Simulation and measurement on velocity of flat-plate projectiles in a three-stage reconnection electromagnetic launcher

For study the velocity characteristics of acceleration of the projectiles, a sketch of a three-stage reconnection electromagnetic launcher using flat-plate projectiles was introduced in this paper. A theoretical model of small-scale 3-stage reconnection launcher was set up and the velocity of the projectile as well as the efficiency properties was simulated. A three-stage reconnection launcher was founded and the measurement system was designed to obtain the velocity of the projectile. A control system on the basis of a microcontroller and a computer was designed for the launcher. Groups of Π-shaped photocouplers were aligned at the preset spacing in the direction of the flyway in order to sense the arrival of the projectile and output signals to the control system for velocity measurement. Measures are taken to inhibit electromagnetic interference and to isolate high voltage. Three types of flat-plate projectiles with different configuration were prepared for experiments. The simulated results and experimental data show that when the 4.32mF capacitor banks were charged to 5000 V, a final velocity of 59 m/s for the 100g-hollow-plate projectile was acquired. For the 160g-solid-plate projectile and the 80g-gridded-plate projectile cases, the final velocity was 46 m/s and 43 m/s respectively.