Bladeless turbines for power and thrust in compact supersonic propulsion
Abstract
Chemical rocket technology has been employed since the 1940s and has reached its practical limits in terms of large cycle improvements. New thermodynamic cycles such as rotating detonation combustion technology promise theoretical improvements up to 10% in specific impulse but also by elevated temperatures in excesses of 3000K, pressures above 100 MPa, supersonic or hypersonic Mach numbers, and large azimuthal flow velocities. Traditional turbine technology for power extraction would not survive such harsh conditions. Wavy-shaped bladeless turbines could harvest this excess energy, and have the potential to deliver power in unsteady rocket nozzle environments by producing torque from shock waves through a helicoidally shaped cylindrical surface.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2025
- Source ID
- FA95502410133
Entities
People
- James Braun
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- North Carolina State University
- United States Air Force