Optimal design of multistage coilgun

This paper presents an optimal design for a multistage capacitor-driven inductive coilgun. For the optimal design, the genetic algorithm and a launching simulation are used. The launching simulation algorithm employs equivalent circuit equations and the equation of motion of projectile. The equations set for each stage are solved simultaneously using the Runge-Kutta method. The multistage coilgun is designed by a sequential design method. The resulting specifications and characteristics of a three-stage coilgun are obtained. It is found that the three-stage coilgun is more energy efficient than the single-stage one. For the same amount of energy expended the three-stage coilgun achieves a higher muzzle velocity.