Hypervelocity flows of argon produced in a free piston driven expansion tubeAn expansion tube with a free piston driver has been used to generate quasi-steady hypersonic flows in argon at flow velocities in excess of 9 km/s. Irregular test flow unsteadiness has limited the performance of previous expansion tubes. Test section measurements of pitot pressure, static pressure, and flat plate heat transfer rates are used to confirm the presence of quasi-steady flow, and comparisons are made with predictions for the equilibrium flow of an ideal, ionizing, monatomic gas. The results of this work indicate that expansion tubes can be used to generate quasi-steady hypersonic flows in argon at speeds in excess of Earth orbital velocity.
Document ID
19930061533
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Neely, A. J. (NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Stalker, R. J. (Queensland Univ. St. Lucia, Australia)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: In: Shock waves; Proceedings of the 18th International Symposium, Sendai, Japan, July 21-26, 1991. Vol. 2 (A93-45451 19-34)