Laser energy deposition in Edney IV interaction

Abstract

Hypersonic vehicles are subject to intense local aerothermodynamic loading associated with specific local flow phenomena. An example is the well-known Edney IV interaction which can result in peak heat transfer rates which are orders of magnitude above the already high stagnation point heat transfer. Failure to alleviate or control such local aerothermodynamic loading can leading to serious degradation of vehicle aerodynamic integrity and performance, and even to catastrophic failure. In this paper, we explore the capability of pulsed laser energy deposition to favorably modify the shock structure associated with an Edney IV interaction generated by the intersection of an oblique shock with the blunt body shock associated with a sphere at Mach 3.45. Surface pressure measurements indicate a signicant modification of the surface pressure during the interaction including substantial reduction in peak surface pressure.