Electromagnetic Launchers and Guns. Phase I

摘要

During the first six months (phase one) the group constructed a 65 kJ, 6 kV fast discharge capacitor bank, a 134 kJ, 900 V slow discharge bank, and a 245 kJ, 350 V mobile bank for field launching was started. Also completed was an accelerator test bench and a protected control and observation room instrumented with digital data processing equipment. Studies have been initiated on three acceleration mechanisms, and on the theoretical limitations in general. A 'helical railgun' (brush-commutated helical accelerator) was bench-tested to 500 gee acceleration and 30 m/s velocity achieved over a 12 inch section. A 20 foot, twin helix launcher and optimized cargo or reconnaissance glider were designed, for construction during phase two. Mass driver (discrete-coil, synchronous accelerator) coils were tested to destruction over a range of pulse conditions to gain an understanding of failure modes and develop improved designs for different ranges of operation. A momentum transformer has been constructed for transferring momentum from a pneumatically driven sabot to a smaller projectile. Theoretical studies indicate that the smallest vehicle capable of surviving a ground-based launch to earth escape velocity at reasonable atmospheric losses of mass and energy is a 25 kg, 6 cm caliber cylinder.