Studies of Inlet Distortion in a Direct-Connect Axisymmetric Scramjet Isolator

Abstract

Direct-connect wind-tunnel facilities that produce uniform flow entering the test section are generally used for scramjet-component (isolator/combustor) studies. In freejet experiments and flight tests, however, air enters the engine through an inlet, and flow entering the isolator and combustor is typically distorted. The distortion effects can include nonuniform boundary-layer thicknesses on the walls and relatively strong oblique shock waves. This research focuses on the effects of inlet distortion on a round scramjet isolator. A numerical study was performed using various distortion devices, including ramps, injector ports, and injector slots, that were placed downstream of the direct-connect facility nozzle to simulate a distorted flowfield from a prescribed inlet. The computational results provided a methodology for simulating flow distortion in direct-connect testing. Based on the numerical findings, experimental testing was conducted in the supersonic wind-tunnel facility to validate the numerical...