Summary of EM launcher experiments performed at LLNL

Hawke, R.S.; Nellis, W. J.; Newman, G.H.; Rêgo, João Henrique da Silva; Susoeff, A.R.

doi:10.1109/tmag.1986.1064716

Cited by 57 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…These devices have demonstrated accelerating 1 cm-sized polycarbonate pellets up to ~ 7 km/sec, with energy transfer efficiencies of ~10% and constant accelerations up to ~4.5•10 6 g's. 94,95 They are, however, not re-useable at these demanding levels due to significant performance-driven erosion of the bore. Also, acceleration of frozen D pellets has been to only half these velocities due to wall and electrode erosion, not particle disassembly.…”

Section: Fuel Injector and Tankagementioning

confidence: 99%

Realizing "2001: A Space Odyssey" - Piloted spherical torus nuclear fusion propulsion

Williams

Dudzinski

Borowski

et al. 2001

37th Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit

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Section: Fuel Injector and Tankagementioning

confidence: 99%

Realizing "2001: A Space Odyssey" - Piloted spherical torus nuclear fusion propulsion

Williams

Dudzinski

Borowski

et al. 2001

37th Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit

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“…The value of ratio p m /p is closed within the limits of 0.3 -3 at conditions of experiments [2][3][4][5].…”

Section: Analysis Of Acceleration Of Projectile In Emlmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…These estimations show that at moment, when voltages U b and U m begin to differ, this energy is usually sufficient for initiator explosion. Fig.2 shows the correlation between measured velocities and velocities estimated from equation (2). As it follows from these data, under relatively small velocities of projectile less than 3 km/s, measured velocity exceeds calculated one.…”

Section: Experimental Study Of Eml With Massive Lithium and Graphmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…The tested designs of EML according to (2) should provide projectile velocity v m above 15-20 km/s [2,5]. However really measured projectile velocities have been obtained much less, than follows from the equation (2).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However really measured projectile velocities have been obtained much less, than follows from the equation (2). Essential difference of experimental values of projectile velocity from expected values has been usually connected to reduction of efficiency of acceleration owing to action of a number of the negative factors, namely:…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Electromagnetic launchers - the new concept

Kozlov

Luzganov

Polistchook

et al.

2004 12th Symposium on Electromagnetic Launch Technology, 2004.

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The dielectric body in a channel of electromagnetic launcher (EML) accelerates under action of pressure of plasma. There are severe enough basis to consider that in a channel of constant cross section the velocity of plasma flow can not surpass a velocity of sound in plasma. Accordingly, the maximum accessible velocity of throwing projectiles in EML is limited to a velocity of sound. The velocity of sound in plasma is determined by its composition and temperature. The plasma in a channel of EML is usually produced due to erosion of walls of the channel. Under typical conditions of EML operation the velocity of sound in plasma is 5-7 km/s that coincides with values of throwing velocity obtained experimentally. The increase of a velocity of throwing can be reached only at increase of the velocity of sound in plasma. The probable solutions permitting to raise the velocity of sound till 10-12 km/s are discussed. Probably, it is impossible to receive values of sound velocity above 15-20 km/s for the working conditions of EML, therefore the velocity of throwing at a level 12-15 km/s is limiting for EML.One of methods of increase of a sound velocity in EML is the using of the massive initiators from lithium and graphite. The results of experimental study of the EML characteristics with such initiators have been presented. It has been shown, that at usage of such initiators erosion of walls of a channel essentially decreases, and the high values of conversion of electromagnetic energy brought to a channel, in a kinetic energy of projectile (about 20 %) have been reached.

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