Experimental investigation of inlet injection in a scramjet with rectangular to elliptical shape transition

Abstract

The scramjet used in this investigation employed a 3D inlet with a rectangular to elliptical shape transition (REST). REST inlets developed by Smart [5] are of fixed geometry and mixed compression. These inlets transition smoothly from a semi-rectangular capture area with flat bottom and sides to an elliptical throat and isolator. The capture shape allows for several REST modules to be mounted side by side on a compression forebody. The inlets have curved leading edges and a highly swept cowl. This configuration gives moderate internal contractions allowing the inlets to be self starting in flight, despite their fixed geometry.