Performance of a self-augmented railgun
- GT-Devices, Incorporated, Alexandria, Virginia (USA)
The accelerating force of a railgun 1/2{ital L}{prime}{ital I}{sup 2}{sub {ital a}} can be increased by augmenting the self-induced magnetic field created by the armature current. Augmentation fields can be produced by external current coils or, as is done here, by shorting the railgun muzzle, and using the gun rails as the augmentation coil. Experimental results are presented for a 3.6-m railgun operated in this self-augmented mode, and effective inductance gradients are achieved which are as much as 9.3 times that of the unaugmented gun. A circuit model is presented which explains features of the measured shunt current and voltage. It is concluded that self-augmentation is an effective way to reduce ohmic heating in the armature of a railgun.
- OSTI ID:
- 5147779
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Applied Physics; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics; (United States) Vol. 70:7; ISSN 0021-8979; ISSN JAPIA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Structural consequences of railgun augmentation
Structural consequences of railgun augmentation
Related Subjects
700205* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Fuel
Heating
& Injection Systems
ACCELERATORS
ARMATURES
ELECTRIC HEATING
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
HEATING
JOULE HEATING
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PERFORMANCE
PLASMA HEATING
RAILGUN ACCELERATORS
RESISTANCE HEATING