Research on a Big Multiturn Rail Electromagnetic Launching System

This paper introduces the designs of two large-bore multiturn rail prototype launchers and experiments on them. The first launcher is some 4.5 m long, capable of launching 5-kg weight to 35 m/s with a bore of 140 $\,\times\,$120 mm and with a maximum current about 2500-A DC. The second one has a bore of 400 $\times$ 370 mm and can accelerate a 300-kg load to a velocity of 35 m/s with its 7-m-long rails and when using a current of nearly 9000-A DC. The launch speed of the system can be increased with the growth of capability of the power supply. On the basis of experimental results obtained, we summarize the merits and demerits of the multiturn launcher in real-world applications. Pointing to its characteristics, this paper discusses issues to which attention should be paid in the use of the multiturn rail launcher and the technical methods required to improve the performance of the multiturn rail-launching system.