Italian Innovation in the US: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Gets An Italian Edge
Posted by Machines Italia | 31 Aug 2012
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The project’s initial phase, Project Artemis, consisted of technology research development and the construction of the Escape Velocity One engine (EV-1). This engine is capable of about 500 pounds of thrust and uses liquid Nitrous Oxide and Methane as the oxidizer and fuel respectively. The second iteration of the project, led by the Aquila Liquid Propulsion Development Team, built upon the knowledge developed by the EV-1 team to design a newer engine in tandem with the older engine. The revised objective became to continue EV-1 motor testing and refinement while the newer motor pushed the boundaries of scale and design.
The second engine, called the Escape Velocity Two (EV-2), was designed for 1500 pounds of thrust, operates with cryogenic methane and oxygen, and was made possible by a partnership with Meccanotecnica. According to Aquila Project design, the Sicilian manufacturers produced the chamber liner and the methane manifold, and also provided the students with materials and services. The methane manifold is responsible for the distribution of the fuel into the combustion chamber and to allow the oxygen to pass through it.
The combustion chamber, also known as the chamber liner, is responsible for being both light weight and heat resistant. The current design calls for regenerative cooling channels that run from top to bottom to help keep the chamber liner cooler that 700K. Ultimately, the chamber liner and the methane manifold each required the expertise of an experienced manufacturer in order to produce the tight tolerances required by the interface between two parts, considered to be the “heart” of the engine.
