Mechanism of self-oscillations in a supersonic jet impact onto an obstacle. 1. Obstacle with a spike

Results of numerical simulations and experimental investigations of self-oscillations arising in the case of impingement of an overexpanded or underexpanded jet onto an obstacle with a spike are reported. The mechanisms of the emergence and maintaining of self-oscillations for overexpanded and underexpanded jets are elucidated. It is demonstrated that self-oscillations are caused by disturbances in a supersonic jet, which induce mass transfer between the supersonic flow and the region between the shock wave and the obstacle. The feedback is ensured by acoustic waves generated by the radial jet on the obstacle. These waves propagate in the gas surrounding the jet, impinge onto the nozzle exit, and initiate disturbances of the supersonic jet parameters. In the overexpanded jet, these disturbances penetrate into the jet core, where they are amplified in oblique shock waves.