Multiphase railgun systems: a new concept

• Published in: IEEE transactions on magnetics Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 472 - 477
• Main Authors: Murthy, S.K., Weldon, W.F.
• 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; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Energy conversion; Exact sciences and technology; Inductors; Miscellaneous; Power generation; Projectiles; Pulse generation; Railguns; Rails; Rotors; Space vector pulse width modulation; Various equipment and components; Multiphase system; Gun; Compulsator; Electromagnetic device; Rail accelerator
• ISSN: 0018-9464; 1941-0069
• DOI: 10.1109/20.195621

The authors investigate multiphase railguns powered by multiphase compulsators. The polyphase system offers several advantages over the single-phase system. The multiphase compulsator relaxes the strong dependence between the current pulse width necessary for the railgun and the design parameters of the generator, thus allowing the compulsator to be designed for optimum power density and electromechanical energy conversion. The authors examine the two-, three-, and six-phase systems. They also explore different methods of achieving high acceleration ratios in multiphase railgun systems. Some of the methods analyzed are ramping up the field current of the compulsator to counter the back electromotive force of the gun, utilizing a railgun with varying inductance per unit length, and using an external variable inductor in series with the compulsator. The different features of each method are highlighted using simulation results.< >