Influence of Caliber Width on Launch Performance in Electromagnetic Launcher

Abstract

Electromagnetic launcher relies primarily on initial mechanical interference to provide contact pressure on the initial launch phase to maintain good electrical contact performance at the rail/armature (A/R) contact interface. Reasonable design of the bore and armature’s structure can provide good contact pressure and improve the current density distribution at the A/R interface, reducing the melting deposition of the aluminum armature, avoiding the transition phenomenon, and inhibiting the rail grooving. It also has a significant impact on the inductance gradient of the launch system. In this article, we have considered the influence of the caliber width of the electromagnetic launcher on the contact pressure distribution, current density distribution, and acceleration of the payload. It is found that the increase in the caliber width is more favorable for the contact pressure distribution; however, the effect on the current distribution is less. At the same time, as the caliber width increases, the inductance gradient of the electromagnetic launcher system first increases and then decreases. Based on these studies, the optimal caliber width of a rectangular electromagnetic launcher with a caliber height of 20 mm is proposed.