Search Results (4)

The evolution form of the flow field generated via the impact of a muzzle jet on a constrained moving body changes from the state of fully free-spatial development to that of constrained development, and it involves the problem of interference, owing to the spatiotemporal coupling of various kinds of shock waves and vortices. Against this backdrop, the authors use the dynamic mesh method to establish two models for simulating the flow field and exploring the mechanism of development and the characteristics of propagation of disturbances induced via the shock waves as the muzzle jet impacts a constrained moving body. The results show that the muzzle jet exhibited a circumferentially asymmetric shape under the influence of the constrained track. The shock wave leaned towards the upper part of the muzzle, and its speed of propagation above the muzzle was higher than that below the muzzle. Meanwhile, the vortex that should have been present below the muzzle disappeared, and it was replaced with a separation line. Changes in the pressure of the flow field and important parameters of the moving body also became more complex due to the influence of the constrained track. Full article

A recently developed launching device called the gun–track launch system is affected by its constrained track, such that the form of the muzzle jet changes from the state of free development in the entire space to a constrained state, where this lends unique characteristics of development to its flow field. In this study, the authors establish the corresponding model for numerical simulations based on the dynamic mesh method. We also considered a model of simulation of the muzzle jet with an “infinitely” constrained track to analyze its performance under real launch conditions to explore the mechanism of development and the disturbance-induced propagation of the shock wave when the muzzle jet impinges on moving bodies. The results showed that the muzzle jet exhibited a circumferential asymmetric shape that tilted toward the area above the muzzle and generated transverse air flow that led to the generation of a vortex on it. Because the muzzle was close to the ground, the jet was reflected by it to enhance the development and evolution of the shock waves and vortices and to aggravate the rate of distortion and asymmetry of the jet. The wave reflected from the ground was emitted once again when it encountered the infinitely constrained track. No local low-pressure area or a prominent vortex was observed after multiple reflections. Because the track in the test model was short, the waves reflected by the ground were not blocked, and vortices were formed in the area above the ground. Significant differences in the changes in pressure were also observed at key points in the domain. The results of a comparative analysis showed that the infinitely constrained track increased the Mach number of the moving body from 1.4 to 1.6. The work provides a theoretical basis and the requisite technical support for applications of the gun–track launch system. Full article

The gas-curtain launch is designed to address the shortcomings of conventional underwater launchers, such as poor dependability and low muzzle velocity. In this paper, the influence of jet structures on the propulsion performance and internal flow field of an underwater gas-curtain launcher is investigated. To conduct the experiment on a small-aperture underwater launcher, three projectiles with different jet structures were designed. The experimental results show that a projectile with a central nozzle is more conducive to gas-curtain formation than one with four sidewall grooves. Additionally, the central nozzle can reduce launch resistance and improve propulsion performance more effectively. Furthermore, increasing the diameter of the central nozzle aids in gas-curtain formation and propulsion performance. Following the experiment, a numerical model of the internal flow field for gas-curtain launch is built in order to develop numerical simulations under three jet structures. The calculation results show that the three gas-curtain projectiles can likewise acquire good propulsion performance. Different jet structures have significant impacts on the launching resistance of a gas-curtain launcher, thereby affecting its propulsion performance. The launch resistance is lower when the central nozzle jet structure is utilized; however, the muzzle velocity is also lower because more gas is consumed for drag reduction and the projectile force area is smaller. This study reveals the effect of jet structure on the propulsion performance and flow field evolution of a gas-curtain launcher. Full article

In the present work, a numerical study of the dynamic processes occurring during projectile ejection from the open-end of a gun into ambient air was performed. The two-dimensional unsteady Navier–Stokes equations, assuming axisymmetric flow, were solved using an AUSM+ discrete scheme implemented with dynamic mesh boundary conditions. Five cases were carried out in the present study. First, two test cases were simulated to validate the numerical algorithms. The last three cases were used to investigate the blast flow field induced by the projectile nose shapes of flat-nosed, cone-nosed, and blunt-nosed projectiles. The study shows that some wave processes, such as shock–shock interactions, separated flow generation, and the Richtmyer–Meshkov Instability, are changed obviously with the change of projectile shape. The present study aims to deepen the understanding of the dynamic processes of unsteady muzzle flow during the projectile ejection. Full article