Analysis of the Main Factors Affecting the Current Density and Temperature of Electromagnetic Rail

• Published in: IEEE transactions on plasma science 2022-12, Vol.50 (12), p.5001-5012
• Main Authors: Shuo, Ma, Shilei, Lu, Hongting, Ma, Fan, Yang, Aobing, Nong, Dandan, Ma
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Contacts; Current density; Design optimization; Electromagnetic rail current density; electromagnetic rail temperature; Electromagnetics; finite element analysis; Friction; influencing factors; Plasma temperature; Railguns; Rails; Temperature distribution; Waveforms
• ISSN: 0093-3813; 1939-9375
• DOI: 10.1109/TPS.2022.3227924

In order to study the influence of different factors on the electromagnetic rail temperature, under the condition of control variables, the variation of current density and temperature in the rail are simulated by COMSOL simulation software under different input current, current waveform, rail geometry, and material. The calculation results show that the peak value of input current has little effect on the distribution of rail current density and temperature, but has a significant effect on the maximum current density and maximum temperature rise on the rail. Shortening the rising time of the input current can quickly increase the armature speed and the rail temperature, but the change of current waveform has little effect on the maximum current density, maximum temperature, and friction heat. Rail conductivity, height, width, armature diameter, and length are negatively correlated with rail maximum current density and maximum temperature. The research conclusion has a certain guiding significance for optimizing the structure design of electromagnetic rail gun and controlling electromagnetic launch conditions.