High velocity linear induction launchers

Abstract

Electromagnetic launchers (EMLs) have received great attention in the last decades because of their potential application to a variety of energy, transportation, space, and defense systems. Particularly, they can serve as kinetic weapons, such as ground-based and naval artillery, space-based anti-missile guns, Earth-to-Orbit launcher, and mass transportation. The main advantage is that EMLs can accelerate projectiles to hyper velocities, i.e. velocities greater than those achievable with conventional cannons. The Linear Induction Launcher (LIL) is an air-cored electromagnetic coil launcher operating on the principle of the induction motor. Polyphase excitation of the coils constituting the barrel is designed to create an electromagnetic wave packet, which travels with increasing velocity from the breech to the muzzle. The projectile is a hollow conducting cylinder (sleeve) carrying the payload within it. Relative motion (slip) of the wave packet with respect to the projectile induces azimuthal currents in the sleeve that interacts with the exciting magnetic field to produce both propulsive and centering forces. This paper deals with the design of a high velocity linear induction launcher with muzzle velocity up to 6000 m/s. It addresses the design specifications of the launcher and utilizing a projectile weighing 1 kg. In the paper, the design specifications with simulation results for the phase voltages, the currents, the velocity, and the temperature rise of the sleeve are presented. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.