Initial Experiments with Electromagnetic Energy Addition to a Gas by a Traveling Magnetic Field.
Abstract
Research on a traveling wave plasma accelerator for ultimate use as a high altitude, high velocity flow simulation device is reported. The research reported covers the design and final testing of an increasing phase velocity accelrator coil system and measurements of the performance of this system operating upon argon plasma at 1.6 torr static pressure and low supersonic Mach number. Impact and static pressure measurements indicate that the exit Mach number from the accelerator was increased from .7 without magnetic excitation to 1.5 with excitation at 128,000 ampere turns per meter (the power supply limit). Under these conditions the exit impact pressure increased from 2.8 to 4.8 torr, while the static pressure dropped from 2.0 to 1.6 torr. Design and testing of the high power accelerator coils using water cooled Litz cable is discussed, coils with quality factors (omega L/K) as high as 1200 being achieved. Water cooling ability of the coils was tested and a sample was successfully operated above the maximum design excitation of 600,000 ampere turns per meter. Minor developments of the RF plasma source are also discussed and a summary of a study of wave propagation in its nonequilibrium plasma is presented. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0717705
Entities
People
- Charles W. Haldeman
- Hironori Takahashi
- John P. Sullivan
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology