Design and Testing of 15-Stage Synchronous Induction Coilgun

Abstract

An improved large-caliber synchronous induction coilgun is designed and tested to demonstrate the launch of 120-mm projectiles. This induction coilgun consists of 15 identical coils forming a long uniform barrel for simple design and fabrication. Fifteen separate coils are fit in a long insulative tube and molded once with elastic insulative material that isolates the coils with the containment. The 15-stage induction coilgun provides a significant improvement in the armature capture effect, system efficiency, and coil structure. A computer simulation model based on the viewpoint of finite element analysis software is developed to predict the performance of the launcher system. Five-kg copper projectiles are accelerated from rest to 220 m/s through the 2.5-m launcher assembly with a projectile kinetic energy to capacitor stored energy efficiency of 14.5%. Further experimental studies are continued.