Unsteady Aerodynamic Interaction between Two Bodies at Hypersonic Speed

Abstract

This paper presents experimental results of unsteady aerodynamic interactions including Shock/Shock Interaction (SSI) and Shock/Boundary Layer Interaction (SBLI) between two bodies at hypersonic speed. These interactions can be seen in space vehicles consisting of multi-bodies, such as a TSTO, or at a scramjet engine inlet. The present study considers the effect of a flat plate below the SSI where a boundary-layer is developed on the plate surface. More specifically, the interacted flow for a combination of a flat plate (FP) and a hemi-circular cylinder (HCC) is examined at a hypersonic speed (M_∞=8.1); the distributions of surface pressure and heat transfer rate are measured. To obtain various SSI patterns, the clearance between two bodies (FP and HCC) is changed. Results show that unsteadiness at the SSI point causes a feedback loop between the two bodies; a jet flow impinges on the FP, the effect of which propagates upstream where the jet impinges on the FP, and the aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic loads reach their maxima. Finally, we found that the feedback loop can be destroyed by installing a fence on the FP to reduce unsteadiness of flow field.