Characterization of jets emanating from single expansion nozzles

Abstract

The current study characterizes jets emanating from single expansion nozzles with and without flap. The primary objective of this study is to understand the effect of single expansion on the characteristics of jets issuing from a single expansion nozzle with a flap. In addition, the effect of the absence of a flap on jet characteristics is also studied. The experiments were conducted at three different operating nozzle pressure ratios of 3, 4 and 5. At NPR 5, the supersonic core is reduced by 42% for single expansion nozzle with flap and 57% for single expansion nozzle without flap when compared with a convergent–divergent nozzle. The jets exiting from the single expansion nozzle with flap and without flap grow asymmetrically. The jets from the single expansion nozzle with flap are deflected toward the expansion side. The jets from a single expansion nozzle without a flap are deflected toward the side opposite to the expansion side.