First Experimental Results of the "Pseudo-liquid Armature with Air-spring"

The "pseudo-liquid (PSL) armature with air-spring" is a novel railgun armature concept developed by Dr. Richard A. Marshall during the end of last century. Advantages of the PSL armature with air-spring include lower mass and more compliance than conventional "C-type" railgun armature. Beijing Institute of Special Electromechanical Technology began to study this armature in 2003. This paper presents the fisrt experimental results of the PSL armatures with air-spring, which show this armature presents a method to preventing transition and gauging. The father experimental studies are being continued.