Application of a Rechargeable, Small Caliber Railgun Power Supply
Abstract
A capacitive power supply for driving a railgun load has been developed using solid-state switch gear and electrolytic capacitors. Electrolytic capacitors and solid-state switching devices allow relative ease of component orientation and insensitivity to field conditions. The circuit is constructed such that half the bank capacitance is initially charged while the other half is uncharged. Both halves are connected in series with the load. When the discharge is initiated, the current passing through a railgun simultaneously charges the uncharged section of the capacitor bank. The current waveform is nearly sinusoidal; its half-cycle time may be easily matched to the projectile acceleration time by including a series inductor. Theoretical results and experimental data are presented from a 4 module, 7500 J and 30 kA per module, laboratory setup. This type of supply is ideal for use with augmented and multiturn railguns. In these configurations, the pulse shaping inductance becomes part of the railgun itself. Because the circuit may be timed so that zero current coincides with projectile exit, projectile tip off is reduced and firing becomes flashless. In fact, since the SCRs open when the load current goes to zero, the current zero may precede projectile exit. Keywords: Electric propulsion; Solid armature; Sliding contact; Electromagnetics; Railguns.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA224207
Entities
People
- Alexander E. Zielinski
- Keith A. Jamison
Organizations
- Ballistic Research Laboratory