Ultra-Fast Laser Diagnostics for Hypersonics
Abstract
Recognizing that high-speed flight with the capability of sustaining hypersonic speeds has become an elevated national priority, advanced high energetic modes of propulsion systems achieved through detonation-based engines technologies are required for maintaining the technological superiority of the DoD Agencies, U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Army. The challenge has been the limitation of the diagnostic measurements at these extreme hypersonic regimes. For example, Mach 5 hypersonic facilities experience extreme velocities, pressures, and temperatures requiring ultra-fast laser and camera diagnostic equipment. For Mach 5 reacting flow, the velocities are five times the speed of sound, 2,000 m/s (4,474 miles per hour), pressures are on the order of 15 to 25 atm, and temperatures ~ 4,000 K. This necessitates unique ultra-fast laser and camera diagnostic techniques to explore hypersonic reacting flow physics. The proposed ultra-fast laser and camera diagnostic equipment is key to exploring high-speed turbulent reacting hypersonic flows. The goal is to couple these advance laser diagnostics to our optically accessible facilities along with conventional wall-mounted instrumentation. The PI is currently sponsored under an AFOSR grant to research and develop for the first-time a hypersonic Mach 5 Standing Detonation facility. The proposed equipment heavily leverages the AFOSR current funded project and extend its impact by providing the crucially needed equipment for the investigation of the turbulent reacting flows in a hypersonic facility. The AFOSR funding provides the fundamental understanding of the flame-turbulence interaction which will be leveraged and coupled with the proposed equipment to investigate the hypersonic stabilized-standing detonation. The study will concentrate on experimental measurements and analyses utilizing the proposed ultra-fast laser and camera diagnostic equipment for high-speed three-dimensional (3D) velocity and temperature along with pressure measurements. An integrated research-and-education program is proposed to augment the institutional curriculum, training, and education in STEM using the proposed equipment. The overarching goal is to drive student growth in STEM disciplines, championing three key innovative initiatives: (i) Outreach and Learning, (ii) Course Curriculum, and (iii) Public and Professional Education. The measurements and data acquired using the proposed equipment will provide educational opportunities for students from local high-schools, undergraduate and graduate research Theses, minority STEM outreach programs, curriculum project-based learning, and professional education. The data will provide new understanding and validation data for predictive numerical models under conditions that are relevant to hypersonic systems. The knowledge gained from this investigation will significantly advance the performance of efficient DoD propulsion systems for warfighter dominance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1910498
Entities
People
- Kareem Ahmed
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- University of Central Florida