Development of a scramaccelerator based hypervelocity launcher

Sobota, Thomas H.; Babcock, Susan M.; Humphrey, Joseph W.

doi:10.1016/0734-743x(93)90064-e

Cited by 1 publication

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“…Definitive tests of the superdetonative mode of operation will likely require using a two-stage light gas gun to bring the projectile to velocities well in excess of 2 km/s, such that a pristine projectile can be injected into the test section, ensuring that the phenomena observed are purely gasdynamic in nature and not influenced by the condition of the projectile. Tests along these lines were conducted by Sobota et al 71 using projectiles launched from a 3-km/s light gas gun into a ram accelerator containing a hydrogen/air mixture; however, the details of the experimentally observed projectile accelerations from these tests were not published.…”

Section: A Model Of Operationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ram Accelerators: Outstanding Issues and New Directions

Higgins

2006

Journal of Propulsion and Power

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An assessment of the key issues affecting the thrust and maximum velocities that can be obtained in ram accelerators is presented. The regimes of ram accelerator operation (subdetonative and superdetonative) are discussed, and simple models for thrust are compared to experimental results and found to be satisfactory. The phenomena that are responsible for the operating limits of these modes of operation are explored, and potential solutions for overcoming these limits are discussed. In particular, the possibility that flow separation may cause unstarts in both the subdetonative and superdetonative ram accelerator is shown to explain qualitatively the experimentally observed limits. A potential remedy to the unstart problem that involves modifying the geometry of the ram accelerator tube is presented. The role of the projectile material, which may react with the oxidizing environment of the propellant, also has a significant effect on superdetonative operation. Techniques to address this problem are outlined. Other novel concepts, such as the use of an explosive-lined launch tube and the laser-driven ram accelerator, are discussed as well. Nomenclature A= area A R = area ratio (tube area to throat area)= Mach angle q = heat release ρ = density τ = viscous shear stress χ = inert gas dilution Subscripts s = flow condition at boundary-layer separation point 1 = flow conditions approaching projectile 2 = flow conditions at projectile throat 6 = flow condition exiting projectile control volume in thermally choked mode

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Section: A Model Of Operationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ram Accelerators: Outstanding Issues and New Directions

Higgins

2006

Journal of Propulsion and Power

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Development of a scramaccelerator based hypervelocity launcher

Cited by 1 publication

References 6 publications

Ram Accelerators: Outstanding Issues and New Directions

Ram Accelerators: Outstanding Issues and New Directions

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