Literature review of theory and technology of air-core tubular linear induction motors [electromagnetic launcher applications]

In this paper, we review some major research results in air-core tubular linear induction motors theory and technology, based on "open literature" publications, which were obtained in the world over the last decades. One database analysis shows that coil launchers are covered in 68 of over 1000 electromagnetic launcher papers published. The research program includes studies of history, types, applications, theories and analysis, design, and power conditioning of coil launchers with emphasis on the traveling wave induction (linear induction launcher) one. In the theories and analysis section, a preview is given of the current sheet model, current filament model, finite element model, and wavelet transform. In the design section, local and global optimisation algorithms and design results are reviewed. In the final section, we review power conditioning of capacitor driven coilguns and generator driven coilguns, and concepts of "magnetic flux compression" for generating pulses required to efficiently drive the coil launchers and "double-fed induction launchers".