Analysis of near-surface flow physics in a two-stage, 10 km/s, electromagnetic launcher

Conference · Wed Jun 06 00:00:00 EDT 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1990-1614· OSTI ID:6761458

Buckingham, A C; Hawke, R S

This is a report of progress in the analysis of several apparently influential physical processes observed in current electromagnetic launcher performance experiments. Boundary layer and thin-film Couette flow processes in the hypervelocity range (approaching 10 km/s) are the focus of this work. The specific launch device under study has a two-stage acceleration: initially a light gas projectile injection phase followed by a plasma driven Lorentz force acceleration phase. Our emphasis is on understanding the concomitant influence of plasma transport, gas phase and gas/solid kinetics, skin depth, solid neutral and ionic particle seed additives on near-wall boundary layer and Couette flow processes. Studies are initiated on the effects of plasma-enriching ion additives and wall transpiration cooling with respect to increasing the integrity, performance, and launch-to-launch endurance of this type of electromagnetic launcher (EML). 14 refs., 8 figs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/DP
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6761458
• Report Number(s): UCRL-102303; CONF-9006153-2; ON: DE90013292
• Resource Relation: Conference: 21. AIAA fluid dynamics, plasmadynamics and laser conference in conjuction with the AIAA 25th thermophysics and heat transfer conference and the 16th aerodynamic ground testing conference, Seattle, WA (USA), 18-20 Jun 1990
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
GAS FLOW
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
RAILGUN ACCELERATORS
PERFORMANCE
SPACE VEHICLES
LAUNCHING
COOLING
COUETTE FLOW
CURRENT DENSITY
ELECTROMAGNETISM
HYDRODYNAMICS
LAMINAR FLOW
LORENTZ FORCE
PLASMA
PROJECTILES
REYNOLDS NUMBER
STRESSES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TRANSIENTS
TURBULENT FLOW
VELOCITY
ACCELERATORS
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
MAGNETISM
MECHANICS
VEHICLES
VISCOUS FLOW
640410* - Fluid Physics- General Fluid Dynamics
450500 - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Strategic Defense Initiative- (1990-)
320201 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Transportation- Air & Aerospace