Analysis of a Series of Electromagnetic Launcher Firings,
Abstract
In this report theoretical aspects of electromagnetic launchers are presented in conjunction with an analysis of diagnostic measurements taken during the RAPIS Plasma Intensity Profiles (RPIP) series of firings. These theoretical aspects deal with the current-time behaviour, the plasma temperature and the evaluation of railgun parameters such as the efficiency and effective inductance per unit length. The principal aims of the RPIP series were: (1) to see if different types and masses of plasma-generating foils affected railgun performance and the diagnostic measurements taken during each firing and (2) to compare some of the theoretical predictions of the Plasma Armature Rail Accelerator (PARA) simulation code with experimental results. Projectile displacement-time results for the series were obtained by digitising photographs from a streak camera and in order to verify the PARA produced from microdensitomer readings for the streak films. The experimental results were affected by plasma disruption, arcing ahead of the projectile and plasma leakage. These effects are also discussed in this report. Keywords: Railgun accelerators; Electromagnetic launchers; Australia.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA188522
Entities
People
- V. Kowalenko
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group