Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Visualization of supersonic flow around a sharp-edged, sub-boundary-layer protuberance

  • Regular Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Visualization Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Innovations in conventional surface and planar laser scattering visualizations revealed complex structures in the Mach 2.5 flow past a sharp-edged, sub-boundary-layer ramp with swept sides that is one type of micro vortex generator (MVG). The incoming flow separated over the leading edge despite the ramp angle being below the threshold for incipient separation. The separation produced a weak trailing horseshoe vortex system. The flow over the top of the MVG separated off the slant edges to produce a large primary vortex pair. Extra details were revealed at the trailing edge with at least two pairs of singularities. Vortex filaments spring from these singularities. Symmetry breaking from the confluence of the two primary vortices was observed as an unsteady wake to result in a train of possibly ring or hairpin vortices trailing downstream.

Graphical Abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Use of fluorescent pigments with ultraviolet light has been reported previously (Merzkirch et al. 1987).

References

  • Angele KP, Grewe F (2007) Instantaneous behavior of streamwise vortices for turbulent boundary layer separation control. J Fluids Eng 129(2):226–235. doi:10.1115/1.2409327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babinsky H, Li Y (2009) Microramp control of supersonic oblique shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions. AIAA J 47(3):668–675. doi:10.2514/1.38022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blinde PL, Humble RA, van Oudheusden BW, Scarano F (2009) Effects of micro-ramps on a shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interaction. Shock Waves 19(6):507–520. doi:10.1007/s00193-009-0231-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bur R, Coponet D, Carpels Y (2009) Separation control by vortex generator devices in a transonic channel flow. Shock Waves 19(6):521–530. doi:10.1007/s00193-009-0234-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clemens NT, Mungal MG (1991) A planar Mie scattering technique for visualizing supersonic mixing flows. Exp Fluids 11(2–3):175–185. doi:10.1007/BF00190296

    Google Scholar 

  • Elfstrom GM (1972) Turbulent hypersonic flow at a wedge-compression corner. J Fluid Mech 53(1):113–127. doi:10.1017/S0022112072000060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herges T, Kroeker E, Elliott G, Dutton C (2010) Microramp flow control of normal shock/boundary-layer interactions. AIAA J 48(11):2529–2542. doi:10.2514/1.52434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kleine H (2010) Filming the invisible—time-resolved visualization of compressible flows. Euro Phys J Spec Top 182:3–34. doi:10.1140/epjst/e2010-01223-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Q, Liu C (2010) Declining angle effects of the trailing edge of a microramp vortex generator. J Aircr 47(6):2086–2095. doi:10.2514/1.52854

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lim TT (1997) On the role of Kelvin–Helmholtz-like instability in the formation of turbulent vortex rings. Fluid Dyn Res 21(1):47–56. doi:10.1016/S0169-5983(96)00059-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu FK, Li Q, Liu C (2012) Micro vortex generators in high-speed flow. Prog Aerosp Sci 53:30–45. doi:10.1016/j.paerosci.2012.03.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu F K, Pierce A J, Shih Y, Liu C, Li Q (2010) Experimental and numerical study of flow topology past micro-vortex generators. 40th AIAA Fluid Dyn Conf Exhib, Chicago, Illinois, AIAA pp 2010–4463

  • Merzkirch W (1987) Flow visualization. Academic, Orlando

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Pierce AJ, Lu FK (2009) Laser alignment method for portable schlieren system. 39th AIAA Fluid Dyn Conf, San Antonio, Texas, AIAA pp 2009–3574

  • Pierce A J, Lu F K, Bryant D S, and Shih Y (2010) New developments in surface oil flow visualization. 27th AIAA Aerodyn Meas Ground Test Conf, Chicago, Illinois. AIAA pp 2010–4353

  • Pierce AJ, Lu FK (2011) New seeding and surface treatment methods for particle image velocimetry. 49th AIAA Aerosp Sci Meet, Orlando, Florida. AIAA pp 2011–1164

  • Sedney R (1973) A survey of the effects of small protuberances on boundary-layer flows. AIAA J 11(6):782–792. doi:10.2514/3.50520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Settles GS (1986) Modern developments in flow visualization. AIAA J 24(8):1313–1323. doi:10.2514/3.9437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Settles GS, Bogdonoff SM, Vas IE (1976) Incipient separation of a supersonic turbulent boundary layer at high Reynolds numbers. AIAA J 14(1):50–56. doi:10.2514/3.61331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Settles GS, Dolling DS (1986) Swept shock wave–boundary layer interactions. In: Hemsch MJ, Nielsen JN (eds) Tactical missile aerodynamics. AIAA, New York, pp 297–379

    Google Scholar 

  • Squire LC (1961) The motion of a thin oil sheet under the steady boundary layer on a body. J Fluid Mech 11(2):161–179. doi:10.1017/S0022112061000445

    Article  MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Sun Z, Schrijer FFJ, Scarano F, van Oudheusden BW (2012) The three-dimensional flow organization past a micro-ramp in a supersonic boundary layer. Phys Fluids 24(5):055105. doi:10.1063/1.4711372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tobak M, Peake DJ (1982) Topology of three-dimensional separated flows. Annu Rev Fluid Mech 14:61–85. doi:10.1146/annurev.fl.14.010182.000425

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Wang B, Liu W, Zhao Y, Fan X, Wang C (2012) Experimental investigation of the micro-ramp based shock wave and turbulent boundary layer interaction control. Phys Fluids 24(5):055110. doi:10.1063/1.4719146

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The author thanks Adam Pierce and Yusi Shih for their assistance with the experiments, and Prof. Chaoqun Liu and Dr. Qin Li for their insightful comments. Support of the research by an AFOSR Grant No. FA9550-08-1-0201 monitored by Dr. John Schmisseur is gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Aerodynamics Research Center, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA

    Frank K. Lu

Authors
  1. Frank K. Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frank K. Lu.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (wmv 5474 KB)

Supplementary material 2 (wmv 8325 KB)

Supplementary material 3 (wmv 8568 KB)

Supplementary material 4 (wmv 18403 KB)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lu, F.K. Visualization of supersonic flow around a sharp-edged, sub-boundary-layer protuberance. J Vis 18, 619–629 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12650-014-0272-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12650-014-0272-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation