Optimization of the power circuit for most efficient performance of ISAS railgun (HYPAC)

• Published in: IEEE transactions on magnetics Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 1093 - 1096
• Main Authors: Yamori, A., Kawashima, N.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.01.1993; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Subjects: Acceleration; Applied sciences; Capacitance; Capacitors; Circuits; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Instruction sets; Kinetic energy; Miscellaneous; Projectiles; Railguns; Rails; Timing; Various equipment and components; Gun; Power electronics; Energy storage capacitor; Optimization; Rail accelerator
• ISSN: 0018-9464; 1941-0069
• DOI: 10.1109/20.195733

A study of the optimization of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) railgun (HYPAC) power circuit has been performed to increase the efficiency of the railgun performance. Capacitance and the stored energy in the capacitor have been changed and the conversion efficiency of electrical to kinetic energy has been obtained. Experimental results show that the most efficient energy transfer is obtained when the projectile leaves the muzzle of the railgun at the end of the first half cycle of the discharge current. If the projectile leaves the muzzle earlier or later than this timing, the conversion efficiency decreases.< >