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Title: Apparatus for and method of operating a cylindrical pulsed induction mass launcher

Abstract

In accordance with the one aspect of the invention, an electromagnetic projectile launcher is provided which comprises: a conducting projectile, a barrel that receives the projectile, a plurality of electromagnetic drive coils, a plurality of pulsed energy sources, and pulse power means for generating a sequence of pulses forming a pulsed magnetic wave within the drive coil for propelling the projectile along the barrel, wherein the pulsed magnetic wave of the drive coil is advanced along the barrel faster than the projectile to thereby induce a current wave in the armature of the projectile and thereby minimize electromagnetic heating of the projectile and provide nearly constant acceleration of the projectile. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for propelling a projectile within a pulsed induction electromagnetic coil launcher, wherein the method comprises the steps of: generating a sequence of pulses forming a pulsed magnetic wave within the coil launcher, applying the pulsed magnetic wave initially at the aft end of the projectile to accelerate the projectile within the coil launcher, and advancing the position of the pulsed magnetic wave relative to the projectile to thereby generate an induced current wave in the armature, such thatmore » electromagnetic heating of the projectile is minimized and acceleration is nearly constant.« less

Inventors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
5181826
Patent Number(s):
PATENTS-US-A7622897
Application Number:
ON: DE92015856; PPN: US 7-622897
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-76DP00789
Resource Type:
Patent Application
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS; 42 ENGINEERING; RAILGUN ACCELERATORS; DESIGN; ARMATURES; ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSES; INDUCTION; INVENTIONS; LAUNCHING; PROJECTILES; RESISTANCE HEATING; ACCELERATORS; ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; HEATING; PULSES; RADIATIONS; 430100* - Particle Accelerators- Design, Development, & Operation; 420500 - Engineering- Materials Testing

Citation Formats

Cowan, M Jr, Duggin, B W, and Widner, M M. Apparatus for and method of operating a cylindrical pulsed induction mass launcher. United States: N. p., 1990. Web.
Cowan, M Jr, Duggin, B W, & Widner, M M. Apparatus for and method of operating a cylindrical pulsed induction mass launcher. United States.
Cowan, M Jr, Duggin, B W, and Widner, M M. 1990. "Apparatus for and method of operating a cylindrical pulsed induction mass launcher". United States.
@article{osti_5181826,
title = {Apparatus for and method of operating a cylindrical pulsed induction mass launcher},
author = {Cowan, M Jr and Duggin, B W and Widner, M M},
abstractNote = {In accordance with the one aspect of the invention, an electromagnetic projectile launcher is provided which comprises: a conducting projectile, a barrel that receives the projectile, a plurality of electromagnetic drive coils, a plurality of pulsed energy sources, and pulse power means for generating a sequence of pulses forming a pulsed magnetic wave within the drive coil for propelling the projectile along the barrel, wherein the pulsed magnetic wave of the drive coil is advanced along the barrel faster than the projectile to thereby induce a current wave in the armature of the projectile and thereby minimize electromagnetic heating of the projectile and provide nearly constant acceleration of the projectile. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for propelling a projectile within a pulsed induction electromagnetic coil launcher, wherein the method comprises the steps of: generating a sequence of pulses forming a pulsed magnetic wave within the coil launcher, applying the pulsed magnetic wave initially at the aft end of the projectile to accelerate the projectile within the coil launcher, and advancing the position of the pulsed magnetic wave relative to the projectile to thereby generate an induced current wave in the armature, such that electromagnetic heating of the projectile is minimized and acceleration is nearly constant.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5181826}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Dec 06 00:00:00 EST 1990},
month = {Thu Dec 06 00:00:00 EST 1990}
}