A comparison of measured and predicted sphere shock shapes in hypersonic flows with density ratios from 4 to 19

Measured shock shapes are presented for sphere and hemisphere models in helium, air, CF4, C2F6, and CO2 test gases, corresponding to normal-shock density ratios (primary factor governing shock detachment distance of blunt bodies at hypersonic speeds) from 4 to 19. These shock shapes were obtained in three facilities capable of generating the high density ratios experienced during planetary entry at hypersonic conditions; namely, the 6-inch expansion tube, with hypersonic CF4 tunnel, and pilot CF4 Mach 6 tunnel (with CF4 replaced by C2F6). Measured results are compared with several inviscid perfect-gas shock shape predictions, in which an effective ratio of specific heats is used as input, and with real-gas predictions which include effects of a laminar viscous layer and thermochemical nonequilibrium

A program for calculating expansion-tube flow quantities for real-gas mixtures and comparison with experimental results

A computer program written in FORTRAN 4 language is presented which determines expansion-tube flow quantities for real test gases CO2 N2, O2, Ar, He, and H2, or mixtures of these gases, in thermochemical equilibrium. The effects of dissociation and first and second ionization are included. Flow quantities behind the incident shock into the quiescent test gas are determined from the pressure and temperature of the quiescent test gas in conjunction with: (1) incident-shock velocity, (2) static pressure immediately behind the incident shock, or (3) pressure and temperature of the driver gas (imperfect hydrogen or helium). The effect of the possible existence of a shock reflection at the secondary diaphragm of the expansion tube is included. Expansion-tube test-section flow conditions are obtained by performing an isentropic unsteady expansion from the conditions behind the incident shock or reflected shock to either the test-region velocity or the static pressure. Both a thermochemical-equilibrium expansion and a frozen expansion are included. Flow conditions immediately behind the bow shock of a model positioned at the test section are also determined. Results from the program are compared with preliminary experimental data obtained in the Langley 6-inch expansion tube

Table and charts of equilibrium normal-shock properties for hydrogen-helium mixtures with velocities to 70 km/sec. Volume 3: 0.85 H2-0.15 He (by volume)

For abstract, see N77-18234

Pressure distributions and shock shapes for 12.84 deg/7 deg on-axis and bent-nose biconics in air at Mach 6

Pressure distributions and shock shapes on a spherically blunted, 12.84 deg /7 deg on axis biconic and a spherically blunted, 12.84 deg/7 deg bent nose biconic at Mach 6 in air were measured. The angle of attack, referenced to the axis of aft cone, was varied from 0 deg to 25 deg in nominal 5 deg increments. Two values of free stream Reynolds number based on model length were tested. Predictions from simple, theories and from a supersonic, three dimensional, external invsicid code (STEIN) are compared with measured values. Predicted STEIN shock shapes and windward pressures are in agreement with measured values for both biconics over the present range of angle of attack

Incident shock-wave characteristics in air, argon, carbon dioxide, and helium in a shock tube with unheated helium driver

Incident shock-wave velocities were measured in the Langley 6-inch expansion tube, operated as a shock tube, with air, argon, carbon dioxide, and helium as test gases. Unheated helium was used as the driver gas and most data were obtained at pressures of approximately 34 and 54 MN/sq m. A range of pressure ratio across the diaphragm was obtained by varying the quiescent test-gas pressure, for a given driver pressure, from 0.0276 to 34.5 kN/sq m. Single- and double-diaphragm modes of operation were employed and diaphragms of various materials tested. Shock velocity was determined from microwave interferometer measurements, response of pressure transducers positioned along interferometer measurements, response of pressure transducers positioned along the driven section (time-of-arrival gages), and to a lesser extent, measured tube-wall pressure. Velocities obtained from these methods are compared and limitations of the methods discussed. The present results are compared with theory and the effects of diaphragm mode (single or double diaphragm), diaphragm material, heating of the driver gas upon pressurization of the driver section, diaphragm opening time, interface mixing, and two-dimensional (nonplanar) flow are discussed

Experimental perfect-gas study of expansion-tube flow characteristics

Results of an experimental investigation of expansion tube flow characteristics performed with helium test gas and acceleration gas are presented. The use of helium, eliminates complex real gas chemistry in the comparison of measured and predicted flow quantities. The driver gas was unheated helium at a nominal pressure of 33 MN sq m. The quiescent test gas pressure and quiescent acceleration gas pressure were varied from 0.7 to 50 kN/sq m and from 2.5 to 53 N/sq m, respectively. The effects of tube-wall boundary layer growth and finite secondary diaphragm opening time were examined through the variation of the quiescent gas pressures and secondary diaphragm thickness. Optimum operating conditions for helium test gas were also defined

Table charts of equilibrium normal-shock properties for hydrogen-helium mixtures with velocities to 70 km/sec. Volume 2: 0.90 H2-0.10 He (by volume)

For abstract, see N77-18234

Table and charts of equilibrium normal-shock properties for hydrogen-helium mixtures with velocities to 70 km/sec. Volume 1: 0.95 H2-0.05 He (by volume)

Equilibrium thermodynamic and flow properties are presented in tabulated and graphical form for moving, standing, and reflected normal shock waves into hydrogen-helium mixtures representative of postulated outer planet atmospheres. These results are presented in four volumes and the volmetric compositions of the mixtures are 0.95H2-0.05He in Volume 1, 0.90H2-0.10He in Volume 2, 0.85H2-0.15He in Volume 3, and 0.75H2-0.25He in Volume 4. Properties include pressure, temperature, density, enthalpy, speed of sound, entropy, molecular-weight ratio, isentropic exponent, velocity, and species mole fractions. Incident (moving) shock velocities are varied from 4 to 70 km/sec for a range of initial pressure of 5 N/sq m to 100 kN/sq m. Results are applicable to shock-tube flows and for determining flow conditions behind the normal portion of the bow shock about a blunt body at high velocities in postulated outer planet atmospheres. The document is a revised version of the original edition of NASA SP-3085 published in 1974

Tables and charts of equilibrium normal shock and shock tube solutions for pure CO2 with velocities to 16 km/second

Equilibrium thermodynamic and flow properties are presented in tabulated and graphical form for moving, standing, and reflected normal shock waves in pure CO2, representative of Mars and Venus atmospheres. Properties include pressure, temperature, density, enthalpy, speed of sound, entropy, molecular weight ratio, isentropic exponent, velocity and species mole fractions. Incident (moving) shock velocities are varied from 1 to 16 km/sec for a range of initial pressure of 5 Newtons per square meter to 500 kilo Newtons per square meter. The present results are applicable to shock tube flows, and to free-flight conditions for a blunt body at high velocities. Working charts illustrating idealized shock-tube performance with CO2 test gas and heated helium and hydrogen driver gases are also presented

Experimental and predicted heating distributions for biconics at incidence in air at Mach 10

Heating distributions were measured on a 1.9-percent-scale model of a generic aeroassisted vehicle proposed for missions to a number of planets and for use as a moderate lift-drag ratio Earth orbital transfer vehicle. This vehicle is spherically blunted, 12.84 deg/7 deg biconic with the fore-cone bent upward 7 deg to provide self-trim capability. A straight biconic with the same nose radius and the same half-angles was also tested. The free-stream Reynolds numbers based on model length were equal to about 2 x 10(5) or 9 x 10 (5). The angle of attack, referenced to the aft-cone, was varied from 0 deg to 20 deg. Heating distributions predicted with a parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) code are compared with the measurements for the present Reynolds numbers and range of angles of attack. Leeward heating was greatly affected by Reynolds number, with the heating increasing with decreasing Reynolds number for attached flow (low incidence). The opposite was true for separated flow, which occurred when the fore-cone angle of attack exceeded 0.8 times the fore-cone half-angle. Windward heating distributions were predicted to within 10 percent with the PNS code. Leeward heating distributions were predicted qualitatively for both Reynolds numbers, but quantitative agreement was poorer than on the windward side