Title :
Nonlinear electromagnetic propulsion system and method
Author :
Schlicher, Rex ; Rinaldi, S. ; Hall, D. ; Ranon, P. ; Davis, C. ; O´Loughlin, J. ; Lednum, E. ; Biggs, A. ; Degnan, J. ; Topp, D. ; Scholfield, D.
Author_Institution :
Weapons Lab./Air Force Syst. Command, Kirtland AFB, NM, USA
Abstract :
The nonlinear electromagnetic propulsion system (NEMPS) and method prescribes a electromagnetic propulsion system based on an extremely low frequency (ELF) radiating antenna structure driven by a matched high-current pulsed power supply. The ELF antenna structure resembles a modified three-dimensional multiple-turn loop antenna whose geometry is optimized for the production of reaction thrust rather than the radiation of electromagnetic energy into space, and it is current-driven rather than voltage-driven. The rigid three-dimensional geometric asymmetry, made up of flat electrical conductors that form a partially closed volume in the loop antenna structure, traps magnetic flux, thereby causing a magnetic field density gradient along a single axis. This gradient then causes an imbalance in the magneto-mechanical forces that normally result from the interactions of the loop antenna´s internal magnetic field with the current in the conductors of the loop antenna structure. The pulsed power supply is designed to provide the proper waveform to the antenna structure at an impedance matching the load impedance of the antenna. The rise time and shape of the input current waveform are crucial to maximizing the production of reaction thrust. Input voltage is at a nominal value sufficient to allow the desired high input current
Keywords :
electric propulsion; electromagnetic devices; magnetic flux; power supplies to apparatus; pulse generators; pulsed power technology; 3D; ELF; NEMPS; electromagnetic propulsion system; extremely low frequency; flat electrical conductors; geometry; input current; load impedance; magnetic field density gradient; magnetic flux; magneto-mechanical forces; multiple-turn loop antenna; pulsed power supply; radiating antenna structure; reaction thrust; rise time; shape; thrusters; Conductors; Electromagnetic launching; Electromagnetic radiation; Geophysical measurement techniques; Ground penetrating radar; Magnetic fields; Magnetic flux; Production; Pulsed power supplies; Voltage;
Conference_Titel :
Power Modulator Symposium, 1990., IEEE Conference Record of the 1990 Nineteenth
Conference_Location :
San Diego, CA
DOI :
10.1109/MODSYM.1990.201047