Cavitation and Acoustic Interaction via Impulsive Loading in a Piston-Driven Water-Air System

The pressure wave dynamics and associated cavitation in a water-filled cylinder are studied experimentally. The use of single-piston and double-piston drivers enables the system loading to be varied between near-constant acceleration and impulsive loading. The pressure in the air-filled volume is varied to enable the onset of cavitation to be induced or suppressed. The piston(s) acceleration is measured via photonic Doppler velocimetry, enabling the loading to be precisely quantified. The resultant wave activity and fluid cavitation are monitored via piezoelectric pressure transducers and direct visualization of liquid interfaces via high-speed videography through a glass window. The results are compared to predictions of a quasi-one-dimensional model of fluid motion and wave-tracking of acoustic waves. The onset of cavitation is predicted in comparison to homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation models.