초록 ▼

A variable-cycle storable fuels engine having three cycles is provided. The engine operates as an air-augmented rocket from launch to approximately Mach 3. From approximately Mach 3 to Mach 8, the engine operates as a dual mode ramjet/scramjet to altitudes exceeding 100,000 feet. Thereafter, the eng

A variable-cycle storable fuels engine having three cycles is provided. The engine operates as an air-augmented rocket from launch to approximately Mach 3. From approximately Mach 3 to Mach 8, the engine operates as a dual mode ramjet/scramjet to altitudes exceeding 100,000 feet. Thereafter, the engine operates as a conventional pure rocket for final sub-orbital boost. A fixed geometry air inlet provides improved ram recovery at altitudes below 100,000 feet.

대표청구항 ▼

A variable-cycle engine comprising: a main body assembly having a supersonic burning ram combustor chamber, with fuel and oxidizer tanks formed circumferentially around the ram combustor chamber, and with an inlet section and exhaust nozzle section; an inlet spike assembly attached to said main body

A variable-cycle engine comprising: a main body assembly having a supersonic burning ram combustor chamber, with fuel and oxidizer tanks formed circumferentially around the ram combustor chamber, and with an inlet section and exhaust nozzle section; an inlet spike assembly attached to said main body assembly and located in the inlet section of the main body; a combination rocket engine having a throat and gas generator having an additional fuel injector inside the rocket engine near the throat located within said inlet spike assembly and discharging an unburned fuel-rich gas in its exhaust through the downstream end of said inlet spike assembly into the ram combustor chamber; and reactant and ignition systems connected to the fuel and oxidizer tanks for delivering to and igniting reactants in the rocket engine chamber.