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Computational and experimental of railgun structural performance

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5098027· OSTI ID:5098027

The structural response of plasma armature railguns to the electromagnetic load imposed during operation has a significant effect on performance. The railgun support structure must minimize bore deformation; thus stiffness and strength are important design parameters. The step by step evolution of the design toward a structure which will tolerate operation with 500 to 700 kA rail currents is presented. The design effort started with the traditional rail/insulator core structure contained within a V-block which provides a preload. Non-linear dynamic analyses together with model tests were used to assess the effects of changes in geometry, materials, and preload on the railgun structural performance. 39 figs., 5 tabs.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/ER
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
5098027
Report Number(s):
SAND-89-2535; ON: DE90006418
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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