Darden, C. M. — Page 2 | Engineering Papers

NASA NTRS1975

Comparison of sonic boom minimization results in real and isothermal atmospheres

The method of Seebass and George (1972, 1974) for minimizing certain features of the pressure signature and yielding the corresponding F function and equivalent area distribution A in an isothermal atmosphere is modified to provide the same capability for a real atmosphere. The appropriate equations of George and Plotkin (1969) describing horizontal advance, ray tube area, and signature propagation are used.

Darden, C. M.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Minimization of sonic-boom parameters in real and isothermal atmospheres

The procedure for sonic-boom minimization introduced by Seebass and George for an isothermal atmosphere was converted for use in the real atmosphere by means of the appropriate equations for sonic-boom pressure signature advance, ray-tube area, and acoustic impedance. Results of calculations using both atmospheres indicate that except for low Mach numbers or high altitudes, the isothermal atmosphere with a scale height of 7620 m (25 000 ft) gives a reasonable estimate of the values of overpressure, impulse, and characteristic overpressure obtained by using the real atmosphere. The results also show that for aircraft design studies, propagation of a known F-function, or minimization studies at low supersonic Mach numbers, the isothermal approximation is not adequate.

Darden, C. M.↗