NASA 1996 SBIR Phase I

PROJECT TITLE : Design of a High Performance External-Compression Inlet for Cruise at Mach 2.4

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

This proposal identifies a revolutionary new supersonic cruise inlet. It introduces a unique "external-compression" inlet concept that provides very high performance at Mach 2.4. cruise conditions without the large cowl drags normally associated with external compression inlets. A viable external compression inlet offers increased safety by providing "unstart free" operation. Inlet unstart is a critical issue for the mixed-compression inlets that are currently being considered for high Mach number cruise aircraft. This proposal responds to the SBIR subtopic by proposing a new invention in inlet design that will enable the development of a commercial supersonic aircraft. The objective of the effort is to provide a preliminary aerodynamic design of the inlet, an initial conceptual layout of the inlet and a preliminary evaluation of the inlets aerodynamic characteristics. It is expected that this Phase I effort will identify a revolutionary new inlet that will be selected for both experimental and analytical validation in a follow-on SBIR Phase II. This revolutionary advance in inlet technology will enable the development of an efficient and safe propulsion system for a US supersonic transport (HSCT). This type of enabling technology is the goal of NASA's HSR program.

The commercial application of the proposed new inlet design is based on the expectation of achieving very high performance while maintaining low external cowl drag. External compression inlets inherently provide increases safety (unstart free) and offer reduced complexity and weight. The increased efficiency and versatility provided by the new inlet concept will enable the development of a propulsion system for a supersonic aircraft that offers increased range, payload/profit, and safety. Commercial applications include aircraft used for transportation of people and packages throughout the world.

City/State/Zip
Bobby W. Sanders
Techland Research
Box 605
North Olmsted, OH 44070