Abstract: Cavities are ubiquitous in aerodynamic designs, from landing gear bays to scramjet combustors, and their flow dynamics can significantly impact vehicle performance and stability. Understanding the complex flow features within cavities, particularly the unsteady pressure fluctuations they generate, is crucial for mitigating potential issues like acoustic resonance and structural fatigue. This talk will explore the unique case of a partially-closed cavity with a forward facing door in hypersonic flow, a configuration potentially relevant to store separation mechanisms. Experiments conducted in the AFRL Mach-6 Ludwieg Tube investigated the impact of door angle and cavity depth on flow behavior. High-speed schlieren imagery and surface pressure measurements revealed a complex interplay between the upstream separation bubble, the door's bow shock, and the cavity flow, leading to strong pressure fluctuations under specific conditions. The results highlight the importance of considering these dynamic interactions in hypersonic vehicle design and provide insights for future research in flow control and store separation technologies
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