Magnetic reconnection launcher

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:866899

Cowan, Maynard ^[1]

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1. Albuquerque, NM

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.

• Research Organization: AT&T
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4817494
• OSTI ID: 866899
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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/