Jet Engines Aerospace

“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Newton’s Third Law “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

How Do Jet Engines Work? Hot gas in the combustion chamber exits at a high velocity through the exhaust, which is the open end of the engine, as it pushes with equal force against the opposite, or closed, end of the engine. These engines are also referred to as reaction engines. The common example of this principle is air escaping from the neck of a balloon.

Processes of a Jet Engine: Thrust of a jet engine is produced by a four-stage process: Intake Compression Combustion Exhaust

Diagram of the Four Stage Process This simplified illustration shows that a basic turbojet engine is essentially a tube where thrust is produced by a four-stage process. Outside air enters at the intake and is directed to the compressor where it accelerates. Then, the air mixes with fuel in the combustion chamber, ignites, and exits through the turbine section and the exhaust.

Example of a Jet Engine Diagram

Other Examples of Jet Engine Diagrams Turbojet Turboprop Turbofan Ramjet

The following is an example of what a jet engine looks like with it’s components

The following will describe how the process of a jet engine works.

At the front of the engine, the turbine shaft drives a compressor At the front of the engine, the turbine shaft drives a compressor.  The compressor works a lot like the turbine only in reverse.  Its purpose is to draw air into the engine and pressurize it.

Fuel continuously burns inside a combustion chamber just like the rocket.  The expanding gasses escape out the nozzle generating thrust in the opposite direction.

On its way out the nozzle, some of the gas pressure is used to drive a turbine.  A turbine is a series of  rotors or fans connected to a single shaft. 

How the Processes Work Together The turbine, which is in the path of the heated air, acts like a windmill. It captures much of the energy of the high velocity heated air and transmits its spin to the compressor by means of a connecting shaft. Jet Engines

Advantages of Jet Engines compared to reciprocating engines Fewer working parts Less maintenance Cheaper fuel Greater operating speeds Altitudes Climb rates offer increased capabilities Less warm-up time Torque is practically nonexistent Can fly in any types of weather conditions

Jet Engines Compared to Rocket Engines Both are reaction engines Jet engines need air from the atmosphere to mix with the fuel for combustion. Rocket engines have their own source of oxygen and can operate in space. Because of this, jet engines will work only within the Earth’s atmosphere.

Turbojet-Turboprop-Turbofan-Ramjet Review What type of engine is a jet engine? What are the four stages in a jet engine which produce its thrust? Name 4 types of jet engines. Can jet engines work in space? Why or why not? Reaction Intake-Compression-Combustion-Exhaust Turbojet-Turboprop-Turbofan-Ramjet No…need air and fuel for combustion

Assignment First read ch. 10 Section E in the Aviation Fundamentals book and complete questions 1-24 in the workbook Next, pick a partner and complete the following Pick one of the following jet engine types and research it (only one group/ topic) Turboprop Turbojet Turbofan Ramjet Create a PowerPoint presentation on your findings Refer to the rubric for the details of the assignment