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US 4,347,463 AGranted
Electromagnetic projectile launcher with self-augmenting rails
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsGeorge A. Kemeny, Donald C. Litz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-augmented parallel rail electromagnetic projectile launcher with a commutating circuit breaker disposed adjacent the breech.
Claims23
An electromagnetic projectile launcher comprising:
- a first conductor;
- a second conductor disposed generally parallel to said first conductor;
- means for propelling a projectile from one end of the first and second conductors to the other end thereof and for conducting current therebetween;
- a third conductor disposed generally parallel and adjacent said second conductor and being electrically connected to said first conductor adjacent said one end thereof;
- a fourth conductor disposed generally parallel and adjacent said first conductor and being electrically connected to said second conductor adjacent said one end thereof;
- a source of high current electrically connected to the other end of said third and fourth conductors;
- and
- circuit breaking means electrically connected between the one end of said first and second conductors, whereby the current required for launching a projectile at a predetermined velocity is rapidly commutated to the first and second conductors by opening said circuit breaking means and the current is lower than that required utilizing a single pair of conductors.
5 more elements
An electromagnetic projectile launcher comprising:
- a first conductor;
- a second conductor disposed generally parallel to said first conductor;
- means for propelling a projectile from one end of the first and second conductors to the other and for conducting current therebetween;
- additional conductors disposed in groups adjacent said first and second conductors;
- said additional conductors being so disposed that conductors disposed adjacent said first conductor have current that flows in the same direction as it flows in the first conductor and conductors disposed adjacent said second have current that flows in the same direction as it flows in the second conductor;
- a source of high current electrically connected to said conductors;
- and
- circuit breaking means electrically connected to the one end of said first and second conductors, whereby the current required for launching the projectile at a predetermined velocity is rapidly commutated to the first and second rails and is at a lower value than required utilizing a single pair of conductors.
5 more elements
An electromagnetic projectile launcher comprising:
- a projectile;
- a high current source;
- a plurality of conductors connected to said source and cooperatively arranged to produce a magnetic field directed to increase the force which launches the projectile;
- two additional conductors;
- and
- circuit breaking means;
- said circuit breaking means and said two additional conductors being interconnected with said plurality of conductors so that said two conductors only conduct current after commencement of the launch.
4 more elements
An electromagnetic projectile launcher comprising:
- a projectile;
- a source of high current comprising inductive energy storage means;
- circuit breaking means;
- a plurality of conductors generally connected in series with said source;
- a pair of additional conductors interconnected with said plurality of conductors and said circuit breaking means so that said pair of additional conductors only conduct projectile propelling current after commencement of the launch, and said plurality of conduction conducting current prior to commencement of the launch and being arranged to produce a magnetic field properly directed to increase the force propelling the projectile during the launch.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.