Study of Cavity Geometry to Improve Optical Quality of Windows in Hypersonic Flow
Author(s)
Schofield, Matthew
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Advisor
Harris, Wesley
Huang, Arthur
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The optical quality of the window-air system of a flight vehicle in hypersonic flow is simulated. The optical distortion of the window-air system is the metric of merit. Within the earth’s atmosphere, vehicles at hypersonic speeds may generate viscous and high-temperature thermal boundary layers. These boundary layers induce a nonuniform displacement of temperature, density, and fluid velocity over the window-sensor system leading to a degradation of optical quality of the system. The heat f lux into the system is simulated for various geometries (length-to-depth ratios). Computer-simulated flow fields and time-development of different measures of optical quality are produced using US3D. Conjugate heat transfer is used for simulation of solid temperature development, with materials Aluminum-6061 for the vehicle solid (frame) and Sapphire (Al₂O₃) for the window. Optimal window-air system configurations are discussed for a Mach 7 vehicle at 20 km.
Date issued
2024-05Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Aeronautics and AstronauticsPublisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology