AEDC Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 provides unique ground test capability that is currently in high demand for development of next generation advanced hypersonic interceptors. There is a need for measurement capabilities involving jet interactions (JI) in the wind tunnel environment. This research will progress Tunnel 9 toward satisfying JI test requirements. There are several areas requiring development and the researcher may choose to specialize in one.
1. Non-Intrusive Global Velocity Measurements: One of the major challenges of JI testing is the ability to provide high fidelity velocity measurements of the jet and surrounding regions. Tunnel 9 currently is capable of providing Schlieren imagery and/or point source type velocity measurements (FLEET), but a larger field of view direct velocity measurement is ideal. Particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) is highly desirable in the JI test scenario, however in a facility like Tunnel 9 it has historically been considered infeasible. One of the largest challenges being effective seeding in a large scale blowdown facility like Tunnel 9. The researcher will work with technical staff to develop a large field of view non-intrusive velocity measurement approach suitable for the Tunnel 9 environment.
2. The topic of interest pertains to jet interaction testing. Jet interaction refers to a lateral divert jet flow field interacting with the flow field surrounding a body of interest. The interaction of a divert jet firing from a cone-like body in hypersonic flow is a source of many three-dimensional unsteady aerodynamic flow phenomena. The transient forces acting on a cone-like body due to jet interaction are of particular interest. Current commercially available internal strain gage balances which have flow-through capability are not designed to resolve transient forces and moments. A methodology for resolving transient forces and moments acting on a cone-like body by way of measurements other than internal strain gage balances is sought. The researcher will work with technical staff to specify a measurement, data reduction, and analysis approach to resolve transient forces and moments on a wind tunnel test article to work within facility and model internal volume constraints.
*This research will be completed onsite at Wind Tunnel 9 located at White Oak Operating Location; Silver Spring, Maryland.