Design and Analysis of a Modular Pulsed Alternator Power System for Driving 32-MJ Muzzle Energy Railgun

This paper explores the use of pulsed alternators driving a railgun with 32-MJ muzzle energy. A series of modular pulsed alternator power system (MPAPS) with the different number of modules is designed and analyzed based on the scaling laws. The system performances are simulated using MATLAB. Taking into account all system performances, especially the output current pulse-shape flexibility, the MPAPS composed of six alternators is selected. The six modules are divided into three pairs of matched contra-rotating pulsed alternators; each pair has the independent firing time. By optimizing the voltage and the firing time of each pair, a relatively flat-topped current pulse is produced. The average-to-peak acceleration ratio of railgun reaches 0.67. Therefore, this design of MPAPS is an option for a long-range railgun.