Design of an electromagnetic accelerator for turbulent hydrodynamic mix studies
An electromagnetic accelerator in the form of a linear electric motor (LEM) has been designed to achieve controlled acceleration profiles of a carriage containing hydrodynamically unstable fluids for the investigation of the development of turbulent mix. The Rayleigh- Taylor instability is investigated by accelerating two dissimilar density fluids using the LEM to achieve a wide variety of acceleration and deceleration profiles. The acceleration profiles are achieved by independent control of rail and augmentation currents. A variety of acceleration-time profiles are possible including: (1) constant, (2) impulsive and (3) shaped. The LEM and support structure are a robust design in order to withstand high loads with deflections and to mitigate operational vibration. Vibration of the carriage during acceleration could create artifacts in the data which would interfere with the intended study of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The design allows clear access for diagnostic techniques such as laser induced fluorescence radiography, shadowgraphs and particle imaging velocimetry. Electromagnetic modeling codes were used to optimize the rail and augmentation coil positions within the support structure framework. Results of contemporary studies for non-arcing sliding contact of solid armatures are used for the design of the driving armature and the dynamic electromagnetic braking system. A 0. 6MJ electrolytic capacitor bank is used for energy storage to drive the LEM. This report will discuss a LEM design which will accelerate masses of up to 3kg to a maximum of about 3000g{sub o}, where g{sub o} is accelerated due to gravity.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 10118161
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC-114805; CONF-940481-2; ON: DE94005821
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 7. symposium on electromagnetic launch technology,San Diego, CA (United States),20-24 Apr 1994; Other Information: PBD: 8 Dec 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
42 ENGINEERING
RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY
EVALUATION
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
RAILGUN ACCELERATORS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC MOTORS
TURBULENT FLOW
700411
700340
420200
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT DEVICES
PLASMA WAVES, OSCILLATIONS, AND INSTABILITIES
FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, AND TECHNIQUES