초록 ▼

A multiple stage magnetic railgun accelerator (10) for accelerating a projectile (15) by movement of a plasma arc (13) along the rails (11,12). The railgun (10) is divided into a plurality of successive rail stages (10a-n) which are sequentially energized by separate energy sources (14a-n) as the pr

A multiple stage magnetic railgun accelerator (10) for accelerating a projectile (15) by movement of a plasma arc (13) along the rails (11,12). The railgun (10) is divided into a plurality of successive rail stages (10a-n) which are sequentially energized by separate energy sources (14a-n) as the projectile (15) moves through the bore (17) of the railgun (10). Propagation of energy from an energized rail stage back towards the breech end (29) of the railgun (10) can be prevented by connection of the energy sources (14a-n) to the rails (11,12) through isolation diodes (34a-n). Propagation of energy from an energized rail stage back towards the breech end of the railgun can also be prevented by dividing the rails (11,12) into electrically isolated rail sections (11a-n, 12a-n). In such case means (55a-n) are used to extinguish the arc at the end of each energized stage and a fuse (31) or laser device (61) is used to initiate a new plasma arc in the next energized rail stage.

대표청구항 ▼

A multiple stage magnetic railgun (10) having breech and discharge ends (29,32), comprising: a pair of electrically conductive rails (11,12) extending between said breech and discharge ends (29,32), said rails (11,12) being spaced apart to define a bore (17) therebetween, said pair of rails (11,12)

A multiple stage magnetic railgun (10) having breech and discharge ends (29,32), comprising: a pair of electrically conductive rails (11,12) extending between said breech and discharge ends (29,32), said rails (11,12) being spaced apart to define a bore (17) therebetween, said pair of rails (11,12) being divided into a plurality of successive rail stages (10a-n) along the length of said railgun (10), energizing means (35a-n) for electrically energizing each successive rail stages (10a-n) in sequence to accelerate an arc (13) through the energized stage and in a direction toward the discharge end (32) of said railgun (10), and means (34a-n, 55a-n) for preventing propagation of energy from an energized stage (10b-n) back towards the breech end (29) of said railgun (10).