Analytic solutions to dynamic equations of plasma armature railguns

Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1988 · IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Transactions on Magnetics; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/20.22591· OSTI ID:5481414

Shahinpoor, M ^[1]; Hawke, R S ^[2]

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1. New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque, NM (USA). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
2. Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)

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 {nu}/sub tau/ 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.

• OSTI ID: 5481414
• Journal Information: IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Transactions on Magnetics; (USA), Journal Name: IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Transactions on Magnetics; (USA) Vol. 25:1; ISSN IEMGA; ISSN 0018-9464
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
430100* -- Particle Accelerators-- Design
Development
& Operation
ACCELERATION
ACCELERATORS
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EQUATIONS
IMPACT FUSION DRIVERS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PLASMA ACCELERATION
PROJECTILES
RADIATIONS
RAILGUN ACCELERATORS
VELOCITY