ROTARY SWITCH FOR INDUCTIVELY DRIVEN RAIL GUN SYSTEMS

An electrical switch for switching direct current in an inductively driven electromagnetic projectile launching system is provided with a rotor having a generally cylindrical conductive element with a first portion that includes a continuously conductive external surface. A second portion of the conductive element includes a pair of insulating members fixed at angularly spaced locations such that sections of the conductive elements and the insulating members alternate along the generally cylindrical surface of the elememt. One pair of angularly spaced retractable brush members extend radially inward toward and axially along the conductive surface of the first portion of the conductive element to make sliding electrical contact with the conductive element during the inductor charging phase of a launch sequence. A second pair of angularly spaced retractable brush members extend radially toward the segmented portion of the rotor conductive element and serve to commutate current from the switch to a pair of generally parallel projectile launching rails. A switch housing encircles the rotor and supports conductors which are used to electrically connect one brush of each pair to the launcher circuit. The other brushes are electrically shorted. Means is provided for moving the brush members into and out of contact with the rotor conductive element to achieve the desired switching function.