Flight vehicle airbreathing propulsion system with isolator with obstacle

摘要

The flight vehicle has a propulsion system that includes an air inlet, an isolator (or diffuser) downstream of the air inlet, and a combustor downstream of the isolator. The isolator includes obstacles that project inwardly from the inner wall of the isolator into the air flow path through the isolator. The obstacle divides the flow into both sides of the obstacle. Downstream of the obstruction, the flows on either side of the obstruction recombine leading to flow mixing, including, for example, low energy and boundary layer flow mixing with high energy flow. This flow mixing creates a more uniform flow at the outlet of the isolator. In addition, the obstacles help to lock the position of the shock within the isolator, increasing the mixing length of the flow within the isolator. Providing obstacles improves flow conditions and improves combustion efficiency.