Investigation of Unsteady/Quasi-Steady Scramjet Behavior using High-Speed Visualization Techniques

Experiments are carried out in the HEG (High Enthalpy Shock Tunnel Gottingen) wind-tunnel to obtain detailed measurements on the HyShot II scramjet configuration at equivalence ratios close to the incipient choking point at simulated 28-km altitude flight conditions. Diagnostic techniques include time-resolved pressure measurements and simultaneous high-speed schlieren and OH* chemiluminescence imaging. Similar to previous experiments at higher equivalence ratios, the onset of choking is signaled by the formation of an unsteady shock train that initially propagates up the duct. The shock motion then slows, however, and a quasi-steady topology develops with the shock lodged at a position that depends strongly on the equivalence ratio (the position lying further upstream for higher equivalence ratios). This topology persists until the conclusion of the steady test time. Based on these measurements, a value for the critical choking equivalence ratio, i.e., that at which the shock train first appears, in the range of 0.38-0.39 is determined. High-speed temperature sensitive paint measurements are also carried out on the model intake ramp to provide global information on the boundary-layer transition behavior.