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A compact shock-assisted free-piston driver for impulse facilities

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Abstract.

A free-piston driver that employs entropy-raising shock processes with diaphragm rupture has been constructed, which promises significant theoretical advantages over isentropic compression. Results from a range of conditions with helium and argon driver gases are reported. Significant performance gains were achieved in some test cases. Heat losses are shown to have a strong effect on driver processes. Measurements compare well with predictions from a quasi-one-dimensional numerical code.

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Received 7 September 1996 / Accepted 5 October 1996

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Kendall, M., Morgan, R. & Jacobs, P. A compact shock-assisted free-piston driver for impulse facilities. Shock Waves 7, 219–230 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001930050078

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001930050078

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