Efficient Parameterization of Waverider Geometries

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results of investigations into the development of parametric waverider geometry models, with emphasis on their efficiency, in terms of their ability to cover a large feasible design space with a sufficiently small number of design variables to avoid the 'curse of dimensionality'. The work presented here is focused on the parameterization of idealized waverider forebody geometries that provide the baseline shapes upon which more sophisticated and realistic hypersonic aircraft geometries can be built. We consider three different aspects of rationalizing the decisions behind the parametric geometry models developed utilizing the osculating cones method. Initially, we discuss three different approaches to the design method itself. Each approach provides direct control over different aspects of the geometry for which very specific shapes would be more complex to obtain indirectly, thus enabling the geometry to more efficiently meet any related design constraints. We then look into a number of requirements and limitations that affect the available options for the parametric design-driving curves of the inverse design method. Finally, we estimate the performance advantages that open up with increasing flexibility of the design-driving curves in the context of a design optimization study. This allows us to reduce the risk of over-parameterizing the geometry model, while still enabling a variety of meaningful shapes. While we mainly used the osculating cones method here, most of the findings also apply to other similar inverse design algorithms. Nomenclature

Waverider Configuration Design With Variable Shock Angle

“…µ = 1.458 × 10 −6 T 1. 5 T + 110.4 In order to valid the credibility of the numerical approach in this paper, the numerical approach is verified using the provided waverider configuration by [29], which was an optimized cone-derived waverider using the MAXWARP (Maryland Axisymmetric Waverider Program) code. Moreover, the configuration was also been analyzed using CFL3D code, which can also be used to verify the results from Fluent.…”

“…Hypersonic vehicles [1], [2] with high lift-to-drag ratio (L/D) has been pursued for decades. A waverider is a type of hypersonic lift body which characterizes with high L/D [3]- [5]. The first '' '' waverider was designed by Nonweiler [6] based on two-dimensional flowfield.…”

A Novel Method for Blunting the Leading Edge of Waverider with Specified Curvature

“…And the multistage compression waverider [16] is built on multiple conical flow fields, which are in the longitudinal arrangement. As for the second issue, it is common to parameterize the waverider by the characteristic profile curves, which include the upper/lower surface profile curve (USPC/LSPC), the leading edge profile curve (LEPC) or its projection, the shock wave profile curve (SWPC), and the hybrid design of these curves [17,18]. Based on the parameterization, we can proceed with the optimization of the waverider.…”

Waverider Design Based on Three-Dimensional Leading Edge Shapes

“…Another way to obtain the desired shockwave shape in part of the underside of the geometry while maintaining any advantages provided by the three-dimensional definition of the leading edge curve for the rest of it, is to use a hybrid design approach as explained in [8]. We can use the osculating cones method as originally described and specify an upper surface profile or inlet capture curve and shockwave profile shape only for the region of the engine inlet for example, and use the 3D leading edge method for the rest of the geometry.…”