Eddy Current Effects in the Laminated Containment Structure of Railguns

The propulsive force in a railgun is reduced by eddy currents induced in the conductive containment structure. Here, we examine how a simple railgun's inductance gradient, which is directly proportional to the propulsive force, depends on containment structure geometry and armature motion. Numerical simulations were used for the sensitivity study as well as to understand eddy-current distribution and consequent effects under various kinematic conditions. Such characterization will aid in judicious design of containment structure