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Low Mach Scramjet Cavity Flameholder Stabilization

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNL04AB17P
Agency Tracking Number: 034391
Amount: $70,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: A2.06
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2003
Award Year: 2004
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2004-01-16
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2004-07-19
Small Business Information
12345 West 52nd Ave
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-1916
United States
DUNS: 181947730
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 James Nabity
 Principal Investigator
 (303) 940-2313
 nabity@tda.com
Business Contact
 John Wright
Title: Vice President
Phone: (303) 940-2300
Email: jdwright@tda.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

This proposal addresses a NASA solicitation topic A2.06 need for propulsion system flow control. A dual mode ram/scram engine is the most likely cycle for the high-speed propulsion flowpath of turbine and rocket based combined cycle engines, but its feasibility with storable liquid hydrocarbon fuels remains to be demonstrated. A key reason is that a stable, low drag engine pilot for the needed operational envelope has eluded us. Due to its simplicity, the cavity flameholder is the subject of renewed investigation, but it suffers from acoustically coupled combustion instabilities originating in the shear flow. Active control of the shear flow over the cavity could substantially improve flameholding stability. Therefore, TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) proposes an active control strategy having no moving parts to manipulate the spectral content and amplitude of shear layer disturbances, and hence control the coupling responsible for resonance and unsteady flow response that leads to premature flame extinguishment. The proposed experimental and analytical development effort will produce a robust, stable and low drag scramjet engine pilot.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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