Importance

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Abstract

A projectile accelerating pulsed gas source comprises a structure including a high voltage electrode for establishing axial electrical discharges in axial gaps behind an outlet where the projectile is located. Plasma flows at right angles to the discharges into a propellant that is converted into a high pressure component of the gas pulse. The gaps are arranged so that after the projectile moves away from its initial position, power applied to the plasma via gaps close to the outlet is greater than power applied to the plasma via gaps farther from the outlet. The gaps are arranged so power applied to the plasma is substantially the same in the discharges when plasma is initially produced. The gaps include walls that are eroded differently by the discharges so gap walls close to the outlet erode faster than gap walls farther from the outlet. The plasma has sufficient pressure so it tends to flow from a confining structure for it into contact with the electrode via a secondary flow path other than the flow path through the outlet. The confining structure includes a cavity in the secondary flow path. A soft, non-electrically conducting material in the cavity expands in a direction at right angles to the secondary flow path and compresses in the direction of the secondary flow path against walls of the cavity to form a seal to overcome the plasma tendency to flow into contact with the electrode.

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First Claim