ASPIRE – An Innovative Hypersonic Propulsion Paradigm

Christopher MacLeod, Matthew Murray

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    2 Citations (Scopus)
    241 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    This paper reports the results of a theoretical study into an innovative scramjet-like hypersonic propulsion system. The method, named ASPIRE (Air-breathing Supersonic Pellet Injection Rotary Engine), aims to overcome one of the main limitations of the traditional scramjet cycle – poor mixing and therefore inadequate combustion of air and fuel. The proposed system achieves this by redirecting the main airflow, injecting encapsulated or localised fuel throughout the engine-duct mixing volume and then switching the main airflow back on – this then engulfs and mixes with the fuel. The results presented here include design calculations, simulations and mathematical modelling. These show that the system performs well in simulation and gives excellent theoretical results for air-fuel mixing and airflow dynamics. A road-map to a working engine is also outlined.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)90-101
    Number of pages11
    JournalJournal of the British Interplanetary Society (JBIS)
    Volume72
    Issue number3
    Publication statusPublished - May 2019

    Keywords

    • scamjet
    • propulsion
    • Hypersonic
    • Aspire
    • pellets

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