Deriving waveriders from conical flow fields with chemistry

In this paper, waverider configurations are generated by specifying an arbitrary axisymmetric shockwave, and a corresponding leading edge. A numerical tool, based on a semi-analytical approach for solving Euler flows with and without equilibrium chemistry, is applied in the extraction of inviscid streamlines from these fields. Further, numerical routines with the capability of transforming the inviscid streamlines into ‘solid lines’ and eventually into vehicle surfaces are implemented. Finally, selected stream surfaces are piece together to create hypersonic vehicle configurations. In the waverider design space, the aerodynamic figure of merit, L/D, is considered a function of the shapes of both the axisymmetric shockwaves and the leading edges from which they are derived. In this analysis, the waverider configuration and its aerodynamic performance are considered functions of eight design parameters. The limited results obtained from this method thus far yields practical vehicle shapes with acceptable volumetric efficiencies and aerodynamic performance. The design method is computationally efficient and permits rapid parametric studies. Several viscous optimized waverider configurations were constructed and their aero performance analyzed. Results show that the waveriders created have acceptable L/D when compared to the Kuchemann Barrier.