Research
The group currently researches the small jet engine and the rotating detonation engine. Engine type and thrust class are not restricted.
Small jet engine
Gas turbine
A small jet engine is a gas turbine consisting of a compressor, a combustor and a turbine. Its structure is comparatively simple and it can be tested on the ground, so it was selected as the first program.
Performance is predicted by analysis and compared with test results to verify the validity of the design.
Rotating detonation engine
RDE
A rotating detonation engine (RDE) is a propulsion system in which a detonation wave circulates around an annular combustor and burns the fuel. Because detonation combustion is accompanied by a pressure rise, it is known to offer the potential for higher thermal efficiency than conventional constant-pressure combustion, and it is actively studied in many countries.
Sustaining the detonation wave stably, coping with heat loads and designing the injector remain open problems.
The group first seeks to understand the phenomenon through numerical analysis, and plans to extend the research to the design and testing of a small combustor.
Research method
Each program defines its requirements and manages the results of design, analysis, manufacture and testing as documents with unique numbers. Design changes are applied through a change request and review.