Title :
An empirical model for plasma armature voltage [in EM launchers]
Author :
Parker, Jerald V.
Author_Institution :
Los Alamos Nat. Lab., NM, USA
fDate :
1/1/1991 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Scaling of armature voltage with bore diameter is an important issue, since it affects the predicted efficiency and the predicted velocity performance of proposed large-bore electromagnetic launchers. The experimental data for railguns with plastic/composite insulation is shown to fit a scaling relation of the form Vm=Ve+E(j)d, where Vm is the muzzle voltage, Ve is the total electrode drop, and the electric field dependence on current density is given by E(j)=E0+j/σ. This scaling relation predicts a linear increase in armature voltage with bore diameter for d>0.1 m. The model is in better agreement with the limited data on large-bore railguns than earlier models
Keywords :
composite materials; electromagnetic launchers; insulation; plasma devices; plastics; EM launchers; bore diameter; current density; efficiency; electric field; empirical model; muzzle voltage; plasma armature voltage; plastic/composite insulation; railguns; scaling; total electrode drop; velocity; Boring; Current density; Electrodes; Laboratories; Physics; Plasma density; Plasma materials processing; Plasma measurements; Railguns; Voltage;
Journal_Title :
Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on
