Overview
Hypersonic flight is a developing field in modern day aeronautics. Extreme changes take place in regards to magnitude of forces, chemistry of gases/fluids and temperatures of flow as speeds exceed Mach 5. SPIRITECH offers a deep understanding of thermal management and fluid dynamics to manage those extreme changes throughout the mission. We offer technologies covering challenging aspects of hypersonic flight, including mode transition simulation from turbojet to dual mode scramjet and advanced HEX liner cooling design.
HiTECC- The High Mach Transient Engine Cycle Code
HiTECC is a Turbine-Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) dynamic simulation model developed to demonstrate all modes of operation, including mode transition, for a turbine-based
combined cycle propulsion system. The High Mach Transient Engine Cycle Code (HiTECC)
is a highly integrated tool comprised of modules for modeling each of the TBCC systems
whose interactions and controllability affect the TBCC propulsion system thrust and
operability during its modes of operation. By structuring the simulation modeling tools
around the major TBCC functional modes of operation (Dry Turbojet, Afterburning
Turbojet, Transition, and Dual Mode Scramjet) the TBCC mode transition and all necessary
intermediate events over its entire mission may be developed, modeled, and validated. Reported work details the development of the following HiTECC models:
- Gas Turbine and Dual-Mode Scramjet Performance Models
- Hydraulic and Kinematic System Models
- Thermal Management and Fuel System Models
HiTECC significantly extends the state-of the-
art for all TBCC modes of operation by providing a numerical simulation of the systems,
interactions, and transient responses affecting the ability of the propulsion system to
transition from turbine-based to ramjet/scramjet-based propulsion while maintaining
constant thrust.
SRHEAT™- Systematic Optimization Approach for Scramjet/Ramjet Heat Exchanger Analysis Tool
A Scramjet/Ramjet Heat Exchanger Analysis Tool (SRHEAT™) has been developed for rapid analyses of
complex thermal cooling systems. The detailed heat exchanger design features included in this code (i.e.
geometry, material properties, fuel/coolant properties, etc.) make SRHEAT™ a valuable tool in scramjet and
hypersonic vehicle development, providing the low cost analytical capabilities that make possible the efficient
development of aerospace components. A key feature of SRHEAT™ is its ability to optimize the heat
exchanger thermal design for minimum fuel flow requirement while providing a structurally viable design.
Optimization includes both the ordering of the cooling flow circuit and the sizing of the heat exchanger
channels. Large computational times are required for standard optimization techniques due to the sheer
number of interdependent variables associated with the complex thermal management system. Several methods have been developed and adapted to reduce computational time requirements of optimization. The
result is a fast code with the built-in intelligence to make design decisions leading to an optimized thermal
management system design. |
