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A Three-Dimensional Flow Expander as a Device to Increase the Mach Number in a Supersonic Wind Tunnel

Reino J Salmi

Abstract

A preliminary investigation of a simple 5 deg conical-flow expander was made to determine the feasibility of using this type of device to increase the Mach number in the test section of a supersonic wind tunnel. The inlet-to-exit area ratio of the nozzle was that required to increase one-dimensional flow from a Mach number of 3.88 to 5.5. The Mach numbers obtained at the expander exit varied from about 5.1 at the centerline to about 5.4 near the walls. No difficulty in operation of the main wind tunnel was experienced.

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Key concepts: Mach number, Supersonic wind tunnel, Supersonic speed, Wind tunnel, Hypersonic wind tunnel, Mechanics, Flow (mathematics), Drag divergence Mach number