Title :
A comprehensive, numerical model of electro-thermal propulsion
Author :
Silvestre, N. ; Hensel, D. ; Daree, K.
Author_Institution :
French-German Res. Inst. Saint-Louis, France
fDate :
1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A computer model of an electrothermal accelerator has been developed. It applies to the whole apparatus, consisting of a plasma generator and a gun barrel, and it makes it possible to study the interdependent physical processes in both components at the same time. The code comprises a two-dimensional, transient description of the plasma arc, a two-dimensional, two-phase interior ballistics module, and a preprocessor delivering the required plasma physical data. Some results on the flow field, pressure, and temperature in a typical accelerator are presented, and probable limitations on the performance of such a system are discussed. The code is designed for application to different concepts of electrothermal-chemical guns
Keywords :
electric propulsion; electrical engineering computing; electromagnetic launchers; physics computing; plasma guns; plasma heating; plasma production; 2D two-phase interior ballistics module; computer model; electrothermal accelerator; electrothermal propulsion; electrothermal-chemical guns; flow field; gun barrel; numerical model; physical processes; plasma arc; plasma generator; preprocessor; pressure; system performance; temperature; Chemicals; Electron tubes; Electrothermal effects; Numerical models; Plasma accelerators; Plasma chemistry; Plasma density; Plasma properties; Plasma temperature; Propulsion;
Journal_Title :
Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on
