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Low-Speed Ram Jet

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:29 am
by brplatz
This is my low speed ram jet. Or thats its name but im not sure it if works exactly like a real one.

http://www.cottrillcyclodyne.com/Maggie ... aggie.html

That is where i got the idea from and I will test it later after i get off work.
If you look on the 3rd page it shows it when its running.

Here it is (its kinda dark)
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the copper pipe is the fuel injection
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this one you can see the diffuser/flame holder
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not quite done with it yet but i will be done today!

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:38 am
by Sticky_Tape
doesn't it have to be moving for it to work?

Re: Low-Speed Ram Jet

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:39 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
brplatz wrote:This is my low speed ram jet. Or thats its name but im not sure it if works exactly like a real one.
From wikipedia:
Ramjets require considerable forward speed to operate well, and as a class work most efficiently at speeds around Mach 3, and this type of jet can operate up to speeds of at least Mach 5.
What's the practical application of this though? Jet booster for your BMX :D
doesn't it have to be moving for it to work?
...or you could blow air through it ;)

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:42 am
by Sticky_Tape
mach 3 windspeed yeah

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:43 am
by brplatz
yes it requires air to be blown from the front kinda fast. My big leaf blower will work. No real practical application, just looks.

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:49 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
brplatz wrote:No real practical application, just looks.
Shame, an engine that doesn't go anywhere is just a fancy propane burner. Surely there's something moving you can mount it on, scooter, skateboard, family dog, younger sibling, the possibilities are endless :D

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:06 am
by Sticky_Tape
I say mount it to a scateboard push it a bit ignite and see if it reaches mach 5 before it blows up. I am pretty sure that is what happened to those nasa planes that used ram jets.

Re: Low-Speed Ram Jet

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:39 am
by Ragnarok
jackssmirkingrevenge wrote:From wikipedia:
Ramjets require considerable forward speed to operate well, and as a class work most efficiently at speeds around Mach 3, and this type of jet can operate up to speeds of at least Mach 5.
Normally a ram jet can work slower than that, Mach 3 is just the most efficent range, but they all need the advantage of supersonic air flow.

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:43 am
by brplatz
i might attach it to my RC car and see if i can get it to run.
it should put out a little bit of thrust if im correct.

Re: Low-Speed Ram Jet

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:58 am
by Sticky_Tape
Ragnarok wrote:
jackssmirkingrevenge wrote:From wikipedia:
Ramjets require considerable forward speed to operate well, and as a class work most efficiently at speeds around Mach 3, and this type of jet can operate up to speeds of at least Mach 5.
Normally a ram jet can work slower than that, Mach 3 is just the most efficent range, but they all need the advantage of supersonic air flow.
Don't you mean subsonic?
Why not make a hover craft like base and power the jet with the leafblower and inflater the skirt with the leaf blower then it would be off of the ground and it would be jet powered

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:08 am
by brplatz
that actually sounds like a good idea!

possible use hair dryers though because of the weight issue

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:30 am
by brogdenlaxmiddie
Sticky_Tape wrote:I say mount it to a scateboard push it a bit ignite and see if it reaches mach 5 before it blows up. I am pretty sure that is what happened to those nasa planes that used ram jets.
I'm not sure about the ram jet planes, but I am certain that none of the SCRAM jets blew up. I thought that they all worked w/o explosion.

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:31 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
...and you'll need a flame-proof skirt ;)

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:35 am
by Sticky_Tape
The engine would be mounted on back so why would the skirt be effected?

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:50 am
by Ragnarok
Sticky_Tape wrote:Don't you mean subsonic?
Sorry, afraid not..

A true ram jets can't work at all when the air flow is under Mach 1 - below that speed, it's just a glorified blowtorch, which won't provide any trust.
"Low speed ram jet" is a total misnomer. Unless that RC car is impossibly fast, this won't be able to provide thrust.

If you really want a subsonic jet engine with a minimum of moving parts, a valveless pulse jet is the best bet.