Induction generator powered coaxial launchers

Conference · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · IEEE Transactions on Magnetics (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States)

OSTI ID:5522277

Nalty, K E; Driga, M D ^[1]

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1. Texas Univ., Austin, TX (United States). Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Most coaxial accelerator concepts to date have used switched power supplies to energize coils in the vicinity of the projectile, or have tolerated a grossly oversized power supply which energizes all coils during the course of the launch. Coordination of the switching, while engineeringly possible, provides opportunities for failure which reduces the reliability of the system as compared to a passively activated system requiring no switching. Excitation of un-used sections of a launcher dramatically reduces launch efficiency, and increases both power supply and cooling requirements. A launcher design which avoids the need for switching and automatically excites only the windings in the vicinity of the projectile is presented in this paper. The energy store for the launcher consists of rotating induction machines. The excitation for the launcher is provided by an excitation winding on the projectile, which makes the projectile act like the rotor of a synchronous condenser. This combination of super-synchronous induction machines (the energy stores) and synchronous alternators (the projectile) is called an induction generator. This paper provides a description of the induction generator powered launcher concept, and investigates scaling laws to assess the applicability of this technology for tactical and space launch applications.

• OSTI ID: 5522277
• Report Number(s): CONF-9004136-; CODEN: IEMGA; TRN: 92-009423
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Magnetics (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States), Vol. 27:1; Conference: 5. IEEE symposium on electromagnetic launcher technology, Destin, FL (United States), 1-5 Apr 1990; ISSN 0018-9464
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
COAXIAL FLOW REACTORS
INDUCTION GENERATORS
MAGNET COILS
POWER SUPPLIES
AUTOMATION
ENERGY STORAGE
PROJECTILES
SCALING LAWS
SPACE FLIGHT
ELECTRIC COILS
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FLUID FUELED REACTORS
GAS FUELED REACTORS
HOMOGENEOUS REACTORS
REACTORS
STORAGE
700440* - Fusion Technology- Power Supplies
Energy Storage- (1992-)