HIGH SPEED FLOW

Differences between
high and low speed flows
Sound waves consist of a succession of
weakpressure disturbances which propagate
through the air. The speed at which these
disturbances advance through the air is called the
speed of sound.
The difference between the flows over a simple
aerofoil on an aircraft flying at a speed below the
speed of sound (subsonic) and at high speed, flow is
undisturbed until it crosses the shock wave where
speed is suddenly reduced, and air pressure,
temperature and density, suddenly increase.
• Firstly in the low speed flow the air is disturbed a long way
in front of the aerofoil, while, for the supersonic flow, the
area of disturbance is strictly limited and ahead of this
region the air is totally unaffected by the presence of the
aerofoil.
• Secondly, the local direction of the flow varies relatively
smoothly at the low speed, while at high speed there is a
very abrupt change where the air is first disturbed.
Importance of speed of sound – Mach
number
the speed of the aircraft relative to the speed of
sound is the important factor in determining the
flow characteristics. This ratio is known as the
flight Mach number.

Flight Mach No. = Aircraft speed/speed of sound

The nose of an aircraft flying at subsonic speed. As the flow
approaches the nose of the aircraft it slows and the pressure
locally increases. The influence of this region of increased
pressure is transmitted upstream against the oncoming flow
at the speed of sound (approximately 340 m/s at sea level). If
the flow approaching the aircraft is subsonic then the
disturbance will be transmitted faster than the oncoming flow
and the aircraft will be able to make its presence felt infinitely
far upstream.
The disturbance can only make headway through
an area near the nose where the flow is locally
subsonic. The flow upstream is separated from
this localised region by a shock wave, and is
completely uninfluenced by the presence of the
aircraft.
When an aircraft is flying supersonically we have
seen that there may be local areas, such as the
region near the nose, where the flow speed is
locally reduced. Not only is the speed reduced,
but the local temperature will rise, thus
increasing the local speed of sound. A local
Mach number for different areas of the flow.
Local Mach No. = Local flow speed/local speed
of sound.
Local Mach number may be
supersonic with subsonic flight If there is a small pressure
Mach number, and vice versa difference between ends of
(a) Subsonic patch in duct, speed rises to maximum
supersonic flow
at throat and then decreases.
(b) (b) Supersonic patch in
subsonic flow
Flow in a supersonic wind-tunnel

If there is a small pressure

difference between ends of
duct, speed rises to
maximum at throat and then
decreases
For larger pressure
differences speed becomes
supersonic downstream of
throat
The different types of high speed flow

This figure shows the Mach numbers at which we will obtain our typical low
subsonic and fully developed supersonic flows. It also shows a number of
other features, which we will discuss shortly, such as the intermediate stage
between these flows, the transonic speed range. The advent of important
heating effects caused by the passage of the aircraft through the air is also
shown.