Zhengtao Deng

Data Analysis of Electromagnetic Shockwave Control Experiment for High Mach Number Ionized Flow Applications

[Abstract] Electromagnetic control of shockwaves provides a new way to active thermal management and guidance control for the most critical stage of atmospheric entry of hypersonic vehicles. A series of measurement of shockwave formation and locations for high Mach number ionized flows over a spherical nose-cone with cylindrical body and with an applied magnetic field were conducted at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Shockwave images were recorded using a high speed high resolution video system. This paper analyzes the experimental images to investigate the effect of electromagnetic control on the shockwave stand-off distance. The time history of shockwave stand-off distance was digitally analyzed from the high-speed and high-resolution imaging system. The time history of the critical test control parameters, such as magnet power, arc heater critical performance parameters, test cabin pressure and temperature, NaK injection rate, gaseous nitrogen flow rate was synchronized with the time history of the shockwave image video. Results indicated that the non-dimensional shockwave stand-off distance started to show changes due to when the MHD interaction level reached 0.18.

Electromagnetic Shockwave Control Experiment

[Abstract] This paper summarizes the initial stage of experimental program on electromagnetic control of shockwave. This experiment is aimed to investigate the validity of the potential MHD flow control for hypersonic flight vehicle. Experimental arc heater facility modification, test model design and analysis, cradle design and experimental results were reported. Shockwave locations for high Mach number ionized flows over a spherical nose-cone with cylindrical body and with an applied magnetic field is reported.

Prediction of Ion Trajectory in Pulsed Magnetic Flux Compression Reaction Chambers

A three-dimensional Particle-in-cell computer model to simulate ion trajectories inside a pulsed magnetic flux compression reaction chamber was developed. Four-Stage Runge-Kutta time integration method was used to integrate the plasma-dynamic equations for each individual ion particle. The electromagnetic field is computed by solving Maxwell equations. A Particle-in-Cell algorithm was developed to interpolate interactions between the electromagnetic field and particles. A detailed numerical algorithm is described. The field and ion interactions and ion trajectories inside a simplified chamber with vacuum cavity were computed. The numerical results indicate that the code was suitable for the plasma debris trajectory simulation in the parameter regime evaluated.