Schlieren Imaging of Single-Fin Missile models in a De-Laval Nozzle Test Section

Abstract

The experimental study (Schlieren photography) to characterize the flow behavior around a semi-cylindrical missile model having a single planar and wrap-around fin surface is performed inside a modified De-Laval nozzle test section capable of sustaining an airflow at Mach number ~1.7M. The images obtained from this schlieren technique is compared with flow field contour images of the similar missile models at similar flow conditions. The experiments are performed on a modified two-walled glassed section to assist the Schlieren imaging. The test section is calibrated preliminary to the experiments to assure the supersonic fluid flow. A comparison of flow images around the two types of fins further helps in characterizing the flow in their vicinity.

Keywords

• schlieren photography
• aerodynamics
• missile
• planar and wrap-around fins