Numerical parametric study on three-dimensional rectangular counter-flow thrust vectoring control

Abstract

Recently, fluidic thrust vectoring control is popular for micro space launcher propulsion systems due to its several advantages, such as fast dynamic responsiveness, better control effectiveness, and no moving mechanical equipment. Counter-flow thrust vectoring control is an especially effective technique by utilizing less suction flow to control the mainstream deflection flexibly. In the current work, theoretical and numerical analyses are performed together to elaborate on the performance of the three-dimensional rectangular counter-flow thrust vectoring control system. A new propulsion nozzle of Mach 2.5 is devised by method of characteristics. To testify the feasibility and accuracy of the present research methodology, numerical results were validated against experimental data from the open literature. The computational result using the standard k-epsilon turbulence model reveals a good match with experimentally measured static pressure values along the centerline of the upper suction collar. The influence of several key parameters on vectoring performance is investigated herein, including the mainstream temperature, collar radius, horizontal collar length, and gap height. Critical parameters have been quantitatively analyzed, such as static pressure distribution along the centerline of the upper suction collar, pitching angle, suction mass flow ratio, and thrust coefficient. Furthermore, the flow-field features are qualitatively expounded based on the static pressure contour, streamline, iso-turbulent kinetic energy contour, and iso-Mach number contour. Some important conclusions are offered for further studies. The mainstream temperature mainly affects different dynamic characteristics of the mixing shear layer, including the convective Mach number of the shear layer, density ratio, and flow velocity ratio. The collar radius influences the pressure gradient near the suction collar surface significantly. The pitching angle increases rapidly with the increasing collar radius. As the horizontal collar length increases, the systematic deflection angle initially increases then decreases. The highest pitching angle is obtained for L/ H = 3.53. With regard to the gap height, a larger gap height can achieve a higher pitching angle.