Multiple stage railgun
- Livermore, CA
- Pleasanton, CA
A multiple stage magnetic railgun accelerator (10) for accelerating a projectile (15) by movement of a plasma arc (13) along the rails (11,12). The railgun (10) is divided into a plurality of successive rail stages (10a-n) which are sequentially energized by separate energy sources (14a-n) as the projectile (15) moves through the bore (17) of the railgun (10). Propagation of energy from an energized rail stage back towards the breech end (29) of the railgun (10) can be prevented by connection of the energy sources (14a-n) to the rails (11,12) through isolation diodes (34a-n). Propagation of energy from an energized rail stage back towards the breech end of the railgun can also be prevented by dividing the rails (11,12) into electrically isolated rail sections (11a-n, 12a-n). In such case means (55a-n) are used to extinguish the arc at the end of each energized stage and a fuse (31) or laser device (61) is used to initiate a new plasma arc in the next energized rail stage.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4343223
- OSTI ID:
- 864289
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
stage
railgun
magnetic
accelerator
10
accelerating
projectile
15
movement
plasma
13
rails
11
12
divided
plurality
successive
rail
stages
10a-n
sequentially
energized
separate
energy
sources
14a-n
moves
bore
17
propagation
towards
breech
29
prevented
connection
isolation
diodes
34a-n
dividing
electrically
isolated
sections
11a-n
12a-n
means
55a-n
extinguish
fuse
31
laser
device
61
initiate
multiple stage
laser device
electrically isolated
energy sources
energy source
stage magnetic
railgun accelerator
electrically isolate
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