Railgun Separated Ballistic and Current Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electromagnetic propulsion systems like railguns, the integration of ballistic guidance and electrical current contact surfaces leads to excessive rail wear, reducing performance and accuracy due to arcing and damage, limiting the system's operational lifespan and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The separation of ballistic guidance and current carrying functions, where ballistic guidance is provided by one or more pairs of guidance rails with current carrying rails of alternating polarity, made from materials with high conductivity and resistance, and connected via thermal conduction joints, with insulating blocks and a fiber composite overwrap for structural reinforcement, and the use of bore riders to reduce friction and heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If ballistic guidance and electrical current contact surfaces are integrated in railguns, then the system structure is simplified, but rail wear increases excessively leading to reduced performance and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the rail system into separate functional components: current carrying rails (CCR) made of high-conductivity materials and ballistic guidance rails (BGR) made of wear-resistant materials. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, preventing the integrated design from causing excessive wear and performance degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the ballistic guidance function from the current carrying rails by introducing separate ballistic guidance rails. This extraction removes the harmful interaction between current flow and ballistic contact, eliminating the arc-induced wear that degrades performance and accuracy over time.
2Reliability
If current carrying rails are made from high conductivity materials, then electrical performance is improved, but resistance to arcing damage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rail system into current carrying rails made of high-conductivity materials and ballistic guidance rails made of arcing-resistant materials. This allows the CCR to be optimized for electrical performance without compromising to arcing damage, since the BGR handles the ballistic contact function.
Solution Approach 2:
The ballistic guidance rails act as an intermediary between the current carrying rails and the projectile. They absorb the arcing damage and wear from projectile contact, protecting the high-conductivity CCR from direct exposure to harmful arcing effects.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If ballistic guidance rails are made from wear resistant materials, then rail lifespan is extended, but electrical conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rail functions so that ballistic guidance rails use wear-resistant materials for extended lifespan, while current carrying rails use high-conductivity materials for electrical performance. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning each material property to the appropriate functional component.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces arcing damage, enhances structural integrity, and maintains performance by distributing forces and heat effectively, leading to improved accuracy and extended railgun lifespan, while also reducing the impact of plasma armatures on the system.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetic field formed around the rails applies a Lorentz force to the armature accelerating the armature along the cavity longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
A power supply connected to the rails causes current to flow when an electrically conductive material (armature) disposed between the rails completes the circuit
Implementation Method 3
The CCRs are joined to the BGRs by means that preferably enhances the conduction of heat from the CCRs to the BGRs
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnetic propulsion system is disclosed having separate rails for ballistic guidance and for carrying current. In this system, one or more pairs of ballistic guidance rails are provided, with each ballistic guidance rail having a pair of current carrying rails joined to it to form a combined rail. Each combined rail is separated electrically from adjacent combined rails by electrically insulating blocks. Each of the current carrying rails in a given combined rail pair have the same electrical polarity, and the polarities alternate between adjacent combined rails. Armatures contact current carrying rails to complete the circuit to generate the accelerating Lorentz force on the armatures. Bore riders on the sabot and/or projectile are in contact with the ballistic guide rails. Separation of the current carrying and ballistic guidance functions increases resistance of the system to rail movement and bending, as well as reduced wear/damage to the rails. In further embodiments, a circumferential over wrap providing compressive force on the rails further increases resistance of the system to rail movement and bending.