Increasing Launch Efficiency with the PEGASUS Launcher

TL;DR

This paper compares two railgun armature technologies, demonstrating that the c-shaped armature significantly improves launch efficiency and velocity over the brush armature, with potential implications for energy storage requirements.

Contribution

It provides experimental comparison of aluminum c-shaped and copper brush armatures, showing the superior performance of the c-shaped design in railgun launches.

Findings

C-shaped armature achieved 3100 m/s velocity.

C-shaped armature had 41% overall launch efficiency.

Brush armature reached 2500 m/s with 23% efficiency.

Abstract

In the real world application of railguns, the launch efficiency is one of the most important parameters. This efficiency directly relates to the capacity of the electrical energy storage that is needed for the launch. In this study, the rail/armature contact behavior for two different armature technologies was compared. To this end, experiments using aluminum c-shaped armature and copper brush armature type projectiles were performed under same initial conditions. The c-shaped armature type showed a superior behavior with respect to electrical contact to the rails and in acceleration. A 300 g projectile with a c-shaped armature reached a velocity of 3100 m/s and an overall launch efficiency including the power supply of 41%. This is to be compared to 2500 m/s and 23% for the launching of a projectile using a brush armature.