A novel approach for inverse design of three-dimensional shock waves under non-uniform flows

• Published in: Acta astronautica 2020-11, Vol.176, p.324-331
• Main Authors: Zhou, Hang, Jin, Zhiguang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angle of attack; Axisymmetric flow; Conical flow; Forebodies; Hypersonic propulsion; Integration design of waverider forebody and inlet; Inverse design; Inverse problems; Method of characteristics; Micro osculating axisymmetric flow method; Mopping; Non-uniform flow; Nonuniform flow; Numerical simulations; Pressure gradients; Shock waves; Three dimensional flow; Three-dimensional shock wave; Two dimensional flow
• ISSN: 0094-5765; 1879-2030
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.06.050

Traditional osculating axisymmetric flow (OA) theory is widely used in the inverse design of generalized shock waves. However, this theory is only applicable to uniform incoming flows. In this paper, a novel method called micro osculating axisymmetric flow (MOA) method is proposed to solve the inverse problem of the 3D generalized shock wave design under non-uniform incoming flows. This method constructs a series of micro osculating planes (MOPs) along the shock wave surface in spanwise and streamwise directions. Actual 3D flows are then approximated by 2D axisymmetric flows in each MOP. Thus, the new method breaks the restriction of no lateral velocities or pressure gradients in the traditional method. An internal conical shock wave at a 4° angle of attack and the other one in an external conical flow of a 10° cone half-angle are obtained by the novel method to validate its feasibility and applicability. Numerical simulation results of the two cases indicate that the 3D shock wave geometries completely match the target. A streamwise integration of the inward turning wavecatcher inlet and outward turning waverider forebody is also presented. This integration shows the remarkable application prospects of the MOA method in the field of air-breathing hypersonic propulsion. •A novel method for 3D shock wave design under non-uniform flows is proposed.•CFD results demonstrate the MOA method is effective to reconstruct 3D shock waves.•A streamwise integration of wavecatcher inlet and waverider forebody is presented.