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Prandtl-Meyer

Expansion Wave
A supersonic expansion fan,
technically known as Prandtl–
Meyer expansion fan, is a
centred expansion process that
occurs when a supersonic flow
turns around a convex corner.
The fan consists of an infinite
number of Mach waves, diverging
from a sharp corner.
Meet the Ludwig Prandtl and
Theodor Meyer
Theodor Meyer is one of Prandtl’s Ph.D. students at
Institute of Applied Mechanics at the University of
Gottingen, Germany.

Prandtl and Meyer recognize that a series of


expansion waves – the so called “Prandtl-Meyer
expansion fan” – originates at sharp corners.

These waves accelerate and rarefy the flow while


moving around the corner.
In their “Prandtl-Meyer theory of expansion” (1907 – 1908) they
show that under certain conditions a supersonic flow can
navigate around a sharp corner using this expansion, without
causing a shock wave.
In this topic we’ll encounter:
 Prandtl-Meyer Angle – is the angle through which a
supersonic stream turns to expand from M = 1 to M > 1.

 From the laws of the conservation of mass, momentum,


and energy for very small (differential) deflections derives
the so-called “Prandtl-Meyer Function” and presents
shock wave tables of pressure ratios for various angle of
incidence and reflection.
Starting with Mach angle:
Same with the Expansion Wave
 The expansion fan is a continuous expansion region
which can be visualized as an infinite number of Mach
waves. See Figure below:
Objectives:
Find the formulas for
 upstream flow
 deflection angle
 Downstream flow
By Trigonometric Identities

Substitute
Hence, it can be expanded as:

Where:
Thus,

Integrate both sides


From:

Then,

Differentiate
Finding Relations

Isolate a

Differentiate
Another form of Prandtl Meyer Function
f(𝜇) = 6 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( 6 tan 𝜇) − 𝜇
Formula for Temperature Ratio
Formula for Density Ratio

Formula for Pressure Ratio


Problem:
For the given Prandtl-Meyer Expansion the upstream Mach
No. is 3.0 and the pressure ratio across the wave is 0.4.
Calculate the (a) angle between the forward Mach line
relative to the free stream, (b) angle between rearward
Mach line and the deflected surface and (c) the Prandtl-
Meyer angle. See figure below:
Answers:

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