Stability of a nonorthogonal stagnation flow to three-dimensional disturbances (Q1190854)

A similarity solution for a low Mach number nonorthogonal flow impinging on a hot or cold plate is presented. For the constant-density case, it is known that the stagnation point shifts in the direction of the incoming flow and that this shift increases as the angle of attack decreases. When the effects of density variations are included, a critical plate temperature exists; above this temperature the stagnation point shifts away from the incoming stream as the angle is decreased. This flow field is believed to have applications to the reattachment zone of certain separated flows or to a lifting body at a high angle of attack. Finally, we examine the stability of this non-orthogonal flow to self-similar, three-dimensional disturbances. Stability characteristics of the flow are given as a function of the parameters of this study: ratio of the plate temperature to that of the outer potential flow and angle of attack.