Shock wave reflector and detonation chamber
A shock wave reflector includes a number of reflective units positioned along a longitudinal direction and separated by a gap G. Each reflective unit has a length L. The length L and the gap G are governed by a relationship L+G≧λ. The variable λ characterizes a cell size for a detonation mixture. A detonation chamber includes a receiving end, a discharge end, and a wall extending along a longitudinal direction between the receiving and discharge ends. The detonation chamber further includes a number of reflective units formed in the wall and positioned along the longitudinal direction. The reflective units are separated by a gap G, and each reflective unit has a length L.
1. A shock wave reflector comprising:
a plurality of reflective units positioned along a longitudinal direction and separated by a gap G, each reflective unit having a length L,
wherein the length L and the gap G are governed by a relationship:
L+G≧λ,
wherein the variable λ characterizes a cell size for a detonation mixture, and the reflective units are cavities of semi-elliptical cross-section and are configured to focus a shock wave to enhance the transition to detonation of the detonation mixture.
2. The shock wave reflector of claim 1 , wherein said reflective units are annular.
3. The shock wave reflector of claim 1 , wherein said reflective units are semi-circular in cross-section.
4. The shock wave reflector of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of reflective units comprises at least ten reflective units.
5. The shock wave reflector of claim 1 , wherein each of said reflective units comprises a cavity.
6. The shock wave reflector of claim 5 , wherein said cavity is hemispheric.
7. The shock wave reflector of claim 5 , wherein said plurality of reflective units comprises at least ten cavities.
8. The shock wave reflector of claim 1 , wherein each of said reflective units comprises a plurality of cavities positioned at a respective plurality of angular orientations.
9. The shock wave reflector of claim 8 , wherein each cavity is hemispheric.
10. The shock wave reflector of claim 8 , wherein said plurality of reflective units comprises at least ten reflective units.
11. The shock wave reflector of claim 1 , wherein the length L and the gap G are governed by a relationship:
L+G=nλ,
the variable n denoting an integer.
12. A detonation chamber comprising:
a receiving end;
a discharge end;
a wall extending along a longitudinal direction between said receiving and discharge ends; and
a plurality of reflective units formed in said wall, positioned along the longitudinal direction, and separated by a gap G, each reflective unit having a length L, wherein the length L and the gap G are governed by a relationship:
L+G≧λ, and
wherein the variable λ characterizes a cell size for a detonation mixture, and the reflective units are cavities of semi-elliptical cross-section and are configured to focus a shock wave to enhance the transition to detonation of the detonation mixture.
13. The detonation chamber of claim 12 , wherein at least one of said reflective units is formed in a vicinity of said receiving end.
14. The detonation chamber of claim 13 , wherein each of said reflective units extends around an inner surface of said wall.
15. The detonation chamber of claim 13 , wherein each of said reflective units comprises a cavity.
16. The detonation chamber of claim 12 , wherein said reflective units are semi-circular, in cross-section.
17. The detonation chamber of claim 12 , wherein said reflective units are annular.
18. The detonation chamber of claim 17 , wherein said plurality of reflective units comprises at least ten reflective units.
19. The detonation chamber of claim 12 , wherein each of said reflective units comprises a plurality of cavities formed in said wall and positioned at a respective plurality of angular orientations on said inner surface of said wall.
20. The detonation chamber of claim 12 , wherein said receiving end, discharge end, and wall form a detonation tube.
21. The detonation chamber of claim 12 , further comprising:
a liner positioned between said receiving and discharge ends within said wall, wherein said liner is configured to slide between an open position and a shielding position.
22. The detonation chamber of claim 12 , wherein the length L, and the gap G are governed by a relationship:
L+G=nλ,
the variable n denoting an integer.