Experimental results and performance analysis of a 500 m/sec linear induction launcher (LIL)

Author

Zabar, Zivan ; Lu, X.N. ; Levi, E. ; Birenbaum, Leo ; Creedon, J.

Author_Institution

Polytechnic Univ., Brooklyn, NY, USA

Volume

31

Issue

1

fYear

1995

Firstpage

522

Lastpage

527

Abstract

A computer model, previously validated, was used to study the performance of an experimental three-phase launcher energized by a capacitor bank and designed to impart to a 137 gram projectile a muzzle velocity of 500 m/s: (1) the build-up of the traveling wave was examined; (2) the connection of the drive coils was changed; (3) the resistances of the drive circuits were calculated and measured; and (4) the effect of the conductivity of the cylindrical tube (sleeve) constituting the projectile was assessed. Experimentally, a doubling of the muzzle velocity was achieved, from an earlier-obtained 250 m/s, to its present 476 m/s. This was done by strengthening the thin-walled aluminum sleeve by heat treatment (aging) to prevent it from being crushed when the input energy was raised to its design value.<>

Keywords

ageing; coils; digital simulation; electromagnetic launchers; heat treatment; mechanical engineering computing; power capacitors; power engineering computing; projectiles; pulsed power technology; 137 g; 476 m/s; Al; aging; capacitor bank; computer model; drive circuit resistance; drive coils; heat treatment; induction coilguns; linear induction launcher; muzzle velocity; performance analysis; projectile; three-phase; traveling wave; Capacitors; Circuits; Coils; Conductivity measurement; Drives; Electrical resistance measurement; Energy measurement; Performance analysis; Projectiles; Velocity measurement;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9464

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/20.364681

Filename

364681