Mechanism 

of Supersonic Flow Instability Associated with a Pitot Intake Duct 

International Symposium on Air Breathing Engines (ISOABE), Cleveland; Ohio, USA, August 

Ahmed*,Sajeer ;Kumar,Vipan (2003) 

Abstract 

This paper presents the results of the studies carried out at supersonic Mach No of 1.6 on an isolated 
pitot intake duct having convergent‐divergent shape and areas variation along  its axis similar to that 
of a modern combat aircraft duct. These studies were triggered to get the understanding of shock 
oscillations observed at supersonic speeds on a twin intake configurations having a bifurcated ‘Y’ 
duct (ref. 1). Effect of variation in boundary layer flow at the entry is investigated to understand the 
role of viscous interaction in the occurrence/promotions of shock oscillations. Results of the studies 
with the duct mounted on the floor of the tunnel where boundary layer forms a part of the flow 
entering in intake showed existence of shock oscillation at moderate exit area of the duct. Studies 
revealed ingestion of low energy flow is essential for the shock oscillations to occur only if account of 
low energy ingested causes choking of flow inside the duct. Studies also showed that by controlling 
the boundary flow at entry through proper choosing of diverter height with splitter plate length, the 
occurrence of shock oscillation seen at moderate exit area could be eliminated. The possible events 
and mechanism leading to the flow instability are highlighted in this paper. 
Ahmed*,Sajeer ;Kumar,Vipan (2003)
Mechanism of Supersonic Flow Instability Associated with
a Pitot Intake Duct International Symposium on
Air Breathing Engines (ISOABE), Cleveland; Ohio, USA, August
Proceedings of the Ninth Asian Congress of Fluid Mechanics
May, 27-31, 2002, Isfahan, Iran

INVESTIGATION OF FLOW INSTABILITY IN A PITOT INTAKE

AT MACH NUMBER OF 1.6

S.Ahmed and Vipan Kumar

(Experimental Aerodynamics Division, National Aerospace Laboratories,
Bangalore 560 017, India)

ABSTRACT: This paper presents the results of the study undertaken on an isolated pitot intake duct at
freestream Mach number of 1.6 for different exit areas of the intake. These studies were triggered to get an
insight of the mechanism of flow instability observed at supersonic speeds on a twin intake configuration
having a bifurcated Y duct. Initial studies were restricted to the isolated intake duct as this forms the
foundation for understanding the flow associated with the bifurcated duct. Using surface pressure
measurements, surface flow patterns and schlieren system, flow field both ahead and inside the intake is
studied. Analysis of the test data showed presence of flow instability in the form of shock oscillations at
moderate exit area and appears to be initiated when the terminal shock is expelled form inside of the intake. A
possible mechanism for the onset of flow instability observed is discussed.

I. INTRODUCTION
Intake forms a significant component of any aerospace vehicle as this feeds air to the engine
to provide necessary thrust to the vehicle. The intake designed has to provide stable flow to the
engine with maximum pressure recovery and least distortion. It has been observed that intakes
operating at supersonic speeds at sub critical condition suffers from flow instability in the form of
shock oscillations colloquially termed as buzz; which results in large total pressure drop
accompanied with increase in pulsation levels at the engine face. The characteristics of the
oscillations in terms of frequency and amplitude are found to be dependent on the configuration of
intake, Mach number, incidence, sideslip angle and mass flow through the duct. Experimental
studies have been made on several intake configurations to ascertain the cause for the triggering of
shock oscillations (refs. 1–3). These studies have suggested criteria for the onset of instability but
the mechanism leading to instability is far from understood. In the context of development of
intake configuration for an aircraft, wind tunnel studies carried out recently on a wing shielded
twin intake configuration having a bifurcated ‘Y’ duct showed the presence of shock oscillations at
supersonic speeds at moderate mass flow conditions. The mass flow at which the oscillations
occur was observed to be dependent on many parameters like, the flow history upstream of the
intake, splitter plate length, wing shielding etc. The mechanism responsible for the occurrence of
this type of instability has not been understood because of the complex flow field ahead of intake.
To gain better understanding of flow field associated with the intake due to the above parameters,
building block experiments were initiated on an isolated pitot intake at free stream Mach number
of 1.6. Initial studies were aimed at the investigation of flow instability that may arise due to flow
history upstream of intake. For this purpose, a pitot intake of constant internal area was chosen and
directly mounted on the floor of the tunnel (so that the tunnel boundary layer forms a part of the
flow entering the intake). Variations in the flow through the duct are studied by varying the exit
area of the duct through a conical plug. This paper presents and discuss the results of this study.

II. EXPERIMENTAL FACILITY, MODEL DETAILS AND INSTRUMENTATION

The 0.3m trisonic tunnel is an intermittent, blowdown type wind tunnel capable of operating
in Mach number range of 0.2 to 3.0. Supersonic Mach numbers are achieved by nozzle blocks
designed and contoured to provide a desired supersonic Mach number in a 0.3m x 0.3m test
section. For the present series of tests, M=1.60 nozzle block is used and a mechanical block
specially fabricated, is located downstream of the nozzle to mount the pitot intake model. The top