| Title |
A Study on Effect on Current Density Distribution, Inductance Gradient, and Contact Force by Variation of Armature and Rail Structure |
| Keywords |
Electricmachinery ; Railgun ; Armature ; Inductance Gradient ; Contact Force |
| Abstract |
The distribution of current in the conductors influenced by the armature geometry and velocity is an important parameter for determining performance of an electromagnetic launcher(EML). the electric current in the early launching stage tends to flow on the outer surfaces of the conductors, resulting in very high local electric current density. However, the tendency for current to concentrate on the surface is driven by the velocity skin effect later in launching stage. The high current density produces high local heating and, consequently, increases armature wear which causes several defects on EML system. This paper investigates the effects of rail/armature geometry on current density distribution, launcher inductance gradient (L'), and contact force. Three geometrical parameters are used here to characterize the railgun system. These are the ratio of contact length to root length, relative position of contact leading edge to root trailing edge, and the ratio of rail overhang to the rail height. The distribution of current density, L', contact force between various configurations of the armature and the rail are analyzed and compared by using the EMAP3D program. |