Experimental performance evaluation of a streamline traced inlet at off-design conditions
Scramjet engines used as part of a multi-stage space access system must operate efficiently over a wide range of conditions. This paper describes experimental testing undertaken to evaluate the masscapture performance, self-starting capability, and back-pressure limitations of a streamline-traced th...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Conference item |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
CEAS
2024
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| Summary: | Scramjet engines used as part of a multi-stage space access system must operate efficiently over a
wide range of conditions. This paper describes experimental testing undertaken to evaluate the masscapture performance, self-starting capability, and back-pressure limitations of a streamline-traced
three-dimensional inlet. Experiments were conducted in the University of Oxford High Density Tunnel.
Instrumentation included fast-response surface pressure measurements and a novel back
pressure/mass capture device suitable for accurate measurement of mass flow rate in short duration
testing. Tests were performed at Mach 7 between unit Reynolds numbers 4.7 × 106
/𝑚 and
17.7 × 106
/𝑚. The inlet was found to be capable of withstanding a forebody-normalized back pressure
ratio 88 before unstarting, with minimal Reynolds number dependance. The started inlet captured 80%
of the projected capture area, with a 6% variation across the unit Reynolds number range. |
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