Microwave radar diagnostics of piston motion in a free-piston-driven expansion tube

Application of microwave radar is a useful approach to gauge piston motion in a free-piston driver. One difficulty associated with conventional microwave technique is its spatial resolution during rapid velocity shifts at diaphragm rupture timings. This study, while departing from the standard practice of analyzing standing wave peaks, introduces an alternative by examining the phase shift of the microwave in-phase and quadrature signals. A compact free-piston-driven expansion tube, MX6.0, is used as the test bed for this technique. A microwave frequency of 4.2 GHz is used to take measurements in a compression tube with a diameter of 50 mm and a length of 2.0 m, tracking the motion of the piston. After arranging the microwave radar systems, the piston velocity and displacement trajectory are measured. Compared to the lower-resolution measurements using conventional microwave wavelength intervals, the use of microwave phase allowed for an exceptionally high spatial resolution in analyzing the piston motion.