Research on the influence of spark ignition energy on the detonation initiation process in a detonation tube

Abstract

The paper examines the impact of spark ignition energy on the detonation initiation process in a detonation tube for a powderless mortar with controlled shot energy. It is shown that successful tests have demonstrated the ability of mortar prototypes to launch shells without the use of traditional powder charges, which confirms the effectiveness of the developed launch technology. The system is designed for automatic loading and provides the ability to fire with direct fire. Unlike conventional mortars, the proposed system uses a gas detonation charge to regulate the firing range. Therefore, the range of the shell is controlled not by changing the mortar elevation angle, but by changing the shot energy while maintaining a fixed elevation angle. Replacing the powder charge with a combustible gas mixture contributes to the integration of the mortar shot control system into broader fire control systems. This allows you to create a new semi-direct fire mode, which improves the tactical deployment of weapons in combat conditions. To transfer this technology to military production, further research and development of a specialized mortar control system are necessary. The key parameters for controlling the energy of a mortar shot are the initial pressure and volume of the compressed gas charge in the gas detonation chamber. The results of experimental studies revealed the influence of the spark ignition energy on the process of initiating detonation in the detonation tube. The study was conducted for 3 ranges of values of the total energy of the spark discharge, which were equal to 50 mJ, 0.84-1.54 J, 13-14 J. The spread in the values of the total energy of the discharge is associated with the deviation of the voltage of the spark gap breakdown. At each of the values, measurements were carried out no less than 3 times. It was established that an increase in the discharge energy leads to a reduction in the distance and time of the transition of combustion to detonation. In particular, in a detonation tube with an internal diameter of 73 mm, filled with a stoichiometric mixture of technical propane-butane with oxygen, the time for the transition from combustion to detonation was reduced from over 1200 μs to about 200-300 μs in the event of an increase in the total energy of the spark discharge from 50 mJ to 13-14 J. At the same time, the distance from the transition from combustion to detonation was reduced from 299-413 mm to 185 mm.