U.S. Air Force Research Lab Summer Faculty Fellowship Program

U.S. Air Force Research Lab Summer Faculty Fellowship Program

U.S. Air Force Research Lab Summer Faculty Fellowship Program

Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) (Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee )

SF.60.22.B10067: Development of Hypersonic Ground Testing Methodologies for Measurements in Jet Interaction Regions

McManamen, Brianne - 301-294-2019

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.

Air Force Test Center

Medina, Kevin
AFTC Technology Transfer & Research Manager
1 South Rosamond Blvd, Bldg 1
Edwards AFB, California 93524
Telephone: 661-277-9111
Email: kevin.medina.1@us.af.mil