On the cusp of fully grasping Method of Characteristics

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the Method of Characteristics (MOC) as applied to supersonic nozzle design. The user has a solid understanding of characteristic lines and their effects on flow Mach number and direction but seeks clarification on deriving wall geometry from these intersections. Key references include a PDF on propulsion systems and an IJERT research paper, both of which outline the intersection of characteristic lines but do not explicitly detail the relationship to nozzle wall contouring. The user requires assistance in connecting the derived intersection points to the actual geometry of the nozzle wall.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Method of Characteristics (MOC)
  • Familiarity with supersonic flow dynamics
  • Knowledge of characteristic lines and their interactions
  • Basic principles of nozzle design
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation of nozzle wall contours from characteristic line intersections
  • Study advanced applications of the Method of Characteristics in supersonic nozzle design
  • Explore computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools for nozzle design validation
  • Investigate case studies on supersonic nozzle optimization using MOC
USEFUL FOR

Aerospace engineers, fluid dynamics researchers, and students specializing in propulsion systems will benefit from this discussion, particularly those focused on supersonic nozzle design and the application of the Method of Characteristics.

Benjies
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TL;DR
A method used to create geometries for the straightening section of rocket nozzles (as well as other systems)
'Lo all,

I've been studying the Method of Characteristics for quite some time now. I understand all the interactions between characteristic lines, and how they modify the flow Mach number and direction of the flow when these characteristic lines intersect. I have just a couple of hangups that I was hoping this forum might be able to help me with. My primary sources are here:

[1] http://mae-nas.eng.usu.edu/MAE_5540_Web/propulsion_systems/section8/section.8.1.pdf

[2] https://www.ijert.org/research/desi...method-of-characteristics-IJERTV2IS110026.pdf

In [1], at the end of section 2., the author displays that you can find the position of where the two characteristic lines intersect, and then states "thus, helping in developing the supersonic nozzle". Similar information in [2] on slide 21. Trouble is, all these paper have displayed is that you can derive the position of the characteristic line intersection, as well as the change in flow angle (theta), and finally the change in Mach number at this point downstream. But this only provides us the position of characteristic line intersection- this doesn't provide me the position of the wall of my nozzle at all. How has this given me the geometry of my wall?

I fundamentally get how the characteristic lines are generated, and how they interact during intersections. But I seem to be missing something in these sources that displays how wall contour is derived from these characteristic meshes.

Thank you!
 
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To be clear- I am asking for HELP with MOC- I am not sharing this for pure information! Probably should have mentioned that in my title, or something.
 

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