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Old 12-31-2009, 09:00 AM   #26 (permalink)
Rokeby
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Supercavitation

Quote:
Originally Posted by Christ View Post
...the original post reminds me of a techology that was researched that is
referred to as "Super Cavitation"...
This supercavitation phenomena is very interesting. For the most part, it is
associated with super high speed underwater objects; submarines,
torpedoes, and even bullets. It has to do with creating a gas bubble around
the object. It would appear that in water at least, speeds ~180kph, ~110
mph, are required.

SUBMARINE HEROES

I have found indications that the phenomena can also be created in air. I
haven't yet found what speeds are necessary to create/sustain
supercavitation in air. But, from the cavitators pictured below on
aircraft/missles, it would be well above typical highway speeds:

"Different nose geometries can be used to create supercavities flat discs,
cones, 'gear shaped' plates and cones (top and middle), faceted concavities
and cavitators with inscribed cones that move in and out like the tips of
ballpoint pens (bottom)."


Click image for larger version

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It is noteworthy that the pictured cavitators are much closer to the main
body that the 1.5 x the main body's width given in the original architecture
derived arrangement. It may also be significant that the main bodies are
long, thin, and aerodynamically clean, not a "bluff body" like a car.

This from a very short preview article in Scientific American.
Access to the whole article requires a subscription or on-line purchase:

How to Build a Supercavitating Weapon: Scientific American

Wouldn't it be a surprise to be able to create the supercavitation phenomena
with an simple plexiglas plate, sort like an external grill block cum bug
deflector, located 6 or 8 inches in front of the grill, mounted to the front
bumper? I suppose the effect wold be to place a single whole-vehicle vortex
generator in front of the car to pre-energize the boundary layer.

Help! Somebody stop me! I'm saying things I know next to nothing about!

This quote isn't particularly encouraging:

"But super-cavitation technology might also be applied to aircraft, giving them brief stints of hypersonic speed when required, either for orbital insertion or escape from nearby threats. Note that SC transport requires a shape much like that of a rocket. "

And there is always this:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Lee View Post
I believe we've "probed" this topic before here?
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tion-9591.html


More research needed...

Last edited by Rokeby; 12-31-2009 at 12:09 PM..
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