Analytic solutions to dynamic equations of plasma armature railguns
General governing nonlinear differential equations pertaining to the dynamic behavior of a plasma armature electromagnetic railgun are first derived. Three different cases are then considered and the corresponding governing equations are then solved exactly by means of a set of nonlinear transformations. These cases correspond to (1) no-ablation, (2) continuous-ablation, and (3) partial-ablation for which an ablation threshold velocity v/sub t/ plays a fundamental role. Corresponding to each case, a nonlinear transformation is employed to reduce the nonlinear differential equations to their equivalent linear ones and subsequently allow solution of the pertinent linear differential equations, which are second order, by means of the transition matrix technique. It is concluded that in order to achieve very high projectile velocities the projectile should be injected into the railgun at velocities higher than the ablation threshold velocity. Thus, the ablation may be completely alleviated and the ensuing turbulent drag may be significantly diminished. It is shown that under these conditions one may typically accelerate projectiles up to 30 km/s or more while without hypervelocity injection, for the same railgun and typical operating conditions, one might severely limit the maximum projectile velocity.
- Research Organization:
- New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque (USA). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5449253
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-87-2316C; CONF-880478-1; ON: DE88006842
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Exact solutions to the governing dynamic equations of plasma armature electromagnetic railguns
Armature formation in a railgun using a two-stage light-gas gun injector
Related Subjects
420200* -- Engineering-- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990230 -- Mathematics & Mathematical Models-- (1987-1989)
ABLATION
ACCELERATORS
ARMATURES
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DRAG
DYNAMICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUATIONS
FLUIDS
GASES
HEAT TRANSFER
MATRICES
MECHANICS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PLASMA
PROJECTILES
RAILGUN ACCELERATORS
REYNOLDS NUMBER
VAPORS
VELOCITY