An improved supersonic, three-dimensional, external, inviscid flow field code

Abstract

A numerical procedure was developed to compute the inviscid super/hypersonic flow fields about complex vehicle geometries accurately and efficiently. A second-order accurate finite difference scheme is used to integrate the three-dimensional Euler equations in regions of continuous flow, while all shock waves are computed as discontinuities via the Rankine-Hugoniot jump conditions. Conformal mappings are used to develop a computational grid. The effects for equilibrium air are included using curve fits of Mollier charts. This report deals only with modifications to these procedures in four specific areas: inlet mass ingestion, subsonic axial Mach number, improved conformal mappings, and vehicles flying at yaw. In each area both the modifications to the computational procedures and computer code are discussed.