SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNETIC SUSPENSION AND ELECTROMAGNETIC LAUNCH ACCELERATOR

摘要

Superconducting cables and coils are employed to create a high force magnetic suspension, which is used to suspend a carriage that is accelerated by a linear motor around an enclosed, evacuated circular track of large circumference. The magnetic suspension counteracts both gravity and radial acceleration to prevent the carriage from contacting the acceleration passage wall. A projectile is firmly clamped into the carriage. When the carriage reaches launch speed the projectile is released from the carriage into a tangential exit tube and launched through an egress hatch into the open atmosphere and, potentially, into orbit. The carriage continues around the track, decelerates, and is re-used to launch additional payloads. Multiple carriages and projectiles can be accelerated simultaneously. Radial accelerations exceeding 10,000 g's are achievable.