Differential Throttling in Linear Aerospike: A Combined Experimental and Numerical Study

Differential throttling is a straightforward control strategy employed in clustered aerospike engines featuring multiple independent combustion chambers. By inducing thrust asymmetry, it generates a lateral force component. This study investigates the wall pressure distribution resulting from di!erential throttling conditions in two linear aerospike nozzles characterized by different plug lenghts. Numerical simulations have been validated against experimental data acquired from a test rig previously developed at Politecnico di Torino. The flow structure has been investigated for di!erent working conditions. The anticipated results of this work are expected to enhance the accuracy of numerical predictions and contribute to the development of a reduced-order model for this propulsion technology.