SFRJ Adaptive Bypass Valve

Solid Fuel Ramjets (SFRJs) represent an effective and affordable air-breathing propulsion system well-suited for high-speed flight due to their high energy density, high specific impulse, and design simplicity. A significant SFRJ challenge is maintaining optimal performance and controllability across variable flight conditions, which can lead to issues like fuel regression, complexity, and flame extinction. An adaptive airflow bypass valve offers a promising method to regulate SFRJ operation. This technique involves dividing incoming air, channeling a portion through the fuel port to influence fuel regression and bypassing the rest to the aft mixing section. This allows for control of the fuel-to-air ratio and enables thrust regulation across varying flight conditions, potentially improving combustion efficiency and achieving range extension. This proposal focuses on the research and design of a state-of-the-art adaptive bypass valve, its associated high-speed precision actuator, and an independent power supply (if necessary) to achieve precise bypass airflow control in supersonic SFRJ missiles. A modular design is a key consideration for integration.The team of GoHypersonic Inc. (GHI) and SPARC Research (SPARC), with consultation from Dr. Ra˙l OrdÛÒez and Aerospace Business Development Associates, Inc. (ABDA) is pleased to propose the following solution for the topic Adaptive Bypass Valve for Solid Fuel Ramjet Missile.Ý GHI will develop an air bypass valve design, including integration and modeling of inlet and air delivery for the weapon system. SPARC will model grain regression, combustor performance, and develop path dependent trajectories for the SFRJ propulsion system. Dr. Ra˙l OrdÛÒez will provide expertise toward the development of adaptive bypass valve control strategies and algorithms. ABDA will support business development and provide SFRJ subject matter expertise via TABA.During the Phase I, GHI will perform design studies on several adaptive bypass valve concepts for SFRJ engine control, including: valve type, location (sub- vs. supersonic split, core ducting, bypass ducting, etc.), CAD concept, materials, gravimetrics, ROM system cost, performance, 3DOF trajectories, notional control strategies, and fuel impact studies. GHI will utilize the results of these studies to assess vehicle performance improvements in a measures of merit study considering success criteria such as range, speed, size, weight, trajectory, power, modularity, manufacturability, and cost.Ý From this study, a valve configuration will be selected for refinement in the second half of the Base period.