Effect of a transient current profile on the dynamics of railgun arcs

Author

Batteh, Jad H. ; Powell, John D. ; Rolader, Glenn E.

Author_Institution

Science Applications International Corp., Marietta, GA, USA

Volume

29

Issue

1

fYear

1993

fDate

1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

739

Lastpage

744

Abstract

A one-dimensional, time-dependent model for describing transient behavior in railgun plasma armatures is used to investigate the effects produced by a time-varying current profile. Ablation from the rail surface is also accounted for. The governing equations are solved numerically to produce as a function of time and space the electrodynamic and thermodynamic properties of the arc. These quantities are shown to be considerably different from those predicted by commonly used quasi-static models. The importance of these transient effects and how they can affect the design of projectiles and the analysis of diagnostic data are discussed

Keywords

arcs (electric); electromagnetic launchers; plasma guns; plasma theory; projectiles; 1D time-dependent model; ablation; dynamics; electrodynamic properties; projectile design; rail surface; railgun arcs; railgun plasma armatures; thermodynamic properties; transient current profile; Data analysis; Electrodynamics; Equations; Plasma properties; Predictive models; Projectiles; Railguns; Rails; Thermodynamics; Transient analysis;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9464

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/20.195668

Filename

195668