Streamline tracing technique based design of elliptical-to-rectangular transitioning hypersonic inlet

Design of an elliptical-to-rectangular transitioning hypersonic inlet for design Mach number of 5.0 is reviewed. The design approach that has been applied here is based on the streamline tracing technique in a known flowfield, where three-dimensional axisymmetric Busemann inlet is utilized as the flowfield to be modified. The choice of elliptical crosssectional capture and the desirable rectangular throat profile gives advantages in resolving simultaneously two major problems in the former flowfield without assistance of any other additional arrangements. The newly modified inlet provides reduction of approximately 80% in the contraction ratio and of 16.3% in the length of the compression surface.