Goertler instability and hypersonic quiet nozzle design

A concept for nozzle design which incorporates slow expansion rates and a radial flow region is developed for use on a hypersonic (Mach 6) nozzle. It is shown that the boundary-layer suction slot upstream of the nozzle throat is necessary to remove upstream turbulent boundary layers and to initialize a new laminar boundary layer on the downstream nozzle wall. In effect, the laminar boundary-layer flow can be extended more effectively farther downstream by a slow expansion contour based on the present design concept than by a rapid expansion contour used in previous pilot quiet nozzles.