Localized arc filament plasma actuators are used to control an axisymmetric Mach 1.3 ideally expanded jet of 2.54 cm exit diameter and a Reynolds number based on the nozzle exit diameter of about 1.1×106. Measurements of growth and decay of perturbations seeded in the flow by the actuators, laser-based planar flow visualizations, and particle imaging velocimetry measurements are used to evaluate the effects of control. Eight actuators distributed azimuthally inside the nozzle, approximately 1 mm upstream of the nozzle exit, are used to force various azimuthal modes over a large frequency range (StDF of 0.13 to 1.3). The jet responded to the forcing over the entire range of frequencies, but the response was optimum (in terms of the development of large coherent structures and mixing enhancement) around the jet preferred Strouhal number of 0.33 (f = 5 kHz), in good agreement with the results in the literature for low-speed and low-Reynolds-number jets. The jet (with a thin boundary layer, D/θ ∼ 250) also responded to forcing with various azimuthal modes (m = 0 to 3 and m = ±1, ±2, ±4), again in agreement with instability analysis and experimental results in the literature for low-speed and low-Reynolds-number jets. Forcing the jet with the azimuthal mode m = ±1 at the jet preferred-mode frequency provided the maximum mixing enhancement, with a significant reduction in the jet potential core length and a significant increase in the jet centreline velocity decay rate beyond the end of the potential core.

An axisymmetric perfectly expanded Mach 1.3 jet, with a Reynolds number based on the nozzle exit diameter (ReD) of 1.1 × 106 and turbulent boundary layer at the nozzle exit, was excited using localized arc filament plasma actuators over a wide range of forcing Strouhal numbers (StDF). Eight actuators distributed azimuthally were used to excite azimuthal modes m = 0–3. Far-field acoustic, flow velocity and irrotational near-field pressure were probed with a three-fold objective: (i) to investigate the broadband far-field noise amplification reported in the literature at lower speeds and ReD using excitation of m = 0 at low StDF; (ii) to explore broadband far-field noise suppression using excitation of m = 3 at higher StDF; and (iii) to shed some light on the connection between the flow field and the far-field noise. The broadband far-field noise amplification observed is not as extensive in amplitude or frequency range, but still sufficiently large to be of concern in practical applications. Broadband far-field noise suppression of 4–5 dB at 30° polar angle peak frequency, resulting in approximately 2 dB attenuation in the overall sound pressure level, is achieved with excitation of m = 3 at StDF ~ 0.9. Some of the noteworthy observations and inferences are (a) there is a strong correlation between the far-field broadband noise amplification and the turbulence amplification; (b) far-field noise suppression is achieved when the jet is forced with the maximum jet initial growth rate frequency thus limiting significant dynamics of structures to a shorter region close to the nozzle exit; (c) structure breakdown and dynamic interaction seem to be the dominant source of noise; and (d) coherent structures dominate the forced jet over a wide range of StDF (up to ~ 1.31) with the largest and most organized structures observed around the jet preferred mode StDF.

An aspect ratio 3 rectangular nozzle with design Mach number 2 was used to investigate the effects of trailing edge modifications on mixing enhancement and to explore the sources of streamwise vorticity at the fully expanded jet Mach numbers 1.75, 2.0, and 2.5. The trailing edge modifications are simple cut-outs in the plane of the nozzle at the nozzle exit. The investigation of mixing and interaction between mixing layers and vortices was performed by the laser sheet illumination technique. Through surface flow visualizations and wall pressure measurements, the investigation of the major source of streamwise vorticity was carried out. In addition, the variation of thrust generated by the nozzle with modified trailing edges was investigated. In the underexpanded flow condition, the major source of streamwise vorticity was determined to be the spanwise surface pressure gradient on the modification. Substantial mixing enhancement was achieved in this flow regime. On the other hand, in the overexpanded flow regime, the role of streamwise vortices in mixing and the source of streamwise vorticity were unclear, and mixing enhancement was not substantial. No measurable thrust loss or gain was obtained for nozzles with trailing edge modifications, regardless of the type of modification.

A class of plasma actuators called localized arc filament plasma actuators for high-speed and high-Reynoldsnumber flow and acoustic control has been developed at the Gas Dynamics and Turbulence Laboratory. Over the past several years, these high-bandwidth (0 to 200 kHz) and individually controlled actuators have been used successfully to excite the jet shear layer, jet column, and azimuthal instabilities in high subsonic and supersonic jets. The focus of this paper is to provide detailed information and sample results highlighting the capabilities and potential of the actuators and the control technique for mixing enhancement, noise mitigation, and flow and acoustic diagnostics. The jet, using three different nozzles, is operated over a large range of jet Mach numbers (0.9 to 1.65), stagnation temperature ratios (up to 2.5), and Reynolds numbers (0:2 10 6 to 1:65 10 6 ). Over this space of operating conditions, the jet is found to respond to control with a large range of forcing Strouhal numbers and azimuthal modes. The results reveal that the jet flowfield and acoustic far field can be dramatically altered, providing a powerful control tool in these practical high-speed and high-Reynolds-number jets.

Mach wave radiation is one of the better understood sources of jet noise. However, the exact conditions of its onset are difficult to determine and the literature to date typically explores Mach wave radiation well above its onset conditions. In order to determine the conditions for the onset of Mach wave radiation and to explore its behaviour during onset and beyond, three ideally expanded jets with Mach numbers M j = 0.9, 1.3 and 1.65 and stagnation temperature ratios ranging over T o /T ∞ = 1.0-2.5 (acoustic Mach number 0.83-2.10) were used. Data are collected using a far-field microphone array, schlieren imaging and streamwise two-component particle image velocimetry. Using arc filament plasma actuators to force the jet provides an unprecedented tool for detailed examination of Mach wave radiation. The response of the jet to various forcing parameters (combinations of one azimuthal mode m = 0, 1 and 3 and one Strouhal number St DF = 0.09-3.0) is explored. Phaseaveraged schlieren images clearly show the onset and evolution of Mach wave radiation in response to both changes in the jet operating conditions and forcing parameters. It is observed that Mach wave radiation is initiated as a coalescing of the near-field hydrodynamic pressure fluctuations in the immediate vicinity of the large-scale structures. As the jet exit velocity increases, the hydrodynamic pressure fluctuations coalesce, first into a curved wavefront, then flatten into the conical wavefronts commonly associated with Mach wave radiation. The results show that the largest and most coherent structures (e.g. forcing with m = 0 and St DF ∼ 0.3) produce the strongest Mach wave radiation. Conversely, Mach wave radiation is weakest when the structures are the least coherent (e.g. forcing with m = 3 and St DF > 1.5).