An Electromagnetic Shock Tube For Aerodynamic Research PDF Download

An electromagnetic shock tube was constructed and the observed phenomena explained assuming that the energy transferred to the driver section is stored in the form of magnetic energy. The velocity of the shock front and its rate of decay were measured and compared with theoretical predictions based upon the infinite conductivity magnetohydrodynamic flow equations. A Kerr cell shutter camera was used to photograph the shock fronts which were found to be jumbled, suggesting magnetic turbulence. A magnetic field was applied along the axis of the shock tube and its effect on the shock velocity and on the character of the shock front were explained by the interaction of the driver currents with the applied axial magnetic field. A ''precursor'' wave was observed and the gas velocity behind it measured using the boundary layer on a probe placed along the axis of the shock tube. This value of the gas velocity and measured values of the wave velocity, gas density and electric field strength are shown to be compatible with a wave-type mechanism. (Author).