A new flux compressor power source for railguns

Flux compression could be an ideal means for pulse powering railguns as it can quickly convert mechanical energy to electrical pulse form, but there are practical and theoretical problems in finding a physical realisation and a set of compatible parameters. Disk coils are examined as the basis for re-usable flux compressors for powering railguns and are found to offer a range of possible engine-type or machine-type forms which would have low gain (about 10) and could be operated as constant current sources. Some forms would be massive, but up to 5 kJ/kg may be attainable with others. They would be a reliable technology needing only a few massive parts of high strength.