The odd talk on concordesst.com forums..

[chris]

On the forums of concordesst.com, they are talking about the Ty-144LL RA-77114 having been doing rejected-take-off tests just recently, and now talking actively about the thing being used for what could only be described as "charter" flights.

And the other wild talk? Ty-144 being powered by Olympus 593 turbojets. These engines are indeed more fuel efficient than even the NK-321 reheated turbofans of the Ty-144LL and Ty-160 Blackjack bomber, but how would they go lifting the TU-144's much heavier weight?

They have 38,150lbs thrust each (152,600lbs total), where the Ty-144LL engines have 55,030lbs each (220,120lbs total). I'd suggest it would be more feasible to run it with the NK-321 engines since those will actually work in the Ty-144. The Olympus 593's require the whole entire intake ramp system (and the associated electronics) in order to work properly.

Without the ramps to slow the entry of air into the engines, the engines can only safely operate at a maximum Mach 1.3.

It's highly probable RA-77114 will fly again and soon, but with the RR Olympus 593's seems highly unlikely, even despite the acclaimed excellence of that engine.

Unless they'll build some with the 3rd turbine stage (and no afterburners), as was planned and use the whole experience for development and testing..

[KyzrSoze]

I always read your posts on airplane subjects, because even though I have a very limited knowledge on anything aircraft related I still find the subject interesting. I have to confess though that every bit of that flew several feet over my head.:D &(

[chris]

I'll put up a few images later on to explain the system of ramps / air-doors on the Olympus 593 engines. I'll look in the Concorde manuals I've got here and find some informative diagrams.

But to explain it simply, these are simply moving "doors" that open up or close depending on aircraft speed to regulate the speed of the air flowing into the engine air-intakes.

These can also be adjusted to prevent a condition where turbulent shockwaves would enter the engine air-intake and possibly cause the engine to stall.

Where the air arriving at the leading edge of the engine housing may be going at 2100-2200km/hr, using the system of "ramps", the air can be slowed to a more reasonable speed before it actually enters the engine itself. This allows the engine to run much more efficiently at such high speeds. That is one of the main reasons the Olympus 593 Mk.610-14-28 engine type is so efficient in high speed flight at very high altitudes.

However, it is a really major problem if the ramps fail or rather become stuck open when the plane is accelerating beyond Mach 1.3. That can cause an engine to overspeed (kind of like over-revving in a car engine) and to ultimately have a catastrophic failure.

The ramps/air doors can also be arranged to starve an engine fire of oxygen, thus extinguishing the fire.

[chris]

Okay, Olympus 593 engine diagrams showing the basics of how things work. :)