Combined experimental/ numerical investigation of electric-arc airspikes for blunt body at mach 3

C. Misiewicz, L. N. Myrabo, M. N. Shneider, Y. P. Raizer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Electric-arc airspike experiments were performed with a 1.25-inch diameter blunt body in the vacuum-driven Mach 3 wind tunnel at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Schlieren movies at 30-Hz frame rate were recorded of the airspike flowfields, revealing substantial evolution over the 6-second run durations. Arc powers up to 2-kW were delivered into the airspike by an arc-welding power supply, using zirconiated tungsten electrodes. Aerodynamic drag was measured with a piezo-electric load cell, revealing reductions up to 70% when the airspike was energized. The test article was a small-scale model of the Mercury lightcraft, a laser-propelled transatmospheric vehicle designed to transport one-person into orbit. Numerical modeling of this airspike is based on the Euler gasdynamic equations for conditions identical to those tested in the RPI supersonic tunnel. Excellent agreement between the shock wave shapes given by first-order asymptotic theory, numerical modeling, and experiment is demonstrated. Results of the numerical modeling confirm both the significant drag reduction potential and the energy efficiency of the airspike concept.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication35th AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference
StatePublished - 2004
Event35th AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference 2004 - Portland, OR, United States
Duration: Jun 28 2004Jul 1 2004

Publication series

Name35th AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference

Other

Other35th AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference 2004
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPortland, OR
Period6/28/047/1/04

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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