Title :
Design and development of extremely high velocity electromagnetic launch accelerators-GEDI program
Author :
Upshaw, J.L. ; Zowarka, R.C. ; Cook, R.W. ; Weeks, D.A.
Author_Institution :
Center for Electromech., Texas Univ., Austin, TX, USA
fDate :
1/1/1989 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Research is described that has centered around 1, 2, or 8 m long, 12.7 mm square-bore railguns powered by one or more of the following power supplies: a 1 MJ capacitor-bank-driven, pulse-forming network; a 6 MJ homopolar-generator (HPG)-charged coaxial inductor; or one or more of six 10 MJ Balcones-HPG-charged coaxial inductors. Several variations of the 1 and 2 m-long railguns were designed, fabricated, and tested. Railgun design parameters, development, and some test results are described. Parameters of primary importance in designs include sidewall insulator and rail materials; gun length and outer structure materials; stiffness and strength; ease of assembly and disassembly; and availability of methods for supporting, straightening, and honing the guns. Both static and dynamic aspects of railgun structural behavior are discussed
Keywords :
electromagnetic launchers; homopolar generators; power capacitors; power inductors; power supplies to apparatus; pulsed power technology; 1 MJ; 10 MJ; 6 MJ; Balcones-HPG-charged coaxial inductors; capacitor-bank-driven; design parameters; extremely high velocity electromagnetic launch accelerators; gun length; homopolar-generator; outer structure materials; pulse-forming network; rail materials; sidewall insulator; square-bore railguns; stiffness; strength; test results; Acceleration; Boring; Coaxial components; Electromagnetic launching; Inductors; Life estimation; Pulsed power supplies; Railguns; Rails; Testing;
Journal_Title :
Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on
