Segmented electromagnetic launcher

A new kind of segmented electromagnetic launcher (SEL) is discussed. Compared with a conventional SEL, the new one has two supply conductors positioned on either side, parallel to a solid rail and isolated from it, and side supply conductors positioned on either side of the bore of the barrel, with the number of side supply conductors two times the number of segments of segmented rail. Each segment is connected with two supply conductors by two side supply conductors. Two identical sources of electrical power are used. This railgun creates a magnetic piston inside the barrel behind the projectile, moving down the length of the barrel together with the projectile. Reactive forces act on these side supply conductors. The space occupied by this magnetic field is less than in a conventional launcher. As a result, the efficiency of the new SEL is higher than a conventional SEL. The muzzle energy of the projectile can be increased by increasing the number of segments. Various potential designs of the new SEL are described. Results of computer simulations of transactional processes are discussed.