Evaluating Truncation Strategies for Busemann Inlets in Hypersonic Airbreathing Applications

Air intakes are critical components of supersonic and hypersonic airbreathing engines, as they condition the freestream flow before it enters the combustor. The Busemann inlet is highly efficient due to minimal losses, but this efficiency comes at the cost of a long inlet length. Many potential reasons exist for wanting to shorten the inlet such as reduced mass or accommodating the geometric restraints of the flight vehicle. There are two primary approaches to shortening the Busemann inlet: truncation and stitched truncation. Recently a new method for stitched truncation coined ICFK has been developed. The current work compares these strategies with a focus on both performance and geometry.