Research on Pancake-Coil Electromagnetic Launch Intercepting System

Abstract

With pancake-coil electromagnetic launcher as a research object, the experimental platform of the pancake-coil electromagnetic launch intercepting system with 50-kV pulse capacitors as energy storage was built and tested for discharge to study the electromagnetic launch intercepting system. The oscillation problem of the current flowing through freewheeling loop was solved by connecting the reverse-cut diode stack in series with trigger vacuum switch (TVS). However, due to limiting power component, the experimental system can work normally at 9.4-kV capacitor voltage. A proportional 3-D model of the pancake-coil electromagnetic launcher and an external excitation circuit model were established based on the structural and circuit parameters of the experimental system to perform simulation. The accuracy of the simulation model was proved by comparing the simulated and measured currents obtained under same capacitor parameters. Based on the established finite element model, maximum launching capacity and energy efficiency of the experimental system platform were estimated through simulation, and the space–time distribution characteristics of the magnetic field were analyzed during the launching process. In addition, the electromagnetic-structure coupling simulation was carried out to study the deformation problems of components of launcher by sequential coupling. All the work done in this paper provides guidance for a detail research, and we want to try to improve our electromagnetic launch experimental system.