High-Frequency Generation of High-Pressure Pulses Using a Diaphragmless Shock Tube

Abstract

We have developed a high-pressure pulse generator at a high repetitive rate by combining a diaphragmless shock tube with shock strengthening by area convergence. The diaphragmless shock tube generates shock waves with Mach numbers of up to 2 traveling in the tube at atmospheric pressure. The shock waves are accelerated by reducing the cross sectional area of the tube. The maximum pressure at the tube end, where the cross sectional area was reduced to 1/64 from the original, exceeded 10MPa and the pulse width was about 25 μ sec. These pressure pulses were generated at a rate of one pulse per several seconds. The facility was used to study biomechanical and biological effects of high-pressure pulses on microorganisms and DNA.