Title :
ET-guns with working media of low molecular weight: a numerical study
Author :
Hensel, D. ; Daree, K. ; Silvestre, N.
Author_Institution :
French-German Res. Inst., Saint-Louis, France
Abstract :
Numerical simulations of the electrothermal acceleration process have been carried out in order to assess the potential of different working media. For some interesting substances, the mass/energy ratio and the total dissipated energy are varied in the computations. A comparison to conventional powder guns is made for a small calibre (bore diameter=20 mm) weapon. Using SESAME equations of state, good efficiency is predicted for hydrogen, helium and polyethylene and medium efficiency for lithium vapor. For muzzle velocities around 1500 m/s, ET guns show similar characteristics as chemical guns. Approaching 2500 m/s, the maximum gas pressure in the ET gun is decisively smaller. With a tolerable pressure of 500 MPa, the hydrogen gun can accelerate a mass of 100 g to nearly 2000 m/s in a barrel length of 2.25 m (2300 m/s in 4.25 m).<>
Keywords :
electrothermal launchers; equations of state; numerical analysis; weapons; 100 g; 1500 m/s; 2.25 m; 20 mm; 2000 m/s; 2300 m/s; 2500 m/s; 4.25 m; 500 MPa; SESAME equations of state; barrel; efficiency; electrothermal guns; low molecular weight; mass/energy ratio; muzzle; numerical study; small calibre; total dissipated energy; weapon; working media; Acceleration; Boring; Electrothermal effects; Equations; Guns; Hydrogen; Numerical simulation; Powders; Weapons;
Journal_Title :
Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on
