Nonlinear Scaling Relationships of a Railgun

Scaling methods are widely used in railgun technology. But nonlinear problems are seldom studied because of the complexity and uncertainty. To employ the scaling method better, this paper brings the nonlinear drag model to the solid armature railgun circuit. Several drag models are compared including friction drag model (FDM), atmosphere drag model (ADM), and current drag model (CDM). Then, nonlinear scaling relationships of these drag models are discussed. Furthermore, a novel experiment is constructed to compare the drag models at low velocity. At last, the nonlinear scaling method is verified by an example at high velocity. FDM is accurate enough to simulate a railgun system at any condition. Coefficient ε in FDM should be used considering different test conditions. Scaling relationships of FDM could not be derived at low velocity because of nonlinearity. Although at high velocity, FDM could be simplified to CDM and realize linear scaling method (LSM). Further research indicates that the FDM could use the scaling method directly and realize approximate LSM. CDM is workable which satisfies the conditions of LSM in nature. Due to the work range of the solid armature, usually under 2.5 km/s, nonlinear scaling method could be used in a railgun with FDM. For a solid armature railgun, the f_ADM is too small compared with f_FDM and it could be ignored in analysis of a railgun, especially at low velocity. What should be noted is that the velocity scaling factor must be controlled above about one-quarter to avoid the nonlinear field.