Thermochromic liquid crystals for assessing theperformance of scramjet inlets with notched cowls.

Abstract

Broadband thermochromic liquid crystals have been used to investigate the heat-transfer properties of geometries characteristic of scramjet inlets in a Mach 3 flow. The models tested comprised opposing 17O wedges that generate colliding shocks that can interact with boundary layers formed on an end wall. In one case, the end wall had a straight leading edge and in the other the leading edge was notched. The results indicate that heat-transfer rates and inlet separation can be reduced by using a notched cowl.