Slender-Body Hypervelocity Boundary-Layer Instability

Citation

Parziale, Nicholaus J. (2013) Slender-Body Hypervelocity Boundary-Layer Instability. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/KZJ1-Y009. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:05312013-164534236

Abstract

With novel application of optical techniques, the slender-body hypervelocity boundary-layer instability is characterized in the previously unexplored regime where thermo-chemical effects are important. Narrowband disturbances (500-3000 kHz) are measured in boundary layers with edge velocities of up to 5~km/s at two points along the generator of a 5 degree half angle cone. Experimental amplification factor spectra are presented. Linear stability and PSE analysis is performed, with fair prediction of the frequency content of the disturbances; however, the analysis over-predicts the amplification of disturbances. The results of this work have two key implications: 1) the acoustic instability is present and may be studied in a large-scale hypervelocity reflected-shock tunnel, and 2) the new data set provides a new basis on which the instability can be studied.

Thesis Files