CONE DRAG IN A RAREFIED GAS FLOW
Abstract
The tests were conducted to obtain empirical cone-drag information about the intermediate slip-flow regime. The mean free path of the gas adjacent to the cone surface ranged from 10 to 15% of the calculated displacement- thickness of the boundary layer at the base of the cone. The total drag on the fore portion of a 15 deg half-angle cone (3.70-in. slant length) was investigated. A compact remote balance was developed which gave sufficient accuracy for the measurement of the small forces involved. Drag coefficient curves were obtained which are probably accurate to within 2 to 3% or better at M = 4.0 and possibly 5% at M = 2. The experimental results for viscous drag were 10 to 30% above the predictions based on first-order boundary-layer analysis of shear and pressure distribution. A description of the experimental apparatus and details of the calibration and testing techniques are appended.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 10, 1953
- Accession Number
- AD0020149
Entities
People
- D. C. Ipsen
Organizations
- University of California, Berkeley