This software allows you to investigate how a jet engine produces thrust by changing the values of different engine parameters. Included are ramjet, turbojet, and turbofan engines. Altitude, flight speed, and engine component performance parameters are included among the many input variables provided in this engine simulation software developed by the NASA Glenn Research Center. For a turbofan engine design one can also vary the fan performance and the bypass ratio. The Tunnel Test Mode allows one to vary only the flight conditions (airspeed, altitude, and throttle setting).
Type of Material:
Simulation
Recommended Uses:
As a classroom demonstration or as the basis for a homework assignment based on a parametric study of a jet engine.
Since it is based on the Brayton cycle students can be assigned problems
Technical Requirements:
Java (J2SE) runtime environment installed in browser.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
To understand the basic operating principles of jet engines.
Target Student Population:
Undergraduate students majoring in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Some knowledge of the principles of jet propulsion would be most helpful.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Outstanding graphics that include both animations of the various engines and photographs of engine components. The program allows the user to vary many operating parameters of the engines such as flight speed, altitude, pressure, and temperature. Immediate feedback is provided as each variable is changed. Output includes thrust, fuel consumption, TSFC, airflow, and ram drag. User can also select SI or English units.
The program includes three actual jet engine designs, but allows designs by the user as well. Also included are the materials that can employed in each component along with the density and maximum useable temperature for each material.
Concerns:
None
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The material in this site can be use to teach an applied thermodynamics course as an introduction to jet engines and can be used in a technical elective such as aerodynamics and jet propulsion. The animations, graphs, photographs, and immediate feedback make this a very effective tool for teaching. Students can quickly see the effect of varying, say the altitude or flight speed, on the engine performance. Likewise, the impressive thrust increases, and attendant TSFC increases, associated with afterburners are clearly shown.
Concerns:
None.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Overall the EnginSim simulation applet is easy to use once one becomes familiar with all its features. The program is very intuitive to use with all input boxes and sliders clearly
labeled.
Concerns:
On some of the panels such as the engine schematic and graph output chart its functionality may not be clear. For example its was only after pointing to the words and selecting them that their functionality became clear.
Creative Commons:
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