@article{Hu2026, 
author = {Boxing Hu and Peixue Jiang and Yinhai Zhu},
title = {Large-eddy simulation of fluctuating energy transport characteristics over the compression ramp of a supersonic inlet},
year = {2026},
journal = {Acta Aerodynamica Sinica},
volume = {44},
number = {9},
pages = {90-100},
keywords = {supersonic inlet, large-eddy simulation, momentum potential theory, vortical/acoustic/entropic modes, shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction, energy transport},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.7638/kqdlxxb-2026.0115},
doi = {10.7638/kqdlxxb-2026.0115},
abstract = {To reveal the energy transport mechanisms over the compression ramp of a supersonic inlet under shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction (SBLI), this paper investigates the energy transport characteristics of the second compression ramp of a supersonic inlet at two typical freestream Mach numbers, Ma = 3 and Ma = 4 (design condition), by combining large-eddy simulation (LES) with the momentum potential theory (MPT). The MPT decomposes the fluctuating momentum field into vortical, acoustic, and entropic modes. Combined with the transport equation of fluctuating enthalpy, this approach reveals the energy transport and conversion pathways of fluctuating enthalpy within the core region of shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction (SBLI). Results show that the Ma = 3 case exhibits a spatially inverse pattern characterized by "global attenuation but wall enhancement": over the mid-span plane, all three modes show a decreasing or plateauing trend, with the RMS value of the B′ mode decreasing from 16.16 to 12.06 (about 25% reduction) and that of the A′ mode decreasing by about 30%; whereas on the wall of the second compression ramp, all three modes are significantly enhanced, with the entropic mode exhibiting the largest increase. Flux divergence analysis indicates that the vortical divergence is globally positive, while the acoustic and entropic divergences are globally negative, and the three nearly completely cancel each other locally at every spatial point. This spatially complementary pattern remains robust under different inflow conditions. Source-term analysis further reveals local source–sink pairing between the vortical and acoustic source terms, as well as coexistence and competition between internal driving and dissipation mechanisms within the entropic source term. The energy balance framework for SBLI established in this study provides a mode-level theoretical reference for energy source identification and modal contribution analysis in thermal protection design of inlet compression surfaces.}
}