An Analysis of Bore Surface Temperatures in Electrothermal-Chemical Guns
Abstract
Electrothermal-chemical (ETC) guns use working fluid/electrical energy combinations which may produce gas temperatures in excess of 3,500 K. The high potential for gas temperatures is of concern due to increased possibility of barrel erosion. However, it is speculated that the fluid propellants form a thermal insulating layer for the gun tube, and thus, the barrel is protected against excessive erosion. This paper is a theoretical investigation of the reduction of bore surface temperature due to a liquid insulating layer. The analysis considers unsteady heat conduction through a multi-layered hollow cylinder with time-varying convective boundary conditions. The model is used to estimate the thickness of an insulating layer near shot start, based on gas temperature, required to maintain the bore temperature at an acceptable maximum determined from a conventional 'hot' propellant. The required mass of fluid in the tube is used to suggest the feasibility of the liquid protecting the bore.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA242198
Entities
People
- G. P. Wren
- W. F. Oberle
Organizations
- Ballistic Research Laboratory