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Title: Magnetic reconnection launcher

Abstract

An electromagnetic launcher includes a plurality of electrical stages which are energized sequentially in synchrony with the passage of a projectile. Each stage of the launcher includes two or more coils which are arranged coaxially on either closed-loop or straight lines to form gaps between their ends. The projectile has an electrically conductive gap-portion that passes through all the gaps of all the stages in a direction transverse to the axes of the coils. The coils receive an electric current, store magnetic energy, and convert a significant portion of the stored magnetic energy into kinetic energy of the projectile by magnetic reconnection as the gap portion of the projectile moves through the gap. The magnetic polarity of the opposing coils is in the same direction, e.g. N-S-N-S. A gap portion of the projectile may be made from aluminum and is propelled by the reconnection of magnetic flux stored in the coils which causes accelerating forces to act upon the projectile at both the rear vertical surface of the projectile and at the horizontal surfaces of the projectile near its rear. The gap portion of the projectile may be flat, rectangular and longer than the length of the opposing coils andmore » fit loosely within the gap between the opposing coils.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. Albuquerque, NM
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
AT&T
OSTI Identifier:
866899
Patent Number(s):
4817494
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F41 - WEAPONS F41B - WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F42 - AMMUNITION F42B - EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-76DP00789
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
magnetic; reconnection; launcher; electromagnetic; plurality; electrical; stages; energized; sequentially; synchrony; passage; projectile; stage; coils; arranged; coaxially; closed-loop; straight; lines; form; gaps; electrically; conductive; gap-portion; passes; direction; transverse; axes; receive; electric; current; store; energy; convert; significant; portion; stored; kinetic; gap; moves; polarity; opposing; n-s-n-s; aluminum; propelled; flux; causes; accelerating; forces; rear; vertical; surface; horizontal; surfaces; near; flat; rectangular; length; fit; loosely; significant portion; electric current; magnetic flux; electrically conductive; kinetic energy; magnetic energy; gap portion; direction transverse; horizontal surface; straight line; electromagnetic launcher; magnetic polarity; vertical surface; /89/124/318/

Citation Formats

Cowan, Maynard. Magnetic reconnection launcher. United States: N. p., 1989. Web.
Cowan, Maynard. Magnetic reconnection launcher. United States.
Cowan, Maynard. Sun . "Magnetic reconnection launcher". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/866899.
@article{osti_866899,
title = {Magnetic reconnection launcher},
author = {Cowan, Maynard},
abstractNote = {An electromagnetic launcher includes a plurality of electrical stages which are energized sequentially in synchrony with the passage of a projectile. Each stage of the launcher includes two or more coils which are arranged coaxially on either closed-loop or straight lines to form gaps between their ends. The projectile has an electrically conductive gap-portion that passes through all the gaps of all the stages in a direction transverse to the axes of the coils. The coils receive an electric current, store magnetic energy, and convert a significant portion of the stored magnetic energy into kinetic energy of the projectile by magnetic reconnection as the gap portion of the projectile moves through the gap. The magnetic polarity of the opposing coils is in the same direction, e.g. N-S-N-S. A gap portion of the projectile may be made from aluminum and is propelled by the reconnection of magnetic flux stored in the coils which causes accelerating forces to act upon the projectile at both the rear vertical surface of the projectile and at the horizontal surfaces of the projectile near its rear. The gap portion of the projectile may be flat, rectangular and longer than the length of the opposing coils and fit loosely within the gap between the opposing coils.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989},
month = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989}
}