Track Tapering System.
Abstract
The Hypervelocity Test Track at Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) is 880 feet long and is used for testing high-speed projectiles. Under many circumstances, it is desirable to taper the final 200 feet to improve the reliability of the projectile tests. A Phase II SBIR has been completed to implement a rapid track tapering system at the Hypervelocity Test Track. During this project, three key subsystems were designed and built: mechanical hardware to allow rapid manual adjustment of the rail positions in the track, custom gages to measure the rail positions, and stand-alone software to plan all the rail positions for a desired track taper. The mechanical hardware included modifications to the existing track hardware to incorporate new mechanisms for adjustment of track taper. The rail position gauges allow direct measurements of the track diameter and centration without requiring disassembly of the track. The taper planning software provides a spreadsheet format for easily determining the required track diameter at each adjustment point along the track. The system was installed and tested at the Hypervelocity Test Track and AEDC personnel were trained in the use and maintenance of the equipment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA313768
Entities
People
- J. C. Hake
- M. H. Marvin
- R. F. Johnson