Browsing by Subject "coilgun"

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Coilgun Structures
(IEEE, 1993-01) Andrews, J.A.;
Research on coilguns at the Center for Electromechanics at the University of Texas at Austin (CEM-UT) has yielded considerable insight into the optimal design of coilgun structures. This research has indicated that the structural requirements are strong functions of launcher classification as well as acceleration mode. As a result, CEM-UT has built and tested the DC coaxial accelerator (DCA) coilgun, which is a multistage pulsed induction launcher that makes extensive use of composite material technology. The author presents analytical techniques (closed-form and numerical) used to make structural design calculations in the DCA launcher. The evolution of the multiturn wound DCA armature design is discussed. In addition, measured plastic deformation of this armature after a high-energy experiment is compared to that predicted by finite element analysis
Coilgun Technology at The Center for Electromechanics, The University of Texas at Austin
(IEEE, 1993-01) Bresie, D.A.; Ingram, S.K.
The engineering trade-offs performed on a coilgun design are described. The concept used was that of a collapsing field accelerator. This concept was chosen because of its passive operation, and because it lent itself to existing power supplies. The trade-offs described concern stress, maximum temperature rise in conductors, efficiency, time constants of the energy storage element, and weight. An example of such a trade-off concerns the mass of coilgun armatures. The more massive an armature, the greater its ability to absorb resistive losses and the higher its time constant. However, larger armature lower payload efficiency. Another trade-off concerns the fraction of armature weight that is devoted to structure. More highly stressed armatures have more attractive electrical performance at the expense of parasitic weight
SPEAR Coilgun
(IEEE, 1995-01) Bresie, D.A.; Bacon, J.L.; Kennington, K.S.; Ingram, S.K.; Weeks, D.A.
The SPEAR, a development in coilgun technology, passively launches a projectile with a solenoidally wound armature. This paper describes the SPEAR, its electromagnetic operation, its construction, and the tests performed to prove its principle. It describes the composite stator sections and the glass reinforced armature coils. It describes how engineers at CEM-UT overcame the problem of keeping solid state switch volume low by employing a modular switch design with a unique snubbing circuit that reduces required volume. Results of test #5, described in the paper, show how well the operation of the SPEAR matches the computer simulation predictions. Conceptually, the proximity of the approaching armature electromagnetically drives a stator coil's current through zero. At zero crossing the stator freewheel switch turns off, preventing reestablishment of stator current as the armature moves away. As originally designed, the gun was to accelerate a 2 kg package to 2000 m/s. The part built is expected to achieve 1000 m/s with a 0.75 kg package.