Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site kovacs.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!randvax!kovacs!rivero From: rivero@kovacs.UUCP Newsgroups: net.space Subject: Scramjets Message-ID: <178@kovacs.UUCP> Date: Sun, 15-Jul-84 15:26:16 EDT Article-I.D.: kovacs.178 Posted: Sun Jul 15 15:26:16 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 17-Jul-84 06:27:00 EDT Organization: Robt Abel & Assoc, Hollywood Lines: 25 Regarding Scramjets When the airflow inside any airbreathing engine, either turbine or ramjet, exceeds the speed of sound, the interior of the engine become filled with shockwaves produced by anything protuding into the airstream. This includes the fuel injection mechanism. When fuel is pumped into a supersonic airstream, it creates another shock wave, trapping the air on one side, and the fuel on the other. Hence, no mixing occurs, and no combustion. The internal airflow snuffs it out. All attempts to create a supersonic combustion ramjet involve first slowing the airflow enough to permit mixing (which includes dealing with the airflows mass and inertia). This means that the engine must produce enough thrust to move the airflow back up to speed, and still move the aircraft. Has anyone considered the old "pulse jet" approach? Mike Rivero