ABSTRACT: One of the most important features of an aerospace vehicle design is its shape, especially the forebody part, since it defines the main characteristics of the vehicle aerodynamic. In this context, the present work has the purpose of investigating the transonic aerodynamic regime in typical vehicle models, with different frontal geometry configurations, using the experimental techniques pressure sensitive paint (PSP) and Schlieren. The aim is to get more insights about the flow patterns over the selected models, regarding the transonic regime, in terms of qualitative density field evaluation, and the identification of important aerodynamic parameters, such as shock wave positioning and pressure gradients over the model, as well as the influence of the forebody configuration in the flow pattern. The test campaign was carried out in the Pilot Transonic Wind Tunnel of the Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE; in Portuguese, Instituto de Aeronáutica e Espaço), varying Mach numbers from subsonic to low supersonic. Five forebody configurations mounted in a cylindrical body having the standard cone-cylinder shape as baseline was considered. A description of the phenomena occurring around and on the models surface for all five models is presented, through analyses of the Schlieren images and PSP results.

ABSTRACT: It is performed and presented an experimental and numerical investigation over the flow patterns around the fore-body section of a microsatellite launch vehicle in development at Instituto de Aeronáutica e Espaço. The experimental investigation with a VLM-1 model in 1:50 scale is carried out at the Brazilian Pilot Transonic Wind Tunnel, located in the Aerodynamics Division of the mentioned Institute, using the classical schlieren flow visualization technique. Schlieren images are obtained for nominal Mach number varying from 0.9 to 1.01. Numerical simulation using Stanford's SU2 code is conducted together with the experimental investigation in order to improve the understanding of the complex physical phenomena associated with the experimental results of this particular regime. The combination of the 2 techniques allowed the assessment of some important aspects on the flow field around the vehicle in the conditions considered in this study, such as shock wave/boundary-layer interaction. The numerical simulation is also very important, allowing the quantification of some important parameters and confirming the shock wave formation patterns observed in the simulation when compared with the schlieren images. A good agreement regarding the position of the shock wave, when compared with the schlieren images, with a maximum error of about 6%, is observed over the VLM model.

ABSTRACT: Transonic wind tunnels (TWT) are sophisticated tools for the investigations of flows with Mach numbers of order one. The most characteristic feature of a facility such as this is, for sure, the openings in the walls of the test section. The openings in the walls permit the proper relief effect, and this, on the other hand, makes possible the experimentation at the transonic range. The results to be presented in this paper correspond to an analysis of the flow in the test section of a TWT containing a NACA 0012 airfoil. Both numerical and experimental investigations were conducted. For the numerical investigation, a three-dimensional, finite-difference code, based on the diagonal algorithm, was employed, whereas for the experimentation, the classical static-pressure taps as well as the pressure sensitive paint (PSP) techniques were used. The classical static-pressure tap method is indicated as PSI technique. The pressure distributions were investigated for Mach numbers in the range of 0.6 - 0.8 and angles of attack from 0º up to 8º. The relief effect due to the slots, which provides for avoiding choking effects, is clearly demonstrated when one compares the flow along both solid and perforated walls. In the first part of this research report, the main focus will be on the numerical results. Notwithstanding this, and for comparison purposes, some experimental results will be called upon here, together with some literature data.

Abstract: The Pilot Transonic Wind Tunnel of the Institute of Aeronautics and Space has conducted the first test campaign of a sounding vehicle, Sonda III. The campaign is part of a project whose activities and final results are presented in this paper. During the test campaign, many activities were performed to increase the productivity and accuracy of the tunnel. These activities included calibration procedures, corrective and preventive trials, development of auxiliary devices, and theoretical and experimental analysis. Two tasks are described in details: the development and tests performed with the static pressure probe and the automatic re-entry flap actuation system. Several tests were carried out with the Sonda III at Mach numbers ranging from 0.3 to 1.0, at stagnation pressures of 70, 94, and 110 kPa. Experimental results include global aerodynamic coefficients (using internal balance) and pressure distribution over essential regions of the test article (using pressure sensitive paint technique).

Abstract: The Pilot Transonic Wind Tunnel of Institute of Aeronautics and Space (PTT Pilot Transonic Wind Tunnel) is an important result of a tremendous effort to install a high speed wind tunnel complex (TTS acronyms for Transonic and Supersonic Tunnels, in Portuguese) at the IAE, to support Brazilian aerospace research. Its history is described below, startingfrom the moment the TTS project was first conceived, highlighting each successive phase, mentioning the main difficulties encountered, and the solutions chosen, up until the final installation of the Pilotfacility. A brief description of the tunnel's shakedown and calibration phases is also given, together with the present campaigns and proposed activities for the near future.

This work describes a lumped parameter mathematical model for the prediction of transients in an aerodynamic circuit of a transonic wind tunnel. Control actions to properly handle those perturbations are also assessed. The tunnel circuit technology is up to date and incorporates a novel feature: high-enthalpy air injection to extend the tunnel’s Reynolds number capability. The model solves the equations of continuity, energy and momentum and defines density, internal energy and mass flow as the basic parameters in the aerodynamic study as well as Mach number, stagnation pressure and stagnation temperature, all referred to test section conditions, as the main control variables. The tunnel circuit response to control actions and the stability of the flow are numerically investigated. Initially, for validation purposes, the code was applied to the AWT ("Altitude Wind Tunnel" of NASA-Lewis). In the sequel, the Brazilian transonic wind tunnel was investigated, with all the main control systems modeled, including injection.