Fluid Mechanics and Flight Mechanics

Restart characteristics of low-speed duct during mode transition in an over-under inlet

  • Yue ZHANG ,
  • Gang YANG ,
  • Huijun TAN ,
  • Hantian ZHANG ,
  • Mingchi PANG ,
  • Longzhi ZHANG ,
  • Xiahao GAO
Expand
  • 1.College of Energy and Power Engineering,Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics,Nanjing 210016,China
    2.Key Laboratory of Inlet and Exhaust System Technology,Ministry of Education,Nanjing 210016,China

Received date: 2025-09-28

  Revised date: 2025-10-24

  Accepted date: 2025-11-11

  Online published: 2025-11-20

Supported by

National Natural Science Foundation of China(12172175);Fund of National Key Laboratory of Aerospace Liquid Propulsion(2024JJ015010)

Abstract

This paper investigates the unsteady flow characteristics within the inlet during the ram-to-turbo transition of a Turbine-Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) engine. Through a combined approach of wind tunnel test and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, it analyzes the evolution of the inlet shock system and the static pressure variation patterns along critical flow path locations, and acquires the dynamic restart characteristics of the low-speed duct during inlet mode transition and the influence of flow splitter rotational speed on this process. The results indicate that during the progressive opening of the low-speed duct under turbine-mode startup conditions, six distinct phases occur: in phase 1, flow splitter deployment initiates boundary layer ingestion into the duct, causing minor static pressure drop; in phase 2, supersonic core flow enters the duct, triggering significant static pressure rise; in phase 3, flow accumulation induces pressure buildup and shock train forward propagation, followed by shock traversal past the bleed cavity, with subsequent cavity depressurization causing shock recession; in phase 4, cyclic expansion/contraction of the low-speed duct separation bubble induces shock oscillation; in phase 5, shock expulsion along the separation bubble triggers inlet buzz; in phase 6, reduction in downstream Throttling Ratio (TR) terminates buzz, enabling low-speed duct restart. During the low-speed duct restart process, the rotational speed of the flow splitter vanes influences both the frequency and amplitude of pressure oscillations within the flow path, with lower rotational speeds resulting in reduced oscillation frequencies and increased amplitudes. Moreover, during low-speed duct restart, the rotational speed also affects the onset timing of buzz, where lower speeds more readily trigger inlet buzz in the low-speed duct. This study provides a theoretical foundation for achieving smooth mode transition in combined-cycle engines.

Cite this article

Yue ZHANG , Gang YANG , Huijun TAN , Hantian ZHANG , Mingchi PANG , Longzhi ZHANG , Xiahao GAO . Restart characteristics of low-speed duct during mode transition in an over-under inlet[J]. ACTA AERONAUTICAET ASTRONAUTICA SINICA, 2026 , 47(6) : 132842 -132842 . DOI: 10.7527/S1000-6893.2025.32842

References

[1] 向先宏, 钱战森, 张铁军. TBCC进气道模态转换气动技术研究综述[J]. 航空科学技术201728(1): 10-18.
  XIANG X H, QIAN Z S, ZHANG T J. An overview of turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) inlet mode transition aerodynamic technology[J]. Aeronautical Science & Technology201728(1): 10-18 (in Chinese).
[2] 罗金玲, 李超, 徐锦. 高超声速飞行器机体/推进一体化设计的启示[J]. 航空学报201536(1): 39-48.
  LUO J L, LI C, XU J. Inspiration of hypersonic vehicle with airframe/propulsion integrated design[J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica201536(1): 39-48 (in Chinese).
[3] 贺进, 薛伟鹏, 张维涛, 等. 航空发动机涡轮部件技术特征分析与发展预测[J]. 燃气涡轮试验与研究202538(2): 20-32.
  HE J, XUE W P, ZHANG W T, et al. Characteristics analysis and development forecast of aero-engine turbine component technology[J]. Gas Turbine Experiment and Research202538(2): 20-32 (in Chinese).
[4] MURTHY S N B, CURRAN E T. Scramjet propulsion [M]. Reston: AIAA, 2001.
[5] 张华军,郭荣伟,李博. TBCC进气道研究现状及其关键技术[J]. 空气动力学学报201028(5): 613-620.
  ZHANG H J, GUO R W, LI B. Research status of TBCC inlet and its key technologies[J]. Acta Aerodynamica Sinica201028(5): 613-620 (in Chinese).
[6] 王子运, 于航, 张悦, 等. 空天飞行器可调进气系统关键问题研究进展[J]. 航空学报202445(11): 14-50.
  WANG Z Y, YU H, ZHANG Y, et al. Research progress on key issues of adjustable inlet system for aerospace vehicles[J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica202445(11): 14-50 (in Chinese).
[7] 陈树生, 贾苜梁, 刘衍旭, 等. 变体飞行器变形方式及气动布局设计关键技术研究进展[J]. 航空学报202445(6): 1-47.
  CHEN S S, JIA M L, LIU Y X, et al. Deformation modes and key technologies of aerodynamic layout design for morphing aircraft: Review[J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica202445(6): 1-47 (in Chinese).
[8] THOMAS S R. TBCC discipline overview. Hypersonics project[C]∥2011 Technical Conference, 2011.
[9] 乐嘉陵, 胡欲立, 刘陵. 双模态超燃冲压发动机研究进展[J]. 流体力学实验与测量200014(1): 1-12.
  LE J L, HU Y L, LIU L. Investigation of possibilities in developing dual mode scramjets[J]. Experiments and Measurements in Fluid Mechanics200014(1): 1-12 (in Chinese).
[10] WATANABE Y, MIYAGI H, SEKIDO T, et al. Conceptual design study on combined cycle engine for hypersonic transport[C]∥11th International Symposium on Air Breathing Engines, 1993: 188-197.
[11] 陈大光. 高超声速飞行与TBCC方案简介[J]. 航空发动机200632(3): 10-13.
  CHEN D G. Brief introduction of hypersonic flight and TBCC concept[J]. Aeroengine200632(3): 10-13 (in Chinese).
[12] ALBERTSON C, EMAMI S, TREXLER C. Mach 4 test results of a dual-flowpath, turbine based combined cycle inlet[C]∥ 14th AIAA/AHI Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference. Reston: AIAA, 2006.
[13] XIANG X H, LIU Y, QIAN Z S. Aerodynamic design and numerical simulation of over-under turbine-based combined-cycle (TBCC) inlet mode transition[J]. Procedia Engineering201599: 129-136.
[14] 李圣黄, 孙波, 唐琳, 等. 攻角对TBCC进气道模态转换起动特性影响研究[J]. 兵器装备工程学报202243(7): 171-179.
  LI S H, SUN B, TANG L, et al. Influence of attack angle on starting characteristics of TBCC inlet during mode transition[J]. Journal of Ordnance Equipment Engineering202243(7): 171-179 (in Chinese).
[15] LI N, CHANG J T, JIANG C Z, et al. Unstart/restart hysteresis characteristics analysis of an over-under TBCC inlet caused by backpressure and splitter[J]. Aerospace Science and Technology201872: 418-425.
[16] YU H, ZHANG Y, CHEN L, et al. Characteristics of combined-cycle inlet during mode transition in off-design state[J]. AIAA Journal202361(6): 2601-2611.
[17] CHEN L, ZHANG Y, ZHANG H, et al. Unsteady flow characteristics in an over-under TBCC inlet during mode transition under unthrottled and throttled conditions[J]. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics202437(12): 275-295.
[18] 肖玲斐, 申涛, 黄向华, 等. 涡轮基组合循环发动机控制问题概述[J]. 燃气涡轮试验与研究201023(3): 59-62.
  XIAO L F, SHEN T, HUANG X H, et al. Survey on the control problem in turbine-based combined-cycle engine[J]. Gas Turbine Experiment and Research201023(3): 59-62 (in Chinese).
[19] 袁永青, 徐腾宏, 叶巍. 三维内并联TBCC进气道模态转换过程气动特性研究[J]. 燃气涡轮试验与研究202336(5): 1-10.
  YUAN Y Q, XU T H, YE W. Aerodynamic characteristics of an over/under turbine based combined cycle inlet mode transition process[J]. Gas Turbine Experiment and Research202336(5): 1-10 (in Chinese).
[20] 王德鑫, 褚佑彪, 刘难生, 等. 高背压进气道中内外流耦合作用的大涡模拟[J]. 航空学报202142(9): 625754.
  WANG D X, CHU Y B, LIU N S, et al. Large-eddy simulation of external and internal coupling flow in high back pressure inlet[J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica202142(9): 625754 (in Chinese).
Outlines

/