Nozzle geometry effects on corner boundary layers in supersonic wind tunnels

Experiments on supersonic flows are typically conducted in wind tunnels with rectangular cross-sections, which use two-dimensional nozzles of two different types. A “full” setup consists of two contoured nozzle surfaces symmetric about the tunnel centre-height. The “half” configuration is also common, with a curved ceiling nozzle surface and a straight horizontal floor.Air Force Research Laboratory UK National Wind Tunnel Facilit

Vortical structures on three-dimensional shock control bumps

Three-dimensional shock control bumps have long been investigated for their promising wave drag reduction capability. However, a recently emerging application has been their deployment as “smart” vortex generators, which offset the parasitic drag of their vortices against their wave drag reduction. It is known that three-dimensional shock control bumps produce streamwise vortices under most operating conditions; however, there have been very few investigations that have aimed to specifically examine the relevant flow structures. In particular, the strength of the vortices produced as well as the factors influencing their production are not well known. This paper uses a joint experimental and computational approach to test three different shock control bump shapes, categorizing their flow structures. Four common key vortical structures are observed, predominantly shear flows, although all bumps also produce a streamwise vortex pair. Both cases with and without flow separation on the bump tails are scrutinized. Finally, correlations between the strength of the main wake vortices and pressure gradients at various locations on the bumps are assessed to investigate which parts of the flow control the vortex formation. Spanwise flows on the bump ramp are seen to be the most influential factor in vortex strength.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) for the Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative as part of the NextWing program under grant agreement no. 271843.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics via http://dx.doi.org/10.2514/1.J05466

Vortical structures on three-dimensional shock control bumps

Three-dimensional shock control bumps have long been investigated for their promising wave drag reduction capability. However, a recently emerging application has been their deployment as “smart” vortex generators, which offset the parasitic drag of their vortices against their wave drag reduction. It is known that three-dimensional shock control bumps produce streamwise vortices under most operating conditions; however, there have been very few investigations that have aimed to specifically examine the relevant flow structures. In particular, the strength of the vortices produced as well as the factors influencing their production are not well known. This paper uses a joint experimental and computational approach to test three different shock control bump shapes, categorizing their flow structures. Four common key vortical structures are observed, predominantly shear flows, although all bumps also produce a streamwise vortex pair. Both cases with and without flow separation on the bump tails are scrutinized. Finally, correlations between the strength of the main wake vortices and pressure gradients at various locations on the bumps are assessed to investigate which parts of the flow control the vortex formation. Spanwise flows on the bump ramp are seen to be the most influential factor in vortex strength.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) for the Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative as part of the NextWing program under grant agreement no. 271843.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics via http://dx.doi.org/10.2514/1.J05466

Nozzle geometry-induced vortices in supersonic wind tunnels

Streamwise-coherent structures were observed in schlieren images of a Mach 2.5 flow in an empty supersonic wind tunnel with rectangular cross-section. These features are studied using RANS computations in combination with wind tunnel experiments. The structures are identified as regions of streamwise vorticity embedded in the sidewall boundary layers. These vortices locally perturb the sidewall boundary layers, and can increase their thickness by as much as 37%. The vortices are caused by a region of separation upstream of the nozzle where there is a sharp geometry change, typical in supersonic wind tunnels with interchangeable nozzle blocks. Despite originating in the corners, the vortices are transported by secondary flows in the sidewall boundary layers so they end up near the tunnel centre-height, well away from any corners. The successful elimination of these sidewall vortices from the flow is achieved by replacing the sharp corner with a more rounded geometry, so that the flow here remains attached.Air Force Office of Scientific Research: Award No. FA9550-16-1-043

Characteristics of shock-induced boundary layer separation on nacelles under windmilling diversion conditions

The boundary layer on the external cowl of an aero-engine nacelle under windmilling diversion conditions is subjected to a notable adverse pressure gradient due to the interaction with a near-normal shock wave. Within the context of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods, the correct representation of the characteristics of the boundary layer is a major challenge to capture the onset of the separation. This is important for the aerodynamic design of the nacelle as it may assist in the characterization of candidate designs. This work uses experimental data obtained from a quasi-2D rig configuration to provide an assessment of the CFD methods typically used within an industrial context. A range of operating conditions is investigated to assess the sensitivity of the boundary layer to changes in inlet Mach number and mass flow through a notional windmilling engine. Fully turbulent and transitional boundary layer computations are used to determine the characteristics of the boundary layer and the interaction with the shock on the nacelle cowl. The correlation between the onset of shock induced boundary layer separation and pre-shock Mach number is assessed and the boundary layer integral characteristics ahead of the shock and the post-shock recovery evaluated and quantified. Overall, it was found that the CFD is able to discern the onset of boundary layer separation for a nacelle under windmilling conditions

Effect of dimples on glancing shock wave turbulent boundary layer interactions

An experimental study has been conducted to examine the control effectiveness of dimples on the glancing shock wave turbulent boundary layer interaction produced by a series of hemi-cylindrically blunted fins at Mach numbers 0.8 and 1.4, and at angles of sweep 0°, 15°, 30° and 45°. Schlieren photography, oil flow, pressure sensitive paints, and pressure tappings were employed to examine the characteristics of the induced flow field. The passive control technique used a series of 2 mm diameter, 1 mm deep indents drilled across the hemi-cylindrical leading edge at angles 0°, 45° and 90°. The effects of dimples were highly dependent on their orientation relative to the leading edge apex, and the local boundary layer properties

Flow characterisation for a validation study in high-speed aerodynamics

Validation studies are becoming increasingly relevant when investigating complex flow problems in high-speed aerodynamics. These investigations require calibration of numerical models with accurate data from the physical wind tunnel being studied. This paper presents the characterisation process for a joint experimental-computational study to investigate the streamwise corners of a Mach 2.5 channel flow. As well as checks of flow quality typically performed for phenomenological investigations, additional quantitative tests are conducted. The extra care to obtain high quality data and eliminate any systematic errors reveal useful information about the wind tunnel flow. Further important physical insights are gained from designing and conducting wind tunnel tests in conjunction with numerical simulations. Crucially, the close experimental-computational collaboration enabled the identification of secondary flows in the sidewall boundary-layers; these strongly influence the flow in the corner regions, the target of the validation study