Power cycle analysis of two-phase underwater ramjet

To predict the cycle and propulsive performance, and further instruct the integral engine design, an ideal power cycle model for a two-phase underwater ramjet is established. Four performance parameters are defined to evaluate overall performance of the two-phase underwater ramjet systems: transmission efficiency, propulsive efficiency, overall efficiency and specific impulse. Then, a scaled-down experimental ramjet engine was tested in a direct-connect ground testing system to validate the present model, and the predictions with present model compare favorably with experimental results. Subsequently, the influences of cruise velocity, air/water mass ratio and cruising depth on the theoretical performance of the two-phase underwater ramjet are discussed. The results indicate that one of the most outstanding advantages of two-phase underwater ramjet is its high propulsive efficiency with the order of 50–95%. As a result, the overall efficiency magnitude are as high as 30% at cruise speed of 100 m/s. Furthermore, regarding rules of specific impulse vs cruise velocity under a certain air/water mass ratio, the occurrence of peak specific impulse of order 400 s is observed.