MAE 589R


Introduce the student to current advanced propulsion systems. The course will focus on non-turbomachinery, air-breathing hypersonic aeropropulsion applications. Specific propulsion systems to be covered include ramjets and scramjets, pulsed detonation engines, and combined cycle engines, with historical perspective. A brief overview of advanced chemical and electric rocket propulsion systems may also be given. 3 credit hours

Prerequisite		Students will be expected to have a fundamental understanding of the gas turbine cycle, turbomachinery (compressors and turbines), compressible fluid dynamics, and equilibrium chemistry as it relates to the combustion process.

Course Topics		Background and Overview with Historical Perspectives Governing Aerothermodynamics Eqns. Airbreathing Engine Performance Measures Aerospace System Performance Measures Compression System (Inlets and Shock Structure) Combustion Systems Expansion Systems Ramjets and Scramjets, design and performance Pulsejets (Aeropulse) and PDEs, design and performance Combined Cycle Engines. Ground Based Testing of Hypersonic Propulsion Devices

Course Requirements		Homework: 4-6 homework assignments counting 10% of grade Examinations: Two exams (30% each) and a final exam (40%) Software Requirements: None Projects: None

Textbook		Heiser and Pratt, Hypersonic Airbreathing Propulsion, AIAA, Washington, DC. ISBN 1-56347-035-7 Selected Handouts.

Computer and Internet Requirements		NCSU has recommended minimum specifications for computers used for classes. Depending on your computer needs, we recommend your computer meet or exceed the following minimum specifications below. PCs must have an Intel-compatible 800 MHz processor, 256 MB RAM, 8 GB hard drive with 1 GB free space available, 256 Color Display, CD-ROM drive, 800x600 (min.) video adapter, sound card, and speakers. The operating system should be Windows 2000 or XP. Real One Player Basic (available free online) and high speed Internet connection such as cable, DSL, T1 or LAN will be required for EOL courses. MAC users must have a G3 processor with firewire and USB factory built-in, 256 MB RAM, 10 GB with 1GB free space available, 256 Color Display, CD-ROM drive, 800x600 (min) video adapter, sound card, and speakers. The operating system must be MacOS 10.3 (minimum) along with the above RealOne and Internet specifications above. For more detailed information on computer specifications and recommendations, please refer to our website at: http://engineeringonline.ncsu.edu/currentstudents/computeraccess.htm

Instructor		Dr. William Roberts, Associate Professor Director, Applied Energy Research Laboratory Progress Energy Faculty Fellow Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC 27596-7910 Phone: 919.515.5294 Fax: 919.515.7968 Email: bill_roberts@ncsu.edu