The design and structural analysis of a coilgun for low acceleration of heavy loads

Variants of the coilgun are considered for use in microgravity experimental research. Subscale point designs are described for a payload of 50 kg and muzzle velocity of 30 to 40 m/s. A multiphase linear induction coilgun (LIL) (one stage with six coils and constant pitch) and a 4-stage reconnection...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on magnetics 1999-01, Vol.35 (1), p.160-165
Main Authors: Wang, De-Man, Liu, Ping, Liu, Hai-Qiang, Cheng, Jian-Jun, Zhu, Ying-Min
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acceleration
Applied sciences
Coilguns
Coiling
Coils
Design engineering
Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering
Exact sciences and technology
Fluctuations
Geometry
Joints
Magnetic levitation, propulsion and control devices
Miscellaneous
Payloads
Poles and towers
Projectiles
Reinforcement
Structural analysis
Testing
Various equipment and components
Velocity control
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Summary:Variants of the coilgun are considered for use in microgravity experimental research. Subscale point designs are described for a payload of 50 kg and muzzle velocity of 30 to 40 m/s. A multiphase linear induction coilgun (LIL) (one stage with six coils and constant pitch) and a 4-stage reconnection coilgun were designed and analyzed. The results show that the requirement of very low acceleration is difficult, because the acceleration fluctuation of both designs is large. But differences between them are revealed. The induced current in the armature of the reconnection gun distributes much more unevenly than in the LIL, and this will cause mechanical and thermal problems. The efficiency of energy transformation in the connection gun is better than LIL of this specific design. Mechanical structural analysis results of the reconnection coilgun are also presented. The results show the coils are structurally sound. The armature is a nonlinear problem of both material and geometry so the available code Super SAP is adopted. However, the armature requires structural reinforcement.
ISSN:0018-9464
1941-0069
DOI:10.1109/20.738395