What do you think about a linear aerospike nozzle?
On Tue, Mar 29, 2022 at 10:32 PM Terry McCreary <prfesser@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
If you want to know how they work, here's a simplified explanation.
Conventional rocket engines have a cone- or bell-shaped end called an exit
cone. Hot gases from combustion expand as they exit the nozzle throat.
Those expanding gases exert force against the exit cone walls, producing
additional thrust. The optimum length is when the gases exiting the end of
the cone are at the same pressure as the external atmosphere.
In an aerospike engine there is also a cone-shaped end, but it is in the
center of the nozzle, tapering away from the nozzle. Pictures and a
cross-section view of an aerospike used in hobby rocketry can be seen at
https://www.rocketmotorparts.com/54mm_Aerospike_Nozzle/p1577809_20383178.aspx.
Instead of expanding against an external cone, the gases expand against the
central aerospike to create that additional thrust.
Engines that operate in the upper atmosphere and in space take advantage
of the very low (or zero) external pressure by using the longest nozzle
practical; this means greater expansion and greater thrust. However, in a
conventional engine, a long exit cone would be quite heavy. The central
spike of an aerospike is much lighter than an exit cone of the same length.
I'm sure that there are other advantages but I'm not an expert.
A disadvantage of an aerospike is that the spike is right in the middle
of the hot exhaust, and must be cooled in some way, or made of materials
that can withstand such high temperatures for a long time.
You now know as much as I do about aerospikes. 🙂
Best regards,
TWM
------------------------------
*From:* arocket-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <arocket-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on
behalf of கே.பி.எம் மாஸ் கார்த்தி <kpmmasskarthi27@xxxxxxxxx>
*Sent:* Tuesday, March 29, 2022 9:36 AM
*To:* arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Subject:* [AR] Aerospike
Can any explain briefly about aerospike engine ?
