Experimental and computational, parametric drag study of an "Air Apike" in hypersonic flow

R. M. Bracken, C. S. Hartley, G. Mann, L. N. Myrabo, H. T. Nagamatsu, M. N. Shneider, Y. P. Raizer

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

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Drag reduction effects of an electric arc Air-Spke in a hypersonic flow are currently being studied in the Rensselaer Polytechc Institute 24- inch Hypersonic Shock Tunnel (RPI HST). In tandem these results are being modeled computationally, and compared to existing theory. The arc is driven by a high current lead-acid battery array, producing a maximum of 75-kilowatts into the self-sustaining electrical discharge. The test conditions were for Mach 10, 260 psia stagnation pressure, and 560 K stagnation temperature flow - a low enthalpy, "ideal gas," condition. Schlieren photographs are taken of the arc apparatus and downstream blunt body, with a variety of arc powers and sourcehody distances. Fast-response accelerometers are used to measure drag on the hanging blunt body. These tests are conducted with and without the arc to establish the most efficient placement and power of the air-splke. The computational effort employs the Euler gasdynamic equations to represent a heat source in flow conditions and geometries identical to those tested in the RPI HST. The objective of the combined experimentakomputational parametric study is to enhance understanding of the drag reduction features inherent to the Air-Spike phenomenon.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication38th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit
StatePublished - 2002
Event38th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit 2002 - Indianapolis, IN, United States
Duration: Jul 7 2002Jul 10 2002

Publication series

Name38th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit

Other

Other38th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit 2002
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityIndianapolis, IN
Period7/7/027/10/02

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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