An experimental study of the effect of the working fluid of a pneumatic launcher on the velocity of the projectile

Аuthors

Sinelnikov E. G.^*, Zhitny M. V.^**

Mlitary spaсe Aсademy named after A.F. Mozhaisky, St. Petersburg, Russia

*e-mail: vka@mil.ru
**e-mail: vka@mil.ru

Abstract

The paper presents an experimental study on the replacement of air with helium as the working fluid in a gas‑dynamic pulsed pneumatic launcher (developed at the A.F. Mozhaisky Military Space Academy) for laboratory simulation of particle impacts on spacecraft materials. The system enables testing at projectile velocities up to 1000 m/s. Velocity measurements were performed using an ACC 0022 “Strelets” frame chronograph, capable of measuring speeds up to 3000 m/s. To reduce measurement uncertainty caused by leading devices during subcaliber projectile tests, projectiles matching the barrel caliber were used. Functional velocity‑pressure relationships for both working fluids were derived via polynomial fitting using the least‑squares method. Experimental results show that helium significantly increases the initial projectile velocity compared to air under identical operating conditions. This confirms the technical advantage of helium for use in similar gas‑dynamic launch systems.

Keywords:

small-sized solid particle, high-speed impact, light-gas system, working fluid

References

1. Impact Dynamics / D. Zukas et al.]. Moscow: Mir. 1985. – 295 p.
2. Goncharov P.S. Results of Experimental Studies of High-Speed Impact on an Aluminum-Magnesium Alloy / P.S. Goncharov, M.V. Zhitny // Bulletin of Tula State University. Issue 11. Tula: Tula State University. 2018. – pp. 100–105.
3. Goncharov P.S. Methodology for Preparing Data for Experimental Studies of the Interaction of High-Speed Particles with Spacecraft Structural Elements / P.S. Goncharov, M.V. Zhitny // Bulletin of Tula State University. Issue 11. Part 3. Tula: Tula State University. 2017. – P. 68–75.
4. Martynov V.V. Design of a light-gas launcher with damping elements / V.V. Martynov, M.V. Zhitny // Bulletin of Tula State University. Tula: Tula State University. 2016. Issue 12. Part 1. P. 124–131.
5. Sinelnikov E.G. Experimental gas-dynamic pulsed pneumatic launcher / E.G. Sinelnikov, M.V. Zhitny // Collection of materials of the XXIII All-Russian scientific and technical conference "Actual problems of protection and security", St. Petersburg: St. Petersburg. 2020. – P. 92–95.
6. GOST R 8.736–2011. Direct multiple measurements. Methods of processing measurement results. Basic provisions. – introduction. 13.12.2011. – M.: Standartinform, 2013. – 23s.

Download