NOSE AND INLET SHAPES OF MINIMUM DRAG IN SUPERSONIC FLOW
Abstract
The classical problem of determining the shape of the forepart of an axial-symmetric body which, at given length and fineness ratio has minimum pressure drag, is usually solved by simplifying the flow equations. By making a suitable choice of the control surface for mass flow and momentum, a one-dimensional variational problem is obtained. The complicated system of differential equations that results is reduced to tolerable size by introducing a modification of an idea due to G. V. Rao who found in a similar system that part of the problem is soluable in closed form. The particular solutions thus obtained satisfy the boundary conditions nearly perfectly. The method is modified to take into account the known fact that an axial-symmetric body of minimum drag should have a blunt nose. The analysis develops the basic ideas underlying the formulation of the problem, describes the results in general, and shows computed inlet and closed body contours. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0276819
Entities
People
- Emma M. Valentine
- John V. Armitage
- Karl G. Guderley
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory