Low-Speed Ram Jet

[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)

the copper pipe is the fuel injection

this one you can see the diffuser/flame holder


not quite done with it yet but i will be done today!

[Sticky_Tape]

doesn't it have to be moving for it to work?

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

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

doesn't it have to be moving for it to work?

...or you could blow air through it

[Sticky_Tape]

mach 3 windspeed yeah

[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.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

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

[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.

[Ragnarok]

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.

[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.

[Sticky_Tape]

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

[brplatz]

that actually sounds like a good idea!

possible use hair dryers though because of the weight issue

[brogdenlaxmiddie]

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.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

...and you'll need a flame-proof skirt

[Sticky_Tape]

The engine would be mounted on back so why would the skirt be effected?

[Ragnarok]

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.