The Dynamic Performance and Thermal Computation of Electromagnetic Rail Launcher Considering Parameters Variation

For the electromagnetic rail launcher, the parameters variation has obvious effect on the dynamic performance and efficiency. This paper constructs the system simulation model of the electromagnetic rail launcher by using of Simulink software, and then analyzes the influences on the system dynamic performance for main devices. Based on the parameters and large current condition, the launching efficiency model is constructed, and the energy distribution characteristics are obtained. The loss of rail, armature, and feeder equipment is 38.7%, and the loss of arc extinguishing equipment is about 4.76%, so the heat loss is about 43.46% of total loss. When considering that the other loss is 33.37%, the system energy efficiency is 23.17%. Based on the design of the small prototype, the energy loss characteristics of the full prototype in launch rail and its temperature features are discussed in detail. The peak temperature is 276 °C after 11 continuous shots with converting coefficient being 5000 W/(m
²
·K), and it can decrease 58 °C if the better convection boundary condition is achieved, which means the rail can meet the requirement of the thermal management.