Computational design of hypervelocity launchers
The Sandia Hypervelocity Launcher (HVL) uses impact techniques on a two-stage light-gas gun to launch flier plates to velocities in excess of 10 km/s. An important problem in designing successful third stage techniques for impact launching fliers to such velocities is detailed understanding of the interior ballistic performance of the third stage. This is crucial for preventing melt and fracture of the flier plates during the extraordinary accelerations that they undergo (accelerations on the order of 10{sup 9} g are typical on the HVL). We seek to optimize HVL launch conditions in order to achieve two major goals: first, to maximize the potential launch velocity for a given flier, and second, to allow different flier configurations. One tool that we can apply in studying HVL performance is the use of multi-dimensional wave propagation codes. We have used such codes, particularly the Sandia Eulerian code CTH, to study a variety of interior ballistics issues related to gun performance and launcher development for almost ten years. Recently this work has culminated in a major contribution to HVL design, namely the capability to launch ``chunk`` fliers. `Me initial phases of design development were solely devoted to CTH computations that studied potential designs, identified problems, and posed possible solutions for launching chunk fliers on the HVL. Our computations sufficiently narrowed the design space to the point that systematic experimental progress was possible. Our first experiment resulted in the successful launch of an intact 0.33 gram titanium alloy chunk flier to a velocity of 10.2 km/s. The thickness to diameter ratio of this flier was approximately 0.5.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 10187186
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-93-3909C; CONF-9410131-7; ON: DE95000744; BR: GB0103012
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1994 hypervelocity impact symposium,Santa Fe, NM (United States),16-20 Oct 1994; Other Information: PBD: [1993]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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