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An Investigation of the Effect of the Muzzle on the Motion of the Projectile in a Recoilless Gun

Citation

Woodward, Frank Arthur (1952) An Investigation of the Effect of the Muzzle on the Motion of the Projectile in a Recoilless Gun. Engineer's thesis, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/928R-MD36. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-03302009-091019

Abstract

Expressions for the position and velocity of a projectile at any time in a recoilless gun are derived. The one dimensional wave equation is assumed to be valid in describing the motion of the gas. The muzzle velocity of the projectile is calculated, and compared with that obtained for the case in which no waves are reflected back from the muzzle. It is shown that the effect of the reflected waves is to increase the muzzle velocity. In the limiting case, when the ratio of the mass of gas initially in the barrel to the mass of the projectile is infinite, the theoretical muzzle velocity of the projectile is increased to twice the value that would be obtained if the effect of the reflected waves was neglected.

Item Type:Thesis (Engineer's thesis)
Subject Keywords:Aeronautical Engineering
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Aeronautics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Tsien, Hsue Shen
Group:GALCIT
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:1 January 1952
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-03302009-091019
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-03302009-091019
DOI:10.7907/928R-MD36
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:1217
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:31 Mar 2009
Last Modified:17 May 2023 16:33

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