Low voltage arc formation in railguns
- Livermore, CA
A low voltage plasma arc is first established across the rails behind the projectile by switching a low voltage high current source across the rails to establish a plasma arc by vaporizing a fuse mounted on the back of the projectile, maintaining the voltage across the rails below the railgun breakdown voltage to prevent arc formation ahead of the projectile. After the plasma arc has been formed behind the projectile a discriminator switches the full energy bank across the rails to accelerate the projectile. A gas gun injector may be utilized to inject a projectile into the breech of a railgun. The invention permits the use of a gas gun or gun powder injector and an evacuated barrel without the risk of spurious arc formation in front of the projectile.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4706542
- OSTI ID:
- 866423
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
formation
railguns
plasma
established
rails
projectile
switching
current
source
establish
vaporizing
fuse
mounted
maintaining
below
railgun
breakdown
prevent
ahead
formed
discriminator
switches
energy
bank
accelerate
gas
gun
injector
utilized
inject
breech
permits
powder
evacuated
barrel
risk
spurious
front
gas gun
breakdown voltage
current source
/89/124/310/