Scramjet Inlets

Abstract

The supersonic combustion ramjet, or scramjet, is the engine cycle most suitable for sustained hypersonic flight in the atmosphere. This article describes some challenges in the design of the inlet or intake of these hypersonic air-breathing engines. Scramjet inlets are a critical component and their design has important effects on the overall performance of the engine. The role of the inlet is first described, followed by a description of inlet types and some past examples. Recommendations on the level of compression needed in scramjets are then made, followed by a design example of a three-dimensional scramjet inlet for use in an access-to-space system that must operate between Mach 6 and 12.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA581900

Entities

People

  • Michael K. Smart

Organizations

  • University of Queensland

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Combustion
  • Combustion Products
  • Combustors
  • Dynamic Pressure
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Gas Turbines
  • Geometry
  • Heat Loss
  • Heat Of Combustion
  • Ignition
  • Mach Number
  • Ramjet Engines
  • Supersonic Combustion
  • Supersonic Combustion Ramjet Engines
  • Three Dimensional
  • Turbines
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics.
  • Aerospace Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Hypersonics
  • Hypersonics - Hypersonic Flow
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster