Abstract
Several previous works on rocket nozzle flows have revealed the existence of the transition from FSS to RSS and the occurrence of asymmetric flow associated with the boundary layer separation, which can cause excessive side-loads of the propulsion system. Thus, it is of practical importance to investigate the asymmetric flow behaviors of the propulsion nozzle and to develop its control method. In the present study, the asymmetric flow control method using a cavity system was applied to supersonic nozzle flow. Time-dependent asymmetric flow was experimentally investigated with the rate of change of the nozzle pressure ratio. The results obtained showed that the cavity system installed on nozzle wall would be helpful in fixing the unsteady motions of the boundary layer separation, consequently reducing the possibility of the occurrence of the asymmetric flow.
