Simplified Model Researches for Understanding the Complex Shock Interactions in Hypersonic Inlet Flow

The paper presents some progresses of the shock wave interaction studies in author's group, with the application background of complex hypersonic inlet flow, particularly with a focus on the characterization of an inward-turning inlet flow. We start with a report of several experimental efforts, which attempted to visualize the flow features hidden in an inlet. Then the major topic is concentrated on the cowl lip, namely a simplified “V” shaped blunt leading edge, about which a severe shock interaction is discussed that is comparable to the well-known type IV interaction in the sense of peak pressure and heat flux. Another discussion is about the behaviors of a near-axisymmetric converging shock wave, which is picked up as a candidate to exhibit some typical characteristics in an inwardturning inlet that differ remarkably from the case of a 2D inlet.