Ultimate Kinematic Characteristics of Single-Turn Coil Guns

Summary form only given. The paper reports results of an investigation and optimization of single-turn coilgun performance aimed at attaining the maximum velocity at a specified accelerated mass and specified constraints on the maximum permissible mechanical and thermal loads. Current distributions in conductors were calculated using the hybrid finite element boundary method modified to take into account the effect of the external circuit with constant inductance, resistance, and capacitance. Results are presented on the acceleration of metal solids with masses of a few grams to several hundred grams to velocities of 0.2 km/sec - 3 km/sec with an efficiency of up to 40% for realistic parameters of the external circuit.