• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.512-521
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• 2017

This paper reports development process of a university-based sounding rocket using simplified hybrid rocket propulsion system for low-altitude flight application. A hybrid propulsion system was tried to be designed with as few components as possible for more economical, simpler and safer propulsion system, which is essential for the small scale sounding rocket operation as a CanSat carrier. Using blow-down feeding system and catalytic ignition as combustion starter, 250 N class hybrid rocket system was composed of three components: a composite tank, valves, and a thruster. With a composite tank filled with both hydrogen peroxide($H_2O_2$) as an oxidizer and nitrogen gas($N_2$) as a pressurant, the feeding pressure was operated in blowdown mode during thruster operation. The $MnO_2/Al_2O_3$ catalyst was fabricated for propellant decomposition, and ground test of propulsion system showed the almost theoretical temperature of decomposed $H_2O_2$ at the catalyst reactor, indicating sufficient catalyst efficiency for propellant decomposition. Auto-ignition of the high density polyethylene(HDPE) fuel grain successfully occurred by the decomposed $H_2O_2$ product without additional installation of any ignition devices. Performance test result was well matched with numerical internal ballistics conducted prior to the experimental propulsion system ground test. A sounding rocket using the developed hybrid rocket was designed, fabricated, flight simulated and launch tested. Six degree-of-freedom trajectory estimation code was developed and the comparison result between expected and experimental trajectory validated the accuracy of the developed trajectory estimation code. The fabricated sounding rocket was successfully launched showing the effectiveness of the simplified hybrid rocket propulsion system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2008.03a
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• pp.452-455
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• 2008

Model Scramjet engine is tested with T4 free-piston shock tunnel at University of Queensland, Australia. Basically, test condition is fixed as Mach 7.6 at 31 km altitude. With this condition, variation effects of fuel equivalence ratio, cavity, cowl setting and angle of attack were investigated. In the results, supersonic combustion was observed with low and middle fuel equivalence ratio. At high equivalence ratio, thermal choking was occurred due to the intensive reaction. Cavity and W-shape cowl showed early ignition and enhanced mixing respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.99-105
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• 2005

Development of an engine with good fuel economy is very important for successful implementation of long endurance miniature UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). In the study, a 4-stroke glow-plug engine was modified to a gasoline-fueled spark-ignition engine. Engine tests measuring performance and friction losses were conducted to tune a simulation program for performance prediction. It has been found that excessive friction losses are caused by insufficient lubrication at high speeds. The simulation program predicts that engine power and fuel economy get worse with high altitude due to increasing portion of friction losses. The simulation results suggest quantitative guidelines for further development of a practical engine.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.22-27
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• 2015

Hydrogen features highest energy density per mass and is expected to be desirable as a fuel of HALE(High altitude long endurance) UAV(Unmanned aerial vehicle). A reciprocating internal combustion engine is known to be a reliable and economic power source for this kind of UAV. Therefore, the combination of hydrogen and engine is worth of doing research. Test bench with 2.4L Spark-Ignited engine was prepared for the experiment in which start and combustion characteristics at idle condition were examined in this study. Stable hydrogen supply system and a universal ECU(Engine control unit) were also utilized for the test engine. Equivalence ratio and spark timings at idle operation were investigated and compared to the data of gasoline engine. The results will be a starting point for full-scale research of hydrogen engine for HALE UAV.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2018

Using hydrogen fuel is expected to be suitable as a reciprocating internal combustion engine with heightened interest in HALE(High Altitude Long Endurance) UAV(Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). Hydrogen is hightest energy density per mass so it can continue to charge for long periods of time and have positive part of the environmental effects. However, it is estimated that there is less research on hydrogen fuel engine currently applied, and many studies need to be done. Depending on the operation, there are factors that result in supercooling due to reduced radiation or reduce cooling performance due to low air density. Therefore, the experiment was to change the temperature of the cooling water and investigate the effect on engine combustions. The limitation of the stable operation range due to backfire is dominated by the excess air ratio rather than the effect of the cooling water temperature change. When the cooling water temperature increases, the volumetric efficiency decreases and the torque decreases. As the cooling water temperature decreases, the heat loss was increased and consequently the thermal efficiency was decreased.