2011/06/09 by Thomas B. Bahder, Bahder, Thomas B., William C. McCorkle +1
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Classical Physics (physics.class-ph) #Electromagnetic Launch and Propulsion Technology #FOS: Physical sciences #Geophysics and Sensor Technology #Plasma Diagnostics and Applications #physics.class-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1106.1881
7 pages, 7 figures
arxiv created 2011/06/09 · openalex publication_date 2011/06/09 · arxiv updated 2011/06/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We derive the non-linear dynamical equations for an augmented electromagnetic railgun, whose augmentation circuit is inductively coupled to the gun circuit. We solve these differential equations numerically using example parameter values. We find a complicated interaction between the augmentation circuit, gun circuit, and mechanical degrees of freedom, leading to a complicated optimization problem. For certain values of parameters, we find that an augmented electromagnetic railgun has an armature kinetic energy that is 42% larger than the same railgun with no augmentation circuit. Optimizing the parameters may lead to further increase in performance.