Technical Paper
Philosophical Approach to the Basic Understanding of the Mechanics of Jet Propulsion
1992-04-01
920960
This paper attempts to bring home the philosophy which lies behind the practical application of air-breathing and rocket engines. The various types of practical engines namely rocket engine, ram jet engine, turbojet engine, turbofan engine (mixed and unmixed exhausts), turboprop engine appear to be principally different. However philosophically, they are all one and the same. To appreciate this philosophy, let us change our frame of interest from the fluid to the jet engine. This leads us to the very first principles of jet propulsion i.e. the generation of thrust from the pressure forces exerted by the fluid on the boundaries and components of the jet engine. Well established mathematical concepts and relationships are available for practically estimating the performance of these engines based on fluid parameters. However philosophically, thrust and propulsive efficiency are sufficient for the philosophical understanding of the generation of variety of aircraft engines.