The working principle of a jet engine is based on Sir Isaac Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In a jet engine, this law is applied to generate thrust for propulsion.
The basic of jet engine is
Suck --> Squeeze --> Bang --> Blow
- Intake:The process begins with the intake section. Air is drawn into the engine through a series of fan blades. In some engines, there may be multiple stages of fans.
- Compression:The incoming air passes through a series of compressor stages. Each stage consists of rotating and stationary blades. The rotating blades (compressor rotor) spin rapidly, compressing the air and increasing its pressure.
- Combustion:The compressed air is then mixed with fuel in the combustion chamber. The fuel-air mixture is ignited, creating a high-energy, high-pressure, and high-temperature gas.
- Expansion:The high-energy gas is expelled through a series of nozzles. As the gas is forced out, it accelerates in the opposite direction.
Types of Jet Engines used in commercial Aviation:
- Turbojet Engines: (Concorde, fighters etc)Turbojets are the earliest type of jet engines. They work primarily on the principle of compressing air, mixing it with fuel, and igniting it to produce thrust. Turbojets are used in high-speed aircraft.
- Turbofan Engines: (Most commonly used in Commercial Aircraft)Turbofan engines are the most common type used in commercial aviation. They work by using a combination of a bypass fan (which moves a large amount of air around the engine core) and a core engine (which operates on the same principles as a turbojet). The bypass fan increases the engine's efficiency and allows for quieter operation.
- Turboprop Engines: (Most commonly used in regional aircraft)Turboprop engines combine a jet engine with a propeller. The jet engine generates power to drive the propeller, which produces additional thrust. Turboprop engines are commonly used in smaller regional aircraft.
- Turboshaft Engines: (Helicopters)Turboshaft engines are similar to turboprop engines but are optimized for shaft power. They're used in helicopters and some specialized applications like power generation.
