SUPERSONIC ELECTRIC ARCS IN SULFUR HEXAFLUORIDE.
Abstract
Experimental observations are presented of supersonic convective electric arcs magnetically stabilized in sulfur hexafluoride. A long filamentary arc is reported for which it is found that the arc column, moving at Mach numbers from 1.3 to 6.5, slants across the electric field lines at angles such that the crossflow Mach number ranges from 0.8 to 3.0. The experimental apparatus is a thermionic rail accelerator. Observed values for the angle of slant are presented for three different temperatures of the preheated rail. The direction of slant was always such that the arc root at the heated rail led the remainder of the arc. For the range of conditions reported, the effective drag coefficient of the arc column, when based on the dimensions of the region of high luminosity, varied with crossflow Mach number in a manner similar to that of a solid cylinder. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0693973
Entities
People
- Charles E. Bond
- Dwight N. Wickersheim
Organizations
- Purdue University