Continued testing of the cannon caliber electromagnetic gun system (CCEMG)

Werst, M.D.; Penney, C.E.; Hotz, T.J.; Kitzmiller, J.R.

doi:10.1109/20.738437

Cited by 14 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Among the potential applications for railguns rapid fire systems have been discussed for a long time [1][2][3][4][5]. In fact the electric launch technology may outclass classical powder guns not only with respect to muzzle energy but also regarding the maximal cadences to be obtained.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ISL Rapid Fire Railgun Project RAFIRA Part II: First Results

Schneider

Woetzel

Wenning

2008

2008 14th Symposium on Electromagnetic Launch Technology

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This paper reports on the rapid fire railgun (RAFIRA) project recently launched at ISL with the aim of investigating the multishot capacity of the armature technology used at the ISL. The latter is characterized by the use of multiple metal fiber brush armatures. The project started with the development of a new medium caliber launcher (25 mm x 25 mm) named RAFIRA and a suitable loading system, as described in part I of the set of papers. This part II summarizes the major results obtained with RAFIRA in single-shot mode and briefly explains the method of optimizing its performance. The experimental realization of the loading system described in part I is presented. First results regarding the performance of this loader are presented. Suitable conditions allowing multishot experiments were worked out. The paper concludes by presenting the first multishot experiments performed using the ISL armature technology. Already in the first tests, RAFIRA has accelerated projectiles up to more than 1000 m/s, while achieving cadences around 30 Hz. The sliding contact performance of these experiments is briefly discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ISL Rapid Fire Railgun Project RAFIRA Part II: First Results

Schneider

Woetzel

Wenning

2008

2008 14th Symposium on Electromagnetic Launch Technology

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“…Essential parameters that must be addressed to increase CPA power density are the rotor tip speed, operating voltages, and excitation flux density. Recent advances in composite technology combined with high strength titanium and aluminum alloys have allowed designers to reduce CPA mass [1], [4]. Increasing tip speed, making the machine lighter, generating higher voltages, and reducing losses are all relatively easy when viewed individually, but together these parameters have a unique relationship that must be balanced carefully.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High strain insulation systems for compulsator rotors

Hahne¹,

Gräf

Kitzmiller

et al. 1999

IEEE Trans. Magn.

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-As the power density requirement for new compulsator (CPA) designs increases, designers are driven to use more composites to reduce mass, spin the rotors faster to store more energy, and operate the machine at higher voltages to increase machine power output. In any particular compulsator design, the rotor windings are subjected to high strain levels as the rotor is spun and experiences radial growth. A critical component in the rotor winding design is the high voltage insulation. As the rotor is spun, the induced strains are applied to the insulation system on the coil conductors. This implies that over the operating life of a compulsator, the coil structure and the high voltage insulation must remain structurally intact, while undergoing repeated cyclic loading. This paper presents the design and testing of a compulsator rotor winding that has been recently fabricated at the Center for Electromechanics at The University of Texas at Austin. The paper focuses on the testing done both at room and elevated temperature to evaluate the winding structure and high voltage insulation system under both tensile and transverse strain conditions. Data presented suggests a factor of safety of at least five for strain to failure values and high voltage insulation good for at least twice line voltage after testing to strain failure.

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“…For this program, a four-pole air core compulsator was used to drive a 2.25 m augmented railgun capable of rapid firing 15 projectiles at a velocity of 1,850 m/s. The program was completed in Fall 1996 having performed over 400 tests including six single shot tests and demonstration of multishot dry fire capability [1]. During the CCEMG program, UT-CEM gained much knowledge in three different areas: compulsators, railguns, and high voltage high current switches.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Single shot switch performance on the cannon caliber electromagnetic gun program

Hotz¹,

Penney²,

Kitzmiller

et al. 1999

IEEE Trans. Magn.

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-The Cannon Caliber Electromagnetic Gun (CCEMG) program at The University of Texas at Austin Center for Electromechanics incorporates two solid state switch modules. The 95 MW rectifier/inverter bridge (RIB) generates the field inside of the compulsator (CPA) and the 825 kA gun switch module (GSM) is the main closing switch between the CPA and the launcher. Since commissioning the CCEMG system, nearly 400 discharges have been performed using these switches. These tests produced a significant amount of information which will be very useful for the design of future solid state switching systems on other electromagnetic launch programs. This paper will present the basic design, testing and lessons learned from the commissioning of the CCEMG system switches.

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Continued testing of the cannon caliber electromagnetic gun system (CCEMG)

Cited by 14 publications

References 5 publications

The ISL Rapid Fire Railgun Project RAFIRA Part II: First Results

The ISL Rapid Fire Railgun Project RAFIRA Part II: First Results

High strain insulation systems for compulsator rotors

Single shot switch performance on the cannon caliber electromagnetic gun program

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