Collective Bow Shock Ahead of a Transverse System of Spheres in a Supersonic Flow Behind a Moving Shock Wave

The results of investigating the dynamics and physical conditions of formation of a collective bow shock ahead of a system of spheres with the line of centers normal to the supersonic flow behind a traveling shock wave are presented. Two types of shock-wave patterns that necessarily precede the formation of the collective shock wave and correspond to regular and Mach interaction of the bow shocks were detected experimentally. On the basis of a local gasdynamic-discontinuity interference theory, quantitative criteria of the existence of these regimes and of the formation of a common shock wave are determined. These criteria are confirmed in a series of experiments for the transitional regimes.