Investigation of Reactive Gasdynamics Phenomena in the Ram Accelerator
Abstract
The ram accelerator is a launcher concept conceived at the University of Washington that uses chemical energy to accelerate projectiles to hypervelocities, in principle up to 8 km/sec. The device is based on an in-bore ramjet concept in which a subcaliber projectile, shaped like the centerbody of a supersonic ramjet, is propelled down the center of a stationary tube filled with a pressurized propellant mixture of gaseous fuel and oxidizer. This propellant burns near the base of the moving projectile, generating thrust. The highest pressure in the system is always in the vicinity of the projectile base, rather than at the breech as in a gun, making for high propulsive efficiency. Under the subject grant the University of Washington has investigated various gasdynamic phenomena that govern the behavior and performance of the ram accelerator. These include the gasdynamic operating limits, low velocity starting phenomena, real gas effects at high pressures, superdetonative operation, and zero velocity start.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 15, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA344367
Entities
People
- Adam P. Bruckner
Organizations
- University of Washington