Research on armature vibration characteristics of electromagnetic gun’s extreme sliding electrical conta

Abstract

The electromagnetic railgun is a new launch method that uses electromagnetic force to drive payloads and accelerate objects to super high speeds. In the electromagnetic railgun system, the armature is a key component that converts electrical energy into kinetic energy of projectile. It will vibrate when it moves between rails, and the vibration characteristic is the behavior when the armature slides along the rail. Armature vibration will affect firing accuracy, damage integrity of rail, and affect life of rail. Armature vibration may also cause arc discharge, which will damage the armature, consume energy, and reduce the launching efficiency of the electromagnetic railgun. In order to provide a more reasonable design for the armature, based on the finite element simulation software ANSYS, a modal analysis was performed on the armature during the launch process, and the possible modes of its free vibration were simulated. The analysis found that the vibration modes are mainly divided into translational movements along the X, Y, and Z directions and torsional movements along the X, Y, and Z axes. Whether or not the prestress is loaded on the armature and the magnitude of the prestress does not significantly affect its vibration mode. Changing the armature structure and materials will affect the vibration mode of the armature accordingly.