Performance Optimization of X3R: A New Reflected Shock Tunnel Mode for the X3 Expansion Tube

Stennett, Samuel; Gildfind, David; Jacobs, Peter A.; Morgan, Richard G.

doi:10.2514/6.2018-3563

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In general, expansion tubes are used for scaled model testing. Although less common than RSTs, several researchlevel expansion tubes are in active use (Gildfind et al 2016;Tanno et al 2016;Tamagno et al 1990;Dufrene et al 2007;MacLean et al 2013).…”

Section: Expansion Tube Modementioning

confidence: 99%

“…1 it is not possible to simulate the entirety of the flight path in any one type of ground test facility. This has led to the relatively recent conversion of existing ground test facilities to be multimodal; examples include HEK-X (Tanno et al 2016) and X3R (Stennett et al 2018). This challenge has also formed a core motivation for the development of the T6 Stalker Tunnel described herein.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Development and commissioning of the T6 Stalker Tunnel

et al. 2021

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The T6 Stalker Tunnel is a multi-mode, high-enthalpy, transient ground test facility. It is the first of its type in the UK. The facility combines the original free-piston driver from the T3 Shock Tunnel with modified barrels from the Oxford Gun Tunnel. Depending on test requirements, it can operate as a shock tube, reflected shock tunnel or expansion tube. Commissioning tests of the free-piston driver are discussed, including the development of four baseline driver conditions using piston masses of either 36 kg or 89 kg. Experimental data are presented for each operating mode, with comparison made to numerical simulations. In general, high-quality test flows are observed. The calculated enthalpy range of the experimental conditions achieved varies from $$2.7\hbox { MJ kg}^{-1}$$ 2.7 MJ kg - 1 to $$115.0\hbox { MJ kg}^{-1}$$ 115.0 MJ kg - 1 . Graphical abstract

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Section: Expansion Tube Modementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and commissioning of the T6 Stalker Tunnel

et al. 2021

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“…The difference in shock tube diameter is a product of hardware availability at the time of facility commissioning. The acceleration tube is terminated in a Mach 10 or Mach 12 diverging hypersonic nozzle [38], to increase test flow diameter, which Figure 1.2: Hardware configuration of the X3 free-piston super-orbital expansion tube [40] is housed within the 7.5 m long, 1.2 m diameter test section and dump tank. Upstream of the compression tube, the old launcher hardware and under-over reservoir arrangement from the T4 reflected shock tunnel is utilised [12], which was acquired for X3's construction to coincide with T4's upgrade to a wrap-around reservoir system in 2000 [39].…”

Section: The X3 Super-orbital Expansion Tubementioning

confidence: 99%

“…This may be completed computationally, using 2D or 3D CFD techniques, and potentially experimentally if significant flow improvement is identified. Preliminary work regarding a contoured orifice-plate for X3R was completed in 2018 [40], however was not continued due to time constraints.…”

Section: Investigation Of Contoured Orifice-plate Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of an extended test time operating mode for a large reflected shock tunnel facility

Stennett¹

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X3R is a new free-piston driven reflected shock tunnel (RST) facility, derived from the X3 free-piston super-orbital expansion tube at the University of Queensland (UQ). X3R is the first dual-mode impulse facility in Australia, and is also the first dual-mode free-piston impulse facility originating as an expansion tube. Conversion and operation of the facility in a reflected shock tunnel mode was originally envisioned as a means to increase the scale and duration of Australia's hypersonic testing capability, which was previously limited in both aspects in comparison to other international impulse facilities. This thesis was completed to coincide with the physical X3R facility hardware design and development, to produce an operating condition capable of generating and maintaining a Mach 7, 50 kPa dynamic pressure test flow for 10 ms. It was initially postulated that this could be efficiently achieved using the pre-existing X3 facility hardware, new components designed specifically for reflected shock tunnel mode, and a new operating condition. Due to its parallel operation as an expansion tube, X3R featured a driver tube length that was 60% that of the shock tube in RST mode. These geometric proportions are unique compared to other facilities of this kind throughout the world, which typically feature driver tubes that are at least twice the shock tube length. Operation of a reflected shock tunnel with such a relatively short driver tube makes it extremely challenging to efficiently utilise the 'full' slug of test gas. The primary challenge was generating a pulse of gas from the driver with sufficient duration to fully shock the test gas and sustain critical flow processes until 10 ms of test flow at the target conditions had been generated. The solution to this challenge was careful configuration of the free-piston driver and quite unconventional driver operation. Theoretical analysis showed that a very low compression ratio was required to maximise the volume of the driver gas. Given the low compressive heating, this resulted in a much higher helium fraction that would be normally required to produce a free-piston driven 1400 m/s shock through air. The low compression ratio then required significant piston energy to compress the gas, leading to extended periods of high facility and piston loading. Sustaining a relatively steady driver gas pressure to drive the downstream flow processes required piston speed to be maintained immediately after diaphragm rupture. This driver gas 'hold time' was shown to depend on piston mass; the higher the driver gas pressure, the heavier the piston needed to be to sustain a given test time. Once this fundamental dependency had been identified, it was determined that if piston mass and test flow dynamic pressure were fixed, there was a maximum test time that could be achieved. Conversely, if piston mass and test time were specified, there was a fundamental limit to the achievable test flow dynamic pressure. For the initial configuration analysed in this thesis, it was found that, ...

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“…There are currently two expansion tubes being operated at UQ -the X2 and X3, which are both free-piston driven hypervelocity impulse facilities having the ability to implement hypersonic research including simulating planetary entry flows and scramjet engine development [1] [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

UQ eSpace

Fu¹

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I tried so hard and got so far. But in the end, without the support from the following people, everything I have done would does not even matter: • Dr. David Gildfind, who is an extraordinarily hard-working person, gave me the precious chance to take this thesis project. He could always help me understand the complex mathematical model behind a theory. His passion about research and rigorous attitude towards academic works are something that I will always admire in my life. • My parents, for their selfless support all the time. My father and mother always tell their friends how awesome their son is and how proud they feel. When talking about the child with their friends, they always could not wait to show off. • Professor Richard Morgan, who is extremely knowledgeable. It seems there would be no boundary in his knowledge structure. As students commonly say in the lecture room, "wow how did Professor Morgan finish this inter-inter-inter-discipline derivation?" • Dr. Peter Jacobs, who is amazing at coding and programming. Every time I open the cfcfd webpage, the first thing I do is to feel shocked about the fancy codes. • Professor David Mee, who encouraged me to bravely take this project at the beginning and helped me to have a much better timing about the degree course schedule. • UQ Ph.D. candidate Mark Hudgson, who has magic power. Every time I talk to him, I felt that I could learn something. His story, pursuing a Ph.D. after decades of engineering profession in the industry, will be always inspiring me to keep going forward.

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Performance Optimization of X3R: A New Reflected Shock Tunnel Mode for the X3 Expansion Tube

Cited by 8 publications

References 11 publications

Development and commissioning of the T6 Stalker Tunnel

Development and commissioning of the T6 Stalker Tunnel

Development of an extended test time operating mode for a large reflected shock tunnel facility

UQ eSpace

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