A jet engine is a reaction engine that discharges a fast-moving jet of heated gas, usually air, to generate thrust through jet propulsion. The term most often refers to an internal combustion air-breathing jet engine such as a turbojet, turbofan, ramjet, pulse jet or scramjet. Most air-breathing jet engines use a rotating air compressor powered by a turbine, with leftover power providing thrust through a propelling nozzle in what is known as the Brayton thermodynamic cycle. Jet engine thrust and reliability improved dramatically over the twentieth century, with a typical jetliner engine thrust rising from about 5,000 pounds-force in the 1950s to 115,000 pounds-force by the 1990s, alongside far lower fuel consumption and in-flight shutdown rates.
Facts
Classification
MaturityTRL 9: Actual System Proven in Operational Environment 1 Technology TypeAir-breathing gas turbine engine 1 Invented Year Sources
1. Wikipedia: Jet engine
Jet engine, History section, paragraph on Frank Whittle's 1930 patent
On 16 January 1930, in England, Whittle submitted his first patent (granted in 1932).
In Group: Gas Turbines and Jet Engines, Lead
A jet engine is a type of reaction engine, discharging a fast-moving jet of heated gas (usually air) that generates thrust by jet propulsion.
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.