Study of a single-stage electromagnetic launcher system using pancake coil

A single-stage electromagnetic launcher system using pancake coil is a type of induction launcher that induces an eddy current in a metal projectile by time varying magnetic induction produced by a pancake coil. An active protection element such as armor plat or other terminal ballistics interception device can be launched by this system for the interception and disruption of an incoming round before it strike the armor of a combat vehicle. In order to design this system optimally, a two-dimensional finite element model has been developed, which can calculate the eddy current in the metal projectile and inductance of the system. Thus its inductance gradient for any projectile position can be calculated, and the force on the projectile can be determined. A physical model of a single-stage electromagnetic launcher system using pancake coil has been built in the laboratory. The comparisons between the calculated and measured results show that the proposed model is efficient for optimal design of the system.