Control of the Flow Past Bodies Using Localized Energy Addition to the Supersonic Oncoming Flow

A possibility of controlling the supersonic flow past bodies of different shape by adding a small amount of energy to the freestream is studied experimentally. In the numerical calculations the model of a spatially distributed energy source based on the Euler equations for a perfect gas is used. The gasdynamic features of the flow around energy sources are studied, some new effects are revealed, and analytical models for their description are developed. It is shown that by optimizing the energy source parameters it is possible to initiate irregular regimes of flow past bodies characterized by radical changes in the bow shock structure with the formation of return flow zones. In this case an appreciable drag reduction can be achieved with high efficiency of energy expenditure.