Author(s): Jacob Wiberg
Mentor(s): Doug Hunsaker
Institution USU
The purpose of this research is to investigate hypersonic waverider geometry and how their parameters change their aerodynamic performance. Hypersonic travel, both manned and un-manned, is being studied and tested by private and public corporations. However, traveling this fast introduces roadblocks with aircraft aerodynamics, heating, and propulsion. Even though geometry is not the only consideration in making a hypersonic vehicle, this research provides a method in which designers can learn from in order to understand effects of geometry on aerodynamics. A waverider is a hypersonic aircraft concept that increases the lift-to-drag ratio significantly by configuring the aircraft’s surfaces to follow shock wave flow fields. The waverider type studied for this research is derived from the flow around a conical body. In the form of python code, the fundamental flow equations, such as the Taylor-Maccoll equation, are solved numerically and the flow of air around a cone body is generated. Once the nature of the flow is determined, the geometry of a waverider is generated by defining a leading edge, and its location, and following the flow to get the surfaces of the waverider. After the geometry is determined, in-house codes are utilized to determine the aerodynamic and thermal properties. A routine is then developed to vary the parameter values. These parameters include the leading-edge equation, cone body dimensions, and Mach number. The field of hypersonic flight is increasing exponentially. Rockets, missiles, and aircraft are being tested by corporations in the United States with the primary focus on national defense. Other countries also have hypersonic initiatives. There are also efforts on the commercial flight side of things. For example, the Hermeus corporation, within the next decade, seeks to build a Mach 5 commercial aircraft which could travel from New York to London in 90 minutes. Whatever the intention, the goal is to get from A to B faster. Doing so will open new possibilities. This research provides a high-speed method to generate vehicle geometries and determine aerodynamic properties to aid in the efforts for generating optimal hypersonic vehicle configurations.