ROCKET, JET & TURBINE ENGINE DEVELOPMENTS
During the period from about 1990-2002 I devoted vast amounts of time developing mainly rocket propulsion systems. An integral part of this were my Land Speed Record Attempts, as these gave me the opportunity to demonstrate my knowledge & to safely take it to a level of 'man rated' rockets. Within the strict rules governing official record breaking, I was able to show the reliability and performance predictability of my hybrid rockets which culminated in the fastest speed (at that time) on two wheels ever seen internationally. The BBC documentary series 'The Mission' chronicled the attempt.
I have designed, built and tested a number of differing propulsion systems. Many were capable of achieving actual performances within 2-3% of their initial design predictions, and within 10% of maximum theoretical performance. Selected highlights of the development work undertaken include:-
- Construction and demonstration of a Hydrogen Peroxide mono propellant rocket engine using a 50% (low strength) concentration peroxide whilst still achieving stable full liquid to gas decomposition.
- Designing, constructing and successful testing of a Liquid Oxygen and Kerosene bi-propellant rocket engine with full regenerative cooling. This rocket motor propelled a twelve foot long radio controlled model vehicle along the famous British Pendine Sands in South Wales, at a speed of approx 200 mph. (see model cars page)
- Producing a series of medium to high performance solid propellant motors, each capable of demonstrating reliable operation. These powered my first two model cars & provided boost power on my first manned vehicle, the Booste Palouste.
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| N2O4Aniline engine at half throttle | |
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| N2O4/Aniline engine at full throttle | |
- Design, manufacture and successful static test firing of a Nitrogen Tetroxide and Aniline hypergolic bi-propellant rocket motor, with throttle ability and a split system regenerative cooling.
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| Booste Paloute's "Super Burner" on song. | |
- Converting a Rolls-Royce 'Palouste' turbo compressor auxiliary power unit (APU) into a jet turbine - attaining close-to-theoretical thrust based on mass flow & pressure ratio to thrust output. The developed unit was used in the 'Booste Palouste' motorcycle. I rode this bike to establish National British Records during its development.
- Developing HTP/HTPB & HTP/UDPE hybrid rocket engines incorporating innovative developments to produce state of the art rocket motors. After exhaustive static testing these motors were mounted on to the 'Boost Palouste' motorcycle and were then scaled and upgraded to become the power units for an all rocket powered motorcycle, the Gillette Mach 3 Challenger.
- Design and manufacture of hybrid engines with super light weight regeneratively cooled nozzles, tested at near stoichiometric fuel/oxidizer ratio to durations in excess of 20 seconds.
- Design, build, and testing of many interesting hybrid related features including multi-port (double 'D') fuel grains, various ignition enhancement devices, stepped throttling, purpose built regulators, valves & plumbing components.
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| Static test firing of one of the three hybrid engines |
- Design / build of a triple hybrid rocket powered World record attempt motorcycle - the Gillette Mach 3 Challenger, which achieved the outright British Motorcycle Land Speed of 216.55 mph on a 1.9 mile long runway using just one engine. In September 1999 at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, we set the fastest ever motorcycle speeds in an official FIM World record attempt. Our fastest run was 330.639 mph average speed for the mile and 332.877 mph average speed for the kilometre. The peak speed was 365 mph. Still only using two engines!
- Design, build and testing of an HTP driven turbine, using a reduction gearbox power was measured on a crude but effective inertia dynometer.
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| 1) Andy Scott & myself securing the Carbon filament wound hybrid motor to the thrust rig prior to a static test. | |
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| 2) Malcolm Paul & myself transferring H202 into the rocket system, ready for firing. | |
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| 3) Ignition, followed by 24 seconds of shear perfection! | |
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| 4) Excellent news, inspection after firing confirms this super light weight motor is unblemished! | |
- Design, build & successful testing of ultra-light-weight 'state of the art' carbon fibre filament wound Hybrid rocket motors, test fired to durations upto 26 seconds with minimal residue fuel sliver.(pictures above)
This work continues (see testing page), however since 2002 I have worked solely on the contra-rotating turbofan engine required for my Jetpack. This has proved to be the most challenging effort yet, only with all the experience gained from the list above could I even consider this project. The engine required for safe controlled wingless flight is a 'technical Mount Everest'.