Design and transition characteristics of a standard model for hypersonic boundary layer transition research

To understand fundamental problems in hypersonic laminar-turbulent boundary layer transition for three-dimensional complex vehicles, a new standard model with typical lifting-body features has been proposed, named as hypersonic transition research vehicle (HyTRV). The configuration of HyTRV is fully analytical, and details of the design process are discussed in this study. The transition characteristics for HyTRV are investigated using three combined methods, i.e., theoretical analyses, numerical simulations, and wind tunnel experiments. Results show that the fully analytic parameterization design of HyTRV can satisfy the model simplification requirements from both numerical simulations and wind tunnel experiments. Meanwhile, the flow field of HyTRV reveals typical transition mechanisms in six relatively separated regions, including the streamwise vortex instability, crossflow instability, secondary instability, and attachment-line instability. Therefore, the proposed HyTRV model is valuable for fundamental researches in hypersonic boundary layer transition.

Automated summary

A new standard model named HyTRV has been proposed for studying hypersonic laminar-turbulent boundary layer transition in three-dimensional complex vehicles. The configuration and transition characteristics of HyTRV are investigated using theoretical analyses, numerical simulations, and wind tunnel experiments. Results show that the fully analytic design of HyTRV can meet model simplification requirements and reveal typical transition mechanisms, providing valuable insights for fundamental research in hypersonic boundary layer transition.