Experimental Investigation of the Buzz Cycle in a Supersonic Axisymmetric Intake

An extensive experimental study has been conducted to investigate the performance and stability of a supersonic axisymmetric mixed compression air intake designed for a free stream Mach number of 2.0. Unstable flow conditions, where the self-sustained oscillations of the shocks waves occur, have been studied in this investigation. Aside from the buzz triggering mechanism, the paper describes the flow phenomenon sequences during the buzz cycle by means of the shadowgraph pictures and via high frequency pressure transducers. Results showed that the pressure inside the intake decreases and increases sequently during the buzz cycle. The intake becomes almost empty (its mass flow rate decreases) as the shock wave moves upstream toward the intake tip. When the shock waves stand at its most upstream location, the pressure inside the intake reaches its minimum value. This low pressure condition causes the shock wave to move toward the intake and consequently the intake pressure increases again. As the pressure inside the intake increases, the shock wave moves upstream. The intake pressure reaches its maximum value when the shock wave stands at the intake entrance and the buzz cycle is then completed.