Cylindrical protuberance’s effect on supersonic jet’s flow control: Unveiling protuberance penetration and position on jet deflection through comprehensive turbulence simulation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Thrust vector control (TVC) through exhaust gas deflection is crucial for enhancing maneuverability, especially when aerodynamic control surfaces are ineffective. This study numerically investigates the influence of a cylindrical protuberance on the thrust vectoring of a supersonic jet as a passive, efficient TVC method. The effects of Nozzle Pressure Ratio (NPR), protuberance position, and penetration ratio on the nozzle exit flow, shock structure, and thrust deflection angle are analyzed. A convergent-divergent (C-D) nozzle is designed for a nominal Mach number of 2, and the three-dimensional, steady, compressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved using the SST k-ω turbulence model. Results reveal that protuberance-induced shocks and shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction significantly alter the flow structure and thrust deviation. The optimal protuberance position is found at 90 % of the divergent section length (X p /L = 0.9), where increasing the penetration ratio (H/D*) up to 0.22 yields a maximum thrust deflection angle of 8.1°. Additionally, higher penetration ratios generate stronger vortical structures, which, at H/D* = 0.2, become more prominent and susceptible to downstream jet-fin interactions. The thrust vector deflection exhibits a near-linear relationship with the penetration ratio, with thrust losses reaching up to 6.5 % at maximum penetration. These findings provide valuable insights into shock-vector control mechanisms, offering a benchmark for future aerospace propulsion studies and enabling the development of advanced TVC systems for high-speed applications.
Source: Ain Shams Engineering Journal
Authors: Mohammad Hojaji, Mohammad Eydizadeh, Mohammadreza Soufivand, Annunziata D’Orazio, Sayed Ali Hosseini, Arash Karimipour, Aliakbar Karimipour
Language: English
Subfield: Computational Mechanics
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,200
OpenAlex ID: W4409598522