Experimental investigation of ram accelerator propulsion modes

Experimental investigations on the propulsive modes of the ram accelerator are reviewed in this paper. The ram accelerator is a ramjet-in-tube projectile accelerator whose principle of operation is similar to that of a supersonic air-breathing ramjet. The projectile resembles the centerbody of a ramjet and travels through a stationary tube filled with a premixed gaseous fuel and oxidizer mixture. The combustion process travels with the projectile, generating a pressure distribution which produces forward thrust on the projectile. Several modes of ram accelerator operation are possible which are distinguished by their operating velocity range and the manner in which the combustion process is initiated and stabilized. Propulsive cycles utilizing subsonic, thermally choked combustion theoretically allow projectiles to be accelerated to the Chapman-Jouguet(C-J) detonation speed of a gaseous propellant mixture. In the superdetonative velocity range, the projectile is accelerated while always traveling faster than the C-J speed, and in the transdetonative regime (85–115 % of C-J speed) the projectile makes a smooth transition from a subdetonative to a superdetonative propulsive mode. This paper examines operation in these three regimes of flow using methane and ethylene based propellant mixtures in a 16 m long, 38 mm bore ram accelerator using 45–90 g projectiles at velocities up to 2500 m/s.This article was processed using Springer-Verlag T_EX Shock Waves macro package 1990.     

Parametric instabilities in magnetized bi-ion and dusty plasmas

The excitation of low frequency modes of oscillations in a magnetized bi-ion or dusty plasma with parametric pumping of the magnetic field is analysed. The equation of motion governing the perturbed plasma is derived and parametrically excited transverse modes propagating along the magnetic field are found. With multiple ion species or charged dust present, a number of different circularly polarized modes can be excited. The stability of these modes is investigated as a function of the plasma parameters. The modulational instabilities of large amplitude normal modes, modified by the extra ion species or dust and propagating along the magnetic field, are also investigated Article presented at the International Conference on the Frontiers of Plasma Physics and Technology, 9–14 December 2002, Bangalore, India.     

A new synthesis of n-blocked dihydrouracil and dihydroorotic acid derivatives using lithium tri-sec-butyl borohydride as reducing agent

1,3-Di-N-substituted uracil and its derivatives have been reduced with lithium-tri-$\text{sec}$-butyl borohydride to the corresponding 5,6-dihydro compounds in excellent yields. Alkylation of 5-position of uracil is also very conveniently accomplished.