Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnews!cbnews!military
From: v064lnev@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Zerxes Bhagalia)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Scramjets
Keywords: What are they
Message-ID: <1990Nov21.221921.20731@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 21 Nov 90 22:19:21 GMT
References: <1990Nov20.021943.27530@cbnews.att.com>
Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker)
Organization: University at Buffalo
Lines: 45
Approved: military@att.att.com



From: v064lnev@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Zerxes Bhagalia)

In article <1990Nov20.021943.27530@cbnews.att.com>, james@castle.ed.ac.uk (J Gillespie) writes...
> 
>This may be a Frequently Asked Question, but what exactly is a
>'scramjet'?  I see occasional references to them, but have never seen an
>explanation of how they work.  Are they existing technology, or
>just-around-the-corner, or what?

This is a basic diagram of a Scramjet:


		       air
		  | | | | | | | 
		  v v v v v v v
		|		|
		 \	       /
		  \	      /   <- compressor
		   |	     |
		   |	     |    <- heat
		   |         |
		  /	      \
		 /	       \
		|		|
		  | | | | | | |
		  v v v v v v v
		      thrust

This is how it works:
	1) great amounts of air enter the chamber
	2) the air is compressed, increasing pressure
	3) the air is heated, increasing pressur
	4) the air is thrust out the rear

There are many variations of this - some include replacing the air with
either liquid hydrogen or liquid helium.  As far as I know however, the
scramjet engine is experimental, if not still theoretical.

I only have a basic understanding of this system, and would explain how
I might have a few small technical errors, so no flames please.  I just
thought I'd post what I know.

Zerxes