New experimental data are presented for single detonation of explosives in nozzles for propulsion in a simulated Jupiter atmosphere, along with additional data for other ambient gases (nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and helium). These data were obtained with various types of nozzles: long cone, short cone, straight, and firing plug. With the long-cone nozzle, there was a progressive increase in specific impulse with ambient pressure for the higher molecular weight gases, carbon dioxide and nitrogen, whereas for the lower molecular weight gases, helium and the simulated Jupiter atmosphere, the specific impulse decreased with increasing ambient pressure. With the short-plug nozzle, there was a slight reduction in specific impulse with increasing ambient pressure, and the results were virtually independent of the molecular weight of the ambient gas. These new data, along with data previously obtained with other ambient gases and nozzle types, were analyzed using first principles, approximate predictions from blast wave theory, and numerical, two-dimensional calculations to acquire a basic understanding of the experimental trends and to predict specific impulses. Rarefaction and oscillatory wave phenomena, as indicated by pressure transducer measurements along the nozzle wall and by predictions, significantly influence the specific impulse. Nozzle design considerations for a flight system are discussed, including estimated projections for pulse firing and relative vehicle speed.


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    Title :

    Detonation propulsion experiments and theory


    Additional title:

    Detonationsantriebs-Versuche und -Theorie


    Contributors:
    Back, L.H. (author) / Dowler, W.L. (author) / Varsi, G. (author)

    Published in:

    AIAA Journal ; 21 , 10 ; 1418-1427


    Publication date :

    1983


    Size :

    10 Seiten, 10 Bilder, 4 Tabellen, 15 Quellen



    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Detonation propulsion experiments and theory

    BACK, L. / DOWLER, W. / VARSI, G. | AIAA | 1982


    Detonation propulsion experiments and theory

    Back, L. H. / Dowler, W. L. / Varsi, G. | NTRS | 1983


    Detonation propulsion experiments and theory

    BACK, L. H. / DOWLER, W. L. / VARSI, G. | AIAA | 1983