Propulsion Questions
Propulsion is that portion of aerospace engineering devoted to the process of developing thrust, the force that
counteracts the resistance of drag and allows a vehicle to move forward in its flight path. Thrust is typically
generated thanks to a vehicle's engine or motor. The topics addressed in this section cover subjects like piston
and jet engines, rockets, and the key components of these systems.
Why do many turbofan engines on airliners have a painted white spiral
or bar on the spinner? What is that swirly thing painted on the fan of a jet engine?
Why do different aircraft have different numbers of propeller blades on
their engines?
What is the difference between a jet engine and a rocket engine?
Is it possible to covert between pounds of thrust and horsepower for an
airplane engine? How is it done?
Can you explain how various jet engines work, including the turbojet,
turbofan, turboprop, and turboshaft? In particular, what is the difference between a turbojet and a
turbofan and which is more efficient?
I saw a comment on your site saying that the C-130 is powered by jet
engines. Correct me if I am wrong, but I flew on a lot of C-130s and none had jet powered engines, they
all had propellers.
I read on your site that a turboshaft uses a series of gear connections
to turn a rotor blade. A lot of turboprop engines don't have a direct connection to the propeller but a
connecion via a series of gears like a turboshaft. Would it be more appropriate to call these turboprops
"turboshafts" then?
How can a jet engine work when it rains or snows? Wouldn't the water
put out the flame inside? How is water removed from a jet engine in rainy conditions? Does rain or snow
ingestion affect the efficiency of jet engine?
I once saw a plane that had a jet on one side but it also had a prop on the other.
They were doing some kind of test. I've been trying to find out what kind of plane it is and I was hoping
you guys would help me.
How do the J58 engines on the Blackbird change from normal jets to
ramjets as the plane accelerates?
Why is hydrogen used as fuel in a scramjet engine?
Does the new hydrogen engine introduced by the USAF on their new spycraft
really use only hydrogen? If so, is its structure or operation any different from the turbofan or
turbojet?
What is the difference between two dimensional and axisymmetric nozzles?
Is it necessary to use back thrust after landing?
I've been wondering about thrust reversers, how many kinds are there and
which are the most effective? I am having a debate as to whether airplane engines reverse, or does
something else happen when we land? Is there any possibility to reverse the direction of an aircraft with
the help of thrust reversing?
How does a rocket fly?
Why is aluminum used in solid rocket propellants? What is the role of
aluminum agglomeration in the combustion of propellants?
Can you explain overexpansion and underexpansion of the flow exhausted
from a nozzle? What is the convention that dictates these definitions? To the uninitiated like me, the
two terms are more descriptive of the respective flows if they are reversed.
A series of disks or rings can often be seen in the exhaust plume of
rocket engine or a jet engine, especially when the afterburner is on. What causes these patterns?
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