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A design method for single expansion ramp nozzle based on three-dimensional characteristic method

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 April 2026

Zhao Zhang Open the ORCID record for Zhao Zhang [Opens in a new window] ,
Wenyan Song Open the ORCID record for Wenyan Song [Opens in a new window]  and
Zheng Zhou
Zhao Zhang
Affiliation:
Northwestern Polytechnical University, China
Wenyan Song*
Affiliation:
Northwestern Polytechnical University, China
Zheng Zhou
Affiliation:
China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center, China
*
Corresponding author: Wenyan Song; Email: wenyan_song@nwpu.edu.cn
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Abstract

To enhance the aerodynamic performance of hypersonic nozzles, a three-dimensional method of characteristics (3D MOC) is proposed for designing single expansion ramp nozzles (SERN). The flowfield structures and aerodynamic performances of nozzles designed using the 3D and conventional two-dimensional (2D) MOC approaches are compared through three-dimensional numerical simulations. Results indicate that the major geometric differences occur along the circumferential wall. Under typical flight conditions, the nozzle designed by 3D MOC achieves over 0.45% higher axial thrust coefficient and more than 8% higher lift coefficient than the 2D MOC design. Furthermore, based on the 3D MOC, both rectangular nozzle (RN) and circular nozzle (CN) configurations are designed and analysed. The CN exhibits slightly superior aerodynamic performance compared with the RN. By further modifying the upper and lower wall infill surfaces of the RN, three new nozzle variants are obtained. Comparative results show that these geometric infills have a pronounced influence on lift and pitching moment, while the axial thrust coefficient remains nearly constant. Finally, the effect of the tracing radius on the RN and CN configurations is examined. Increasing the tracing radius notably reduces the lift coefficient but has minimal impact on the thrust and pitching moment. These findings highlight the potential of the 3D MOC-based design method to flexibly balance aerodynamic moment and lift in hypersonic nozzle optimisation.

Keywords

design of three-dimensional nozzlethree-dimension method of characteristicstracing profilesingle expansion ramp nozzle

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Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , First View , pp. 1 - 23
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Royal Aeronautical Society

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