd., 1992.

References

1)

R. D. Archer and M. Saarlas, An Introduction to Aerospace Propulsion, Prentice Hall Publisher, 1996.

2)

G. C. Oates, Aerothermodynamics of Gas Turbine and Rocket Propulsion, AIAA Education Series.

Objectives

1)

To teach students the fundamental principles of propulsion systems of aerospace vehicle engines.

2)

To enable students to integrate the application of these principles with the real propulsion systems.

Pre/Co-Requisites

by Topic

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

Gas turbine cycle

Equation of state

Continuity equation

Momentum and energy equations

Combustion process

Dimensional analysis

Course Outline

1)

Mechanics and thermodynamics of fluids

3 Classes

2)

Thermodynamics of aircraft jet engines

6 Classes

3)

Aerothermodynamics of inlets, combustors and nozzles

3 Classes

4)

Axial compressors

9 Classes

5)

Axial turbines

6 Classes

6)

Centrifugal compressors

6 Classes

7)

Performance of rocket vehicles

6 Classes

8)

Chemical rocket thrust chambers and propellants

6 Classes

Design Activities/Projects

Students will be exposed to some design oriented problems as well as some design variables that are important in determining the performance of propulsion systems.  These will be given as homework problems.

Computer Usage

Group projects are introduced to encourage the students to use computers in calculating combustion properties, thrust and efficiency of aerospace vehicle engines.

Evaluation Methods

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

Assignments

Design projects

Quizzes

Tests

Final Exam

Student Learning Outcome

    Course Objective 1:

1)

Student will demonstrate a basic understanding of all modes of aircraft and spacecraft propulsion.

2)

Students will demonstrate the calculation of preliminary design procedures for propulsion systems.

3)

Students will demonstrate ability to estimate the best possible engine performance as a function of principal design parameters.

4)

Students will demonstrate ability to design engine components to match each other under design conditions.

    Course Objective 2:

1)

Students will demonstrate ability in estimating the performance of the flight and rocket vehicles.

2)

Students will demonstrate ability to make preliminary design decisions about system configuration, size, and speed for specified propellants.

3)

Students will demonstrate ability to give a professional and well-organized presentation of their design and analysis through the use of written and oral reports.

ABET Category

Engineering Science

2.5 Credits

Engineering Design

0.5 Credits