CLASSIFICATION OF PROPULSIVE DEVICES

Propulsive devices are the device which is used especially used for air and space vehicles. Propulsive devices are broadly classified into two parts air-breathing and non-air-breathing. The rocket motor is a non-airbreathing propulsive device.

CLASSIFICATION OF PROPULSIVE DEVICES

propulsive devices are broadly classified into two parts

1.     Air-breathing

for example 

a)      Ramjet

b)      Scramjet

c)       Turbojet

d)      Turboprop

e)      Turbofan

      2.   Non- air-breathing

for example 

a)      Chemical

b)      Nuclear

c)       Electric

We are more concerned about non-air-breathing propulsive devise which are basically of 3 types 

         1.       Photons

         2.    Rockets

a.       Chemical

                                              i.            Solid

                                             ii.            Liquid

                                           iii.            Hybrid

b.      Non-chemical

                                            I.            Electric

                                          II.            Nuclear

                                        III.            Solar

           3.    Solar sail

 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AIRBREATHING AND NON-AIR BREATHING

AIR BREATHING

•         Air breathing propulsive  devise take oxygen from atmosphere
•        They operated only in the atmosphere, not in a vacuum
•         These device can’t operate at the flight speed not more than M 5.
•        The rate of climb decrease with altitude in the air breathing propulsive devices  
•       The thrust developed by the air-breathing   engine is dependent on flight speed

NON AIR BREATHING

•        Non-air breathing propulsive devices have its fuel and oxygen with its self
•        They can operate both in atmosphere and vacuum(space)
•        These devices can operate at any flight speed
•        The rate of climb increases with altitude
•        The thrust developed by non-air breathing devices are independent of flight speed