Abstract
The intrinsic shortcoming of the conventional waterjets is the use of expensive and heavy pumping facilities. What is more important, the peculiarities of the waterjet-substrate interaction impede energy exchange between the incoming jet and the workpiece. These shortcomings are eliminated if a continuous jet is replaced by an array of the water slugs. The slugs are generated by the direct energy injection into water and subsequent ejection of portion of the water via the nozzle. The speed of the generated slugs and subsequently effectiveness of the material removal is enhanced if the slug maintains a free surface in the course of the acceleration in the barrel. In this case the water velocity exceeding 1500 m/sec can be attained. A device for slug formation will constitute an effective and versatile manufacturing tool
A laboratory scale prototype of a device forming super-high speed water slugs termed the water cannon was constructed and tested. The tests included the investigation of the external ballistics of the slugs as well as materials piercing and breakage. The capabilities of the technology in question were illustrated by the destruction of a non-dischargeable explosive device with no explosion and deformation of steel. It was shown, however, that the process is effective only at a narrow range of operational conditions