High-speed unsteady flows around concave axisymmetric bodies: Flow instabilities and their suppression

Argyris Panaras, Dimitris Drikakis

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The axisymmetric concave body, i.e. a body in which the normals to its surface intersect, is a typical configuration about which shock/shock interactions appear. Various shapes of axisymmetric concave bodies are used in a variety of applications in aeronautics. For exampe: axisymmetric jet inlets with conical centerbody, ballistic missiles drag reduction by spike, plasma or hot gas injection, parachutes for pilot-ejection capsules. However, it is well known that two distinct modes of instability appear around a concave body in the high-speed flow regime, for a certain range of geometric parameters. These instabilities can cause undesirable effects such as severe vibration of the structure, heating and pressure loads. According to the experimental evidence, the unsteady flow is characterized by periodic radial inflation and collapse of the conical separation bubble formed around the forebody (pulsation). Various explanations have been given for the driving mechanism of the instabilities. They are based on interpretation of experimental results or on numerical simulation of the related flows. A merging of the leading explanations is done, and basic rules for the passive suppression of the instabilities are applied, in order to enforce the proposed driving mechanism of the instabilities. Most of the analysis is based on numerical simulations.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 6th European Symposium on Aerothermodynamics for Space Vehicles
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes
Event6th European Symposium Aerothermodynamics for Space Vehicles - Versailles, France
Duration: 3 Nov 20086 Nov 2008

Publication series

NameEuropean Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA SP
Volume659 SP
ISSN (Print)0379-6566

Conference

Conference6th European Symposium Aerothermodynamics for Space Vehicles
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityVersailles
Period3/11/086/11/08

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'High-speed unsteady flows around concave axisymmetric bodies: Flow instabilities and their suppression'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this