Electric switch and integrated switch-preaccelerator system for an electromagnetic projectile launcher

摘要

An integrated switch-preaccelerator system for use in an electromagnetic launcher includes a pair of spaced generally parallel preaccelerator rails, a pair of spaced first and second conductive switch terminal elements disposed adjacent upstream ends of the rails, and three coaxially arranged conductive tubular members enclosing and extending axially along the rails, one of which being movable relative to the others between conducting and non-conducting positions. The terminal elements and selected ones of the tubular members are electrically connected together such that movement of the one tubular member from its conducting position to non-conducting position causes operation of the switch to commutate current from a first path wherein current flows from the first to the second terminal element by flowing through the tubular members in opposite directions along path segments spaced from and coaxially arranged about one another to a second path wherein current flows from the first to the second terminal element by flowing through portions of the rails and a solid armature being supported therebetween and bypassing the tubular members.