摘要 |
<p>A hypervelocity wind tunnel comprising compression tube (10) lengthened to increase piston speed and working pressure, a diaphragm (33), a shock tube (31), a high pressure reservoir supplying compressed air that propels a piston (21) along the compression tube (10) and an inlet valve (44) through which working gas can enter into the shock tube (31) via an isolating plenum (42). Stress wave dampers (49, 50, 51, 52) connected by a yoke (48) to either the compression tube (10) or the shock tube (31) enable the wind tunnel to withstand the higher working pressure. A cyclonic diaphragm seat (40) ensures that diaphragm fragments are carried towards the shock tube wall. The piston (21) may be loaded via a breech mechanism (20) locked by a locking ring (25). Compressed air may be injected into a space (23) to initially drive the piston (21) along the compression tube (10) until the high pressure reservoir is connected via ports (13, 22) to the space (23) behind the piston (21).</p> |