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Title: Electric Arc-Driven Shock Tube

Journal Article · · Physics of Fluids (New York)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1706797· OSTI ID:4707041

A shock tube capable of producing a gas sample of known conditions by shocks with velocities as high as 43,000 ft/sec was developed. The driver of this shock tube employs a capacitor bank that discharges electrical energy into helium, heating the helium to temperatures of 10,000-20,000 °K, and raising the pressure to 10,000-20,000 psi. The high-pressure bursts the scribed diaphragm, and the resulting shock wave propagates into the test gas. Diagnostic techniques were employed to investigate the resulting hot gas sample. The growth of this sample was observed optically, and correlations were achieved with theoretical calculations. The observed radiation was compared with and can be used to extend the known radiative properties of high temperature air. Time- resolved luminous pictures and spectra were also taken to show the purity of the test gas. The speed and attenuation of the shock front were measured. The observed operation of this shock tube was compared with theoretical predictions, and although no precise correlation can be made, the driver gas energy transfer and losses in the shock tube boundary layer can be accounted for.

Research Organization:
Avco-Everett Research Lab., Everett, Mass.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-17-025916
OSTI ID:
4707041
Journal Information:
Physics of Fluids (New York), Vol. 6, Issue 5; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63; ISSN 0031-9171
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English