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WATER JET CONFERENCE - Waterjet Technology Association

WATER JET CONFERENCE - Waterjet Technology Association

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DISCUSSION OF FLUID MECHANICS<br />

The intent of this work was to modify an ordinary, continuous jet for the purpose<br />

of improving cutting ability at long distances from the nozzle. The Percussive Jet was an<br />

example of a fundamental modification of such a jet.<br />

The knowledge which has been accumulated so far is not complete but represents<br />

a first investigation into this area. The information was taken from infra-red transmitted<br />

light photography, scattered visible light photography, force or impact gauge<br />

measurements, visual inspection of Jet impacts on concrete block test specimens, and a<br />

limited amount of mathematical modeling.<br />

The Percussive Jet can take an ordinary jet and transform it into a bunched jet<br />

several times as wide. An example is shown in Figure 3 where the outside diameter of the<br />

Jet is increased five-fold (from 1/2-inch to 2 1/2 inches. Since aerodynamics is the<br />

principal mechanism acting to destroy ordinary jets, making a jet "fatter" would seem to<br />

be the appropriate action to take to protect the jet so it can operate at long standoff<br />

distances.<br />

However, the actual mechanism which occurs in Percussive Jets is more<br />

complicated and interesting than this simple explanation. In actuality, a protective shroud<br />

of water droplets seems to be created around the core and bunches of a Percussive Jet.<br />

The real novelty is that this shroud is created and maintained at the average velocity of<br />

the Jet, U SO .<br />

Figure 2 is useful in visualizing this phenomenon. In this sketch, the Jet is<br />

travelling at average velocity U SO from left to right. Wavelength is L considering f as the<br />

predominant frequency of modulation. The original diameter of the Jet is D o. As<br />

discussed earlier, the faster portion of the Jet overtakes the slower region and a radial<br />

velocity component U R is formed and produces radial bunch growth. Aerodynamic drag<br />

shears off some water from the outside extremities of the bunch. Since the bunch is<br />

travelling with axial velocity U SO, this "sacrificial" water is sheared from the bunch at this<br />

velocity. This water which is sheared from the bunch forms a shroud around the Jet to<br />

help protect it from the disruptive influences of aerodynamics. An estimation of the axial<br />

velocity profile is shown. Although no distinct boundary between air and water droplets<br />

surrounding the Jet exists, a shroud envelope is sketched to illustrate the radial extent of a<br />

water-rich area. The central core of the Jet between bunches is "tight" in diameter and<br />

relatively quiescent with some minor protuberances resulting from Rayleigh instability,<br />

noise in the modulation signal, and feedline dynamic effects.<br />

From a fluid mechanics point of view, two points are most interesting. First, the<br />

shroud is created by water sheared from the outside edges of the bunches which are<br />

travelling at velocity U SO. Therefore, the shroud is travelling at a velocity approximately<br />

U SO. Hence, this gives an example of a Jet shrouded by water drops which is travelling<br />

along and being constantly recreated (200 - 1000 times per second) at the velocity of the<br />

Jet. (Shrouds which have been discussed in the literature are created by expelling water<br />

31

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